Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu has promised his US counterpart Chuck Hagel that Moscow will not take any military action in eastern Ukraine, the Pentagon has said.
The assurance came during an hour-long telephone call between the two leaders, in which Hagel expressed concerns about the Russian military actions in Crimea, Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters yesterday.
"Hagel was clear and he was firm: Because Russian forces ... Bear responsibility for what is happening there. He also pressed Shoygu to explain Russian intentions with respect to forces they have aligned near Ukraine's eastern and southern borders," Kirby said.
"It was a lengthy call, lasting about an hour, and I think it's fair to say that at times it was direct," he said.
"Hagel appreciated Shoygu's time and assurance that the troops he has arrayed along the border are there to conduct exercises only, that they had no intention of crossing the border into Ukraine, and that they would take no aggressive action. The two leaders agreed to keep the dialogue open," Kirby said.
Hagel made it clear on more than one occasion that, because they are in control, they bear responsibility for what happens there, including the violence that happened recently, he said.
"He was very direct about his concerns about the troops that are on the Russian side of the border, but across from Ukraine on the eastern and southern sides, and he wanted a better accounting for what that was all about," he said.
Responding to questions, Kirby said the Ukrainian government did submit a list for military assistance material.
"Some we would consider lethal material and some would consider non-lethal. We're working our way through that request right now here at the department and in the interagency," he said.
"I think it's safe to say that right now, the focus of that review is on the non-lethal side of things, but it is very much still an active issue under consideration," Kirby noted.
