Poroshenko seeks help from EU

Ukraine's President arrived at the European Council in Brussels on Saturday (August 30) for meetings with President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

Poroshenko is seeking help in stopping the escalation of the conflict in the east of his country where Russia is believed to be giving support to rebels fighting government forces.

The EU summit was set to end weeks of wrangling over top jobs in Brussels and agree on who will fill key posts in EU institutions that face major challenges from a combative Russia and a stuttering economy.

Russia's assumed military intervention in Ukraine will also be discussed when the prime ministers and presidents meet from late afternoon. Officials doubt they will do more than agree to study stepping up their economic sanctions on Moscow.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Milan on Friday spoke of toughening an arms embargo, extending the list of individuals or sectors targeted by economic sanctions and also of sen