Russia
US delivers written letter to Russia addressing Moscow's concerns: Blinken
Blinken told a press conference that the letter, which was delivered to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the US ambassador to Russia, "sets out a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it", Xinhua news agency reported. The letter, Blinken said, was in response to Russia recently outlining "its concerns and proposals in writing" to the US.
Macron holds talk with Biden over Ukraine
During the video conference on Monday evening, Macron expressed his deep concern about the situation on the borders of Ukraine, and stressed the need to work collectively for a rapid de-escalation, Xinhua news agency reported. The Elysee also announced that Macron will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming days.
Kremlin says US actions escalate tensions around Ukraine
"We are watching the actions of the US with great concern," TASS news agency said on Tuesday, citing the spokesman. The US Department of Defense announced on Monday that nearly 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, with no decision on formal deployments.
No intention of putting the US or NATO troops in Ukraine: Biden
"We have no intention of putting American forces or NATO forces in Ukraine," Biden told reporters on Tuesday when he was at a store in Washington buying gifts for his wife and grandson, Xinhua news agency reported. "But I said there are going to be serious economic consequences if (Russian President Vladimir Putin) moves" Russian troops into Ukraine.
Pakistan talking to Russia for Vladimir Putin's maiden visit to Islamabad: Report
Prime Minister Imran Khan has been lobbying with Putin to visit Pakistan. He formally invited the latter over a telephonic conversation in August last year and reiterated the same in another phone call made last week. The two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the 2022 Winter Olympics inauguration next month in Beijing.
Russia conducts large-scale drills in Baltic Sea amid Ukraine tensions
The ships from the Russian Baltic Fleet, forming several tactical groups, will carry out anti-submarine, air defense and mine-sweeping tasks, added the statement on Monday. The drills are being held at a time when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe as tensions in and around Ukraine have escalated, Xinhua news agency reported.
Russia can't ignore NATO military buildup amid Ukraine tensions: Kremlin
Peskov made the remarks on Monday during his daily briefing shortly after NATO said its allies are "putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments in Eastern Europe" to deter Russia, Xinhua news agency reported. In addition to the NATO maneuvers, Ukrainian authorities are concentrating a huge amount of forces on the line of contact with the two self-proclaimed republics in Donbass, he noted.
US puts troops on high alert over tensions on Ukraine border
John Kirby, the Defense Department's spokesperson, said on Monday during a press briefing that putting US forces on heightened alert is to ensure that the US will get ready to respond to a possible decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to deploy its 40,000-strong multinational response force known as NRF, which could be shored up on short notice.
Britain withdrawing some embassy staff from Ukraine
Some embassy staff and dependents are being withdrawn from Ukraine, but the embassy remains open and will continue to carry out essential work, it added. "The FCDO advise against all travel to Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast and Crimea. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Ukraine," it said.
Russia slams US provocation ahead of Lavrov-Blinken talks
The Russian Ministry in a commentary on Saturday called the sheet "an overt provocation" by Washington to publish the "Fact vs. Fiction: Russian Disinformation on Ukraine" just a day before Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Geneva on Friday.
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