Kremlin Confirms Russian Troops Deployed Close to Ukraine

A Kremlin spokesman confirmed on Friday that Russia has built up its military presence on the Ukrainian border.

"We have troops in different regions, and there are troops close to the Ukrainian border. Some are based there, others have been sent as reinforcements due to the situation in Ukraine," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Rossiya 1 television.

Peskov also considered that Russia will not be the only party held responsible for implementing an agreement on easing tensions in Ukraine, adding that threats of further sanctions by Washington were "absolutely unacceptable".

"Our Western colleagues are trying to push responsibility (for implementing the deal) towards our side. But it must be underlined: it is a collective responsibility," said Peskov.

Moscow, Kiev and the West reached an agreement on Thursday aimed at easing the crisis in Ukraine that included a call for "all illegal armed groups" to disarm and leave government buildings that have been seized by pro-Russian forces in the east of the country.

Immediately after the deal, U.S. President Barack Obama raised doubts that Moscow, which the U.S. blames for supporting the separatists in Ukraine's industrial heartland, would hold up its end of the deal.

He warned that Washington would rapidly impose fresh sanctions on Russia if no progress was seen on the ground.

"Making such declarations as had been done from the highest level in Washington ... do not favour the atmosphere of dialogue," said Peskov on Friday.

"One cannot treat Russia like it is a shameful student, and brandish a piece of paper on which we put crosses next to the duties it has accomplished," said Peskov.

"Such comments are absolutely unacceptable," he added.