Ukraine Begins Offensive Against Rebels While U.S. Weighs Arms Aid

Ukrainian troops began a new offensive and their main eastern headquarters suffered a rocket attack before European diplomats gathered in Belarus for a peace summit in a bid to stem 10 months of bloodshed.

Government forces broke through rebel positions near the eastern port city of Mariupol, with Ukraine blaming the pro-Russia militants for shelling its command post. The new fighting erupted after President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russian aggression is boosting the resolve of the U.S. and the European Union to make President Vladimir Putin pay for violating Ukraine’s sovereignty.