On February 12, 2015, Minsk II is signed after 17 hours of negotiations in Minsk. Participants: Merkel, Hollande, Putin, Poroshenko (Normandy Format).
Context: After Minsk I failure, in January 2015 Russian-backed separatists launch massive offensive. Fall of Donetsk airport, Battle of Debaltseve. Ukraine risks complete military collapse.
Agreements (13 points):
1. Ceasefire from February 15, 2015
2. Heavy weapons withdrawal (50-140km line)
3. OSCE monitoring with full access
4. Dialogue on local elections according to Ukrainian law
5. Amnesty for combatants
6. Prisoner exchange
7. Humanitarian aid
8. Border control restoration (after local elections)
9. Withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries
10. Constitutional reform with decentralization (special status for Donbass)
11-13. Implementation details
Disputed sequence: Kyiv wants border control first, then elections. Russia wants elections first, then border.
Outcome: Ceasefire partially respected for weeks. Fighting continues at Debaltseve until February 18 (thousands of Ukrainian soldiers encircled). Then "frozen" war until 2022 with daily violations. Agreements never fully implemented.
Criticism: Some analysts argue Minsk II froze conflict giving Russia time to prepare 2022 invasion.