MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed “criminal orders” by Ukrainian leaders on Friday for a surge in fighting in east Ukraine, and Russian-backed separatists struck a bellicose tone in ruling out seeking more peace talks.Putin’s remarks, and the comments by the separatists’ main leader, signalled a hardening of positions in a conflict which the UN human rights office said had killed more than 5,000 people, including 262 in the last nine days.Despite international calls for a ceasefire, rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said his forces would push on with a new offensive and Putin radiated defiance over the crisis, which …read more
Source: AsiaOne
