Ukrainian President Poroshenko's official website reflects an intense push to convince Western leaders to "demonstrate a powerful position of actions" in support of Ukraine, including at their European Council meeting today.
Poroshenko told council President Herman Van Rompuy of intense fighting in eastern Ukraine and repeated the charge that "the Russian side" was supplying significant weaponry from across their common border, reportedly citing fresh evidence.
Poroshenko's office also said the president received a telephone assurance from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Ukraine was among her "top-priority issues," in the website's words.
The Ukrainian president also appealed to U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden via telephone, saying leaders of "more than 10" European states had expressed "complete understanding and support of [Poroshenko's] steps," as the website phrased it.
"A new army and a new country is being born," the website quoted Poroshenko as telling Biden. "Ukraine is fighting for democracy, solidarity, and freedom. That's why the support of our reliable friends is a true value for our country today."
This ends our live-blogging for July 15. Be sure to check back tomorrow for continuing coverage of the crisis in Ukraine.
Nadiya Savchenko, the Ukrainian military pilot held by Russia and accused in the deaths of two journalists, is reported to be in good health. But family members and Ukrainian officials continue to be denied access to her holding cell in Voronezh, a fact that some observers worry is just the start of a Russian pressure campaign.
READ: Savchenko's 'Not Complaining' About Detention -- But Nearly Everyone Else Is
According to "Ukraiyinska pravda," the Ukrainian military pilot detained in Russia is trying to get rid of her state-appointed lawyer:
From our news desk:
The Ukrainian government has suggested Russia had a role in an air strike in eastern Ukraine that killed at least four people and wounded others.
Pro-Russian separatists are blaming Kyiv for the bombing, which destroyed an apartment building in Snizhne on July 15.
But Ukraine's military says its aircraft have not flown since the previous day's downing of a Ukrainian military transport plane.
Ukrainian officials say they have evidence the rocket that brought down the An-26 came from Russian territory.
The Ukrainian military said it had rescued four crew members of the downed plane, while two more were being held by separatists and another two still missing.
Kyiv's claim of deeper Russian involvement in the conflict comes one day before EU leaders meet to discuss adopting fresh sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine's military said 258 soldiers were killed, more than 900 injured, and 45 captured during its three-month-long military campaign in the east. (Reuters, AFP)
According to this "Ukrayinska pravda" article, bulletproof vests given to Ukraine by the United States do not meet minimum requirements: