The European Union on Wednesday demanded an immediate ceasefire in eastern Ukraine around the transport hub of Debaltseve, which is being attacked by pro-Russian separatists, according to dpa. "The spiral of ever increasing violence in Eastern Ukraine needs to stop," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement. "The shelling of civilians, wherever it happens, is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Artillery should immediately be withdrawn from residential areas," she added, echoing a similar call from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Fighting continued around Debaltseve on Wednesday, with separatists claiming they were close to taking control of the area.