NATO has expressed concern about Russia’s troop build-up near near its border with Ukraine.
During a press conference with Ukraine’s foreign minister, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern about Russia’s latest move.
He said ”any further provocation or aggressive actions by Russia would be of serious concern” and that the Kremlin must be “transparent about its military activities”.
It comes with Moscow also accused of being involved in the migrant crisis on the border between Belarus and Poland.
Russia has left 90,000 military troops near its border with Ukraine after training exercises.
However, Russia has played down allegations that a troop buildup near its border with Ukraine reflects aggressive intentions.
“The movement of troops on our territory shouldn’t be a cause for anyone’s concern,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
“Russia doesn’t threaten anyone” Peskov said.
Russian armed forces recently held a series of large-scale drills in the region, including with airborne troops, the ministry clarified.
However, the US, an ally of Kyiv, has criticised the move as “overtly aggressive”.
“We’ve seen this before … What does this mean? We don’t know yet, too early to tell,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said.
This happened days after the US naval destroyer incident, which is also in the far east.