MOSCOW (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Russia did not seek the split of Ukraine but said the West had “crossed a line” with its behaviour over the ex-Soviet country.

“We don’t want the break-up of Ukraine. We do not need it,” Putin said, noting that the West has overplayed its hand in the crisis in the ex-Soviet country. “On Ukraine the West crossed a line,” he said, warning it against provoking Russia. “They are trying to drive us into a corner.”