Urkaine’s prime minister has been drumming up support from the EU after renewed fighting in the country’s east.<br /><br /> Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman blamed Russia for the violence, a charge repeatedly denied by Moscow.<br /><br /> “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. <br /><br /> Juncker said that a deal on visa liberalisation would be in place by the summer.<br /><br /> Eastern Ukraine has its worst violence ever for two years with more than 35 deaths in over a week.<br /><br /> But as the war rages, the government in Kiev is pressing for deeper ties with Brussels.<br /><br /> Two days ago, a top separatist commander, known as Givi, was killed in the east.<br /><br /> It came four days after a car bomb killed another pro-Russian military leader.<br />
