Putin accuses Ukraine of provoking clashes with pro-Russian separatists amid tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Interethnic Relations Council via a video conference call at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia March 30, 2021. Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin/Kremlin via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of provoking armed confrontation with pro-Russian separatists and failing to honour earlier agreements over its wartorn east, the Kremlin said in a readout of a telephone call with France and Germany's leaders.

The comments during a call late on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel came shortly after Ukraine's commander-in-chief accused Russia of a military buildup near Ukraine's borders.