MINSK AGREEMENT 1 AND 2.

Why in news?

• The agreements relate to peace seeking settlement signed between Ukraine and Russia and are named after the Belarusien capital where the agreements were first settled.
• Minsk 1 – Signed in 2014, it was a 12-point ceasefire deal. However, it could not stand.
• Minsk 2 – Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and leaders of separatist-held regions Donetsk and Luhansk signed a 13-point agreement in February 2015.
• Its provisions include ceasefire, withdrawal of weapons, interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk etc.
• However, Ukraine and Russia interpret the pact very differently leading to the “Minsk conundrum’.