JM News UK

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg voiced concern on Thursday over an increase in violence and movements of heavy military equipment in eastern Ukraine, saying they were undermining the Minsk peace agreement. Ukraine's military has reported that at least eight soldiers have been killed in the east this week despite a two-month-old ceasefire deal. "We are very concerned about the increased violence in eastern Ukraine and we have seen more violations of the ceasefire," Stoltenberg told reporters during a visit to Iceland. President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russian military forces were not in Ukraine, denying allegations by Ukraine and Western countries that Moscow is providing troops and support for pro-Russian rebels.