Ukraine deal full of potential pitfalls

Guns would fall silent, heavy weapons would pull back from the front and Ukraine would trade broad autonomy for the east to get back control of its Russian border by the end of 2015 under a peace deal hammered out in negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.

The deal was full of potential pitfalls that could derail its implementation, however. In announcing the plan, Russia and Ukraine differed over what exactly they had agreed to in the marathon 16-hour talks, including the status of Debaltseve, a key town now under rebel siege.

Russian president Vladimir Putin told reporters that the agreement envisages a cease-fire beginning at 00:01 local time on Sunday as well as a special status for Ukraine’s separatist regions and provisions to address border concerns and humanitarian issues.