Russian Military Attache Held For Spying

The attche , who was not named , had been engaged in activities "not in accordance with his dipolmatic status" , Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said

Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking a separatist unrest in Eastern Ukraine , a claim Moscow denies

Meanwhile , Germany Chanceiior Angela Merkel has asked Russia to help free foreign monitors held in East Ukraine , the military observers were seized by Pro Russia separatists at a checkpoint in the flashpoint town of Sloviansk last Friday

In another development , the international monetary fund (IMF) approved a $17 bn (£10.1 bn) loan for Ukraine's beleagured economy , the bailout money is dependent on strict economic reforms , including raising taxes and energy prices

A spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry confirmed to reporters that the Russian attche had been detained on Wenseday and declared "persona non grata" ,the Kremlin has so far made no public comment on the issue

This comes amid growing tensions between Kiev and Moscow , as armed Pro Russian gunmen continue to hold a number of government buildings in Ukraine's Eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions

Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed close to the Ukrainian border , Moscow has warned  that it's soldier's will act if Russian interests in Eastern Ukraine , where the majority of the population are Russian speaking are threatened

The U.S and E.U. have accused Russia of failing to implement the terms of last months deal agreed in Geneva aimed at defusing the crisis by disarming illegal militias , they have both stepped up sanctions against Russia this week , naming more individuals and companies facing travel bans and asset freeezes

The IMF said $ 100 bn (£ 59,1 bn) would leave Russia this year , partly caused by the sanctions , the fund also warned that Russia was experiencing recession because of damage caused by the Ukraine crisis

The IMF announced it's decision on Ukraine on Wednesday , the bailout would also make available $1 bn in loan guarantees from the U.S. which was recently approved by congress

Also on Wednesday , an international confrence in London ended with a commitment to help Ukraine uncover tens of billions of dollars worth of assets which were allegedy stolen by the ousted President Yanukovych and his allies