Ukraine warns West against lifting Russia sanctions

Ukraine's prime minister has urged the West not to lift sanctions on Russia until his country regains control of all its territory, the BBC reported.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the UN General Assembly that Russian troops were still operating in eastern Ukraine.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama said sanctions could be lifted if Russia supported a ceasefire between Ukraine and separatist rebels in the east.

Russia denies arming the rebels and sending Russian troops to Ukraine.

UN officials say 3,245 people have been killed since fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia separatists began in April.

A shaky ceasefire has held since 5 September, and the two sides have since agreed to set up a 30km (19 miles) buffer zone.

"We ask our partners not to lift sanctions until Ukraine takes control of its entire territory," Mr Yatsenyuk said. "Crimea was, is and will be a part of Ukraine."

"Russian troops are deployed in the east of Ukraine," he said. "We urge Russia to pull back its forces... and to start real talks."