US and France Discuss Deployment of 100,000 Russian Troops Near Ukraine

WASHINGTON – The United States (US) and France discuss military activities Russia near Ukraine . The discussions took place after Kiev complained about the presence of about 100,000 Moscow troops near its border.

A Washington official said the discussions involved US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Also read: Tension rises, Ukraine says 100 thousand Russian troops are entrenched on the border

“The two top diplomats discussed reports of Russian military activity in and near Ukraine and their continued strong commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. AFP, Monday (15/11/2021).

“Blinken and Le Drian spoke on Saturday, and also discussed joint efforts to tackle Iran’s nuclear program,” Price continued.

Western allies have voiced increased alarm over the recent movement of Russian troops near the country’s border with Ukraine.

The Ukrainian army has been locked in a simmering conflict with Kremlin-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that broke out after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Kiev said two Ukrainian soldiers were killed on Friday by explosive devices in the east of the country, while recent social media videos showed Russia moving troops, tanks and missiles to the Ukrainian border.

After an increase in violence at the start of the year, Russia amassed about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border in the spring, raising fears of a major escalation in the conflict.

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