BRUSSELS, Dec. 18 - The European Union's foreign policy chief urged President Vladimir Putin to adopt a "radical change in attitude" and begin cooperating as EU leaders gathered to map out a long-term strategy for dealing with an economically wounded Russia, Reuters reported.

BRUSSELS, Dec. 18 - Top Ukraine ministers vowed to root out graft in what they called the most corrupt country in Europe to meet the demands made by international partners before they stump up more aid.

KIEV, Dec. 18 - Ukraine took over natural gas producing assets in a small area bordering Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March, the state border guard service reported Thursday.

MOSCOW, Dec. 18 – President Vladimir Putin has branded Ukraine's attempt to crush a Moscow-backed separatist uprising in the east of the country a "punitive operation" and said Russia was fighting for its right to exist, AFP reported.

MOSCOW, Dec. 18 - President Vladimir Putin assured Russians on Thursday that the economy would rebound after the ruble's dramatic slide this year but offered no remedy for a deepening financial crisis, Reuters reported.

KIEV, Dec. 19 – The Security Service of Ukraine has prevented a terrorist attack in the center of Kiev, an advisor to the SBU head, Markiyan Lubkivsky, has said.

MOSCOW, Dec 20 - Russia will not be intimidated over its actions in Ukraine and Crimea, President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday as his foreign ministry warned that it was preparing to retaliate against fresh Western sanctions, Reuters reported.

BRUSSELS, Dec. 19 – European Union leaders warned Moscow they are ready to flex their combined muscle and "stay the course" in a long confrontation with Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to pull back from Ukraine, Reuters reported.

KIEV, Dec. 21 - The authoritarian leader of Belarus flew into Kiev on Sunday hoping to revive stalled Ukrainian peace talks he has been hosting to calm Europe's volatile eastern edge, AFP reported.

KIEV, Dec. 18 – Ukraine needs serious rearmament, according to National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov.