International focus turns to bolstering Ukraine ceasefire

Newly mobilized Ukrainian paratroopers aim a weapon during a military drill near Zhytomyr March 6, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

RIGA (Reuters) - Steps to bolster a fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine gathered momentum on Friday as support within the European Union for more economic sanctions¨on Russia appeared to wane.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to double the number of ceasefire monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to 1,000 from 500, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.