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| Ukraine crisis: Russian 'direct aggression' concerns EU | Ukraine crisis: Russian 'direct aggression' concerns EU |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| European Union foreign ministers have expressed "deep concern" at Russia's "aggression against Ukraine", as the bloc's leaders prepare to consider new sanctions on the Moscow government. | European Union foreign ministers have expressed "deep concern" at Russia's "aggression against Ukraine", as the bloc's leaders prepare to consider new sanctions on the Moscow government. |
| Speaking after the ministerial meeting in Milan, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Aston urged Russia to "withdraw its forces from Ukraine". | Speaking after the ministerial meeting in Milan, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Aston urged Russia to "withdraw its forces from Ukraine". |
| EU leaders meet in Brussels later to consider their response to the crisis. | |
| Russia denies that its forces are backing rebels in eastern Ukraine. | Russia denies that its forces are backing rebels in eastern Ukraine. |
| But Baroness Ashton said there was "deep concern" over "direct aggression by Russian forces". She called on Russia to stop the flow of arms, equipment and personnel into Ukraine. | |
| In Brussels European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Russia that the EU was ready to "stand by its principles" and called for a political solution before the crisis reached a "point of no return". | In Brussels European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Russia that the EU was ready to "stand by its principles" and called for a political solution before the crisis reached a "point of no return". |
| He was speaking after talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who is due to attend the EU leaders' summit later on Saturday. | He was speaking after talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who is due to attend the EU leaders' summit later on Saturday. |
| Mr Poroshenko said Ukraine was a victim of "military aggression and terror" involving "thousands of foreign troops and hundreds of foreign tanks". | Mr Poroshenko said Ukraine was a victim of "military aggression and terror" involving "thousands of foreign troops and hundreds of foreign tanks". |
| Government forces have lost ground in recent fighting. | |
| A Ukrainian military spokesman said on Saturday that Russian tanks had attacked the town of Novosvitlivka near Luhansk and "destroyed virtually every house". | A Ukrainian military spokesman said on Saturday that Russian tanks had attacked the town of Novosvitlivka near Luhansk and "destroyed virtually every house". |
| A number of troops remain encircled by the rebels near the town of Ilovaisk in the Donetsk region. | A number of troops remain encircled by the rebels near the town of Ilovaisk in the Donetsk region. |
| Some 2,600 people have died in fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. | Some 2,600 people have died in fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. |
| Further south, people have been leaving the southern port city of Mariupol, after advancing rebels captured the town of Novoazovsk to the east. | Further south, people have been leaving the southern port city of Mariupol, after advancing rebels captured the town of Novoazovsk to the east. |
| Western and Ukrainian officials say that offensive has been substantially helped by Russian regular troops, opening a new front. Russia denies the accusation. | Western and Ukrainian officials say that offensive has been substantially helped by Russian regular troops, opening a new front. Russia denies the accusation. |
| The conflict there erupted in April following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula a month before. | The conflict there erupted in April following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula a month before. |
| Satellite evidence? | Satellite evidence? |
| On Friday, Nato released satellite images it said showed columns of Russian armed forces inside Ukrainian territory. | On Friday, Nato released satellite images it said showed columns of Russian armed forces inside Ukrainian territory. |
| Also on Friday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that the "already dangerous situation" in Ukraine had now entered "a whole new dimension". | Also on Friday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that the "already dangerous situation" in Ukraine had now entered "a whole new dimension". |
| Sweden's Carl Bildt said a clear message had to be sent to Russia: "We are in the midst of the second Russian invasion of Ukraine within a year," he added. | Sweden's Carl Bildt said a clear message had to be sent to Russia: "We are in the midst of the second Russian invasion of Ukraine within a year," he added. |
| It remains unclear if a new round of sanctions will be adopted in Brussels. | It remains unclear if a new round of sanctions will be adopted in Brussels. |
| The EU and the US have already imposed sanctions against dozens of senior Russian officials, separatist commanders and Russian firms accused of undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. | The EU and the US have already imposed sanctions against dozens of senior Russian officials, separatist commanders and Russian firms accused of undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. |
| In late July, the EU also targeted some key economic sectors, prompting Russia to retaliate by banning food imports. | In late July, the EU also targeted some key economic sectors, prompting Russia to retaliate by banning food imports. |
| War in eastern Ukraine: The human cost | War in eastern Ukraine: The human cost |