- Says it has evidence Russian forces are firing artillery from inside Russia on Ukrainian troops
- US State Dept Spokeswoman Marie Harf says Moscow also planning to “deliver heavier and more powerful multiple rocket launchers” to the pro-Russian separatist forces in Ukraine
India and Pakistan should work together to improve their relationship, the United States has said, adding that it would welcome steps towards that end.
Responding to questions related to the meeting between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan scheduled for August 25, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said, “It is really up for them to work-on together.”
Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and his Indian counterpart are likely to discuss the way forward in bilateral ties, which have made no headway since the interruption of dialogue process between the two neighbours, nearly two years ago.
An understanding about the meet was reached during the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi in May to attend the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT:
Meanwhile, US said on Thursday it had evidence Russian forces were firing artillery from inside Russia on Ukrainian troops, in what officials called a “clear escalation” of the conflict.
US State Department Spokesman Harf said that Moscow is also planning to “deliver heavier and more powerful multiple rocket launchers” to the pro-Russian separatist forces in Ukraine.
The evidence was based on “intelligence information” indicating arms were “continuing to flow across the border” into Ukraine since the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner with 298 on board, Harf said.
But she refused to reveal the evidence behind the allegation or give further information.
“They’re firing artillery from within Russia to attack Ukrainian military,” Harf told reporters.
Washington was still looking into the downing of two Ukrainian fighter jets on Wednesday, which, Ukraine has alleged, were hit by missiles fired from Russian territory.
The shelling by Russian forces against Ukrainian positions has been “going on for several days”, said Pentagon Spokesman Colonel Steven Warren, terming it a “clear escalation”.
The Pentagon did not specify the precise location of the Russian artillery units or the artillery fire.
The Russian shelling has taken place “within the last 14 days,” according to a statement issued by US intelligence agencies.
Russia has continued a troop build-up near the border of Ukraine and kept up deliveries of arms and equipment to separatists since the downing of Malaysian airliner MH17, US defence officials reportedly said.
Two US defence officials, requesting anonymity, reportedly said, “The Russians have sent at least one battalion a week to the border area in recent weeks, raising the troop level to 15,000 forces, up from about 12,000 last week.
“It looks like a steady increase,” one official reportedly said.
Military hardware has also continued to arrive at a large base set up near Rostov, which is used as a staging and training area before the equipment is transported to the rebels in Ukraine, according to defence officials.
US intelligence officials said this week that artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems recently arrived at the south western base in Rostov.
At a briefing earlier this week, US intelligence officials cited commercial satellite photos that showed new structures and an apparent expansion of the base over the past month.