Dutch PM Rutte shows guarded optimism on Ukraine deal

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte calls the agreement on the Ukrainian conflict in Minsk an important step but feels that it is still too early to talk about sanction reliefs, he says to NOS. Rutte thinks the main issue is now to get the parties to hold on to the agreements. "Then we will see what the next steps should be," the Prime Minister said. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders, is cautiously optimistic about the agreement and happy all parties have agreed to a cease-fire. He emphasizes that it needs to be clear what has been agreed and what will be implemented. "The devil is a bit in the details," he said. Koenders expressed his appreciation for the mediating role of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. "It is critical that all the parties, including Russia, commit to the agreements made and with full compliance," Koenders noted.