EU's Tusk says fighting must stop in Ukraine

"We are reminded again of the continued challenge posed by Russia's aggression in eastern Ukraine," Tusk said on February 2. "The fighting must stop immediately. The cease-fire must be honoured." Ukrainian officials have reported the deaths of eight soldiers and dozens wounded in the past five days of fighting in the Avdiyivka area, the highest toll in weeks. Casualties among civilians and separatist fighters were also reported. In the separatist-held city of Donetsk, separatists said two civilians were injured by shelling late on February 1st. The shelling of Avdiyivka left many residents without electricity, water supplies, and heating in temperatures well below freezing. By February 2, the water supply and heating in the town has been partially restored, according to the Associated Press. Meeting in the Belarusian capital on February 1, the Trilateral Contact Group, aimed at regulating the conflict, urged both sides to adhere scrupulously to the Minsk agreements and to withdraw heavy arms from the contact line as previously agreed.