Russia Promises 'Asymmetric' Response To NATO Buildup In East
Russia is preparing an "asymmetric" response to the increase in NATO troop rotation in Eastern Europe, and in particular the United States' military presence near Russian borders, Russia's ambassador to NATO said on March 31.
"Of course, our response will be completely asymmetrical. It will be calibrated to match our ideas about the degree of military threat, to be most efficient and not overly expensive," Alexandr Grushko said on Rossiya-24 television.
"We can see that the U.S. continues to increase its military presence in Europe with an emphasis on the Eastern front... We are not passive observers. We consistently implement all those military measures that are necessary to offset this totally unjustified increased military presence," he said.
Grushko added in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper that Russia views the troop rotation as a violation of a 1990s agreement between Russia and NATO not to deploy additional combat forces in Eastern Europe.
"We've said more than once that an indefinite rotation is in no way different from permanent deployment," he said.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
White House Promises Ukraine $335 Million In 'Security Assistance'
The White House announced that it will provide Ukraine with $335 million more in "security assistance" after a meeting on March 31 between U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
The aid is badly needed as Ukraine has faced an acute economic crisis since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and fomented a separatist revolt in Ukraine's east.
While Washington supports Ukraine's pro-Western government, it has been concerned about corruption in Kyiv. Those concerns were addressed in part earlier this week when Ukraine's parliament sacked the country's chief prosecutor, who allegedly was stalling high-profile corruption investigations.
The White House said Biden told Poroshenko that more aid will come if he keeps up efforts to install a new reform-minded government.
An attempt earlier this week to form a new governing coalition failed after one faction raised demands that would have rolled back some reforms sought by the West.
"The vice president welcomed the efforts...to form a stable, reform-oriented government, and stressed that this step, as well as the enactment of needed reforms, are critical to unlocking international economic assistance, including the third $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee," the White House said.