WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The eastern provinces of Ukraine have been in turmoil since April 2014, when Kiev authorities launched a military operation against pro-independence militia in Donbass. In February 2015, the two sides reached a ceasefire deal after talks brokered by the leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine — the so-called Normandy Format — in the Belarusian capital of Minsk.
The deal stipulates a full ceasefire, weapons withdrawal from the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, an all-for-all prisoner exchange and constitutional reforms, which would give a special status to the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics. Both sides of the conflict, however, have been constantly accusing each other of violations of the agreement.
"I would call on Russia once again to work with all of us to fully implement the Minsk agreement," Kerry stated.
Kerry explained he expected NATO ministers to reiterate their support for Ukraine at meetings scheduled for Wednesday.
