German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday that the new agreement over Ukraine crisis was a "difficult birth," and relevant parties should exercise restraint before the ceasefire agreed takes effect.

"It was extremely difficult negotiations," said Steinmeier in a statement posted on the website of German Foreign Ministry, calling the agreement reached in Minsk after marathon talks "a difficult birth."

He said parties had "achieved something," including a ceasefire from Feb. 15, clear timelines for elections in the eastern Ukraine, border control and prisoner exchange.

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