Berlin, Rabi'II 15, 1436, Feb 4, 2015, SPA -- The European Union on Wednesday demanded an immediate ceasefire in eastern Ukraine around the transport hub of Debaltseve, dpa reported. "The spiral of ever increasing violence in Eastern Ukraine needs to stop," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement. Fighting continued around Debaltseve on Wednesday, with pro-Russian separatists claiming they were close to taking control of the area. --SPA 23:18 LOCAL TIME 20:18 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w