Russia Alarmed Over US-Nato Military Moves

 

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 BBC's Sarah Rainsford witnesses pro-Ukrainian demonstrators being chased off by pro-Russians wielding metal bars

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.
 
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.

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.