Putin 'preparing for war' Moscow trying to stir up conflict with GERMANY

Vladimir Putin is building up Russian military presence on its Ukrainian border, with the risk of an "open war" between the countries greater than a year ago, Kiev says.

Mr Poroshenko told Der Bild that Moscow is also starting an "information war" against Germany and Angela Merkel, after he met the German Chancellor in Berlin on Monday. 

Berlin fears Moscow is trying to destabilise Europe to creat a vacuum into which it can project its power. 

The Ukrainian chief said Russia had implemented "not one single point" of the Minsk accord, which includes a ceasefire between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian rebels. 

Mr Poroshenko said: "The danger of an open war is greater than last year. Russia is investing a great deal in war preparations."

Ms Merkel pressed Putin by phone on Tuesday to ensure a ceasefire is upheld in Ukraine European security officials are granted free access to conflict areas.

Berlin is becoming suspicious that Russia is trying to stir up trouble in Germany to weaken Ms Merkel, who has taken a tough line on the crisis triggered when Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014.

German officials say Moscow hopes to destabilise Europe and create a vacuum into which it can project its own power.

Mr Poroshenko added: "Now Putin has opened an information war against Germany as well."

Russia has also insisted it will continue pounding targets in Syria.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow will continue air strikes while terrorist groups operate there, despite calls from the US to halt them as peace talks have started.

Mr Lavrov said he "didn't see why" the air strikes should be stopped.

The Kremlin has not commented on the accusations regarding Germany.

(dailystar.co.uk)