Russia's Lavrov says fighting in east Ukraine abating

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his Chilean counterpart Heraldo Munoz enter a hall during a meeting in Moscow, April 20, 2015. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday he believed a surge in ceasefire violations in east Ukraine had passed, adding Moscow would work to prevent violence escalating again.

Moscow stands accused by the West and Kiev of driving the separatist pro-Russian rebellion in east Ukraine, providing it with troops and arms, training and intelligence. Moscow denies this.