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Nato warns of Russian army build-up on Ukraine border | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Nato's military commander in Europe has issued a warning about the build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine's border. | |
Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen Philip Breedlove said Nato was in particular concerned about the threat to Moldova's Trans-Dniester region. | |
Russia said its forces complied with international agreements. | |
The build-up has been allied with Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, following the removal of Ukraine's pro-Moscow president. | |
Moscow formally annexed Crimea after the predominantly ethic-Russian region held a referendum which backed joining the Russian Federation. | |
Russian flags have now been hoisted at 189 Ukrainian military units and facilities in Crimea, the Interfax news agency reports. | |
Moscow's ambassador to the EU told the BBC the "reunification" had not been pre-planned but was the end of an "abnormality" which had lasted for 60 years. | |
Vladimir Chizhov also said that said Moscow did not have any "expansionist views" and that "nobody should fear Russia". | |
On Sunday, Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council chief Andriy Parubiy told a rally in Kiev: "The aim of [President Vladimir] Putin is not Crimea, but all of Ukraine... His troops massed at the border are ready to attack at any moment." | |
'Adversary' | |
The comments of Gen Breedlove came at an event held by the German Marshall Fund think-tank in Brussels. | |
He said: "The [Russian] force that is at the Ukrainian border now to the east is very, very sizeable and very, very ready." | |
He added: "There is absolutely sufficient force postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to run to Trans-Dniester if the decision was made to do that and that is very worrisome. | |
"Russia is acting much more like an adversary than a partner." | |
Trans-Dniester is a narrow strip of land between the Dniester river and the Ukrainian border and it proclaimed independence from Moldova in 1990. | |
The international community has not recognised its self-declared statehood. | |
As Crimea was annexed, the Trans-Dniester Supreme Soviet sent a request asking to join the Russian Federation. | |
On Sunday, Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov told the Itar-Tass agency: "The Russian Defence Ministry is in compliance with all international agreements limiting the number of troops in the border areas with Ukraine." | |
Earlier, Russia's ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov defended Russia's actions in Crimea and warned the US against sending troops or military aid to Ukraine, saying it would be a "grave mistake". | |
He told the BBC that Russia did not recognise the new government in Kiev but he expected it to safeguard the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine. | |
"We want to see the interests of people living in eastern Ukraine - ethnic Russians, Russian speakers, all the population of eastern Ukraine - to be taken into account by whoever is the authority in Kiev today" he said. | "We want to see the interests of people living in eastern Ukraine - ethnic Russians, Russian speakers, all the population of eastern Ukraine - to be taken into account by whoever is the authority in Kiev today" he said. |
He added that Russia did not have any intention of sending troops into other parts of Ukraine or Europe. | |
Bases stormed | Bases stormed |
Correspondents say Russian forces appear to be stepping up their efforts to secure full military control of all of Crimea. | Correspondents say Russian forces appear to be stepping up their efforts to secure full military control of all of Crimea. |
The BBC's Ian Pannell, in Belbek, says the few remaining Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their commanders. | The BBC's Ian Pannell, in Belbek, says the few remaining Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their commanders. |
He saw Russian troops use stun grenades and automatic weapons in a raid on the Belbek airbase on Saturday. | He saw Russian troops use stun grenades and automatic weapons in a raid on the Belbek airbase on Saturday. |
The BBC's Mark Lowen also witnessed the takeover of the Novofedorivka base in eastern Crimea by Russian troops. | The BBC's Mark Lowen also witnessed the takeover of the Novofedorivka base in eastern Crimea by Russian troops. |
Russian soldiers and pro-Russian protesters stormed the base and forced Ukrainian troops to leave. | Russian soldiers and pro-Russian protesters stormed the base and forced Ukrainian troops to leave. |
Russia annexed Crimea following a referendum on 16 March, which came after the overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February. | Russia annexed Crimea following a referendum on 16 March, which came after the overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February. |
The Kremlin said it acted to protect its "compatriots" in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from the mainland Ukraine. | The Kremlin said it acted to protect its "compatriots" in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from the mainland Ukraine. |
Ukraine and the West have condemned the referendum as "illegal". | Ukraine and the West have condemned the referendum as "illegal". |
The US and EU have responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals - including senior officials - involved in what Washington and Brussels describe as Crimea's "annexation". | The US and EU have responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals - including senior officials - involved in what Washington and Brussels describe as Crimea's "annexation". |
Are you in the region? Email us haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and include your contact details. | Are you in the region? Email us haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and include your contact details. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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