Ukraine’s parliament approved Tuesday a draft law to grant special status to the eastern regions of the country, which are controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Submitted by President Petro Poroshenko as part of the cease-fire agreement reached in the Belarus capital of Minsk in February, the bill establishes the boundaries of rebel-held areas that could be given special status …

Three soldiers were killed and five injured in eastern Ukraine, an army spokesman said on Tuesday, further undermining a month-old ceasefire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists. Some of the casualties were caused by fire from the rebels, the others occurring when a military vehicle drove over a landmine, spokesman …

The EU Monday decided to appoint an Italian diplomat, Fernando Gentilini, as new special representative for Middle East, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini told a news conference at the end of a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Analysts opine that the re-establishment of the post of the special EU envoy …