Ukraine calls Russia's anti-terrorism proposal 'hard to believe'

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday derided Russia's call for the creation of an international anti-terrorism coalition, saying the Russians inspire terrorism on their own doorstep and back "puppet governments."

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Poroshenko used his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesdayto blast Russia and suggest its call for global action against terrorist threats was hypocritical.

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"Over the last few days we have heard conciliatory statements form the Russian side," Poroshenkotold the 193-nation assembly. "Cool story, but really hard to believe. How can you urge an anti-terrorist coalition if you inspire terrorism right in front of your door?

"How can you talk about peace and legitimacy if your policy is war via puppet governments?" he added. "The Gospel of John teaches us, 'In the beginning was the word.' But what kind of a gospel do you bring to the world if all your words are double-tongued like that?"

He also referred to Russia accelerating military support to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which has been locked in a civil war with rebel forces seeking to oust Assad for 4 years.

"These days the Russian 'men in green' tread on Syrian land," he said. "What or who is next?"

Poroshenko renewed accusations that Russia finances, trains and supplies pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, while sending heavy weapons and Russian troops, with insignias removed from their uniforms, to help battle Ukrainian forces loyal to the Kyivgovernment.

Moscow denies the allegations and accuses the United States of having orchestrated the ouster of Ukraine's former pro-Kremlin president early last year.

"For over 20 months, Russia's aggression against my country has been continuing through financing of terrorists and mercenaries, and supplies of arms and military equipment to the illegal armed groups," Poroshenko said.

All but one member of Russia's delegation left the assembly hall while Poroshenko spoke. The full delegation returned after he finished his speech.

The United States and European Union support the Kyivgovernment and have imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko said that if Russia does not implement the Minsk peace deal reached last year, under which both sides were to hold fire and withdraw heavy weapons, international sanctions of Moscow should remain in place.

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The United Nations has accused both sides of violating the truce.