Ukraine PM: 'Please help us defend our country and your peace'

British military personnel have started training members of the Ukrainian army fighting pro-Russian rebels, the BBC has learned.

The 35 trainers will spend about two months training forces engaged in battles in eastern Ukraine in medicine and defensive tactics, and supplying non-lethal equipment.

Russia has criticised the deployment saying it does not "strengthen trust".

It is the first time a Western nation has conducted a long-term military training programme in Ukraine since its war against pro-Russian rebels began last year.

The Ukrainian prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the BBC he welcomed Britain's involvement but that EU countries must do more to help his country.