Italy PM urges Ukraine de-escalation in Putin call

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called for a "de-escalation" of tensions over Ukraine in a telephone call Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin who renewed his security demands.

"Prime Minister Draghi underlined the importance of working for a de-escalation of tensions in light of the serious consequences that a worsening of the crisis would have," his office said.

"They agreed on a joint commitment to a sustainable and lasting solution to the crisis, and the need to rebuild a climate of trust." 

Putin for his part accused Ukrainian authorities of violating obligations to settle a conflict with Moscow-backed separatists, the Kremlin said.

The two leaders also discussed Russia's demand to receive from the West a set of legally-binding security guarantees including a pledge from NATO to halt its eastward expansion, the Kremlin added.

"Vladimir Putin outlined the key approaches of the Russian side in this regard, emphasizing the importance of observing the fundamental principle of the indivisibility of security," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine have been building for weeks, with Washington accusing Moscow of preparing an imminent invasion of its pro-Western neighbor.

Russia denies any plans to invade but is demanding that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO and a series of other security guarantees against the US-led military alliance's expansion in the ex-Soviet bloc.