The Russian president says he is not planning to reduce ties with Ukraine.<br /><br /> Vladimir Putin was speaking at a Russian Security Council meeting after Moscow accused Kyiv of attempting to stage acts of sabotage in Crimea. <br /><br /> Ukraine has denied Russia’s assertions. <br /><br /> “It appears that our partner in Kiev has decided to escalate the situation and it is clear why they are doing that,” Putin said. “Because they do not want to – or cannot, for some reason – implement the Minsk agreements.”<br /><br /> Putin’s comments come after his Ukrainian counterpart warned of declaring martial law if tension in the east with pro-Russian separatists worsened. <br /><br /> Last week Russia’s Federal Security Service reported it had detained so-called saboteurs in Crimea and prevented terrorist acts prepared by Ukraine’s defence ministry. <br /><br /> Kyiv has rejected Moscow’s accusations.<br />
