Europeans warn Washington: arming Kiev will backfire

Ukrainian hryvnia banknotes are seen in a photo illustration shot in Kiev, August 6, 2014. Picture taken August 6, 2014. REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin

MUNICH (Reuters) - European defence officials warned on Friday that arming Ukraine in its fight against pro-Russian separatists would only inflame the conflict, but were told by NATO's top soldier, an American general, that the West should consider using "all tools" if diplomacy with Moscow wasn't working.

The debate at the Munich Security Conference highlighted an emerging rift between Europe and Washington over how to confront Russian President Vladmir Putin as Moscow-backed rebels make territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.