Russia defence chief tells Hagel no plans to cross into eastern Ukraine

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel received assurances on Thursday from his Russian counterpart that the thousands of Russian troops along Ukraine's eastern border had no plans to enter the country, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Hagel held an often "direct" conversation with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu about the Ukraine crisis for about an hour, U.S. Rear Admiral John Kirby said.