US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has called his Ukrainian counterpart Ihor Tenyukh, assuring him of the full American support as Ukraine announced to withdraw its forces from Crimea.
"Hagel appreciated the restraint exhibited by Ukrainian Armed Forces and expressed his condolences for the death a Ukrainian soldier," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters yesterday after the conference call between the two leaders.
Hagel stressed to Tenyukh that America stands by the people of Ukraine, condemns the use of force by the Russian Federation and continues to call for the removal of Russian forces, Kirby said.
"Hagel assured Tenyukh that he continues to monitor the situation closely, and that it is important for the two leaders to remain in touch with one another," Kirby said.
Meanwhile, the State Department has announced to send Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy R Sherman to Ukraine. She would also travel to Belgium.
Sherman will travel to Ukraine from March 20-22 to meet senior Ukrainian officials and representatives of civil society. She will reaffirm the United States' strong support for the Ukrainian people and for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the State Department said.
From Kyiv, Sherman will travel to Brussels on March 22 to participate in the Brussels Forum, an annual discussion of current issues of interest to global leaders, thinkers, and innovators, the statement said.
Earlier in the day, the United States strongly condemned Russia's use of force in Crimea.
"The Russian military is directly responsible for any casualties that its forces, whether they be regular uniformed troops or regulars without insignias, inflict on Ukrainian military members in Crimea," State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.
"Reports that a Ukrainian military officer was killed yesterday are particularly concerning and fly in the face of President Putin's claim that Russia's military intervention in Crimea has brought security to that part of Ukraine," she said.
"The continued efforts by Russian forces to seize Ukrainian military installations are creating a dangerous situation. We condemn such actions," Psaki said.
"Russia should immediately begin discussions with the Ukrainian Government to ensure the safety of Ukrainian forces in the Crimean region of Ukraine. And diplomacy, in our view, remains the only acceptable means of resolving this crisis," she said.
