Pentagon presses Russia to stand down over Ukraine
| The Pentagon on Friday called on Russia to stand down on Ukraine as tensions rise over the threat of a Russian military incursion.
Speaking to reporters, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Moscow has for months been deploying forces along Ukraine’s border at a “consistent and steady pace,” which has been supported by Russian naval activity in the northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. “We don’t believe that President [Vladimir] Putin has made a final decision to use these forces against Ukraine,” Austin said. “He clearly now has that capability.” |
