Russia announced Thursday that thousands of troops deployed to its border with Ukraine will be withdrawn by May 1, Axios reports. Although Russia had said it was conducting military exercises at the border, the recent massive build-up of troops and military equipment, including fighter planes, had raised fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Thousands have rallied across Russia against the detention of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny amid concerns about his health. More than 1,000 people were reportedly arrested after defying a ban on demonstrations.
Satellite photos show that Russia has deployed warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine, bolstering its readiness for military action and political intimidation, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
The United States had warned Russia of “consequences” if jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny dies amid mounting concerns about his health.
Pope Francis appealed for peace in eastern Ukraine, where growing violations of a ceasefire trigger rising tensions between Kyiv and Moscow agreed between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists. It comes while a massive Russian military buildup is underway near Ukraine’s borders and British warships preparing to sail for the Black Sea next month in support of Ukraine.
Russia will block foreign warships and non-commercial vessels from transiting the Kerch Strait to access the Black Sea, according to reports from Ukrainian media. The strait lies between Crimea and Russia, and connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday expelled 10 Russian diplomats in retaliation to Moscow’s interference in last year’s presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies.
The United States will soon announce new sanctions against Russian individuals and entities for alleged election interference and malicious cyber activity, Voice of America reports. It is expected that thirty organizations will be blacklisted and that some 10 Russian officials in the US will be issued with orders to leave the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reason for a major military buildup on Ukrainian borders remains a mystery, U.S. intelligence officials told lawmakers.
In its annual survey of United States national security threats, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) reported Tuesday that China and Russia currently pose the greatest danger to America, the Washington Times reports.
US President Joe Biden has offered to have a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid rising tensions over Russia’s buildup of troops close to Ukraine’s eastern border and Crimea, the Washington Times reports. Moscow has acknowledged the offer of a summit.
NATO leaders and Russia traded sharp threats Tuesday over a military standoff in Ukraine, with President Biden pressing the Kremlin to de-escalate the situation and suggesting it was time for him and Russian President Vladimir Putin to have a face-to-face talk about Russian provocations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a controversial bill that opens the door for him to potentially remain in power until 2036.
The United States and European allies are “discussing concerns” about Russia’s reported military buildup on the border of Ukraine, a senior State Department official said in a warning to Moscow.
U.S. President Joe Biden used his first news conference to threaten fundamental changes to Senate rules to battle Republican opponents and defend his controversial migration and China policies.
The Kremlin on Thursday denounced U.S. President Joe Biden’s remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning it would rethink its approach to relations with Washington.
Russia and Iran both conducted misinformation operations to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, according to a U.S. intelligence report.
The Supreme Court on Monday threw out several of the remaining election challenges raised after former President Donald Trump’s loss to President Biden.
According to multiple media outlets, Israel has asked for Russia’s help with a humanitarian issue in Syria, the Jerusalem Post reports. The request for assistance was reportedly made during an urgent ZOOM call between cabinet ministers on Tuesday evening; the subject of the meeting has been kept secret.
Amid mounting international pressure over its perceived crackdown on dissent, Russia has expelled three diplomats from Germany, Sweden, and Poland, prompting an angry response from the European Union. Moscow says the diplomats joined unauthorized protests supporting opposition activist Alexei Navalny, who was jailed earlier this week.