Russia says concerned over escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces drive armored vehicles in the town of Volnovakha, eastern Ukraine, January 18, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said on Sunday the Kremlin was concerned over "the escalation of hostilities" in pro-Russian rebel-held eastern Ukraine and said the situation was not conducive to resolving a simmering conflict there.

"Moscow is concerned over the escalation of the situation in southeastern Ukraine and the escalation of hostilities," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax.