Douglas Alexander MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the agreement reached in Minsk, said:

“All of us in the international community will give the agreement reached in Minsk a cautious welcome. But its impact on the dire humanitarian and security situation in Eastern Ukraine will ultimately be judged by deeds, and not simply words.

“President Putin has committed to cease support for armed groups in Eastern Ukraine, and to facilitate the withdrawal of weapons and fighters from Ukrainian territory. His actions will be closely and carefully watched by the international community to ensure that he meets both the spirit and the letter of this deal.

“As European leaders meet in Brussels, the EU must continue to show a robust and united response to Russia’s recent aggression, and encourage President Putin to deliver on his pledge to calm tensions instead of inflaming them.”

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