Ukraine suffered a setback in its efforts to isolate one of the biggest remaining rebel-held strongholds Friday as the separatists, backed by Russian forces, advanced further in the east, government Ukrainian officials said.
The continued fighting came as Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed a verbal offensive against Ukraine and its Western supporters, accusing them of stalling efforts to reach a new cease-fire and open talks.
Adding to the tension, the Ukrainian government proposed repealing a law banning membership in military blocs and moving toward joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a day after NATO said more than 1,000 Russian troops are fighting alongside the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Russia has said such a move would be a threat to its national interest.
