A peace conference to bring the bloodshed in Ukraine to an end began in the Belarusian capital Minsk yesterday, after a week of EU-led diplomatic efforts.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollands are acting as brokers for the peace talks.
Upon entering the conference, Russian president Vladimir Putin was seen shaking hands with Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko.
Bitter accusations of arming and reinforcing pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine had been leveled against Russia throughout the conflict. Russia denied these claims.
The talks are reportedly set to be focused on withdrawing the heavy weaponry currently deployed, creating a demilitarized zone, and securing a lasting ceasefire.