Russia-Ukraine conflict: A man walks at a crossroads on the border with Russia.
Washington:
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday that the Pentagon was closely monitoring Ukraine territory amid reports of a new build-up of Russian troops along the country’s border.
According to The Washington Post, US officials are concerned about the unexplained activities of Russian military units in the area.
Videos posted on social media showed a convoy of military trains and trucks hurling tanks and missiles in Russia’s southwest near Ukraine.
A US official, speaking on the basis of anonymity, confirmed that there had been some movement, though not as large as the increase in Moscow’s forces earlier this year.
“We are aware of public reports of unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine,” Kirby told reporters.
“We will continue to consult with allies and partners on this issue … As we have said previously, any aggressive or aggressive action will be of great concern to the United States.”
The buildup comes after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the Black Sea region, stopping in NATO partner states Ukraine and Georgia and coalition full member Romania, to express solidarity and build more support to confront Russia in the region. For.
Russia-aligned separatists in eastern Ukraine have been battling Ukrainian government forces since 2014.
Also in 2014, Russian troops seized the Crimean region of Ukraine, imposing stringent Western sanctions on the country.
In March, just weeks after President Joe Biden’s inauguration, Russia massacred thousands of soldiers, heavy military equipment, naval ships and planes along the Ukrainian border and in Crimea, keeping them there for weeks, sparking fears of an invasion .
Moscow called the movements an exercise, but many military assets remained in place for weeks, and analysts saw it as a warning to Biden.
Washington has refused to accept Russia’s claim on Crimea and has provided deadly military aid to Kiev to be used to fight separatists.
Moscow has made it clear that it has rejected any attempt to bring Ukraine, a former part of the Soviet Union, into a NATO alliance.
Kirby said Washington would consult with allies and partners on the alleged Russian construction.
“We continue to support de-escalation of tensions in the region and a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine,” he said.
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