MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen of secretly recording and then leaking to the media a private conversation between them when Rasmussen was serving as Danish prime minister.

As Nato secretary-general, Rasmussen has used hawkish rhetoric calling for Moscow to “de-escalate” the crisis in Ukraine and pull back thousands of troops massed on the border.

Putin made the claim at an annual televised question-and-answer session that focused on the standoff between the West and Russia over Ukraine, where pro-Russian forces have seized buildings, raising fears of a major conflict.

Rasmussen made the recording after asking to meet Putin, the Russian leader said, adding that it happened when Rasmussen was serving as Danish prime minister, from 2001 to 2009.—AFP