The Pentagon released the following transcript of a news conference with Rear Admiral Kirby. There Kirby touch upon developments concerning the Ukraine:
“REAR ADMIRAL JOHN KIRBY: Everybody, sorry I’m late. I know I’m terribly late today. I do want to just say something right at the outset and then we’ll get to your questions. We are very concerned by the movement of a Russian convoy across Ukraine’s border. We strongly condemn this action and any actions that Russian forces take that increase tensions in the region. Russia should not send vehicles, persons, or cargo of any kind into Ukraine, whether under the guise of humanitarian convoys or any other pretext, without Kiev’s express permission. This is a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Russia.
Russia must remove its vehicles and its personnel from the territory of Ukraine immediately. Failure to do so will result in additional costs and isolation. We’re currently consulting with the International Red Cross and other international partners. And as we have more details to provide on what we know, we’ll certainly do that.
Q: Does the U.S. consider this an invasion? And is the U.S. taking any action, either calling any counterparts overseas either in Ukraine or in Russia?
REAR ADM. KIRBY: It’s certainly unauthorized entry into the Ukraine by — by this convoy, and we are consulting, as I said, with international partners right now about next steps. I don’t have anything additional to add at this time. And I think, again, in my opening statement, made it very, very clear what we expect of Russia.
Q: But no phone calls or anything yet with either — between the administration and…
(CROSSTALK)
REAR ADM. KIRBY: This is just happening today, so I’m not aware of any outreach today by — certainly by this building. And I won’t speak for other agencies in the federal government. I would remind you, though, I mean, the secretary did talk to Minister Shoygu just a few days ago, and the minister guaranteed, was his words, that there would be no military intervention using the pretext of humanitarian relief and, in fact, assured us that there would be no military members as a part of this humanitarian convoy.
Q: You said under the guise of a humanitarian convoy. Does the U.S. have evidence that there are military forces and military equipment?
REAR ADM. KIRBY: I’m not prepared — I’m not prepared to speak to the specific evidence at this time. We’ve made our position very, very clear, that they should not be doing this under the guise of a humanitarian convoy, to use that as an excuse to — to cross the border in an non-authorized way. We have a lot more work to do here, and I think we’ll sort this out throughout the day. I think you’ll hear more from us throughout the day.”
Source: Pentagon http://www.defense.gov/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=5493