Russia seeking to ‘provoke’ Ukraine conflict, Germany says

Defence minister’s accusation comes as Western powers pile pressure on Russia over its military buildup at the border.

For the second time in a week, Germany has raised concerns over Russia’s military build-up along its border with Ukraine, as fears mount over a possible escalation in hostilities in the region. Moscow has in recent weeks amassed tens of thousands of troops as well as tanks and artillery near Ukraine’s eastern border. It also mobilised troops in the annexed Black Sea region of Crimea, which it seized in March 2014. Meanwhile, fighting has intensified in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists since the rebels seized a swath of territory there in April 2014.