DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin has condemned Ukraine for ending a truce with separatist rebels in the east.

He said his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko must now bear direct responsibility for the conflict.

Putin said he and European leaders had tried but failed to keep Ukraine on a path to peace.

Poroshenko blamed ‘criminal elements’ as he ended the ceasefire and launched a full-scale military operation using aircraft and artillery.

Speaking to Russian ambassadors in Moscow, Putin said, ‘Unfortunately, President Poroshenko has decided to resume military action,’ reports the BBC.

‘Neither myself nor our colleagues from Europe have been able to convince him that war cannot lead to well-established and lasting peace.’

BDST: 2127 HRS, JULY 01, 2014