Leaders agree cease-fire at Minsk summit

Germany urges parties to exercise restraint after deal's 'difficult birth' in marathon negotiations

The leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine have agreed a deal to end fighting in eastern Ukraine, participants at the summit talks said on Thursday.

The deal reached after all-night negotiations in the Belarusian capital Minsk includes a cease-fire that will come into effect on Feb 15, followed by the withdrawal of heavy weapons.