US accuses Russia of no full withdrawal from Ukraine border
Iran Press TV
Wed May 21, 2014 2:35PM GMT
US Army Secretary John McHugh has accused Moscow of not withdrawing Russian troops from the borders of Ukraine completely.
'What we know thus far is that there has been certain troop movements," McHugh said on Wednesday.
"But I have received no confirmation, either through Pentagon sources or NATO sources, that there has been a wholesale repositioning of those troops off the border,' he added.
According to Russia's defense ministry, military units in areas near the Ukraine border had begun moving to railway stations and airfields en route to their home bases.
On Monday, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin "sent the order to the Defense Minister for troops" that took part in spring military exercises to "return to their usual garrisons and continue their training at neighboring test grounds.'
Russia also urged the interim government in Kiev to immediately withdraw its troops from eastern Ukraine.
President Putin called for an end to what he described as the Kiev authorities' punitive operation against pro-Russian activists in the eastern part of Ukraine.
A top US official on Monday said Moscow should show evidence that Russian troops are back to their bases.
Washington's allegation comes while Pentagon officials on Wednesday confirmed a guided missile cruiser, the USS Vella Gulf, is sailing to the Black Sea.
The United States launched a military buildup in the Balkans in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. It has sent troops to several eastern European countries and held several NATO military maneuvers in the region.
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