“Russia has warned Nato against sending any troops to help Ukraine, amid reports of a large Russian military build-up on its borders.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would take “additional measures” if Nato were to make such a move.
US forces in Europe are now on higher alert, citing “escalations of Russian aggression” in the area.
A Nato official told Reuters news agency that Russia was undermining efforts to reduce tensions in eastern Ukraine and Nato ambassadors had met on Thursday to discuss the situation.
Unverified video on Twitter in recent days purports to show Russian tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles heading to the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine’s army commander Gen Ruslan Khomchak says Russia has deployed 28 battalion tactical groups near Ukraine’s eastern border and in Crimea, which would amount to 20,000-25,000 troops. Russian officials have not confirmed that, nor given any precise figures.
According to Gen Khomchak, Russia also has nearly 3,000 officers and military instructors in the rebel units in eastern Ukraine.”
