BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The international community has responded with cautious optimism to the Minsk peace deal reached Thursday between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany on ending the Ukraine crisis.
The agreement envisages a cease-fire between Ukrainian forces and independence-seeking insurgents starting on Sunday, to be followed by the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line and constitutional reform to give eastern Ukraine more autonomy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters Thursday that the parties "have managed to agree on the main issues," including the withdrawal of heavy weapons, a special status for Ukraine's eastern regions, provisions on border controls, and humanitarian issues.
Meanwhile, all sides also stressed that disagreements remained.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged all parties involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine to fulfill their commitments made at the Minsk peace talks and ensure that a genuine and lasting cease-fire will take effect on Sunday as agreed.
"The secretary-general expects that the commitments which have been made in Minsk will be respected by the parties. He urges the parties concerned to ensure that a genuine and lasting cease-fire will commence on Feb. 15 as agreed, paving the way for a broader political settlement of the conflict, based on the Minsk accords," said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson.
The United States welcomes the cease-fire agreement and calls for immediate implementation of the deal, the White House said Thursday.
The agreement represents a "potentially significant step" toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty consistent with the Minsk agreements from last September, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.
Earnest called on all parties to carry out the accord and the September agreements "fully and without delay."
"The true test of today's accord will be in its full and unambiguous implementation, including the durable end of hostilities and the restoration of Ukrainian control over its border with Russia," the spokesman said.
The White House also expressed its concerns about the escalation of fighting in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, which it said "is inconsistent with the spirit of the accord."
European Council President Donald Tusk said late Thursday that the Minsk deal must be respected.
"We give it cautious support. Words put down on paper must translate into real deeds. The cease-fire must be respected, we must see a real de-escalation of the conflict," Tusk told reporters after an informal EU summit in Brussels.
Tusk said the EU "will not hesitate to take necessary steps" if the Ukraine peace pact were not implemented.
He also noted that the EU leaders did not discuss any new sanctions or the removal of current sanctions against Russia.
Both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande acknowledged that more work needs to be done despite the temporary peace deal.
"This is a glimmer of hope, no more no less," Merkel told reporters in Brussels. There are still major hurdles lying ahead and concrete steps must be taken, she noted.
Hollande called the package of the Minsk agreements "a relief for Europe" and "a hope for Ukraine."
He thanked Putin for influence he exerted on leaders of the self-claimed Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics. He also thanked Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for his active participation in the negotiations.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said that he welcomed the concerted efforts, but actions on the ground is more important. "What matters actually is actions on the ground rather than just words on a piece of paper."
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto warned that the cease-fire will not begin until Sunday and disturbances may happen.
Niinisto said the initial stage of peace would start when heavy weapons are withdrawn. Then issues related to the surveillance of the border, a possible special status of eastern Ukraine and an agreement on the ties between the EU and Ukraine remain to be solved.
He warned that an uncertain situation is likely to continue in Ukraine for a long time.
Also on Thursday, Albania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the ceasefire agreement.
"The agreement reached this morning once again underlines the importance of resolving conflict through peaceful means and all-inclusive political dialogue," it said.
It urged parties concerned to "fully engage in respecting and implementing all elements of this agreement and in particular the ceasefire ... to achieve a sustainable solution, in the best interest of Ukraine and its citizens."
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