US suspends military ties with Russia

The US has suspended all military engagements with Russia, including exercises and port visits, in response to Moscow sending troops into Crimea, ABC News reported. The announcement from the Pentagon came a few hours after US President Barack Obama warned that the US government would look at economic and diplomatic sanctions that would isolate Moscow over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis. The United States also put trade and investment talks with Russia on hold. “We call on Russia to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine and for Russian forces in Crimea to return to their bases,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said. Kirby said that although the defense department valued its military-to-military relations with Russia, “we have, in light of recent events in Ukraine, put on hold all military-to-military engagements”. Its suspension also applied to bilateral military meetings and planning conferences, he said. The decision does not sever all ties and top-level dialogue could continue, leaving open the channels between the defense secretary, Chuck Hagel, and the Russian defense minister, Sergei Shoigu. Kirby said US navy units were conducting routine, previously planned operations and exercises in the region. Source: MENA