The U.S. warned Russia Wednesday it would be a “grave mistake” to intervene militarily in Ukraine, after President Vladimir Putin put 150,000 combat troops on high alert for war games near the turmoil-ridden country. “For a country that has spoken out so frequently … against foreign intervention in Libya, in Syria and elsewhere, it …

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a snap military drill in Russia’s western region bordering Ukraine as the war of words between the two countries grows increasingly acrimonious. Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the armed forces of the Western and Central Commands had been put on “combat alert” for …

Fistfights broke out between pro- and anti-Russian demonstrators in Ukraine’s strategic Crimea region on Wednesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly ordered tests of the combat readiness of troops just across the border.

The European Union has re-affirmed commitment to restoration of stability to Ukraine and renewed obligation to continue support for the crisis-stricken nation. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, late on Wednesday, called a high level meeting to mobilise European Union support for Ukraine.

The US revealed that the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria has arrested relatives of opposition members and taken other punitive measures, following the failure of the Geneva II meetings earlier this month.

Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, invited the Bulgarian business to invest in his country at a meeting with President Rosen Plevneliev. The Bulgarian head of state is on an official two day visit to the western Balkan country.

Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin will meet with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu in Sofia on Thursday.

Azerbaijan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) plan to hold next meeting in “28+1” format in the coming months.

French President Francois Hollande, and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed by telephone on Monday, the situation in Ukraine. Both France and Russia insist on the need to prevent the partition of Ukraine and maintain its territorial integrity, said Hollande’s press office said in a statement.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Monday urged the Syrian regime to comply with the Geneva Press track and contribute to efforts to find and end the conflict . Updating Parliament on the situation in Syria , Hague said : ” On Saturday the Security Council of the United Nations …