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BRUSSELS (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is urging Russia not to take any action on Ukraine that could be misinterpreted.
At a news conference Thursday after a NATO defense ministers meeting, Hagel cited a concern that Russia could act in a way that would lead to miscalculation during what he called a "delicate time."
Hagel said the U.S. is closely watching Russia's military exercises along the Ukrainian border, and he said the U.S. strongly supports Ukraine's territorial integrity. He said the U.S. expects all nations to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and avoid provocations.
Hagel and other NATO ministers met earlier in the day with Ukrainian officials.
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