The U.S. State Department expressed concern Wednesday about new troop buildups that Russia has announced that it says are meant to counterbalance an increased military presence near its borders.
“If true, we believe this would appear to run contrary to ongoing efforts to stop violence and to de-escalate the tensions in eastern Ukraine in line with Russia’s commitments [under the 2014-15 Minsk agreements],” State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
The remark came hours after Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, told a meeting at the defense ministry in Moscow that Russia has strengthened its southwestern flank, including deployment of more air defense …read more
Source: Voice of America
