Stars and Stripes reports that “rising concerns that Moscow is poised to launch an invasion into Ukraine are well-grounded because Russian troops are continuing to mass along the volatile border between the two countries, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.”  

“’There is no question that Russia continues to build up on the border. They are putting more troops on that border, more heavy military equipment on that border. Those are not good signs,” Hagel said. “They’re dangerous. They’re provocative. They’re irresponsible. And this needs to stop.’”  

“Hagel, who met Wednesday with U.S. European Command chief Gen. Philip Breedlove at his headquarters in Stuttgart, said the U.S. continues to monitor the crisis in Ukraine, which in recent days has shown signs of a dramatic escalation.”