The White House on Thursday welcomed a ceasefire struck by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany in Minsk.
“The agreement represents a potentially significant step toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty consistent with the Minsk agreements from last September,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest. “We call on all parties to carry out the commitments undertaken in today’s accord and the September agreements fully and without delay. This agreement must now be followed by immediate, concrete steps to fulfill the commitments by all parties.”
Under the deal struck between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President French President Francois Hollande, the ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists would begin Sunday.
The deal came at the end of marathon talks, which took place as the Obama administration weighed sending lethal arms to Ukraine. Ahead of the announcement, the president said he had not yet made a decision about supplying weapons to Kiev.
Still, U.S. officials warn that the deal could easily fall apart if Russia does not follow through on its commitments. And violence escalated in Eastern Ukraine on Thursday as terms of the deal were announced.
“Heavy weapons must be withdrawn from the conflict zone, and Russia must end its support for the separatists and withdraw its soldiers and military equipment from eastern Ukraine,” Earnest said. “The true test of today’s accord will be in its full and unambiguous implementation, including the durable end of hostilities and the restoration of Ukrainian control over its border with Russia.”
