(Video Incl.)NATO leaders perplexed over Russia’s defiance: Russia starts military drills near Ukraine border

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Russia starts military drills near Ukraine border

On Thursday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that more than 8,000 of Russian troops in the regions of Rostov, Belgorod, Kursk and Tambov bordering Ukraine had begun the exercises, which will continue until the end of the month, The Associated Press reported.

The announcement came as the Ukrainian parliament unanimously adopted a legislation under which the country would create a 60,000-strong National Guard in an attempt to boost the country’s defenses.

The self-declared government of Ukraine has decided to form the new National Guard by recruiting some activists who were involved in recent pro-Western protests that led to the ouster of the former president, Viktor Yanukovych.

Tensions deepen between Western powers and Moscow after Ukraine’s Crimean authorities said they will hold a referendum on March 16 on whether to break away from Ukraine and join Russia.

On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel threatened Russia with sanctions unless Moscow engages in talks to find a diplomatic solution to the political crisis in Ukraine.

French President Francois Hollande also called on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to stop Crimea’s referendum, saying the move would escalate tensions in the region.

Ukraine has been gripped by political crisis since November 2013, when Yanukovych refrained from signing the Association Agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.

The rejection triggered months of anti-government protests that led to the ouster of Yanukovych on February 23.

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