30/08/2014 14:03
EU mulls fresh response to Russia
EU leaders are to meet in Brussels to consider fresh sanctions against Russia following accusations that its troops are fighting inside Ukraine, the BBC reported.
Russia denies that its regular forces are backing a rebel offensive in eastern Ukraine.
But ahead of the summit, EU officials said a clear message must be sent to Russia to de-escalate the crisis.
In Ukraine, a number of government troops remain encircled by the rebels in the Donetsk region.
Reports say the pro-Russian fighters have issued an ultimatum to the Ukrainian troops near the town of Ilovaisk to surrender by Saturday morning.
Some 2,600 people have died in fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
In Brussels, the leaders of the 28-member bloc are also to decide who will fill two of Europe's top jobs: president of the European Council and foreign policy chief to replace Herman Van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton.