Obama Urges Putin To Reign In SeparatistsThe

The phone call between the two leaders came as Pro Russian activists continued to occupy buildings in Eastern towns , for his part , Mr. Putin rejected accusations of russian interferance , calling the reports "unreliable"

Meanwhile , Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov , hass announced the start of an "anti terrorist operation"he told parlament  it had begun in the North of Donetsk region on Tuesday morning and was being conducted "stage by stage , in a responsible and weighted manner"

The white house said the "frank and direct " convversation , between the two Presidents was made at Russia's request, the President expressed grave concerns about Russian government support for the actions of armed Pro Russian separatists who threaten to undermine and destabilise the government of Ukraine

The President emphasised that all irrerular forces in the country need to lay down their arms and he urged President Putin tooo use his influence with these armed Pro Russian groups , and to convince them to depart the buildings they have seized

The statement also threatened Moscow with wider sanctions , saying " the costs Russia already has incurred will increase if these actions persists

The Kremlin said in a statement that recent unrest in Ukraine's South East "'was "the result of the unwilingness and inability and the leadership in Kiev to take account the interests   of Russia and the Russian speaking population"

It said Mr. Putin had urged Mr. Obama to " use the resorces at the disposal of the American side " to help prevent bloodshed , it dismissed claims that russia was interfering in Ukraine , saying the accusations were based on "questionable information"