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Ukraine crisis: Russia alarmed over US-Nato military moves | Ukraine crisis: Russia alarmed over US-Nato military moves |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Moscow has voiced concern over an "unprecedented" increase in US and Nato military activity near Russian borders, amid an escalating crisis in Ukraine. | Moscow has voiced concern over an "unprecedented" increase in US and Nato military activity near Russian borders, amid an escalating crisis in Ukraine. |
Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed the concerns in a phone call to US counterpart Chuck Hagel. | |
But the US said Mr Shoigu also pledged Russia would not invade Ukraine. | |
The US says it deployed extra troops in eastern Europe to reassure Nato allies. It has also imposed new sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. | |
The sanctions target seven Russian individuals and 17 companies which Washington says are linked to President Vladimir Putin's "inner circle". | The sanctions target seven Russian individuals and 17 companies which Washington says are linked to President Vladimir Putin's "inner circle". |
The European Union is also imposing new sanctions on 15 people who will be named on Tuesday. | |
Troop moves | Troop moves |
In a statement, Mr Shoigu said he had a "candid" hour-long phone call with his American counterpart. | In a statement, Mr Shoigu said he had a "candid" hour-long phone call with his American counterpart. |
Mr Shoigu stressed that US and Nato military activity in eastern Europe was accompanied by "provocative" statements about the need to "contain" Russia. | |
Mr Shoigu also announced that Russian troops had returned to their "permanent positions" after conducting military exercises on the border with Ukraine. | Mr Shoigu also announced that Russian troops had returned to their "permanent positions" after conducting military exercises on the border with Ukraine. |
But he did not say whether the overall number of Russian troops deployed in the region - said to be around 40,000 - had been reduced. | But he did not say whether the overall number of Russian troops deployed in the region - said to be around 40,000 - had been reduced. |
The Pentagon said Mr Shoigu had given "assurances that Moscow has no plans to invade Ukraine". | |
It said Mr Hagel had warned that Russia's continued aggression would result in more diplomatic and economic pressure. | |
He also called on Moscow to help secure the release of seven military observers linked to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe seized by pro-Russian gunmen in the town of Sloviansk last week. | |
Some 40 people, including journalists, pro-Kiev activists and three members of Ukraine's security service are being held there. | |
The Russian ambassador to the OSCE, Andrei Kelin, earlier said Moscow was taking "steps" to secure the observers' release. | The Russian ambassador to the OSCE, Andrei Kelin, earlier said Moscow was taking "steps" to secure the observers' release. |
Journalist's ordeal | |
The US and EU first imposed visa bans and asset freezes on a number of senior Russian officials and companies after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine last month. | The US and EU first imposed visa bans and asset freezes on a number of senior Russian officials and companies after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine last month. |
On Monday, Washington added to its sanctions list "in response to Russia's continued illegal intervention in Ukraine and provocative acts that undermine Ukraine's democracy". | On Monday, Washington added to its sanctions list "in response to Russia's continued illegal intervention in Ukraine and provocative acts that undermine Ukraine's democracy". |
Among the individuals named are Igor Sechin, head of state oil giant Rosneft, and Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the committee of international affairs of Russia's lower house of parliament. | |
The US accused Russia of "doing nothing to meet the commitments it made" at a meeting with Ukraine, the US and EU in Geneva on 17 April, which it said had included refraining from violence or provocative acts. | |
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow's response would be "painful for Washington". | Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow's response would be "painful for Washington". |
Meanwhile, a US journalist who was kidnapped and held hostage for several days last week by pro-Russian activists has been speaking to the BBC. | |
Simon Ostrovsky said he was pulled out of his car at a checkpoint in Sloviansk. | |
"I was separated from my other colleagues and taken down into the basement, blindfolded. I had my hands tied behind my back. I was thrown on the floor and beaten up and held there for the next three days," he said. | |
But he said he was unable to confirm any of those involved were from Russia. |