Kremlin rubbishes Ukraine 'hysteria'

Peskov said Ukraine has deployed a large number of troops near the borders of breakaway regions controlled by pro-Russian separatists, which he said indicated Kyiv was preparing to attack them. Ukraine has repeatedly denied this.

Peskov said information coming from the West was filled with "hysteria" and "laced with lies".

NATO said earlier it was putting forces on standby and reinforcing eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets in response to Russia's military build-up at Ukraine's borders.

The move added to a flurry of signals that the West is bracing for an aggressive Russian move against Ukraine, though Moscow denies any plan to invade.