Ukrainian President, Petrov Poroshenko has condemned Russian President, Vladimir Putin for supplying sophisticated arms to rebels, describing the development as act of aggression. Poroshenko made his position known on Monday when France President, Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel waded into the matter to douse heightened tension that had escalated in the past few days.
The four leaders including the Russian President had a telephone conversation for two hours on Monday.
In a statement issued after the conversation, Ukraine's presidency described the month of July as the bloodiest in 2017 owing to continued supply of weapons to rebels by the Russian Government. It added that the ensuing violent clashes had left casualties on both sides.
Reports indicate that over 10, 000 persons have been killed so far in the crisis. The statement quoted the President as calling on "Putin to immediately cease aggressive actions especially the supply of weapons to the occupied territories".
Meanwhile, Russia has refuted claims that it is supporting rebels to create a state within Ukraine called "Malorossiya" which means Little Russia. The Rebel Leader, Alexander Zakharchenko had hinted that the motive of the rebels was to break away from Ukraine and live independently.
