EU foreign ministers are expected to confirm later that economic sanctions against Russia, linked to Moscow's alleged role in the crisis in Ukraine, will remain at their current level for the next six months.

Fighting continues in the east of the country, but the war appears for now to have reached a stalemate.

Inside rebel territory many businesses are closed, and those in charge are strengthening ties with Russia.

Tom Burridge reports on life in the rebel-held city of Donetsk, where there are signs it is becoming like an independent state as Ukrainian influences are being swept away.