Kiev

The European Union signed Friday agreements for deeper political and economic integration with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Leaders of the three ex-Soviet states attended a ceremony in Brussels which marked the step strengthening ties with Europe despite previous Russian resistance.

Four Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observers, including Turkish obsever Mehmet Kılıç, were released by the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in an apparent goodwill gesture on June 27.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on June 27 that kidnapped Turkish observer Kılıç's release was obtained following intense diplomacy.

Rebels in southeast Ukraine early on June 27 released four out of eight international observers, captured over a month ago, in an apparent goodwill gesture that could help pave the way to a resolution of the conflict that has so far claimed hundreds of lives.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday accused Russia of failing to fully back a peace plan to end the bloodshed in the east of his country.
      
The plan "will only be able to work if Russia cooperates. Up to now unfortunately the support (from Moscow) has been insufficient," Poroshenko told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed to appoint regional representatives to oversee human rights violations and constitutional infringements.

The scope of the representatives’ mission is outlined in the draft constitutional amendment, which will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) on Thursday, Interfax agency revealed.

Russia revokes "right to intervene in Ukraine"

MOSCOW -- The Russian Federation Council has revoked its resolution adopted in March allowing the use of the Russian army in Ukraine.

The decision was taken "one vote short from unanimously," Itar-Tass reported, and is already in effect.

The Russian parliament's upper chamber voted on Wednesday to revoke the right that it had granted President Vladimir Putin in March to order a military intervention in Ukraine, where Kiev is struggling to quell a rebellion by Russian speakers in the east.
   

Fresh excerpts of a tapped conversation between Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and a former Finance Minister have triggered another scandal involving the government.

In recording provided by Wprost, a news magazine, Sikorski is heard making insulting remarks on relations with Washington and British Prime Minister David Cameron's EU policies, the BBC reports.

Ukraine's pro-Russian insurgents have agreed to a temporary ceasefire and talks with the new Western-backed president, as U.S. President Barack Obama warned Russia it risks fresh sanctions over its support for the separatists.

Ukranian president wants Merkel "more involved"

KIEV -- Petro Poroshenko has called German Chancellor Angel Merkel and other world leaders to get more involved and help settle the conflict in the country.

Poroshenko referred to the clashes as "pro-Russian uprising in the east of the country."