Ukraine crisis: Russian president Vladimir Putin faces Europe anger

Kiev: Germany on Saturday accused Russia of trying to splinter Europe as a Cold War-style struggle over the future of ex-Soviet Ukraine ratched up following the Kremlin’s defiant annexation of Crimea.

The haunting warning from a nation whose friendship Russian President Vladimir Putin had nurtured over his 14 years in power came amid Western efforts to shore up backing for the besieged interim leaders in Kiev who toppled a Kremlin-backed regime last month.

Also, Canada’s premier  Stephen Harper said  on Saturday that Mr Putin’s decision to send troops into Crimea and annex it from Ukraine encourages aggrieved nations to “arm themselves to the teeth”.

The Canadian premier is the first leader from G7 powers to visit Kiev since last month’s fall of Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin regime.