Putin accused of fuelling separatist rebellion in mainly Russian-speaking east of Ukraine . The West backed a popular uprising there in March , which toppled a Kremlin-friendly government . The Russian president said the Ukrainian government was trying to "divide and rule" by using force against pro-Russian separatists. But Russian leader appears unmoved , his Ukraine policy unchanged . Putin told CNN 's Matthew Chance : Russians should be given guarantees no one attacks us .
Putin accused of fuelling separatist rebellion in mainly Russian-speaking east of Ukraine . The Russian president said the Ukrainian government was trying to "divide and rule" by using force against pro-Russian separatists. But Russian leader appears unmoved , his Ukraine policy unchanged . Putin told CNN 's Matthew Chance : Russians should be given guarantees no one attacks us .