Leaders of four countries agree to carry out cease-fire deal

The leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia on Thursday agreed to push through the implementation of the ceasefire accord in Kiev, forged last week in the Belarus capital of Minsk.

French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who proposed "last chance deal" to halt fighting on the doorstep, held phone talks with Ukrainian leader Petro Porochenko and Russia's President Vladimir Putin over recent days' fighting which is likely to put into doubt the diplomatic resolve to end the crisis.

The four leaders condemned the cease-fire breaches and "agreed to implement strictly and entirely the measures approved on 12 February in Minsk," Hollande's office said in a statement.

Negotiated by France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine last Thursday, the deal urging an end of fighting in Ukraine's eastern regions, swap of war prisoners and stopping of arming separatists, came into force on Sunday.

"OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) representatives should meet the parties on the ground to quickly implement these measures," the Elysee said.

Foreign ministers from the four counties would discuss details of Minsk plan later on Thursday, it added. Endit