Ukraine 'slipping out of control'

Last updated 3 hours ago

Putin: "The situation sadly reminds me of the Second World War"

The crisis in eastern Ukraine is "slipping out of control" and needs to be reined in to avoid a military clash with Russia, Germany has warned.

Foreign Minister Frank Steinmeier made the remarks on the eve of an EU summit which will consider further sanctions against the Russian government.

Russia has denied claims by Nato that its forces illegally crossed into Ukraine to support separatists there.

Some 2,600 people have died in fighting between rebels and Ukrainian troops.

The conflict erupted in April when Russia's annexation of Crimea prompted rebels to take control of large parts of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed Ukraine for the crisis, comparing its siege of Donetsk and Luhansk to the siege of Leningrad by Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Residents of Mariupol are digging trenches to help Ukrainian soldiers defend the strategic port city

Many buildings have been destroyed in heavy fighting in Donetsk region

'Wrong path'