Anthony Blinkin on a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev: The US Secretary of State called on Russia to act more cautiously on the Ukrainian border. (Source: Valentin Ogerenko / Reuters)

In fact, Russia has reduced its military strength on the border with Ukraine. But for US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the trigger was not enough.

Despite the partial withdrawal of troops, according to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin, Russia continues to deploy “substantial forces” on the border with Ukraine. Blinkin said on Thursday during a visit to Kiev that Moscow should stop its “dangerous and aggressive actions” against Ukraine. Previously it had the full support of United States of America He proclaimed “the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine”.

Blinken also called on Ukraine to make progress on anti-corruption reforms – something that Washington and Brussels have been pushing for years. Blinkin was also expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Silensky that afternoon.

First upgrade, then withdrawal

Russia It has had as many as 100,000 troops near the border with in the past few weeks Ukraine They contracted in Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. The massive troop movements fueled fears of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia said last week that it had begun withdrawing its soldiers.

The Ukrainian army has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since 2014. The West accuses Russia of supporting the separatists while the government is in it Moscow Negates.