epa04624164 Volunteers of the ‘Sich’ battalion stand in line during a ceremony before being sent to eastern Ukraine, in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 17 February 2015. Fighting escalates in eastern Ukraine, only hours after German Chancellor Merkel discusses the implementation of a three-day old ceasefire with Ukrainian President Poroshenko and Russian President Putin, who heads to Budapest. EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY