WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 24th April, 2021) The United States continues to monitor the situation on the Russian-Ukraiian border and hopes that forces will be withdrawn from there, Pentagon spokesperson Anton Semelroth told Sputnik.
Earlier in the day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the completion of the surprise combat readiness check of Russian troops in the southern and the western military districts.
"We hope Russia withdraws its forces from Crimea and Ukraine's border to de-escalate the situation, as they claim they will," Semelroth said on Friday. "We will continue to monitor the situation."
Shoigu ordered the move to ensure the troops' return to their home stations by May 1.
