Biden: Russia can't claim separatists alone behind attacks

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden says Russia can't keep hiding behind the "false claim" that separatists are solely responsible for recent military operations in eastern Ukraine.

Biden spoke by phone Friday with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The White House says Biden strongly condemned an offensive by separatists in the town of Debaltseve. Biden says Russian troops operating in Ukraine directly supported that offensive in "blatant violation" of peace agreements.

The White House says the leaders also discussed ways a cease-fire deal can be monitored and the withdrawal of heavy weapons ensured. Biden says the separatists have denied access to international monitors.

The calls come as Ukraine's government and the separatists are blaming each other for dozens of violations of the fragile cease-fire.

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