Ukraine seeks deeper EU ties

Urkaine’s prime minister has been drumming up support from the EU after renewed fighting in the country’s east.

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman blamed Russia for the violence, a charge repeatedly denied by Moscow.

“This town used to be very peaceful. But its communal and electric services were heavily shelled. Living conditions for the population of Avdiivka became appalling,” the Ukrainian premier said in a joint press conference with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

Juncker said that a deal on visa liberalisation would be in place by the summer.

Eastern Ukraine has its worst violence ever for two years with more than 35 deaths in over a week.

But as the war rages, the government in Kiev is pressing for deeper ties with Brussels.

Two days ago, a top separatist commander, known as Givi, was killed in the east.

It came four days after a car bomb killed another pro-Russian military leader.