In 1990, NATO promised to never enter Russia's sphere of influence in eastern Europe. Since then, the alliance has expanded to include 14 European nations, including Russia's neighbours. Palki Sharma tells you about NATO's betrayal.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Did NATO betray Russia?

Russia and Belarus have kicked off a massive military drill along Ukraine's northern border. NATO believes the drills could be a pretext for Russia to invade Ukraine. Amid military drills and manoeuvres, is the window for diplomacy shrinking? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Russia-Belarus joint drills kick off

Ukrainian and Russian officials met in the German capital for talks on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine but nearly nine hours of talks failed to produce a breakthrough on signing a joint document. However, both sides have agreed to keep talks with French and German officials aimed at ending an eight-year separators conflict in eastern Ukraine but the lack of progress marked a setback for efforts to defuse the crisis.

Berlin talks fail to yield any breakthrough in defusing Ukraine conflict with Russia

The United States has asked the Americans living in Ukraine to leave the country as tensions mount over the Ukraine crisis. The diplomacy deadlock on the Ukraine conflict continues.

The US urges Americans in Ukraine to leave as diplomacy deadlock on Ukraine conflict continues

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Brussels amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. The leaders have called the situation the most dangerous moment in European security. Palki Sharma tells you more.

UK: Russia is actively threatening a sovereign nation

During a press conference on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and PM Boris Johnson warned Russia, saying NATO is deploying more forces to its eastern member states and that Russia's behaviour would not deter them. NATO is ready to engage with Russia on de-escalation and arms control, said both leaders.

Ukraine Crisis: PM Johnson, NATO Chief refer Russian build up as 'dangerous moment'

The drumbeats of war are getting louder things may be calm in Ukraine right now but the country is surrounded by troops and military exercises. American troops are settling into Poland their humvees and weapons have arrived, the NATO is looking to make it permanent as the alliance is considering long-term deployments of troops in eastern Europe.

Russia-Ukraine crisis: US soldiers, humvee arrive in Poland; NATO considering long-term deployment

Vladimir Putin has hinted at a nuclear response if NATO attacks Russia. But can the Russian economy sustain a war? Has Putin calibrated his economy to fund conflicts? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Putin hints at nuclear response if NATO attacks

Germany is leading a NATO operation in Lithuania and has stationed around 500 soldiers there. Also, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz has offered a clarification on why Germany is not supplying weapons to the Ukraine.

Germany leads NATO operation in Lithuania, sends troops

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. US has warned Ukraine of a false flag attack. Turkey has proposed to host a Russia, Ukraine summit. Palki Sharma brings you the latest on Ukraine crisis direct from Kyiv.

Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia crisis: Putin, Xi send joint message to NATO

U.S. has deployed troops to Eastern Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin has broken his silence on the Ukraine crisis. Neither Russia, nor the West is ready to blink yet. Where is this stalemate headed? Listen in to Palki Sharma.

Gravitas: US deploys troops to Eastern Europe, Putin breaks his silence

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the West has ignored Moscow's key security requests amid tensions over Ukraine's possible membership in NATO.

NATO yet to adequately address Russia's security demands, says Vladimir Putin

The US plans to deploy 3000 additional troops to fortify NATO forces in eastern Europe. this comes amidst fears that Russia could invade Ukraine.

US plans to deploy additional troops to fortify NATO forces

For several days now NATO has been trying to put up some kind of a united front but the question of course is how united is the NATO's military alliance exactly. There are cracks that are beginning to be very visible in the alliance as tensions continue to escalate along the eastern border with Ukraine, however, in focus particularly are the NATO members Poland and Hungary.

NATO's united front cracking under pressure? How united is NATO's military alliance?

The soldiers live in dugout bunkers, and cook all their own meals. They dry their wet socks on clotheslines underground. Many of their weapons are remnants of the Soviet era, half a century old.

In the icy trenches of eastern Ukraine, where government troops are fighting Russian-backed separatists, one of the critical issues in the standoff between Russia and the West — should Ukraine be allowed to join NATO? — seems hardly pressing or even relevant: Little about the day-to-day activities of Ukrainian soldiers suggests the kind of sophisticated, contemporary military that distinguishes NATO members.

“You dig a hole, then you sleep in that damned hole,” said Pvt. Yuri Todorchuk, who is 53, summing up service in the Ukrainian army in the east. “Even younger men have sore backs” from all the digging, he said.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has massed about 130,000 troops on Ukraine’s border, stoking fears of an imminent invasion by an upgraded and lethal Russian fighting force. And he has insisted to the United States and Western Europe that Ukraine must never be allowed to join NATO, a demand the West has rejected.

But several days of observation at the front lines last week showed the grinding, relatively low-tech tactics of the Ukrainian army. Hard-pressed for soldiers, the military now admits enlisted men up to age 57 on three-year contracts. It has been reforming and re-arming but remains almost wholly focused on the manpower-intensive trench fighting in the east, a decidedly old-fashioned form of war.

The eight men in one small unit, Lima squad, part of a mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, arrived at their position in June and set about digging, soldiers said.

They burrowed out their underground homes — two sleeping quarters, each with four bunks; a subterranean kitchen; and a room for steam baths — and have lived in these cavelike spaces since.

Above ground, plastic sheeting claps in a freezing wind. With separatist trenches close by, in a tree line across a snowy field, the only truly safe place is underground.

Nothing about the unit suggests a connection to NATO other than the name, Lima, which is the NATO phonetic alphabet designation for the letter L. Under an overhaul as part of Ukraine’s aspiration to join the alliance, military units were renamed according to NATO standards.

The conflict is fought mostly with rifles, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and artillery systems dating to the 1970s or earlier. The United States has sold Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine since 2018, but they are intended mainly to repel a broad Russian attack, not for use on the front. Turkey provides another of the country’s newer weapons, the Bayraktar TB2 armed drone, but the Ukrainian military has acknowledged using it only once in combat, last October.

Still, military analysts say the force is in far better shape than in 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and fomented the war in the east. The United States has provided $2.7 billion in military assistance in the years since. In recent weeks, it authorized Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to send U.S.-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, and Britain has provided guided anti-tank missiles.

And the Ukrainian army is battle hardened. About 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers, including about 13,000 women, have gone through rotations along the eastern front, providing a pool of veteran fighters who might be called up in the event of war. On Tuesday President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an order declaring his intention to add 100,000 troops to Ukraine’s military over three years, and increase soldiers’ pay.

But multiple rotations have also taken a heavy toll, soldiers in this position, who range in age from 25 to 59, said. Pvt. Volodymyr Murdza, 53, is halfway through his second three-year contract. His son is also serving in the war and his wife worries terribly, he said. “She calls and says, ‘I worry because you don’t call me,’” Murdza said. “And I say, ‘Dearest, sunshine, I call whenever I can.’”

The closeness of the lines is a continual source of unease, Murdza said. Just two days earlier, a soldier from another unit serving in a position 100 or so yards away was wounded from shrapnel from a mortar, after the Russian-backed separatists apparently ascertained its location.

So, in the pre-dawn, three soldiers in Lima squad awoke for an operation to prevent a similar setback in their small maze of trenches.

The orders were to fire a heavy machine gun from a position where it is not typically stationed. The soldiers described opening up with the gun as a routine necessity, to mislead the other side about the location of their positions, and prevent an attack. Neither side observed repeated political announcements of cease-fires. The most recent cease-fire announcement came last week, after diplomatic talks between Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine in Paris.

“Are you ready?” one of the soldiers asked, pulling back a lever to load the gun. “It’s happening now.” It was 3 a.m.

With that, a small, log-framed dugout filled with the roar of the 50-calber machine gun, muzzle flashes and acrid smoke. A few bursts of a dozen or so bullets each were fired.

In the distance, across the pitch-black, fallow farm field that separates the two sides, answering volleys rang out. But the shots went wide, flying overhead dozens of yards from the Ukrainian dugout. A radio crackled. Then it was silent again, except for the crunch of Ukrainian soldiers’ footsteps in the snow as they returned to their usual position.

The level of violence has ebbed and flowed over the eight years of war in eastern Ukraine, but it has mostly been a low-intensity conflict.

Deployments that last six to eight months are hard, but so are leaves at home, said Pvt. Roman Leskiv, 30, the commander of Lima squad, who has been serving in the east since the war started.

“It feels stifling; people don’t understand me,” said Leskiv, explaining that after so many years at the front he has trouble assimilating to life away from it. “Vacation is the hardest part of the year for me.”

But seeing only the faces of the same half-dozen other men, for months on end, also grates on his nerves.

A few years ago, he married a nurse who had treated him in hospital after a shrapnel wound, but they divorced.

“She asked, ‘When will you come home?’” said Leskiv, sitting by the wood fire in the unit’s kitchen, running a hand over a scar on his scalp underneath his buzz-cut hair. “And I said, ‘Soon, soon, soon.’ But soon never happened.”

Dr. Oleksandr Astrakhantsev, the doctor assigned to the larger unit that Lima squad reports to, treats battle wounds, mostly from shrapnel, but also everyday ailments of men in their 50s living in rough circumstances. “In these conditions, any problem becomes more acute,” from stress to lack of sleep, he said.

Psychological difficulties also arise. “When you see the same faces every day, and every day nothing changes, it can get you down,” Astrakhantsev said. Soldiers recede into themselves, stop talking.

“We used to call it Afghan syndrome,” he said. “Everybody out here has it. Even if a soldier goes home, a part of him stays out here in the east.” 
&nbsp;

The soldiers live in dugout bunkers, and cook all their own meals. They dry their wet socks on clotheslines underground. Many of their weapons are remnants of the Soviet era, half a century old.

The soldiers live in dugout bunkers, and cook all their own meals. They dry their wet socks on clotheslines underground. Many of their weapons are remnants of the Soviet era, half a century old. In the icy trenches of eastern Ukraine, where government troops are fighting Russian-backed separatists, one of the critical issues in the standoff between Russia and the West — should Ukraine be allowed to join NATO? — seems hardly pressing or even relevant: Little about the day-to-day activities of Ukrainian soldiers suggests the kind of sophisticated, contemporary military that distinguishes NATO members. “You dig a hole, then you sleep in that damned hole,” said Pvt. Yuri Todorchuk, who is 53, summing up service in the Ukrainian army in the east. “Even younger men have sore backs” from all the digging, he said. President Vladimir Putin of Russia has massed about 130,000 troops on Ukraine’s border, stoking fears of an imminent invasion by an upgraded and lethal Russian fighting force. And he has insisted to the United States and Western Europe that Ukraine must never be allowed to join NATO, a demand the West has rejected. But several days of observation at the front lines last week showed the grinding, relatively low-tech tactics of the Ukrainian army. Hard-pressed for soldiers, the military now admits enlisted men up to age 57 on three-year contracts. It has been reforming and re-arming but remains almost wholly focused on the manpower-intensive trench fighting in the east, a decidedly old-fashioned form of war. The eight men in one small unit, Lima squad, part of a mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, arrived at their position in June and set about digging, soldiers said. They burrowed out their underground homes — two sleeping quarters, each with four bunks; a subterranean kitchen; and a room for steam baths — and have lived in these cavelike spaces since. Above ground, plastic sheeting claps in a freezing wind. With separatist trenches close by, in a tree line across a snowy field, the only truly safe place is underground. Nothing about the unit suggests a connection to NATO other than the name, Lima, which is the NATO phonetic alphabet designation for the letter L. Under an overhaul as part of Ukraine’s aspiration to join the alliance, military units were renamed according to NATO standards. The conflict is fought mostly with rifles, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and artillery systems dating to the 1970s or earlier. The United States has sold Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine since 2018, but they are intended mainly to repel a broad Russian attack, not for use on the front. Turkey provides another of the country’s newer weapons, the Bayraktar TB2 armed drone, but the Ukrainian military has acknowledged using it only once in combat, last October. Still, military analysts say the force is in far better shape than in 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and fomented the war in the east. The United States has provided $2.7 billion in military assistance in the years since. In recent weeks, it authorized Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to send U.S.-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, and Britain has provided guided anti-tank missiles. And the Ukrainian army is battle hardened. About 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers, including about 13,000 women, have gone through rotations along the eastern front, providing a pool of veteran fighters who might be called up in the event of war. On Tuesday President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an order declaring his intention to add 100,000 troops to Ukraine’s military over three years, and increase soldiers’ pay. But multiple rotations have also taken a heavy toll, soldiers in this position, who range in age from 25 to 59, said. Pvt. Volodymyr Murdza, 53, is halfway through his second three-year contract. His son is also serving in the war and his wife worries terribly, he said. “She calls and says, ‘I worry because you don’t call me,’” Murdza said. “And I say, ‘Dearest, sunshine, I call whenever I can.’” The closeness of the lines is a continual source of unease, Murdza said. Just two days earlier, a soldier from another unit serving in a position 100 or so yards away was wounded from shrapnel from a mortar, after the Russian-backed separatists apparently ascertained its location. So, in the pre-dawn, three soldiers in Lima squad awoke for an operation to prevent a similar setback in their small maze of trenches. The orders were to fire a heavy machine gun from a position where it is not typically stationed. The soldiers described opening up with the gun as a routine necessity, to mislead the other side about the location of their positions, and prevent an attack. Neither side observed repeated political announcements of cease-fires. The most recent cease-fire announcement came last week, after diplomatic talks between Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine in Paris. “Are you ready?” one of the soldiers asked, pulling back a lever to load the gun. “It’s happening now.” It was 3 a.m. With that, a small, log-framed dugout filled with the roar of the 50-calber machine gun, muzzle flashes and acrid smoke. A few bursts of a dozen or so bullets each were fired. In the distance, across the pitch-black, fallow farm field that separates the two sides, answering volleys rang out. But the shots went wide, flying overhead dozens of yards from the Ukrainian dugout. A radio crackled. Then it was silent again, except for the crunch of Ukrainian soldiers’ footsteps in the snow as they returned to their usual position. The level of violence has ebbed and flowed over the eight years of war in eastern Ukraine, but it has mostly been a low-intensity conflict. Deployments that last six to eight months are hard, but so are leaves at home, said Pvt. Roman Leskiv, 30, the commander of Lima squad, who has been serving in the east since the war started. “It feels stifling; people don’t understand me,” said Leskiv, explaining that after so many years at the front he has trouble assimilating to life away from it. “Vacation is the hardest part of the year for me.” But seeing only the faces of the same half-dozen other men, for months on end, also grates on his nerves. A few years ago, he married a nurse who had treated him in hospital after a shrapnel wound, but they divorced. “She asked, ‘When will you come home?’” said Leskiv, sitting by the wood fire in the unit’s kitchen, running a hand over a scar on his scalp underneath his buzz-cut hair. “And I said, ‘Soon, soon, soon.’ But soon never happened.” Dr. Oleksandr Astrakhantsev, the doctor assigned to the larger unit that Lima squad reports to, treats battle wounds, mostly from shrapnel, but also everyday ailments of men in their 50s living in rough circumstances. “In these conditions, any problem becomes more acute,” from stress to lack of sleep, he said. Psychological difficulties also arise. “When you see the same faces every day, and every day nothing changes, it can get you down,” Astrakhantsev said. Soldiers recede into themselves, stop talking. “We used to call it Afghan syndrome,” he said. “Everybody out here has it. Even if a soldier goes home, a part of him stays out here in the east.”

With low-tech, trench warfare, Ukraine's army isn’t NATO caliber

Amid Russian deployment near its borders Ukraine has been on the tenterhooks and this former Soviet nation is aware that alone it holds no chance against Russia which is why it is cozying up with the NATO but at a time when Russian troops and their allies have surrounded Ukraine, NATO has made a startling comment.

NATO: No troops will be deployed in Ukraine if Russia invades

As tensions on the Russian Ukraine border continue to simmer, the united West has imposed stringent sanctions on Moscow.

West & US warn of penalties & sanctions against Russia amid invasion fears

Tensions are at an all-time high between Russia and Ukraine. Over 100,000 Russian soldiers have been amassed along Ukraine's Eastern border.

West & Russia amp up troop deployment as war tensions at an all-time high

The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on &nbsp;Saturday (January 29) that Britain is preparing to offer NATO a "major" deployment of troops, weapons, warships and jets in Europe amid the Russia-Ukraine border crisis.&nbsp;

Johnson said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin chose "bloodshed and destruction" in Ukraine, it would be "a tragedy for Europe". He further said that "Ukraine must be free to choose its own future".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-moves-blood-supplies-near-ukraine-adding-to-us-concern-officials-say-448801">Russia moves blood supplies near Ukraine, adding to US concern, officials say</a>

The formal announcement is set to be made to NATO military chiefs next week. The move means Britain could double approximately 1,150 UK troops, currently in eastern European countries as UK PM Johnson said the deployment would send a "clear message to the Kremlin".&nbsp;

Johnson said in a statement late Saturday, "This package would send a clear message to the Kremlin -- we will not tolerate their destabilising activity, and we will always stand with our NATO allies in the face Russian hostility."&nbsp;

"I have ordered our Armed Forces to prepare to deploy across Europe next week, ensuring we are able to support our NATO allies on land, at sea and in the air," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-ongoing-ukraine-crisis-russian-troops-arrive-in-belarus-for-military-drills-448750">Amid ongoing Ukraine crisis, Russian troops arrive in Belarus for military drills</a>

On the other hand, Kyiv on Saturday has urged the West to remain "vigilant and firm" in its talks with Russia.&nbsp;

In a conversation with French counterpart Yves Le Drian, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday weighed in on de-escalation efforts. Kuleba urged the West to remain "vigilant and firm in contacts with the Russian side"&nbsp;

As per the statement, the talks between the two highlighted the need to "refrain from steps that could fuel anxiety" in Ukrainian society. Also, the need to "undermine the financial stability".&nbsp;

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged his Western partners to avoid stirring "panic" over the massive Russian troop buildup.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Sanctions imposed on Moscow as tensions on Russia-Ukraine border continue to simmer

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The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday (January 29) that Britain is preparing to offer NATO a "major" deployment of troops, weapons, warships and jets in Europe amid the Russia-Ukraine border crisis.

The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday (January 29) that Britain is preparing to offer NATO a "major" deployment of troops, weapons, warships and jets in Europe amid the Russia-Ukraine border crisis. Johnson said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin chose "bloodshed and destruction" in Ukraine, it would be "a tragedy for Europe". He further said that "Ukraine must be free to choose its own future". ALSO READ | Russia moves blood supplies near Ukraine, adding to US concern, officials say The formal announcement is set to be made to NATO military chiefs next week. The move means Britain could double approximately 1,150 UK troops, currently in eastern European countries as UK PM Johnson said the deployment would send a "clear message to the Kremlin". Johnson said in a statement late Saturday, "This package would send a clear message to the Kremlin -- we will not tolerate their destabilising activity, and we will always stand with our NATO allies in the face Russian hostility." "I have ordered our Armed Forces to prepare to deploy across Europe next week, ensuring we are able to support our NATO allies on land, at sea and in the air," he added. ALSO READ | Amid ongoing Ukraine crisis, Russian troops arrive in Belarus for military drills On the other hand, Kyiv on Saturday has urged the West to remain "vigilant and firm" in its talks with Russia. In a conversation with French counterpart Yves Le Drian, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday weighed in on de-escalation efforts. Kuleba urged the West to remain "vigilant and firm in contacts with the Russian side" As per the statement, the talks between the two highlighted the need to "refrain from steps that could fuel anxiety" in Ukrainian society. Also, the need to "undermine the financial stability". On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged his Western partners to avoid stirring "panic" over the massive Russian troop buildup. ALSO WATCH | Sanctions imposed on Moscow as tensions on Russia-Ukraine border continue to simmer ×

Russia-Ukraine crisis: UK to offer NATO military deployment in Europe; Kyiv urges West to be 'firm' in talks

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday said that Europe needed to diversify its energey supplies. Though he did not explicitly mentioned Russia in this context the hint was clear as Russia is one of the major suppliers of natural gas to Europe. Relations between Russian and the West have been strained over the Ukraine crisis.

"We are concerned about the energy situation in Europe because it demonstrates the vulnerability of being too dependent on one supplier of natural gas and that's the reason why NATO allies agree that we need to work and focus on diversification of supplies," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenburg said.

Russia has massed some 120,000 troops near its neighbour and demanded the western defence alliance pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe and bar Ukraine, a former Soviet state, from ever joining the Western defence alliance.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-want-mutually-respectful-ties-with-us-says-russian-foreign-minister-448989">We want 'mutually respectful' ties with US, says Russian foreign minister&nbsp;</a>

US&nbsp;officials said on Saturday Russia's military buildup had been expanded to include supplies to treat casualties of any conflict. Across the border in Ukraine, locals trained as army reservists as the government scrambled to prepare.

Moscow denies any plan to invade but said on Sunday it would ask NATO to clarify whether it intends to implement key security commitments after earlier saying the alliance's response to its demands did not go far enough.

"If they do not intend to do so, then they should explain why," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on state television. "This will be a key question in determining our future proposals."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-crisis-uk-to-offer-nato-military-deployment-in-europe-kyiv-urges-west-to-be-firm-in-talks-448866">Russia-Ukraine crisis: UK to offer NATO military deployment in Europe; Kyiv urges West to be 'firm' in talks</a>

The United States has said it is waiting to hear back from Russia. It says NATO will not withdraw from eastern Europe or bar Ukraine but it is prepared to discuss topics such as arms control and confidence-building measures.

Washington has spent weeks trying to build agreement with European partners on a strong sanctions package if Russia attacks Ukraine. But the issue is divisive, with Germany urging "prudence".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday said that Europe needed to diversify its energey supplies. Though he did not explicitly mentioned Russia in this context the hint was clear as Russia is one of the major suppliers of natural gas to Europe.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday said that Europe needed to diversify its energey supplies. Though he did not explicitly mentioned Russia in this context the hint was clear as Russia is one of the major suppliers of natural gas to Europe. Relations between Russian and the West have been strained over the Ukraine crisis. "We are concerned about the energy situation in Europe because it demonstrates the vulnerability of being too dependent on one supplier of natural gas and that's the reason why NATO allies agree that we need to work and focus on diversification of supplies," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenburg said. Russia has massed some 120,000 troops near its neighbour and demanded the western defence alliance pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe and bar Ukraine, a former Soviet state, from ever joining the Western defence alliance. Also Read | We want 'mutually respectful' ties with US, says Russian foreign minister US officials said on Saturday Russia's military buildup had been expanded to include supplies to treat casualties of any conflict. Across the border in Ukraine, locals trained as army reservists as the government scrambled to prepare. Moscow denies any plan to invade but said on Sunday it would ask NATO to clarify whether it intends to implement key security commitments after earlier saying the alliance's response to its demands did not go far enough. "If they do not intend to do so, then they should explain why," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on state television. "This will be a key question in determining our future proposals." Also Read | Russia-Ukraine crisis: UK to offer NATO military deployment in Europe; Kyiv urges West to be 'firm' in talks The United States has said it is waiting to hear back from Russia. It says NATO will not withdraw from eastern Europe or bar Ukraine but it is prepared to discuss topics such as arms control and confidence-building measures. Washington has spent weeks trying to build agreement with European partners on a strong sanctions package if Russia attacks Ukraine. But the issue is divisive, with Germany urging "prudence". (With inputs from agencies)

NATO chief calls on Europe to reduce energy dependence on Russia

Seeking to maintain pressure on Russia, US President Joe Biden has announced that he will soon send a small number of US troops to eastern Europe.

US will soon send a small number of troops to eastern Europe amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine

US will soon send a small number of troops to eastern Europe amid tensions with Russia

NATO allies are putting their forces on standby, sending reinforcements to eastern Europe in response to Russia's buildup of troops on Ukraine's borders.

Why NATO is putting its forces on standby? Will it come for Ukraine's defence?

The standoff between Ukraine, Russia and the West continues. The American president Joe Biden has spoken to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and has assured support for Ukraine.

Amid standoff between Ukraine, Russia and the West, the US President Biden assures Kyiv of support

US President Joe Biden has vowed to support Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy as it grapples with aggression from Moscow.

Biden told the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office, "The United States remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression and our support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations."

From NATO membership to Nord Stream 2 pipeline several topics of mutual interests were discussed by the two leaders.

Biden has offered Kyiv $60 million in new security aid including Javelin anti-armor systems and other "defensive lethal and nonlethal capabilities."

However, Biden has shown no sign of moving on Ukraine's requests to open NATO to the eastern European country after a standoff with Russia this year in which Moscow massed additional troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders.

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Ukraine and Russia have been at odds since Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and backed separatists in a conflict in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, which Ukraine says has killed 14,000 people.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki underscored that Ukraine needed to modernise its defense sector and advance rule-of-law reforms in order to meet NATO membership standards.

The White House visit was undoubtedly a triumph for Zelensky, who has been trying to line one up since he took office in 2019.

He is the second European leader to get a White House meeting so far under Biden.

The meeting came after the Biden administration announced a deal last month with Germany intended partly to allay Ukrainian concerns about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea to carry gas from Russia's Arctic region to Germany.

The White House says it remains concerned by the geostrategic implications of the pipeline, which will funnel energy directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing the previous route through&nbsp;Ukraine.&nbsp;

The two countries said in a joint statement after the meeting that they both oppose the project and "support efforts to increase capacity for gas supplies to Ukraine from diversified sources."

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden has vowed to support Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy as it grapples with aggression from Moscow. Biden told the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office, "The United States remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression and our support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

US President Joe Biden has vowed to support Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy as it grapples with aggression from Moscow. Biden told the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office, "The United States remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression and our support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations." From NATO membership to Nord Stream 2 pipeline several topics of mutual interests were discussed by the two leaders. Biden has offered Kyiv $60 million in new security aid including Javelin anti-armor systems and other "defensive lethal and nonlethal capabilities." However, Biden has shown no sign of moving on Ukraine's requests to open NATO to the eastern European country after a standoff with Russia this year in which Moscow massed additional troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders. Ukraine and Russia have been at odds since Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and backed separatists in a conflict in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, which Ukraine says has killed 14,000 people. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki underscored that Ukraine needed to modernise its defense sector and advance rule-of-law reforms in order to meet NATO membership standards. The White House visit was undoubtedly a triumph for Zelensky, who has been trying to line one up since he took office in 2019. He is the second European leader to get a White House meeting so far under Biden. The meeting came after the Biden administration announced a deal last month with Germany intended partly to allay Ukrainian concerns about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea to carry gas from Russia's Arctic region to Germany. The White House says it remains concerned by the geostrategic implications of the pipeline, which will funnel energy directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing the previous route through Ukraine. The two countries said in a joint statement after the meeting that they both oppose the project and "support efforts to increase capacity for gas supplies to Ukraine from diversified sources." (With inputs from agencies)

Biden vows support to Ukraine, offers $60 million in new security aid

Speaking about NATO and Ukraine's relationship, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected Russia's call asking the West to withdraw its invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance.&nbsp;

At a joint news conference with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said, "NATO's relationship with Ukraine is going to be decided by the 30 NATO allies and Ukraine, no one else. We cannot accept that Russia is trying to re-establish a system where big powers like Russia have spheres of influence, where they can control or decide what other members can do."

Russia has been trying to create fears of a possible invasion as it&nbsp;has increased the number of troops near Ukraine's border.

Earlier, Russia's foreign ministry had said that NATO should do away with a 2008 declaration that opens door to Georgia and Ukraine. In a statement, it said, "In the fundamental interests of European security, it is necessary to officially disavow the decision of the 2008 NATO Bucharest summit that 'Ukraine and Georgia will become NATO members."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-tensions-biden-talks-to-germanys-scholz-as-kyiv-leader-looks-for-talks-with-moscow-435971">Also read |&nbsp;Ukraine-Russia tensions: Biden talks to Germany's Scholz as Kyiv leader looks for talks with Moscow</a>

The tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been rising unabated. In the past few weeks, Russia has moved around 100,000 troops to Ukraine's border.&nbsp;

As a response, US President Joe Biden recently claimed that he has warned his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that Moscow will be facing economic sanctions if Ukraine is attacked by his forces.

He claimed that he has made it very clear that Russia will be facing economic sanctions ‘like never before’ if Russian forces launch an attack on Ukraine.&nbsp;

"I made it very clear if in fact he invades Ukraine there will be severe consequences, severe consequences — economic consequences like none he's ever seen or ever have been seen," Biden told reporters at the White House.

However, Russia says that the troops are marching towards the border as a defensive measure.

&nbsp;"Russia has a peaceful foreign policy, but has the right to defend its security," Putin said at a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.&nbsp;

"We cannot but be concerned about the prospect of Ukraine's possible admission to NATO, because this will undoubtedly be followed by the deployment of appropriate military contingents, bases and weapons that threaten us," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Speaking about NATO and Ukraine's relationship, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected Russia's call asking the West to withdraw its invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance.

Speaking about NATO and Ukraine's relationship, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected Russia's call asking the West to withdraw its invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance. At a joint news conference with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said, "NATO's relationship with Ukraine is going to be decided by the 30 NATO allies and Ukraine, no one else. We cannot accept that Russia is trying to re-establish a system where big powers like Russia have spheres of influence, where they can control or decide what other members can do." Russia has been trying to create fears of a possible invasion as it has increased the number of troops near Ukraine's border. Earlier, Russia's foreign ministry had said that NATO should do away with a 2008 declaration that opens door to Georgia and Ukraine. In a statement, it said, "In the fundamental interests of European security, it is necessary to officially disavow the decision of the 2008 NATO Bucharest summit that 'Ukraine and Georgia will become NATO members." Also read | Ukraine-Russia tensions: Biden talks to Germany's Scholz as Kyiv leader looks for talks with Moscow The tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been rising unabated. In the past few weeks, Russia has moved around 100,000 troops to Ukraine's border. As a response, US President Joe Biden recently claimed that he has warned his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that Moscow will be facing economic sanctions if Ukraine is attacked by his forces. He claimed that he has made it very clear that Russia will be facing economic sanctions ‘like never before’ if Russian forces launch an attack on Ukraine. "I made it very clear if in fact he invades Ukraine there will be severe consequences, severe consequences — economic consequences like none he's ever seen or ever have been seen," Biden told reporters at the White House. However, Russia says that the troops are marching towards the border as a defensive measure. "Russia has a peaceful foreign policy, but has the right to defend its security," Putin said at a news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "We cannot but be concerned about the prospect of Ukraine's possible admission to NATO, because this will undoubtedly be followed by the deployment of appropriate military contingents, bases and weapons that threaten us," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg, turns down Russia's demand to deny Ukraine entry

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Russia would be forced to act if "red lines" on Ukraine were crossed by NATO. Putin said that deployment of certain offensive missile capabilities on Ukrainian soil would be seen as a trigger by Russia.

Putin was speaking at an investment forum in Moscow. He said he hoped common sense would prevail on all sides. He added that he wanted NATO to be aware of Russia's security concerns around Ukraine.

"If some kind of strike systems appear on the territory of Ukraine, the flight time to Moscow will be 7-10 minutes, and five minutes in the case of a hypersonic weapon being deployed. Just imagine," said Putin.

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"What are we to do in such a scenario? We will have to then create something similar in relation to those who threaten us in that way. And we can do that now."

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-urges-swift-action-says-russian-military-operation-could-be-launched-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-432881">Ukraine urges swift action, says Russian military operation could be launched 'in the blink of an eye'</a>

Putin mentioned that Russia had just successfully tested a new sea-based hypersonic missile. He said that the hypersonic missiles would be in service at the start of the new year. &nbsp;

The Russian leader, who questioned why NATO had ignored repeated Russian warnings and expanded its military infrastructure eastwards, singled out the deployment in Poland and Romania of the Aegis Ashore missile defence system.

He made it clear he did not want to see the same launch MK41 systems, which Russia has long complained can be used to also launch offensive Tomahawk cruise missiles, in Ukraine.

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"Creating such threats (in Ukraine) would be red lines for us. But I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope that a sense of common sense, responsibility for both our countries and the world community will prevail," said Putin.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United States and Britain warned Russia over any new military aggression against Ukraine as NATO met to discuss why Russia had moved troops closer to its southern neighbour.

The Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and then backed rebels fighting government troops in the east of the country. That conflict has killed 14,000 people, according to Kyiv, and is still simmering.

Two Russian troop build-ups this year on Ukraine's borders have alarmed the West. In May, Russian troops there numbered 100,000, the largest since its takeover of Crimea, Western officials say.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Russia would be forced to act if "red lines" on Ukraine were crossed by NATO. Putin said that deployment of certain offensive missile capabilities on Ukrainian soil would be seen as a trigger by Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Russia would be forced to act if "red lines" on Ukraine were crossed by NATO. Putin said that deployment of certain offensive missile capabilities on Ukrainian soil would be seen as a trigger by Russia. Putin was speaking at an investment forum in Moscow. He said he hoped common sense would prevail on all sides. He added that he wanted NATO to be aware of Russia's security concerns around Ukraine. "If some kind of strike systems appear on the territory of Ukraine, the flight time to Moscow will be 7-10 minutes, and five minutes in the case of a hypersonic weapon being deployed. Just imagine," said Putin. × "What are we to do in such a scenario? We will have to then create something similar in relation to those who threaten us in that way. And we can do that now." Also Read: Ukraine urges swift action, says Russian military operation could be launched 'in the blink of an eye' Putin mentioned that Russia had just successfully tested a new sea-based hypersonic missile. He said that the hypersonic missiles would be in service at the start of the new year. The Russian leader, who questioned why NATO had ignored repeated Russian warnings and expanded its military infrastructure eastwards, singled out the deployment in Poland and Romania of the Aegis Ashore missile defence system. He made it clear he did not want to see the same launch MK41 systems, which Russia has long complained can be used to also launch offensive Tomahawk cruise missiles, in Ukraine. Also Read: UK spy chief warns that Russian, Chinese race for AI mastery might change geopolitics "Creating such threats (in Ukraine) would be red lines for us. But I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope that a sense of common sense, responsibility for both our countries and the world community will prevail," said Putin. Earlier on Tuesday, the United States and Britain warned Russia over any new military aggression against Ukraine as NATO met to discuss why Russia had moved troops closer to its southern neighbour. The Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and then backed rebels fighting government troops in the east of the country. That conflict has killed 14,000 people, according to Kyiv, and is still simmering. Two Russian troop build-ups this year on Ukraine's borders have alarmed the West. In May, Russian troops there numbered 100,000, the largest since its takeover of Crimea, Western officials say. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia to act if NATO crosses red lines in Ukraine, says Putin

The Kremlin on Sunday&nbsp;slammed the United States for&nbsp;whipping up tensions&nbsp;over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

''This hysteria is being whipped up artificially,'' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"Those who have brought their armed forces from overseas are accusing us of unusual military activity on our own territory. That is, the United States."

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He even suggested that Ukraine was probably looking for a way to solve its own problems by force.

It comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he has "real concerns about Russia's unusual military activity" near the ex-Soviet country.

He had said ''We don't know what President Putin's intentions are. But we do know what's happened in the past.''

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-expresses-real-concerns-over-russia-on-ukraine-430836" hreflang="en">Blinken expresses 'real concerns' over Russia on Ukraine</a>

''We know the playbook of trying to cite some illusory provocation from Ukraine or any other country and using that as an excuse for what Russia plans to do all along,'' Blinken added.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukrainian officials have been making similar statements for nearly two weeks.

Ukraine's army has been locked in a simmering conflict with pro-Russian separatists in two breakaway regions bordering Russia since 2014 after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Kremlin on Sunday slammed the United States for whipping up tensions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ''This hysteria is being whipped up artificially,'' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The Kremlin on Sunday slammed the United States for whipping up tensions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ''This hysteria is being whipped up artificially,'' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "Those who have brought their armed forces from overseas are accusing us of unusual military activity on our own territory. That is, the United States." He even suggested that Ukraine was probably looking for a way to solve its own problems by force. It comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he has "real concerns about Russia's unusual military activity" near the ex-Soviet country. He had said ''We don't know what President Putin's intentions are. But we do know what's happened in the past.'' Also read | Blinken expresses 'real concerns' over Russia on Ukraine ''We know the playbook of trying to cite some illusory provocation from Ukraine or any other country and using that as an excuse for what Russia plans to do all along,'' Blinken added. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukrainian officials have been making similar statements for nearly two weeks. Ukraine's army has been locked in a simmering conflict with pro-Russian separatists in two breakaway regions bordering Russia since 2014 after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

Hysteria is being whipped up artificially, says Russia over Ukraine conflict

The "Rapid Trident" military international military drills continued in Ukraine with fifteen countries gathered for the joint exercises.

One of the first drills included the simulation of the liberation of a captured town from hybrid extremist groups.

The joint multinational unit of the armed forces of Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland are involved in the exercise with over 6,000 servicemen including around 150 representatives from the US armed forces taking part in the drills.

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Ukraine which is at war with Russia-backed separatists since 2014 began hosting the joint military exercises with the US and other NATO troops on Monday.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been seeking integration with NATO in order to thwart Russia's military power on its border. The relations between Ukraine and Russia have been on the edge since 2014 when the Russian military annexed Crimea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-military-spotted-near-ukraine-border-after-us-warning-376922">Also Read: Russian military spotted near Ukraine border after US warning</a>

The drills are set to last until October 1. The US said the exercise was meant to "enhance interoperability among allied and partner nations".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-to-review-russian-military-might-as-tensions-with-west-soar-383768">Also Read:&nbsp;Putin to review Russian military might as tensions with West soar&nbsp;</a>

The exercise comes after Russia staged a drill near EU borders of Russia and Belarus recently which Moscow said involved at least 200,000 troops even as nearly 20 Russian warships began large-scale live-fire exercises in the Black Sea on Monday.

The drills have become a major point of friction between Ukraine and Russia as Moscow&nbsp;gathered thousands of troops on Ukraine's border in April as tensions escalated in the region. Putin's regime however pulled back troops later.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

The "Rapid Trident" military international military drills continued in Ukraine with fifteen countries gathered for the joint exercises. One of the first drills included the simulation of the liberation of a captured town from hybrid extremist groups.

The "Rapid Trident" military international military drills continued in Ukraine with fifteen countries gathered for the joint exercises. One of the first drills included the simulation of the liberation of a captured town from hybrid extremist groups. The joint multinational unit of the armed forces of Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland are involved in the exercise with over 6,000 servicemen including around 150 representatives from the US armed forces taking part in the drills. Also Read: US engaged in new cold war with rivals China and Russia, say most Europeans in poll Ukraine which is at war with Russia-backed separatists since 2014 began hosting the joint military exercises with the US and other NATO troops on Monday. Ukraine has been seeking integration with NATO in order to thwart Russia's military power on its border. The relations between Ukraine and Russia have been on the edge since 2014 when the Russian military annexed Crimea. Also Read: Russian military spotted near Ukraine border after US warning The drills are set to last until October 1. The US said the exercise was meant to "enhance interoperability among allied and partner nations". Also Read: Putin to review Russian military might as tensions with West soar The exercise comes after Russia staged a drill near EU borders of Russia and Belarus recently which Moscow said involved at least 200,000 troops even as nearly 20 Russian warships began large-scale live-fire exercises in the Black Sea on Monday. The drills have become a major point of friction between Ukraine and Russia as Moscow gathered thousands of troops on Ukraine's border in April as tensions escalated in the region. Putin's regime however pulled back troops later. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ukraine conducts international military excercise amid tensions with Russia

Ukraine&nbsp;on Monday launched joint military exercises with the United States and other NATO countries as tensions with Russia remain high over the Kremlin-backed insurgency in the country's east.

The annual Rapid Trident military exercises, taking place in western Ukrainian until October 1, involve some 6,000 soldiers from 15 countries,&nbsp;Ukraine's defence ministry said in a statement.

The head of the exercises, Brigadier General Vladyslav Klochkov, said the drills were "an important step towards&nbsp;Ukraine's European integration".

"The Ukrainian military, which has been holding back Russian aggression for eight years, will share its unique combat experience with its international colleagues," he added.

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The drills start a week after Russia and Belarus held military exercises involving 200,000 personnel, one of their biggest drills in recent years.

More than 13,000 people have been killed since the rebel insurgency broke out in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from&nbsp;Ukraine.

At least 54 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the start of the year, compared with a total of 50 the previous year. The separatists say they have lost more than 30 fighters since the start of the year.

Ukraine&nbsp;and its Western allies accuse Russia of sending troops and arms to support the separatists, which Moscow denies.

In April, Russia amassed around 100,000 troops on&nbsp;Ukraine's borders, raising fears of a major escalation in the protracted conflict. Moscow later announced a pullback.

Ukraine on Monday launched joint military exercises with the United States and other NATO countries as tensions with Russia remain high over the Kremlin-backed insurgency in the country's east.

Ukraine on Monday launched joint military exercises with the United States and other NATO countries as tensions with Russia remain high over the Kremlin-backed insurgency in the country's east. The annual Rapid Trident military exercises, taking place in western Ukrainian until October 1, involve some 6,000 soldiers from 15 countries, Ukraine's defence ministry said in a statement. The head of the exercises, Brigadier General Vladyslav Klochkov, said the drills were "an important step towards Ukraine's European integration". "The Ukrainian military, which has been holding back Russian aggression for eight years, will share its unique combat experience with its international colleagues," he added. Also read | US starts deporting Haitian migrants from Texas The drills start a week after Russia and Belarus held military exercises involving 200,000 personnel, one of their biggest drills in recent years. More than 13,000 people have been killed since the rebel insurgency broke out in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. At least 54 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the start of the year, compared with a total of 50 the previous year. The separatists say they have lost more than 30 fighters since the start of the year. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of sending troops and arms to support the separatists, which Moscow denies. In April, Russia amassed around 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders, raising fears of a major escalation in the protracted conflict. Moscow later announced a pullback.

Ukraine launches military drills with NATO

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia has demanded ''concrete answers'' on security from NATO to end Ukraine stand-off.

''We are not negotiating from a position of strength, there is not and nor can there be any place for ultimatums here," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"The situation has simply reached such a critical point in terms of pan-European security and the national interests of our country...that we cannot delay further and the concerns we have voiced need concrete answers."

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Senior NATO and Russian officials are trying to bridge seemingly irreconcilable differences over the future of Ukraine, amid deep skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s security proposals for easing tensions are genuine.

Both sides remain wedded to their starting positions, and have begun a round of tense diplomacy with some 100,000 Russian troops massed near Ukraine's frontier.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/slew-of-disputes-between-former-cold-war-adversaries-us-and-russia-443661">Slew of disputes between former Cold War adversaries US and Russia</a>

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted that “it is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today’s meeting of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NATO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NATO</a>–<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> Council is underway. It is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns. <a href="https://t.co/Ek8ey05aGL">pic.twitter.com/Ek8ey05aGL</a>
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/jensstoltenberg/status/1481196394534813698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The West defends NATO's "open-door policy" towards potential future members like Ukraine and Georgia, while Moscow is demanding a cast-iron guarantee that the alliance will not expand further towards its territory.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rebel-held-regions-of-eastern-ukraine-are-growing-closer-to-russia-437500">Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia</a>

"It's too early to tell whether the Russians are serious about the path to diplomacy or not, or if they're prepared to negotiate seriously -- we are," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

US President Joe Biden's spokeswoman insisted: "NATO'S relationship with Ukraine is a matter only for Ukraine and the 30 NATO allies, not for other countries to determine."

NATO allies say that many of Russia's demands, laid out in two draft treaties in December, are unacceptable, including calls to scale back the alliance's activities to 1990s levels and promise not to take in new members.

The NATO-Russia Council, their chief forum for talks, was set up two decades ago but full meetings paused when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014. It has met only sporadically since, the last time in July 2019. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia has demanded ''concrete answers'' on security from NATO to end Ukraine stand-off. ''We are not negotiating from a position of strength, there is not and nor can there be any place for ultimatums here," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia has demanded ''concrete answers'' on security from NATO to end Ukraine stand-off. ''We are not negotiating from a position of strength, there is not and nor can there be any place for ultimatums here," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "The situation has simply reached such a critical point in terms of pan-European security and the national interests of our country...that we cannot delay further and the concerns we have voiced need concrete answers." Senior NATO and Russian officials are trying to bridge seemingly irreconcilable differences over the future of Ukraine, amid deep skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s security proposals for easing tensions are genuine. Both sides remain wedded to their starting positions, and have begun a round of tense diplomacy with some 100,000 Russian troops massed near Ukraine's frontier. Also see | Slew of disputes between former Cold War adversaries US and Russia NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted that “it is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns.” Today’s meeting of the #NATO–#Russia Council is underway. It is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns. pic.twitter.com/Ek8ey05aGL — Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 12, 2022 × The West defends NATO's "open-door policy" towards potential future members like Ukraine and Georgia, while Moscow is demanding a cast-iron guarantee that the alliance will not expand further towards its territory. Also see | Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia "It's too early to tell whether the Russians are serious about the path to diplomacy or not, or if they're prepared to negotiate seriously -- we are," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. US President Joe Biden's spokeswoman insisted: "NATO'S relationship with Ukraine is a matter only for Ukraine and the 30 NATO allies, not for other countries to determine." NATO allies say that many of Russia's demands, laid out in two draft treaties in December, are unacceptable, including calls to scale back the alliance's activities to 1990s levels and promise not to take in new members. The NATO-Russia Council, their chief forum for talks, was set up two decades ago but full meetings paused when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014. It has met only sporadically since, the last time in July 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia demands 'concrete answers' on security from NATO to end Ukraine stand-off

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