Hollande, Cameron condemn Ukraine violence
French President François Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron have jointly condemned "violence" in Ukraine after pro-Russian rebels stormed government offices in several towns over the weekend. Russia warned against taking military action against the rebels.
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The French and British leaders "condemned very firmly violence that took place yesterday and today in the region and called on all parties to exercise restraint and dialogue", a statement issued by the Elysée presidential palace said after a telephone conversation on Monday between Hollande and Cameron.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed the "limitless hypocrisy" of the West and warned against military action against pro-Russian groups that have seized buildings in Donetsk, near the Russian border, and other towns.
He denied accusations that Russian agents were involved in the unrest.
The Ukrainian government set a deadline of Monday morning for the rebels to disarm.
Lavrov demanded an explanation of media reports that CIA director John Brennan visited Kiev in secret ahead of the threat to dislodge them.
The European Union on Monday formally approved a one-billion-euro assistance package to Ukraine's interim authorities who face serious financial problems.
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