BREAKING NEWS: Deal Reached To Defuse Tensions In Ukraine

A U.S. member of staff adjusts logos on the speakers podium before a media briefing by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry after talks on the situation in Ukraine, in Geneva, April 17, 2014. Four-party talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine are working on a written document that will be published later on Thursday if the talks go well, a diplomatic source with knowledge of the talks said. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

U.S., Russia, Ukraine, EU Call For End To Ukraine Violence -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The United States, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on Thursday together called for an immediate halt to violence in Ukraine, where Western powers believe Russia is fomenting a pro-Russian separatist movement.

"All sides must refrain from any violence, intimidation or provocative actions," said a joint statement released after the four foreign ministers met in Geneva.

"All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated," it added.

Read more ....

Update #1: Deal Reached On Calming Ukraine Tensions -- AP
Update #2: Lavrov: Russia, US, EU, Ukraine agree on de-escalation roadmap -- RT

My Comment: This is good news .... but will the Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine listen? My money is that they will not. I will update this story as more news becomes available.