Former Soviet Bloc Nations Sign EU Agreements
Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova signed sweeping trade and political agreements with the European Union, risking a widening rift with Russia who strongly opposed any deal.
Russia
Separatists Break Ceasefire; Attack Ukrainian Forces at Airport
Hours before Ukraine signs a trade agreement with the European Union, Pro-Russian separatists defied a government ceasefire and attacked Ukrainian government forces at an airport in east Ukraine.
Iran, Russia to Finalize Deal for Two More Nuclear Plants
Russia plans to build two more nuclear power plants in Iran. After months of negotiations, the deal is expected to be signed this week.
Pro-Russian Militias Seize Tank Base in Ukraine
Pro-Russian Militas took control of a tank base in Ukraine seizing 221 tanks, 288 armored vehicles, 12 self-propelled guns, 18 Grad volley fire systems, 183 infantry vehicles, and 12 mortars, Interfax reported.
U.S. Broadens Sanctions on Russia; Putin Places 65,000 Troops on Alert
Over 65,000 Russian troops were placed on combat alert and ordered to take part in readiness drills by Russian President Vladmir Putin. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department levied sanctions against seven separatists with broader measures being readied against finance, defense, and technology industries, Bloomberg reported.
North Korea Reportly Has a New Cruise Missile
Did you see that? A brief scene that lasts just over a second, buried within a North Korean military propaganda appears to indicate that the country has developed a new cruise missile, a Johns Hopkins university group announced.
Unilateral Cease-Fire May Be Declared in Ukraine
Ukraine announced it may declare a “temporary, unilateral, cease-fire” in the eastern part of Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Putin Has a New Toy as Russia Christens Fourth-Generation Top-Secret Submarine
As tensions continue to intensify between Russia and the West over Ukraine, Russia christened a fourth-generation top-secret nuclear submarine named Severodvinsk, on Tuesday.
Gas Cut to Ukraine, as Russia Has 38,000 Troops on Border
Russia has amassed as many as 38,000 soldiers on its borders with Ukraine and continues to supply arms and personnel to rebel forces in the eastern part of the country, Ukraine’s National Security Council chief said.
Satellite Images show Russian Tanks in Ukraine, NATO says
NATO provided new satellite images that reveal Russian tanks are operating in the eastern part of Ukraine and raise significant questions concerning Russia’s role in ‘facilitating instability’ in the region.
Russia Threatens to halt Gas Supplies to Ukraine
After Ukraine failed to pay its debt to Gazprom, the company says any future Russian gas supplies must be paid up front.
U.S. Quietly Sending Troops to Train Forces in Baltic States
As NATO refocuses on its eastern borders after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the U.S. is quietly deploying more troops to train special forces in former Soviet bloc states anxious about Moscow’s intentions.
Ukraine minister: 3 tanks crossed border from Russia
Ukraine’s interior minister says that three tanks have crossed into Ukrainian territory from Russia and were attacked by his country’s forces.
Russia on Iraq: ‘We told you so’
As the situation in Iraq begins to looks more and more like a complete state meltdown, Russia has stepped in with a familiar refrain: “We told you so.”
Ukraine Battles Separatists to Control Border with Russia
Ukrainian border guards stand grim-faced and nervous at the remote Marynivka checkpoint on the frontier with Russia, fearing an attack by pro-Moscow separatists at any time.
G7 willing to step up sanctions on Russia over Ukraine
The world’s leading industrialized nations threatened on Wednesday to impose harder-hitting sanctions on Russia if it does not help restore stability to eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militias continue to operate at will.
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Establish New Alliance
The leaders of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on Thursday created an economic union that intends to boost cooperation between the ex-Soviet neighbors, a pact which was at the source of the crisis in Ukraine.
Biden Challenges Cadets to Create ‘New World Order’
Under a blazing sun, Vice President Joe Biden challenged graduating Air Force Academy cadets on Wednesday to help create a “new world order for the 21st century.”
Congress: US should confront Russia on nuke treaty
Congress is stepping up pressure on the White House to confront Russia over allegations that it is cheating on a key nuclear arms treaty – a face off that could further strain U.S.-Moscow relations and dampen President Barack Obama’s hopes to add deeper cuts in nuclear arsenals to his legacy.
Ukraine Helicopters Strike Rebel-Held Airport
Ukrainian government helicopters have launched an unprecedented airstrike against pro-Russian rebels who seized an airport terminal in the eastern city of Donetsk, with reports of civilian casualties.