You're reading: Putin Says Sees ‘Deterioration of Situation’ In East Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday, Feb. 18, that the situation in conflict-hit eastern Ukraine was worsening, as the West accuses him of planning an imminent attack on the country. 

“Right now we are seeing a deterioration of the situation” in eastern Ukraine, Putin said at a press conference with his Belarus counterpart and ally Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow.