Nerve agent attack: Dozens of Russian diplomats expelled across globe
More than 130 Russian diplomats have been ordered to leave capital cities across the globe, as the West unites behind Britain over the Salisbury nerve agent attack.
Ukraine
With ‘new mandate,’ emboldened Putin to expand Russia’s adventurism abroad
There’s little suspense about Sunday’s Russian presidential election, but a lot of questions — and concerns — over what Vladimir Putin might do next with another six-year term in his pocket and a string of unresolved confrontations with the West.
US steps up lethal aide to Ukraine: 210 anti-tank missiles
The Trump administration told Congress on Thursday that it plans to sell Ukraine 210 anti-tank missiles to help it defend its territory from Russia, in a major escalation of U.S. lethal assistance to Ukraine’s military.
Mueller’s Move on Ex-Skadden Lawyer Puts Heat on Manafort, Gates
U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller intensified legal pressure on ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, by filing a false-statements case against a lawyer who did Ukraine-related work with the two men.
U.S. Navy Sends 2 Destroyers into Tense Black Sea Region
Two American destroyers sailed into the Black Sea over the weekend, the first time since 2014 that more than one U.S. warship has operated in this tense region other than in an exercise.
Putin, Merkel discuss situation in eastern Ukraine
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to explain Russia’s decision to withdraw its military observers from a joint group monitoring the truce in eastern Ukraine.
EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia
The European Union agreed Thursday to extend sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump discuss Syria, Ukraine, North Korea in hour-plus call
US President Donald Trump described the conversation with the Kremlin chief as a ‘great call’ and said the two leaders spoke ‘very strongly about bringing peace to Syria.’
The Manafort Indictment: Not Much There, and a Boon for Trump
The Paul Manafort indictment is much ado about nothing . . . except as a vehicle to squeeze Manafort, which is special counsel Robert Mueller’s objective — as we have been arguing for three months.
Podesta Group now part of special counsel probe into Russian collusion: Report
Tony Podesta and The Podesta Group are now being investigated as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into collusion claims between the Trump campaign and Russia, NBC News reported.
Limbless Evangelist Nick Vujicic Says 400,000 Ukrainians Chose to Repent of Sins, Follow Jesus
Famous evangelist Nick Vujicic said his team witnessed 400,000 people repent for their sins and choose to follow Jesus Christ at a recent event in Ukraine. That was the largest response that the Life Without Limbs ministry has seen.
Russia throws North Korea lifeline to stymie regime change
Russia is quietly boosting economic support for North Korea to try to stymie any US-led push to oust Kim Jong Un as Moscow fears his fall would sap its regional clout and allow US troops to deploy on Russia’s eastern border.
Half-a-Million People Gather in the Streets of Ukraine to Praise the Name of Jesus
The streets of Kiev filled with songs of praise and thanks as 500,000 evangelical, Ukrainian Christians gathered to celebrated the 500th anniversary of the protestant reformation.
Russia’s Lavrov, US’s Tillerson discuss Syria, Ukraine, Middle East
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed cooperation on the Syrian crisis, Middle East issues, and the agreement to bring peace to Ukraine in a meeting on Sunday, Lavrov’s spokeswoman said.
Putin: US weapons could exacerbate conflict in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that any decision by the United States to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine would fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine and possibly prompt pro-Russian separatists to expand their campaign there.
NATO fears Russian war games to turn into invasion
NATO allies have voices their concern that Moscow might be planning a surprise invasion, following its large-scaled military exercise with Belarus. Specifically, NATO is worried that Russia might leave military equipment behind in Belarus when the exercise concludes, perhaps to use later should President Vladimir Putin want to send troops quickly across the border, as he did in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014.
Russian Military Forces Staging Near Ukraine
The Pentagon has identified eight staging areas in Russia where large numbers of military forces appear to be preparing for incursions into Ukraine, according to U.S. defense officials.
NATO finalizes military build-up to counter Russia
NATO foreign ministers were on Thursday finalizing the alliance’s biggest military build-up since the end of the Cold War to counter what they see as a more aggressive and unpredictable Russia.
US Flies F-22s to Romania as Show of Strength to Russia
The U.S. Air Force on Monday flew in two F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Romania as a show of strength to deter Russian intervention in Ukraine.
Obama and Putin to meet; Syria and Ukraine vie for attention
U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in New York next week at a time of high tension in Europe and the Middle East, but the Kremlin and the White House disagreed on Thursday over the top priority for the talks.