Story highlights Russian spokesman: US troop increase in Eastern Europe is 'a 'threat'Spokesman Peskov expresses hope for improved US-Russia relationsMoscow (CNN) Russia has criticized US troop deployments in Europe, saying that the deployment of thousands of US soldiers as part of continuous troop rotations to Eastern Europe is "a threat" to Russian security. JUST WATCHED Paul Ryan: 'Russia is a global menace' Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Paul Ryan: 'Russia is a global menace' 02:04"We see it as a threat to us. "One thousand or ten thousand -- we're talking about the increase of military presence. Earlier this week 4,000 US soldiers arrived in Germany as part of troop rotations to Europe that the Pentagon said are meant to send a clear message to Russia. Maj. Gen. Timothy McGuire, deputy commander of US miltary in Europe, supervises the unloading of US military vehicles from a transport ship in the harbor in Bremerhaven, northwestern Germany.

Source: CNN January 13, 2017 05:45 UTC