(VOVworld) - The government and separatists in eastern Ukraine have agreed to start pulling back heavy weapons from the frontline, said a Ukrainian army official on Sunday. The agreement between rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine and the government forces is part of the terms of the Minsk ceasefire deal signed last September.

Both sides have used devastating rocket systems during the conflict. Photo: Reuters

According to the agreement signed on February 12^th, both sides have to start withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line last Tuesday and will have to finish this process by March 3^rd. They also agreed on prisoner exchange. If these conditions are met, both sides can process negotiations on the autonomy in regions controlled by the rebels and Ukraine’s resumption of its control over border with Russia.