French, German leaders press Ukraine 

KYIV – French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have called on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to ensure partial self-rule for the pro-Russian separatist east. Mr. Poroshenko’s office said the three had a telephone conversation on July 10. It said Ms. Merkel and Mr. Hollande “recommended” that the Ukrainian president continue with constitutional reforms, adding that they “placed special stress that the draft Constitution of Ukraine reflects special self-rule for certain districts” of eastern Ukraine. The peace deal signed in Minsk in February guarantees three years of self-rule to rebel-run parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. But Mr. Poroshenko’s draft changes to the Constitution only make reference to an existing piece of legislation that gives rebel leaders partial self-rule for an interim period of three years. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Agence France-Presse, Interfax and TASS)