The Minsk agreement, also known as the Package of Measures, is a set of measures aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The agreement was first signed in February 2015 by representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and separatist leaders from Donetsk and Luhansk.
The primary objective of the Minsk agreement is to bring an end to the violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people in the conflict-ridden region. The Package of Measures outlines a number of steps that need to be taken by all parties involved in the conflict to achieve this goal.
The first measure of the Minsk agreement is a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and separatist rebels. The ceasefire was supposed to come into effect on 15th February 2015, but it was repeatedly violated. Despite this, the ceasefire remains the most important element of the agreement as it provides the foundation for all other measures.
The second measure of the Minsk agreement is the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the conflict zone. The sides agreed to withdraw all weapons with a caliber of 100mm or greater from the front line to create a buffer zone between Ukrainian government forces and separatist rebels.
The third measure of the Minsk agreement is the establishment of a special status for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions within Ukraine. The special status would give the regions more autonomy and allow them to have their own police forces and judicial systems.
The fourth measure of the Minsk agreement is the exchange of prisoners between the Ukrainian government and separatist rebels. The sides agreed to exchange all prisoners based on the principle of "all for all."
The fifth and final measure of the Minsk agreement is the establishment of a constitutional reform process in Ukraine, which would give greater decentralization to the regions and allow for more direct participation of citizens in local governance.
Although the Minsk agreement has been in place for several years, it has not been fully implemented, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues. However, the Package of Measures remains the best hope for resolving the conflict and bringing lasting peace to the region.