NATO warships have entered the Black Sea ahead of military exercises this weekend. The training aims at reaffirming the US-led alliance’s commitment to defending the member states, in the wake of Russia’s apparent military aggression in eastern Ukraine.

Two Ukrainian government soldiers were killed in clashes with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country, an official said on Wednesday. In a press conference in Kiev, presidential spokesman Alexander Motuzyanik claimed the separatists had violated the Minsk cease-fire agreement 40 times over a 24-hour period.

The EU Thursday condemned the continued human rights violations in South Sudan and called for the leaders of the country to be held accountable for the suffering of the people. “Four years ago, leaders from around the world gathered in Juba to celebrate the birth of an independent South Sudan. …