Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a ceasefire deal for eastern Ukraine marks a significant breakthrough. <br /><br /> Marathon talks have been held in the Belarussian capital Minsk, in an effort to put a stop to fighting in the area. <br /><br /> Putin said the truce would come into effect on Sunday (February 15) and that the withdrawal of heavy artillery would take place over the two weeks that follow.<br /><br /> Speaking from Minsk, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the agreement was partly down to pressure Putin put on pro-Moscow separatists in the restive east of Ukraine.<br /><br /> “There is a glimmer of hope here,” she said. “We have an in-depth implementation plan from the Minsk agreement but, of course, concrete steps have to be taken and we will still face major obstacles. But, on balance, I can say that what we have achieved provides significantly more hope than if we had achieved nothing.”<br /><br /> She also praised the efforts of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who “did everything to achieve t
