Putin blames West for Ukraine crisis

Putin has told an Egyptian newspaper that western countries had broken their promises not to expand Nato and had forced countries to choose between.

The comments have come as Putin has begun working on Franco-German proposals to end fighting between the government and pro-Russia rebels. The deal is expected to take place on Wednesday.

Russia continues to deny that it has sent troops and supplied rebels with ammunition.

The crisis has already killed more than 5,300 people and driven 1.5 million others from their homes.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to brief US President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday on the peace plan Germany and France have tried to reach with Ukraine and Russia. The talks with President Obama come as the US is considering sending weapons to the Ukrainian government.