Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he has seen a “deterioration of the situation” in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking at a news conference in the Kremlin, Putin made unsubstantiated accusations of “mass and systematic violation of human rights” and enshrining in law “discrimination of the Russian speaking population” in Ukraine.
He urged authorities in Kyiv to enter negotiations with separatist leaders.
The 69-year old told reporters that he remained willing to discuss the crisis in Ukraine with western leaders, but accused them of ignoring Russia’s security concerns, and warned that any deal must include a legally binding pledge that Nato will stop its eastward expansion.
He also dismissed the prospect of western sanctions and argued that the US and its allies will always find a pretext to impose financial penalties on his regime.
The intervention comes as the US accused Russia of amassing around 190,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders.
