Ukraine crisis: Shelling follows Minsk peace summit

Ukraine crisis: Shelling follows Minsk peace summit, New shelling has been reported in the rebel-held east Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, a day after the peace deal was reached in Minsk.

There are no confirmed reports of casualties. Both cities are near the front line where the pro-Russian rebels face government forces.

The ceasefire agreed in the Belarusian capital is to begin in eastern Ukraine after midnight (22:00 GMT) on Saturday.

The EU has warned Russia of new sanctions if the deal is not respected.

BBC journalists in Donetsk heard new shelling on Friday morning, though they said it sounded less intense than in recent days.

Luhansk also came under bombardment overnight.

Doubts remain about the peace deal, which was agreed following marathon negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.

Pro-Russian rebels have signed the agreement, which also includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key issues remain to be settled.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says EU officials have been told to prepare further sanctions in case the ceasefire is not respected.

Ceasefire to begin at 00:01 local time on 15 February (22:01 GMT 14 February)
Heavy weapons to be withdrawn, beginning on 16 February and completed in two weeks
All prisoners to be released; amnesty for those involved in fighting
Withdrawal of all foreign troops and weapons from Ukrainian territory. Disarmament of all illegal groups
Ukraine to allow resumption of normal life in rebel areas, by lifting restrictions
Constitutional reform to enable decentralisation for rebel regions by the end of 2015
Ukraine to control border with Russia if conditions met by the end of 2015

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says Ukrainian and Russian military commanders will hold direct talks.

He warned that implementation of the agreement, reached by leaders in the Belarusian capital Minsk, would be difficult.

A sticking point is the disputed town of Debaltseve, a key government-held town besieged by rebels, where fighting is still going on.

Further talks will also be held on self-rule in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions.

Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supplying weapons and personnel to the rebels but Russia denies this.

More than 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict began. There has been a dramatic rise in casualties in recent days, with 263 civilians killed in populated areas between 31 January and 5 February.

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