The head of the German navy has resigned over controversial comments he made over Ukraine.

Axar.az reports that Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense. He added that all President Putin wanted was respect.

A number of countries have supplied weapons to Ukraine, including the US and UK. But Germany has refused Ukraine's request for ammunition.

Russia has denied claims that it is intending to invade Ukraine.

But President Vladimir Putin has issued demands to the West which he says concern Russia's security, including that Ukraine be stopped from joining the military defence alliance Nato.

He also wants Nato to abandon military exercises and stop sending weapons to eastern Europe, seeing this as a direct threat to Russia's security.

Meanwhile the UK has accused Mr Putin of plotting to install a pro-Moscow figure to lead Ukraine's government.