EU won't send armed force to Ukraine despite clashes

EU leaders have told Ukraine they are worried about ceasefire violations in the east of the country but will not send armed peacekeepers there.

"We can only talk about a civilian mission, not military," European Council President Donald Tusk told a news conference in Kiev.The West accuses Russia of arming the rebels and sending in regular soldiers. Moscow denies that, insisting that any Russians on the rebel side are volunteers.

Mr Tusk said: "We are concerned about reports of weapons still entering eastern Ukraine".Under the Minsk ceasefire deal signed in February both sides were supposed to pull heavy weapons back from the conflict zone.

Ukrainians' living conditions are very difficult and they pledged more EU financial assistance to help in the hard reform process.