The helicopter cut through the gray sky, following the path of the razor-wire fence below it. Lt. Col. Uiry Trubachov, of Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, squinted up at the chopper. “Those are Russians,” he said. Before Russia’s invasion and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, the border barriers didn’t …
Read More »Ukrainian rebel region residents can join Russian military
A Russian lawmaker is encouraging residents of rebel-controlled areas of Ukraine to join the Russian army, a sign that Moscow is continuing to try to integrate those territories as much as possible amid Western fears that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine. Viktor Vodolatsky said Saturday that residents of the …
Read More »US and allies debate the intelligence on how quickly Putin will order an invasion of Ukraine – or whether he will at all
As Russia masses tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine, along with tanks, artillery and missiles capable of striking the capital, officials in Washington, Kyiv and across Europe are debating the likelihood and timing of an invasion. In one camp, officials in Washington, London and within Ukraine’s …
Read More »Russian FM Lavrov: Moscow Doesn’t Want War, But Won’t Allow to Ignore Its Interests
Earlier this week, Russia received written responses from the US and NATO to the security guarantee proposals presented by Moscow last month in an effort to de-escalate tensions with the West over Ukraine. Speaking to four major Russian radio stations on Friday, two days after the US and NATO provided …
Read More »NATO’s Door Open To Georgia But Political Reforms Needed, Envoy Says
NATO will not compromise on its open-door policy under pressure from Russia, but prospective members like Georgia must make significant domestic reforms and resolve territorial disputes to join the club, a top alliance official said. Javier Colomina, NATO’s special representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, said that Georgia …
Read More »Russian President Says West Ignored Security Demands
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday the United States and NATO have not addressed Moscow’s concerns in its standoff with Ukraine. The Kremlin said Putin made the remarks in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, contending Western diplomatic responses did not consider Russia’s concerns about NATO expansion, stopping …
Read More »U.S., in Lockstep With NATO Allies, Calls on Putin to Stand Down
The United States is in lockstep with NATO allies in calling for Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate his country’s situation with Ukraine, U.S. defense leaders said during a Pentagon news conference today. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stressed that conflict with Russia is not inevitable. “There is …
Read More »Global Inflation Pressures Broadened On Food And Energy Price Gains – Analysis
The chart of the week shows how surging energy costs have boosted inflation, especially in Europe, after fossil-fuel prices nearly doubled in the past year. Rising food prices have also helped to boost inflation. Meanwhile, continuing supply chain disruptions, clogged ports, logistics strains and strong demand for merchandise have broadened …
Read More »Russia, U.S. Open For More Diplomacy Despite Wide Differences Over Ukraine
Russia has said that it received “no positive response” from the United States over its main security concerns in a standoff over Ukraine, though room exists to continue dialogue over several issues. As expected, the United States and NATO on January 26 rejected Moscow’s demand to permanently shut the door …
Read More »Biden says he will move U.S. troops to Eastern Europe, NATO countries ‘in the near term’
The comments come after President Joe Biden warned there is a “distinct possibility” that Russia could invade Ukraine in February. President Joe Biden said Friday night he will move U.S. troops to Eastern Europe and NATO countries “in the near term,” without elaborating on the timing but adding that the …
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