Ukraine: Lavrov insists 'the ceasefire regime will start'

  • 19/02/2017
A serviceman holds a weapon through a crack in a hut
A Ukrainian serviceman holds a weapon at a position on the front line near the government-held town of Avdiyivka, Ukraine, February 10, 2017 (Reuters)

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists has been agreed.

The news came after a meeting between Lavrov and Ukrainian, German and French counterparts in Munich.

"On February 20 the ceasefire regime will start and withdrawal of heavy military hardware will also start," Lavrov said.

"We have actively supported this decision and obviously expressed a conviction that this time, failure should not be allowed to take place."

Lavrov's comments came minutes after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told reporters he was "not at all" happy with the results of Saturday's meeting.

Reuters