Ukraine crisis: Further weapons withdrawals agreed

 

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to call for the withdrawal of more types of weapons in Ukraine's east, as fresh clashes renew fears for a truce there.

The deal was made at talks in Berlin involving foreign ministers from the two countries, and France and Germany.
It reportedly covers mortars, tanks and heavy weapons below 100mm calibre.
But Germany warned the talks had also emphasised differences over the year-old conflict between Ukraine's military and pro-Russian rebels.


"It was again a very long, very intensive discussion which in parts was very controversial," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.
"During these talks today the differences of opinion between Kiev and Moscow also became clear once again."
But, he added, all parties had also reaffirmed the commitment to a ceasefire agreed in February in the Belarussian capital, Minsk.
Both sides are largely thought to have adhered to the deal - until a recent escalation of fighting in the flashpoints of Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne village, on the outskirts of the strategic town of Mariupol.
A joint final statement by the ministers in Berlin expressed "concern" at the escalation