MOSCOW, April 29 (RIA Novosti) – US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has called on Russia to help secure the release of seven European military inspectors being held by federalists in eastern Ukraine, the Pentagon said.
In a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Monday, Hagel “asked for Russia's help in freeing seven members of a military observer mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe who are being held by pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said Monday.
Hagel stressed that the situation in Ukraine remains “dangerous” and reiterated that the Kiev government has a right to preserve law and order within its borders, Kirby said.
The Pentagon chief also called on Russia to observe the Geneva deal aimed at de-escalating the Ukraine crisis and "repeated his call for an end to Russia's destabilizing influence inside Ukraine and warned that continued aggression would further isolate Russia and result in more diplomatic and economic pressure," the statement said.
Kirby said the Russian and US defense chiefs agreed to "have continued conversations seeking a way forward" on the crisis in Ukraine.
Shoigu "reiterated his assurance that Russian forces would not invade," Kirby said.
People's Mayor Vyacheslav Ponomaryov said last week activists in Slaviansk had detained 11 members of a military mission under the auspices of the OSCE, including eight Europeans and three Ukrainians, who are suspected of “espionage.” The driver of the OSCE bus, a citizen of Ukraine, has been released.
Eastern Ukraine has been hit by pro-federalization protests in mainly Russian-speaking regions. The Ukrainian government earlier announced a special operation to crack down on the unrest. Moscow has denounced Kiev’s actions.
