Ukraine crisis: Yanukovich announces 'peace deal'

An agreement on resolving the crisis in Ukraine was reached at all-night talks involving President Viktor Yanukovich, the opposition and three European Union ministers, the presidential press service said on Friday.

Ukraine's embattled President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders were due Friday to sign a preliminary deal aimed at ending the county's bloodiest crisis since independence, the presidency said in a statement.

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"The parties agreed on the initialling of an agreement to resolve the crisis," the presidency said in a statement after a night of talks mediated by EU and Russia.

"The signing is expected at 12:00 (1000 GMT)" at the presidency, the statement said. No details of the agreement were given.

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