MOSCOW — The Kremlin says that President Vladimir Putin will have a series of meetings with Western leaders focusing on Ukraine during his trip to Milan.

Attending this week's Europe-Asia summit in Milan offers Putin the first chance to discuss the Ukrainian crisis with Western leaders since his trip to France in June to attend the D-Day anniversary.

The U.S. and European Union have imposed a series of economic sanctions against Moscow and cut contacts.

Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said today that Putin will meet Thursday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and attend a dinner involving other leaders.

At Friday's breakfast, he will meet the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Britain, Ukraine and the European Union.

Another meeting involving Putin and leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine is also being considered.

HONG KONG — Hong Kong police battling activists for control of an underpass in the dead of night sparked public anger after officers were seen kicking a handcuffed protester in the worst violence since street demonstrations for greater democracy began more than two weeks ago.Officers armed with riot shields, batons and pepper spray knocked activists to the ground, dragging dozens away, and tore down barricades protesters used as roadblocks around the underpass outside the government's headquarters.Outrage over their tactics exploded after local TV showed officers taking the protester around a dark corner and kicking him repeatedly on the ground. It's unclear what provoked the attack. Local Now TV showed him splashing water on officers beforehand.Police spokesman Steve Hui said seven officers who were involved have been temporarily reassigned, and that authorities will carry out an impartial investigation.Beijing, meanwhile, issued its harshest condemnations yet of the protests, calling them illegal, bad for business and against Hong Kong's best interests.