Russia worried about US, NATO troop build-up

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has expressed concern about what he described as an unparalleled increase in US and NATO military activity along Russia’s borders.

Shoigu made the comment following a conversation with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday.

During the conversation, Shoigu urged Hagel to help “turn down the rhetoric” over the Ukraine crisis. He also pointed out that Russian forces had returned to their bases following recent maneuvers near the Ukrainian border.

NATO has reportedly increased its ranks in the region.

According to reports, some 150 American troops have been deployed in western Estonia and another 450 are presently stationed in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier rejected the speculation that Russia is preparing to “invade” Ukraine.

Steinmeier said that there is no evidence of a “forthcoming invasion,” despite the vast troop build-ups along the two countries borders.

Tensions between Moscow and the Western-backed interim government in Kiev heightened after Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and rejoined Russia following a referendum on March 16, in which almost 97 percent of the participants voted for rejoining the Russian Federation.