Top European Union officials landed in Kiev for a key summit with the former Soviet state as it faces off against the rebels in the east, whom its Western allies accuse Russia of backing.
The EU leaders pressured Ukraine's government to speed up anti-corruption reforms to clean up Ukrainian politics and business in return for closer ties with the bloc.
"You have a powerful enemy, but you also have a lot of friends. You can count on their help, but it will not be enough unless you yourself change Ukraine," said EU president Donald Tusk.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says the country first needs more help to stabilize the industrial east, where the rebels have seized partial control of two regions and shelling is rumbling on despite a February cease-fire.
Observers with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) near the flashpoint town of Shyrokyne said they had witnessed "the most intense shelling" since fighting began there in mid-February, as well as the movement of heavy weapons.
Ahead of the summit Poroshenko called on EU leaders to "provide powerful signals in support of Ukraine and its European integration."
His office said it had "agreed to continue coordination" with EU officials on the possibility of a peacekeeping force.
An EU official said ahead of the summit, "We are studying these proposals in detail." But he added that the EU saw "no reason" to replace the OSCE monitors. The official said the EU will stand up for Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and aims to see Kiev regain full control of its eastern border in 2015.
Source: AFP
globaltimes.cn
27/4/15
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