Powers Agree On 'De-Esclating Tensions' İn Ukraine

The four-way Geneva meeting on the crisis in Ukraine has agreed on taking steps to "de-escalate" tensions.



The meeting of the European Union, the United States, Ukraine and Russia has called on all "illegal" groups in Ukraine to be disarmed and for occupied public places to be vacated.



It comes after reports of military movements in eastern cities similar to what resulted in the annexation of the Crimean peninsula last month.



On Tuesday, the sides stressed the importance of stability in Ukraine.



"All sides must refrain from any violence, intimidation or provocative actions," Lavrov said in a press conference after the meeting.



He said the sides rejected all expressions of extremism.



Lavrov said the monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe would play a key role in cooperating with Ukrainian authorities to implement de-escalation measures.



Before the meeting, EU foreign policy head Catherine Ashton said the 28-member bloc was "fully engaged" with the efforts to bring tensions down in Ukraine.



U.S. President Barack Obama said he hoped the meeting would contribute to a diplomatic solution.



The crisis began in November after Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovych announced he would give up on a trade deal with the EU in favor of closer ties with Russia.



It was followed by mass protests that led to the ousting of Yanukovych and his government.



The situation then intensified due to an "illegal" referendum in Crimea in March and the region's subsequent annexation by Russia.



englishnews@aa.com.tr - Cenevre