Hagel assured by Russian defence chief that Moscow has no aggressive moves planned in Ukraine

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WASHINGTON - Russia's defence chief assured Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday that Russian forces along Ukraine's eastern border have no intention of crossing into Ukrainian territory.

A Pentagon spokesman, Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, said Hagel discussed Ukraine with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in an hour-long phone conversation.

"Secretary Hagel appreciated Minister Shoigu's time and the minister's 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," Kirby said.

Asked whether Hagel accepted that explanation, Kirby said Hagel expects that Shoigu "will meet his word."

http://www.canada.com/news/Hagel+assured+Russian+defence+chief+that+Moscow+aggressive+moves/9641795/story.html

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1. Like they would tell us if they were...."We are going to send 150,000 men on a sprint to Kiev for...

a beer run. Think nothing of it."

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2. I find these behind the scenes reassurances being exchanged, well, reassuring.

On the one hand, you have the screech and blather in the media over this dispute, and on the other hand you have these behind the scenes reassurances being exchanged - that no military lines will be crossed - being given by both the USA and Russia. The contrast is interesting, and a good idea given the arms that either side can bring to bear.