Russia ukraine

This coming week could be rich in weather metaphors. Dark clouds hover over Ukraine and the markets for oil and natural gas. In fact, let me be the first to say it: It could be a “perfect storm.” The Ukraine crisis may appear to be all about President Putin of Russia and his outsized ego, but his big stick isn’t just his 100,000 troops and armor near the border. Rather, it is natural gas, on which Ukraine depends upon Russia to supply, along with several other European countries that buy gas from Russia delivered by pipelines running across Ukraine. In fact, about 40 percent of natural gas consumed in Europe comes from Russia. And this dominance is enhanced by the major customer being Germany, which explains why it is being marked “absent” from most of the diplomatic pressure that is aimed at Moscow. By all means, allow yourself a wry smile about Berlin’s history, but the result is that British military transports avoided flying through German air space last week to deliver … [Read more...] about The Russia-Ukraine crisis is creating an energy predicament

As tensions between Russia and Ukraine are expected to hit a boiling point in the next few days, White House officials have had plenty to say regarding the conflict and what they plan to do if things go south. On Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden dedicated part of his lengthy one-year address to the conflict between the two nations, which has been triggered by Ukraine's commitment to joining NATO . During the address, Biden said that Russia should be held accountable for its potential decision to invade the country. "Russia will be held accountable if it invades, and it depends on what it does," he said, continuing with, "it's one thing if it's a minor incursion, and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, etcetera. But if they actually do what they're capable of doing with the force amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine." It was not long before those involved in the Biden administration began … [Read more...] about Everything the White House has said about Russia, Ukraine in the past 24 hours

Live Updates The United States is taking a firm stance against Russia's actions towards Ukraine and the its ongoing campaign to spread disinformation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Friday in Geneva. After meeting with officials in Berlin Thursday, Blinken defended the sovereignty of Ukraine and claimed Russia is the aggressor in this situation. President Joe Biden assured Russia would pay a "heavy price" if it invades Ukraine. Biden has spoken with European allies and partners but has not called Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in recent days, according to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned four people involved with Russia's efforts to "destabilize Ukraine." Blinken said the U.S. will continue to "expose and counter Russia's global campaign of malign influence, in Ukraine and beyond." Follow Newsweek's live blog for the latest updates. 4 min ago 10:59 AM … [Read more...] about Russia-Ukraine Live Updates: Blinken calls discussion with Lavrov “frank and substantive”

French President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Jean-Michel Macron Defense & National Security — Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on high alert Biden touts 'total unanimity' with European leaders after call on Russia-Ukraine Biden huddling with European leaders on Russia's military buildup near Ukraine MORE said on Tuesday that he hoped a phone call he is slated to hold with Russian President Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Senators huddle on Russia sanctions as tensions escalate Schumer requests Senate briefing on Ukraine amid Russia tensions Biden rushes to pressure Russia as Ukraine fears intensify MORE on Friday would bring about "demanding dialogue and obtain clarifications" amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters reported. Macron made the comments during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and ahead of talks on Wednesday between political advisers from France, Germany, Ukraine and … [Read more...] about Putin, Macron to hold call on Friday amid rising Russia-Ukraine tensions

With Ukraine under growing threat from Russia , the United States and its NATO allies across Europe are stepping up their response . But there is one notable country that appears to be holding back: Germany . As Russian troops have massed on the Ukrainian border, Berlin has resisted pressure from its allies and neighbors to deliver arms to Ukraine while urging “prudence” when it comes to potential economic sanctions against Moscow. The reluctance of Europe’s leading economic power to join the more robust Western posture has drawn criticism from Kyiv and threatened to undermine the effort to present a strong and united front against Russian aggression. President Joe Biden came under fire for suggesting there were divisions within the trans-Atlantic alliance on the issue, but that reticence and the resignation of Germany’s Navy chief over the weekend after pro-Kremlin comments have done little to dispel the idea that Berlin might be the weak link in the West’s … [Read more...] about Why Germany might be the West’s weak link in the Russia-Ukraine standoff

After a series of negotiating sessions with the Russian Federation, there is growing suspicion that Putin is looking for an excuse rather than a solution. His gun remains pointed firmly at Ukraine as his cyber warriors test their malware and his spies wander throughout looking to provoke. There is dwindling hope that diplomacy will bring stability to the troubled region. If it is to succeed, Russia will have to remove the gun and all sides will have to acknowledge the lessons of history and the dangers of violating borders. The borders of nations in Central and Eastern Europe were drawn initially in the aftermath of World War I, and not with great precision. As Margaret MacMillan graphically describes in “ Paris 1919 ,” the Allied victors pursued their own geopolitical needs. Their decisions on borders were made with a curious admixture of motivations: national interests, personal prejudices; a desire to punish Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire; concern that Bolshevism … [Read more...] about The pitfalls of Russia’s plan to rewrite history in Ukraine

The United States and NATO are attempting to convince Russia not to use force in Ukraine. They will fail. Putin’s claimed insecurity is pure pretense. If his purpose is to take control of Ukraine, a war is unavoidable, but if his purpose is to curb NATO expansion and simultaneously to end a costly conflict in Ukraine’s eastern provinces. Ukraine should consider its options separately from those of NATO or the EU since the price of diplomatic failure will be paid by Ukraine alone. Ukraine therefore should prepare for war but also should offer to withdraw its hopeless application for NATO membership in exchange for measures that materially enhance its sovereign interests. The U.S. and NATO have advanced arms control and military activity proposals that refute Putin’s pretense that NATO expansion and military preparedness threaten Russia’s security.  But addressing Putin’s pretense is no substitute for effectively countering Putin’s purpose. He knows that NATO cannot accept a … [Read more...] about Ukraine must take control of its destiny

President Biden Joe Biden US threatens sweeping export controls against Russian industries Headaches intensify for Democrats in Florida US orders families of embassy staff in Ukraine to leave country MORE will meet virtually with European leaders on Monday afternoon to discuss the buildup of Russian troops at Ukraine’s border, as the U.S. reportedly prepares to send additional troops to the region. The secure video call, set for 3 p.m., is “part of our close consultation and coordination with our Transatlantic Allies and partners in response to Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s borders,” the White House said in a statement. The call will include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Jean-Michel Macron French Senate votes to ban headscarves during sport competitions New French law bans unvaccinated from restaurants, venues Europe's energy … [Read more...] about Biden huddling with European leaders on Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine border

Former President Donald Trump said Monday that the rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine would not have occurred while he was in office, but he didn't say how he would have handled the situation differently. "What's happening with Russia and Ukraine would never have happened under the Trump Administration. Not even a possibility!" the former president said in a statement posted on Twitter by his spokesperson Liz Harrington. Trump's remarks come after Russia recently told the U.S . to stop providing military aid to Ukraine, warning it had "almost completed" assembling 127,000 troops at the Ukrainian border. The Russian Embassy in Washington said if the U.S. was "truly committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the internal Ukrainian conflict" it would "abandon plans to supply new batches of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine." On Monday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has placed military units in the U.S. in a … [Read more...] about Trump says Russia-Ukraine tensions “would never have happened” under his presidency

The Pentagon is readying up to 8,500 U.S. troops to potentially deploy to Eastern Europe as Russia ratchets up its aggression towards Ukraine. “The United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us, our allies, or partners,” press secretary John Kirby John Kirby Overnight Defense & National Security — US, Russia meet during 'critical' point US sends aircraft carrier group to Mediterranean as Russia threat looms Lawmakers press Biden admin to send more military aid to Ukraine MORE told reporters Monday. In light of that and at the direction of President Biden Joe Biden US threatens sweeping export controls against Russian industries Headaches intensify for Democrats in Florida US orders families of embassy staff in Ukraine to leave country MORE , Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Lloyd Austin Overnight Defense & National Security — White House raises new alarm … [Read more...] about Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on higher alert over Russia-Ukraine tensions