U.S. to monitor withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine’s border – Department of State
Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Ned Price said this at a briefing on April 22, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
“We have heard Russia’s announcement that it would begin withdrawing troops from the border of Ukraine. As I’ve said, we’ve heard words. I think what we’ll be looking for is action. The United States will continue to monitor the situation. We’ll do that closely and we’ll coordinate closely with Ukrainian officials as well as allies and partners,” Price said.
He stressed that the United States made clear in its engagement with the Russian Government that "it needs to refrain from escalatory actions and immediately cease all its aggressive activity in and around Ukraine, including its recent military buildup in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s border and its intention to block specific vessels in the parts of the Black Sea."
In this regard, the State Department spokesman reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrities, including its territorial waters.
“So our message is we’ve heard the announcement. We’ll be watching closely for that follow-through,” Price added.
In addition, he said that the U.S. would continue working to provide Ukraine the security assistance it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, including the lethal defensive weapons.
As Ukrinform reported, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered the General Staff of the Russian Federation and commanders to withdraw troops, which have recently been moved to Ukraine's borders, to their permanent bases from April 23.
ish