Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with defence minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow's Kremlin March 20, 2014. Photograph: RIA Novosti/REUTERS
Russia Defense Chief Tells Hagel No Plans To Cross Into Eastern Ukraine -- Reuters
(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel received assurances on Thursday from his Russian counterpart that the thousands of Russian troops along Ukraine's eastern border had no plans to enter the country, a Pentagon spokesman said.
Hagel held an often "direct" conversation with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about the Ukraine crisis for about an hour, U.S. Rear Admiral John Kirby said.
The Pentagon chief initiated the call, he said, in part because of concerns about the continued reinforcement of Russian troops on Ukraine's eastern and southern borders.
"Secretary Hagel appreciated Minister Shoigu's time and the minister's assurance that the troops he has arrayed along the border are there to conduct exercises only, that they had no intention of crossing the border into Ukraine and that they would take no aggressive action," Kirby said.
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More News On The Russian Defense Chief Telling U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel That There Are No Russian Military Plans To Cross Into Eastern Ukraine
Hagel Gets Assurances About Russian Troops on Ukraine Border -- US Department of Department
Russian: No military moves planned against Ukraine -- Washington Post/AP
Hagel Demands Answers on Russian Troop Buildup at Ukraine Border -- ABC News
Hagel assured by Russian minister Moscow will not push beyond Crimea -- The Guardian
Russia promises not to attack east Ukraine: US -- NDTV/AFP
Russian Minister Tells US: No Plans to Enter Eastern Ukraine -- Voice of America
Russians Tell Hagel ‘No Intention’ of Crossing Into Ukraine -- Defense One
Russian Troops Will Not Cross Over To Ukrainian Territory, Russia Assures US -- RTT
Russian Troops on 'Hair Trigger' Near Ukraine, Officials Say -- NBC
Shoigu urges Hagel to objectively assess situation on Ukrainian border -- ITAR Tass
My Comment: Putin told the same thing to German Chancellor Merkel only a few weeks ago about Crimea. The Ukrainian government .... of course .... is expecting the worse.
1 comment:
Russia Defense Chief Tells Hagel No Plans To Cross Into Eastern Ukraine
The headline is of course incorrect. Modern militaries, if they're on the ball, ALWAYS have contingency plans. That's what a G-3, J-3 etc. do -- they make operational plans.
The Russian DM said he had no PRESENT INTENTIONS to attack Ukraine.
... the troops he has arrayed along the border are there to conduct exercises only, that they had no intention of crossing the border into Ukraine and that they would take no aggressive action
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