Russia Says Troop Buildup Near Ukraine Is a Response to NATO

Russia Says Troop Buildup Near Ukraine Is a Response to NATO
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks as he visits a naval base in Gadzhiyevo, Russia, on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:

MOSCOW—Russia’s defense minister said Tuesday that the country’s massive military buildup in the west was part of readiness drills amid what he described as threats from NATO.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the maneuvers in western Russia that have worried neighboring Ukraine and brought warnings from NATO would last for another two weeks.