Ukraine President urges Russia to withdraw troops

Australia pledged its support for Ukraine during a visit by the nation’s President Thursday, with Australia’s Prime Minister calling for an end to the bloody conflict in Eastern Europe and Ukraine’s leader urging Russia to withdraw.Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a sharp critic of Russia since Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down in July over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine, said Russia must honor a little-respected cease-fire agreement signed in September.Asked by a journalist if Australia was taking sides in a European war, Abbott replied: “The side we take is the side of freedom.”