Commander of U.S. and allied forces in the European Union Philip Breedlove believes that Russia retains a military presence in Donbass and does not take troops despite the Minsk agreement.

"We are grateful for the work that was done during the" Normandy format ", We are grateful that We can see the reduction of tensions on the contact line, although skirmishes are still ongoing, We are grateful that a rejection of the weapons. But We do not see that the Russian Federation displays any of its forces from Ukraine ", - said Breedlove at a press conference.

He again reiterated that the U.S. has the data about the fact that the Russian Federation has in the Donbas forces command and control, air defense systems and artillery, logistics.

"Goodwill (RF) must begin with the fact that the Russian Federation withdraws its forces from Donbass ", - He added.

The Ukrainian authorities in April of last year began military action against the self-proclaimed LNR and DND. According to the final data of the UN, the victims of the conflict began more than 8 thousand people. While Kiev and the West blame the Russian Federation interference in the internal Affairs of Ukraine. Russia denies it and calls such accusations unacceptable. Moscow repeatedly stated that it is not a party to domestic conflict and not privy to the events in the South-East, is interested in Ukraine overcame political and economic crisis.

the Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation many times reported that not supplying the militia military equipment, ammunition and other assistance. Statements on this issue in the Ministry of war called "absolute nonsense" that " defies any criticism ". And the head of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S. V. Lavrov said that Statements about the presence of Russian troops in the Donbass unsubstantiated - no one until now could not present concrete facts, despite repeated accusations.

sections: Politics