Here is the brief report (in Russian) by Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency citing Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying that a possible deal in Minsk won't be signed "today," but maybe "tomorrow."
More from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is quoted by Russia's state-owned news agency TASS as saying that the negotiations in Minsk are "going better than super." Here's the link (in Russian).
The latest report from AFP says that the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France were shut in a room with their advisers as the negotiations to resolve the Ukraine crisis dragged into the fifth hour. AFP cited a Ukrainian diplomatic source as saying that the meeting was difficult but making "progress."
A second source cited by AFP said the leaders intended to sign a joint statement calling for the fulfilment of a peace plan previously signed in September by Kyiv and pro-Russian rebels that ultimately fell apart.
As Ukraine peace talks continue overnight in Minsk, here's a look at key sticking points in a possible deal, per the AP:
-- Drawing a new line of division: Ukraine wants the same one that was agreed upon in September, while Russia wants a new line that reflects rebels' significant territorial gains since then.
-- Withdrawing Russian troops and equipment from eastern Ukraine: Russia says it does not have any troops and military hardware in the east, a stance scoffed at by Ukraine and NATO.
-- Securing the Ukraine-Russian border: Ukraine wants to get control back over its border with Russia to stem the flow of Russian fighters and weapons, while Russia says that's up to the rebels.
-- Giving the separatists more autonomy: Ukraine says it may offer them broad rights on the basis of the Ukrainian law, but Russia wants guarantees. Russia also wants Ukraine to end its financial blockade of the east.
Reuters cites a Russian diplomatic source as saying there is a 70-percent chance that an agreement aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis would be reached by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, German, and France currently meeting in Minsk.
Reuters also cites Ukraine’s army as saying that 19 of its soldiers were killed in attacks by pro-Russian separatists near the railway town of Debaltseve. A Ukrainian military spokesman earlier on February 11 put the death toll at 17.