Putin: 'I can take Kiev in two weeks'

As Nato approves emergency force, reports emerged that Mr Putin made remarks last week saying he could topple Ukrainian capital Kiev in two weeks.

17:58 02 September 2014

Russian president Vladimir Putin has allegedly said that he “can take Kiev in two weeks” to the outgoing president of the European commission Jose Manuel Barroso who passed the remarks on to European leaders at the Nato summit over the weekend.

However, a Russian official said that the statement was "quoted out of context and carried a completely different meaning".

At a pre-summit news conference, Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said alliance officials have drafted a detailed plan that “responds to Russia’s aggressive behaviour.” He added that the forces would be equipped to “travel light but strike hard.”

However, Frederica Mogherini, the EU’s new head of foreign policy, warned there was no military solution.

Mr Barroso claims that the remark was first made by Putin in a telephone conversation which took place on August 22 when he held the Russian president responsible for the military action of the separatists in Ukraine.