Ukrainian PM accuses Russia of fomenting separatist sentiment

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk Monday accused Russia of stirring up a fresh wave of unrest by fomenting separatist sentiment in eastern Ukraine.

"There is a scenario written by the Russian Federation, which is aimed at dismemberment and destruction of Ukraine," Yatsenyuk told an urgent cabinet meeting.

Pro-Russia activists seized several government buildings in eastern Ukraine Sunday, demanding closer ties with Moscow and a referendum to give more powers to local authorities, Xinhua reported.

Yatsenyuk said the activists were seeking to destabilise the situation in the area, which would lead to an appeal for Moscow's help and intervention to protect Russian-speaking citizens.

Moscow had not yet pulled back troops from the joint border, Yatsenyuk said, adding that Russian troops were deployed 30 km away from Ukraine's eastern borders.

The unrest marked a fresh wave of pro-Russian rallies in Ukraine following the demonstrations in Crimea in early March, when Kremlin-friendly Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty March 18 for Crimea to become part of Russia.