Is he ignoring me or not

Currently talking to someone, just like any new relationship he will call me and go out of his way to see me. Lately he rarely ever call me and most of the time I always have to initiate conversations for him to talk to me. I tried talking to him about that but instead he told me that he is always busy and stressed and if I cannot deal with that we can just be friends. Mind nothing has changed he was doing what he is doing right now when I meet him a year ago but now all of a sudden he is too busy. When I ask him if he is ignoring me, he refused to answer me. Please ladies help me understand the situation

It been happening gradually