Putin, Lavrov Warn Against Use of Army in Eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukraine was "on the verge of civil war" and described the actions of Ukraine's military in the east as "unacceptable".

Putin made the first comment during a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whereas the second was in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as RIA Novosti reported.

His words were later echoed by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who called on Kiev to "be respectful" of the demands of Ukrainian citizens in thе east and south.

Lavrov stressed the need to "immediately start negotiations" with protesters to de-escalate tensions, instead of fomenting unrest by using force and deploying the army, a move which in his words "contradicts Ukrainian law".

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has in turn urged Russia to "stop supporting terrorists".

In a televised address, he argued that Russia wanted to build a "Berlin Wall" in the country.

Conflicting reports make it difficult to confirm the events in the towns of Kramatorsk and Slaviansk, where Ukraine's anti-terrorist operation against what Kiev calls "separatists" was triggered on Tuesday afternoon.

Six armored vehicles apparently passed through Slaviansk, but while some sources argue Russian flags were waving over them, other claim they belong to the Ukrainian army.

In Kramatorsk, the same number of vehicles were reported to have been seized by pro-Russian activists. Ukraine's Defense Ministry has refuted claims they were under Russian command, according to UNIAN news agency.

Earlier the BBC reported that Ukrainian troops had entered Kramatorsk, but were blocked by civilians.

In Donetsk, where a...