You're reading: Pentagon: Use of Russian armed forces in Ukraine risks rise in international tension

Washington – U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in a telephone conversation with Russia's Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu said that use of military contingents in Ukraine would threaten European and international security. 

“Hagel stressed that, without a change on the ground, Russia risks further instability in the region, isolation in the international community and an escalation that would threaten European and international security,” the Pentagon said, quoting the conversation between the defense officials of the two countries.

As reported, Russia’s Federation Council on Saturday unanimously satisfied a request from President Vladimir Putin to use the Russian armed forces in Ukraine.