Russia has assured the US that it will not invade Ukraine, the US Department of Defense said Monday.
The assurance was given by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu, Xinhua quoted a statement released by the US defense department.
"Secretary of Defense (Chuck) Hagel spoke today by phone with Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu (and) Shoigu reiterated his assurance that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in the statement.
The two officials discussed a wide range of issues related to the situation in Ukraine, with Hagel requesting clarification of Russia's intentions in eastern Ukraine, said Kirby.