Tag Archives: Russia

Germany Moves To Halt Gas Pipeline From Russia

The Associated Press reports: Germany has taken steps to halt the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday, as the West started taking punitive measures against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. Scholz told reporters in Berlin that his government was taking the measure in response to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The …

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Putin Orders “Peacekeeping” Troops Into Ukraine

The Washington Post reports: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees ordering military forces into two separatist regions of Ukraine for “peacekeeping” purposes as Moscow recognized the breakaway regions’ independence Monday. Putin signed a decree recognizing the areas — a move that Russia could use to justify an attack in those areas — and an agreement of cooperation with the heads …

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European Airlines Suspend Flights Into Ukraine

CNN Business reports: Air France and Lufthansa are the latest airlines to suspend flights into Ukraine as fears of a Russian invasion grow. The French carrier said that it would cancel flights to and from the capital Kyiv on Tuesday as a “precautionary measure,” citing the security situation. “Air France will regularly reassess the situation and reminds that the safety …

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US Plans Sanctions Against Ukraine Breakaway Regions

The Associated Press reports: The White House says President Joe Biden is ordering new sanctions after Russia moved to recognize separatist eastern Ukraine regions. The Biden administration calls Monday’s announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin a “blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.” The sanctions will prohibit new investment, trade and financing in the two separatist regions of Ukraine recognized by …

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Putin Claims Ukraine Was Never A Real Country, Calls It “Madness” That Nations Were Allowed To Leave USSR

From the Russia state outlet Pravda: Putin started his urgent address to the nation with an insight into the history of Ukraine and its creation. The Ukraine that we know today was created during the times of Bolshevist Russia, he said. Putin in particular said that today’s Ukraine was completely created by Lenin. Today’s Ukraine can be referred to as …

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Kremlin: Russia To Recognize Breakaway Ukraine Areas

The New York Times reports: The Kremlin said Monday that President Vladimir V. Putin would recognize the independence of two territories in Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, further escalating tensions in what Western nations fear could lead to one of the biggest conflicts in Europe since World War II. The announcement was made by the Kremlin in a statement summarizing …

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Putin May Recognize Breakaway Regions Of Ukraine

Reuters reports: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he was considering a request by two regions of eastern Ukraine held by Russian-backed separatists to be recognised as independent – a move that could give Moscow a reason to openly send troops. Ukraine and the West consider the rebels controlling the two small eastern regions to be Russia’s proxies, and …

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Biden-Putin Summit Floated Over Ukraine Threat

CBS News reports: U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle on Sunday to meet, either in person or via video link, as diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis on Ukraine’s borders took on new urgency with U.S. officials telling CBS News that Putin had ordered his troops to proceed with plans to invade. A U.S. …

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US Warns Of Possible Terror Attacks In Russian Cities

CBS News reports: The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a security alert on Sunday warning that “according to media sources, there have been threats of attacks against shopping centers, railway and metro stations, and other public gathering places in major urban areas, including Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as in areas of heightened tension along the Russian border with …

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Russian Troops To Remain In Belarus “Indefinitely”

The Guardian reports: Russian troops sent to Belarus for military exercises will remain in the country indefinitely, Belarus’s defence ministry has said, in a decision that will further fuel concerns Moscow is planning an imminent Ukraine invasion. Belarus’s defence minister, Gen Viktor Khrenin, said Russian soldiers would stay after large-scale joint drills were completed on Sunday. He said the move …

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Cruz Blames Biden For Putin’s Threat To Ukraine

The Hill reports: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blasted President Biden on Sunday for what he described as his enabling of Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, saying Biden’s presidency was the “best thing” that had happened for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cruz argued that Senate support for sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has changed solely because of who is sitting …

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Putin Oversees Missile Tests With Belarus President

The New York Times reports: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia presided over the theatrically timed test launches of three ballistic and cruise missiles on Saturday as part of what were described as nuclear deterrence exercises, in a blunt reminder to the West that any conflict over Ukraine could quickly escalate. Mr. Putin watched the display from a Kremlin command …

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LIVE VIDEO: Biden Addresses Situation In Ukraine

The Independent reports: US President Joe Biden will deliver an update on efforts to deter a further invasion of Ukraine at 4pm Eastern time on Friday, the White House has said. Mr Biden is expected to address US and NATO actions and the continued push to dissuade Russian president Vladimir Putin from ordering an invasion of Ukraine after the heads …

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REPORT: Russia Planning Post-Invasion Executions

Foreign Policy reports: The United States has obtained intelligence that Russia may target prominent political opponents, anti-corruption activists, and Belarusian and Russian dissidents living in exile should it move forward with plans to invade Ukraine, as U.S. President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that the threat of a renewed Russian invasion of the country remains “very high” and could take …

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AP: Putin To Personally Oversee “Massive” Nuclear Drills

The Associated Press reports: The Russian military on Friday announced massive drills of its strategic nuclear forces, a stark reminder of the country’s nuclear might amid Western fears that Moscow might be preparing to invade Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin will personally oversee Saturday’s exercise, which will involve multiple practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, the Defense …

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Senate Unanimously Approves Pro-Ukraine Resolution

The Associated Press reports: The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday night to show unwavering support for an independent Ukraine and “condemn” Russian military aggression toward its neighbor as fresh fears emerged of a possible invasion that could spiral toward a European war. The resolution from the senators does not carry the force of law but puts the U.S. legislative body …

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Reuters: Shelling Escalates In Eastern Ukraine [VIDEO]

Reuters reports: Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels reported increased shelling in eastern Ukraine for a second straight day on Friday, an escalation that Washington and other Western allies say could form part of a Russian pretext to invade. Russia denies Western accusations that it is planning an invasion and has said this week it is drawing down forces massed …

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Rand Paul Threatens To Block Pro-Ukraine Resolution

The Hill reports: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) warned on Thursday that he will block quick passage of a symbolic resolution supporting Ukraine and sending a warning to Russia unless it incorporates changes he wants. “We have some amendments to it. We believe that it should say nothing in this resolution is to be construed as an authorization of war and …

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LIVE VIDEO: Sec. Blinken Addresses UN On Ukraine

CNBC reports: Secretary of State Antony Blinken will address the United Nations Security Council Thursday morning as the crisis on Ukraine’s borders reaches a pivotal moment. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters on a call Thursday morning that she requested Blinken to address the international forum ahead of his scheduled trip alongside Vice President Kamala Harris …

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Russia Expels Senior US Diplomat Amid Shelling Claims

The Washington Post reports: Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists accused each other Thursday of violating a cease-fire in the eastern part of the country, a potential flash point in what Western officials say are Russian preparations for a possible attack by growing forces massed near Ukraine’s borders. In Moscow, the Russian government ordered the expulsion of the U.S. Embassy’s second-ranking diplomat, …

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