Russia submitted a draft document on legal security guarantees to the Biden administration to "ensure the security of the Russian Federation and member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)."

The Russian foreign ministry said it "provided detailed explanations regarding the logic of the Russian approach."

The eight-point draft treat is Putin's "red line" to the West amid tensions with over Ukraine. It covers several contentious points. Here is a closer look.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-will-happen-if-russian-troops-invade-ukraine-431684">Also Read in Pics: What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine?</a>

Draft treaty between US and Russian Federation on security guarantees:

Article 4 of the draft says, "United States of America shall undertake to prevent further eastward expansion of North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) and deny accession to the alliance to the states of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."&nbsp;

This has been Putin's key demand ever since tensions escalated with Ukraine over the border.&nbsp;

"The United States of America shall not establish military bases in the territory of the states of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics," it said, adding, "use their infrastructure for any military activities or develop bilateral military cooperation with them."

Further, Article 5 states "parties shall refrain from deploying their armed forces and armaments in the areas where such deployment could be perceived as a threat."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rebel-held-regions-of-eastern-ukraine-are-growing-closer-to-russia-437500">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia&nbsp;</a>

Russia also does not want the US to deploy "heavy bombers" equipped with&nbsp;nuclear or non-nuclear armaments or deploy surface warships.

Article 6 states both "parties shall undertake not to deploy ground-launched intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles outside their national territories."

In Article 7, the Russian proposal states that parties&nbsp;"shall refrain from deploying nuclear weapons outside their national territories and return such weapons already deployed outside their national territories at the time of the entry into force of the Treaty to their national territories."

It also states that both parties "shall not train military and civilian personnel from non-nuclear countries to use nuclear weapons." It also seeks to bar military exercises and training including "scenarios involving the use of nuclear weapons."

What does the US want?

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "There will be no talks on European security without our European allies and partners" indicating Ukraine and other NATO partners would be consulted before an official reaction can be put out.

Psaki said there can be no compromises on the principles of European security even as the Russian foreign ministry said it is ready to hold talks.

Psaki asserted that the US has been engaging with Russia for decades&nbsp;however the Biden administration has to adhere to its partnership with European allies. &nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russia submitted a draft document on legal security guarantees to the Biden administration to "ensure the security of the Russian Federation and member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

Russia submitted a draft document on legal security guarantees to the Biden administration to "ensure the security of the Russian Federation and member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)." The Russian foreign ministry said it "provided detailed explanations regarding the logic of the Russian approach." The eight-point draft treat is Putin's "red line" to the West amid tensions with over Ukraine. It covers several contentious points. Here is a closer look. Also Read in Pics: What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine? Draft treaty between US and Russian Federation on security guarantees: Article 4 of the draft says, "United States of America shall undertake to prevent further eastward expansion of North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) and deny accession to the alliance to the states of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." This has been Putin's key demand ever since tensions escalated with Ukraine over the border. "The United States of America shall not establish military bases in the territory of the states of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics," it said, adding, "use their infrastructure for any military activities or develop bilateral military cooperation with them." Further, Article 5 states "parties shall refrain from deploying their armed forces and armaments in the areas where such deployment could be perceived as a threat." Also Read in Pics: Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia Russia also does not want the US to deploy "heavy bombers" equipped with nuclear or non-nuclear armaments or deploy surface warships. Article 6 states both "parties shall undertake not to deploy ground-launched intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles outside their national territories." In Article 7, the Russian proposal states that parties "shall refrain from deploying nuclear weapons outside their national territories and return such weapons already deployed outside their national territories at the time of the entry into force of the Treaty to their national territories." It also states that both parties "shall not train military and civilian personnel from non-nuclear countries to use nuclear weapons." It also seeks to bar military exercises and training including "scenarios involving the use of nuclear weapons." What does the US want? White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "There will be no talks on European security without our European allies and partners" indicating Ukraine and other NATO partners would be consulted before an official reaction can be put out. Psaki said there can be no compromises on the principles of European security even as the Russian foreign ministry said it is ready to hold talks. Psaki asserted that the US has been engaging with Russia for decades however the Biden administration has to adhere to its partnership with European allies. (With inputs from Agencies)

Explainer: Putin's red line-What is Russia's draft treaty on security guarantees?

Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia

US President Biden and Russian President Putin conducted summit talks over a video link on Tuesday which lasted for two hours.

The White House said President Biden "voiced deep concerns" over Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine.

Biden told the Russian president that the US and its allies would respond with "strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation."

Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, the White House added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-biden-putin-virtual-summit-russia-slams-us-move-to-boycott-beijing-winter-olympics-434860">Also Read:&nbsp;Ahead of Biden-Putin virtual summit, Russia slams US move to boycott Beijing Winter Olympics</a>

The two leaders also decided to follow up on development in Ukraine in coordination with allies and partners. &nbsp;

Biden and Putin also discussed US-Russia dialogue on strategic stability, ransomware including joint work on regional issues including Iran. &nbsp;

The White House added that President Biden would call US allies including Britain, France, Germany and Italy after talks with the Russian president.

The talks took place amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine with Russian troops reportedly amassed at the border. President Putin has repetedly&nbsp;denied Russia intends to invade Ukraine while asserting that the country's troops can move around freely inside their territory.

Western powers in the past one month have repeatedly warned Russia over escalation of tensions with Ukraine.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

US President Biden and Russian President Putin conducted summit talks over a video link on Tuesday which lasted for two hours. The White House said President Biden "voiced deep concerns" over Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine.

US President Biden and Russian President Putin conducted summit talks over a video link on Tuesday which lasted for two hours. The White House said President Biden "voiced deep concerns" over Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine. Biden told the Russian president that the US and its allies would respond with "strong economic and other measures in the event of military escalation." Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, the White House added. Also Read: Ahead of Biden-Putin virtual summit, Russia slams US move to boycott Beijing Winter Olympics The two leaders also decided to follow up on development in Ukraine in coordination with allies and partners. Biden and Putin also discussed US-Russia dialogue on strategic stability, ransomware including joint work on regional issues including Iran. The White House added that President Biden would call US allies including Britain, France, Germany and Italy after talks with the Russian president. The talks took place amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine with Russian troops reportedly amassed at the border. President Putin has repetedly denied Russia intends to invade Ukraine while asserting that the country's troops can move around freely inside their territory. Western powers in the past one month have repeatedly warned Russia over escalation of tensions with Ukraine. (With inputs from Agencies)

Will respond with strong economic measures over Ukraine escalation: Biden tells Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed his US counterpart Joe Biden during the video talks about Ukraine's failure to comply with the Minsk agreements, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.

"Our president informed [Biden] in sufficient detail about how Kiev fails to fulfill the relevant Minsk agreements. It was said directly that Ukraine sabotages the Minsk implementation, in addition, it sabotages the agreements reached within the framework of the Normandy Four summit, delays the negotiation process in the contact group, seeks to exclude Donbas from the negotiation process," Ushakov said following the leaders' talks.

Ushakov said that, in his meeting with Putin, Biden emphasised that the US and NATO are concerned about Russian force movements near Ukraine's borders.

According to Russian state-controlled RT News, the Kremlin said in a readout that Moscow is "seriously interested" in obtaining "reliable and firm legal guarantees" excluding NATO’s further expansion eastward and the deployment of "offensive strike weapons systems in countries adjacent to Russia." 
 
According to Ushakov, the two leaders spent a lot of time discussing Ukraine during their meetings.

According to him, Biden informed Putin that the US is preparing large-scale penalties in the event that the situation in Ukraine worsens.

According to Ushakov, Putin told Biden directly that Russia is concerned about Ukraine's and NATO's military buildup. 
 
Putin, he added, mentioned the recent NATO drills in the Black Sea.&nbsp;

According to a Russian presidential aide, Putin informed US President that the "red lines" for Moscow are NATO's continued eastward expansion and the deployment of offensive weapons in Ukraine. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-respond-with-strong-economic-measures-over-ukraine-escalation-biden-tells-putin-434960">Aslo read | Will respond with strong economic measures over Ukraine escalation: Biden tells Putin</a>

The subject of whether Putin committed not to deploy troops to Ukraine in a talk with Biden, according to Ushakov, is strange and was not even considered. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: Biden's 'carrots and sticks' for Putin

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bidens-carrots-and-sticks-for-putin-434942/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He claimed that Biden informed Putin in an acceptable manner about the possibility of further sanctions against Ukraine. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-biden-putin-virtual-summit-russia-slams-us-move-to-boycott-beijing-winter-olympics-434860">Also Read:&nbsp;Ahead of Biden-Putin virtual summit, Russia slams US move to boycott Beijing Winter Olympics</a>

"Biden discussed the possibility of sanctions.What was previously spoken publicly and relayed to us through various routes has now been said, but in a more acceptable and presidential-worthy form", Ushakov explained.

What are the Minsk agreements on the Ukraine conflict?

The Minsk Protocol was an agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine's Donbas area.

It was drafted by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine, which included Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), with the leaders of France and Germany serving as mediators in the so-called Normandy Format.&nbsp;

Here are the 13 points of Minsk agreements, in brief:

1. An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire

2. Withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both sides

3. Monitoring and verification by the OSCE

4. To start a dialogue on interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledge their special status by a resolution of parliament.

5. A pardon and amnesty for people involved in the fighting

6. An exchange of hostages and prisoners.

7. Provision of humanitarian assistance.

8. Resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions.

9. Restore full control of the state border by the government of Ukraine.

10. Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment and mercenaries.

11. Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk.

12. Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk on terms to be agreed with their representatives.

13. Intensify the work of a Trilateral Contact Group including representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed his US counterpart Joe Biden during the video talks about Ukraine's failure to comply with the Minsk agreements, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.

Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed his US counterpart Joe Biden during the video talks about Ukraine's failure to comply with the Minsk agreements, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. "Our president informed [Biden] in sufficient detail about how Kiev fails to fulfill the relevant Minsk agreements. It was said directly that Ukraine sabotages the Minsk implementation, in addition, it sabotages the agreements reached within the framework of the Normandy Four summit, delays the negotiation process in the contact group, seeks to exclude Donbas from the negotiation process," Ushakov said following the leaders' talks. Ushakov said that, in his meeting with Putin, Biden emphasised that the US and NATO are concerned about Russian force movements near Ukraine's borders. According to Russian state-controlled RT News, the Kremlin said in a readout that Moscow is "seriously interested" in obtaining "reliable and firm legal guarantees" excluding NATO’s further expansion eastward and the deployment of "offensive strike weapons systems in countries adjacent to Russia." According to Ushakov, the two leaders spent a lot of time discussing Ukraine during their meetings. According to him, Biden informed Putin that the US is preparing large-scale penalties in the event that the situation in Ukraine worsens. According to Ushakov, Putin told Biden directly that Russia is concerned about Ukraine's and NATO's military buildup. Putin, he added, mentioned the recent NATO drills in the Black Sea. According to a Russian presidential aide, Putin informed US President that the "red lines" for Moscow are NATO's continued eastward expansion and the deployment of offensive weapons in Ukraine. Aslo read | Will respond with strong economic measures over Ukraine escalation: Biden tells Putin The subject of whether Putin committed not to deploy troops to Ukraine in a talk with Biden, according to Ushakov, is strange and was not even considered. Watch | Gravitas: Biden's 'carrots and sticks' for Putin He claimed that Biden informed Putin in an acceptable manner about the possibility of further sanctions against Ukraine. Also Read: Ahead of Biden-Putin virtual summit, Russia slams US move to boycott Beijing Winter Olympics "Biden discussed the possibility of sanctions.What was previously spoken publicly and relayed to us through various routes has now been said, but in a more acceptable and presidential-worthy form", Ushakov explained. What are the Minsk agreements on the Ukraine conflict? The Minsk Protocol was an agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine's Donbas area. It was drafted by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine, which included Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), with the leaders of France and Germany serving as mediators in the so-called Normandy Format. Here are the 13 points of Minsk agreements, in brief: 1. An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire 2. Withdrawal of all heavy weapons by both sides 3. Monitoring and verification by the OSCE 4. To start a dialogue on interim self-government for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in accordance with Ukrainian law, and acknowledge their special status by a resolution of parliament. 5. A pardon and amnesty for people involved in the fighting 6. An exchange of hostages and prisoners. 7. Provision of humanitarian assistance. 8. Resumption of socio-economic ties, including pensions. 9. Restore full control of the state border by the government of Ukraine. 10. Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, military equipment and mercenaries. 11. Constitutional reform in Ukraine including decentralisation, with specific mention of Donetsk and Luhansk. 12. Elections in Donetsk and Luhansk on terms to be agreed with their representatives. 13. Intensify the work of a Trilateral Contact Group including representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine failed to comply with the Minsk agreements: Putin informs Biden

What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine?

Russian President Vladimir Putin, while speaking during his annual televised phone-in, accused the United States of involvement in the incident involving a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-fires-warning-shots-to-deter-british-warship-near-crimea-393434">British destroyer</a> off the coast of Crimea.

"It was complex and was carried out not only by the British but also by the Americans," the Russian president said, adding, "This, of course, was a provocation that is completely obvious."

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-denies-russia-claim-warning-shots-fired-at-warship-out-of-crimea-waters-393624/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-conducts-military-drills-in-pacific-with-warships-aircraft-and-submarines-393215">Russian </a>authorities claimed they fired warning shots and dropped bombs as the British Navy's HMS Defender passed near the Crimean peninsula in the Black Sea as it left the territory. Russia claims Crimea as its own territory after it was annexed in 2014.

"It was obvious that the destroyer entered (the waters near Crimea) pursuing, first of all, military goals, trying to use a reconnaissance aircraft to discover how our forces would stop such provocations, to see what happens on our side, how things work and where everything is located," Putin said.

Putin downplayed the incident, stating that even if Russia had sunk the British destroyer, it was "unlikely that the world would have been on the verge of World War-III."

Amid the row, Britain said it was an "innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters" in accordance with international law. Tensions between the two nations escalated as Russia's foreign ministry last week summoned the British ambassador to "strongly protest" the incident.

"In the event of a repetition of such provocations, all responsibility for their possible consequences will rest entirely on the British side," the Russian foreign ministry said even as the Kremlin stated that the incident was a "deliberate and prepared provocation."

The warship incident occurred as the US and Ukraine along with 30 other nations prepared to conduct Sea Breeze 2021 military exercise from June 28 to July 10 in the Black Sea.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin, while speaking during his annual televised phone-in, accused the United States of involvement in the incident involving a British destroyer off the coast of Crimea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, while speaking during his annual televised phone-in, accused the United States of involvement in the incident involving a British destroyer off the coast of Crimea. "It was complex and was carried out not only by the British but also by the Americans," the Russian president said, adding, "This, of course, was a provocation that is completely obvious." Watch: Russian authorities claimed they fired warning shots and dropped bombs as the British Navy's HMS Defender passed near the Crimean peninsula in the Black Sea as it left the territory. Russia claims Crimea as its own territory after it was annexed in 2014. "It was obvious that the destroyer entered (the waters near Crimea) pursuing, first of all, military goals, trying to use a reconnaissance aircraft to discover how our forces would stop such provocations, to see what happens on our side, how things work and where everything is located," Putin said. Putin downplayed the incident, stating that even if Russia had sunk the British destroyer, it was "unlikely that the world would have been on the verge of World War-III." Amid the row, Britain said it was an "innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters" in accordance with international law. Tensions between the two nations escalated as Russia's foreign ministry last week summoned the British ambassador to "strongly protest" the incident. "In the event of a repetition of such provocations, all responsibility for their possible consequences will rest entirely on the British side," the Russian foreign ministry said even as the Kremlin stated that the incident was a "deliberate and prepared provocation." The warship incident occurred as the US and Ukraine along with 30 other nations prepared to conduct Sea Breeze 2021 military exercise from June 28 to July 10 in the Black Sea. (With inputs from Agencies)

Putin accuses US of involvement in British warship row with Russia

Welcoming US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's tough&nbsp;message&nbsp;when he met President Vladimir Putin this week,&nbsp;Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba&nbsp;said now was the time to make Russia withdraw from Ukraine.

In the first high-level Ukrainian government reaction since the Biden-Putin summit in Geneva on Wednesday, Kuleba said&nbsp;that the talks had not caused any concern for Kyiv.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/day-after-putin-biden-summit-kremlin-says-ukraine-joining-nato-would-be-a-red-line-for-russia-392182" hreflang="en">Ukraine joining NATO will be a 'red line' for Russia: Kremlin</a>

"This summit demonstrated that America is back, and now it's time to make Russia pull back from Ukraine," Kuleba said in an interview, adding that Moscow has no power of veto over Ukraine's accession to NATO.

Kyiv had been wary of the prospect of Biden and Putin cutting a deal about Ukraine's future without it being present at the table.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters this week he had received reassurances from Biden that Ukraine would not be used as a bargaining tool. But Zelenskiy added that there was "a little scepticism" about whether the Biden-Putin summit would benefit Ukraine.

Zelenskiy has urged NATO members to accelerate Ukraine's entry into the alliance after a standoff with Russia this year that saw Russia mass additional troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that this would be a 'red line' for Russia.

"President Putin saw... no invitation to bargain from the United States on the Ukrainian matter," Kuleba said. "And this is a matter of principle because we agreed with the United States that no deals on Ukraine will be made without Ukraine, and America kept its promise."

Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine are among a number of factors that have badly strained relations between Russia and the United States in recent years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Welcoming US President Joe Biden's tough message when he met President Vladimir Putin this week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said now was the time to make Russia withdraw from Ukraine.

Welcoming US President Joe Biden's tough message when he met President Vladimir Putin this week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said now was the time to make Russia withdraw from Ukraine. In the first high-level Ukrainian government reaction since the Biden-Putin summit in Geneva on Wednesday, Kuleba said that the talks had not caused any concern for Kyiv. Also read| Ukraine joining NATO will be a 'red line' for Russia: Kremlin "This summit demonstrated that America is back, and now it's time to make Russia pull back from Ukraine," Kuleba said in an interview, adding that Moscow has no power of veto over Ukraine's accession to NATO. Kyiv had been wary of the prospect of Biden and Putin cutting a deal about Ukraine's future without it being present at the table. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters this week he had received reassurances from Biden that Ukraine would not be used as a bargaining tool. But Zelenskiy added that there was "a little scepticism" about whether the Biden-Putin summit would benefit Ukraine. Zelenskiy has urged NATO members to accelerate Ukraine's entry into the alliance after a standoff with Russia this year that saw Russia mass additional troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders. The Kremlin said on Thursday that this would be a 'red line' for Russia. "President Putin saw... no invitation to bargain from the United States on the Ukrainian matter," Kuleba said. "And this is a matter of principle because we agreed with the United States that no deals on Ukraine will be made without Ukraine, and America kept its promise." Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine are among a number of factors that have badly strained relations between Russia and the United States in recent years. (With inputs from agencies)

Now it's time to make Russia pull back from Ukraine, says Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba

Russia still has around 100,000 troops deployed near&nbsp;Ukraine's border and in annexed Crimea, the head of&nbsp;Ukraine's state security service (SBU) Ivan Bakanov said on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has&nbsp;demanded that Russia end its "aggressive" actions towards&nbsp;Ukraine, warning on a solidarity visit to Kiev that the giant neighbour has yet to withdraw most forces from a recent buildup.

The top US diplomat met&nbsp;Ukraine's leadership and toured a somber memorial with photographs of some of the more than 13,000 people who have died fighting pro-Russian separatists since 2014, when Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula from Kiev.

"We stand strongly with you," Blinken told a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;

"We look to Russia to cease reckless and aggressive actions," Blinken said.

Russia last month amassed 100,000 troops near the border and in Crimea, its biggest buildup since 2014, but quickly announced a pullback in what many saw as a test for the new US administration of President Joe Biden.

But both Blinken and Zelensky said Thursday that the pullout had been limited.

"We're aware that Russia has withdrawn some forces from the border with&nbsp;Ukraine, but we also see that significant forces remain there," Blinken said.

Zelensky said that Russia was still flexing its muscle on the Black Sea and that it had only removed 3,000 to 3,500 troops from Crimea.

"The forces that remain along the Ukrainian border permit the Russian side to launch a military operation against&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;at any moment," Zelensky said.

In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that "tens of thousands" of Russian troops remained and that they had left heavy weaponry despite some reductions.

"Overall, there is a significant Russian presence, and there are many more Russian troops now, in and around&nbsp;Ukraine, than before the recent increase in tensions," Stoltenberg said.

With Blinken in Kiev, the Ukrainian military said that one soldier was killed and another injured from shelling in Donetsk, a breakaway area in the eastern Donbas region.

Zelensky, however, said there had been a decline in sniper fire, a leading cause of casualties.&nbsp;

He also welcomed US support but said that&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;"desperately" needed more.

Russia's withdrawal of troops "is slow -- therefore, perhaps, there still may be a threat. Nobody wants these surprises," Zelensky said.

He has renewed calls for&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to join NATO but Western European nations have been cool to the idea, fearing the Russian reaction.

The United States has earmarked $408 million in security aid for&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;this fiscal year and Blinken said he spoke in depth with Ukrainian leaders about their needs.

Biden in his first three months in office has sought to toughen US resolve against Russia after his predecessor Donald Trump's flirtation with President Vladimir Putin.

Likely believing that the new US leadership presents greater opportunities, comedian-turned-president Zelensky said that he had invited Biden to visit&nbsp;Ukraine.&nbsp;

Blinken replied that he would convey the invitation and that Biden hoped to visit eventually.

Biden also has proposed a summit with Putin in a bid to bring stability to the relationship -- making it all the more pressing to show solidarity with&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;first.

Blinken arrived late Thursday from London where he joined other foreign ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies in condemning Russia's "irresponsible and destabilising behaviour" in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and elsewhere.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia still has around 100,000 troops deployed near Ukraine's border and in annexed Crimea, the head of Ukraine's state security service (SBU) Ivan Bakanov said on Tuesday.

Russia still has around 100,000 troops deployed near Ukraine's border and in annexed Crimea, the head of Ukraine's state security service (SBU) Ivan Bakanov said on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has demanded that Russia end its "aggressive" actions towards Ukraine, warning on a solidarity visit to Kiev that the giant neighbour has yet to withdraw most forces from a recent buildup. The top US diplomat met Ukraine's leadership and toured a somber memorial with photographs of some of the more than 13,000 people who have died fighting pro-Russian separatists since 2014, when Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula from Kiev. "We stand strongly with you," Blinken told a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "We look to Russia to cease reckless and aggressive actions," Blinken said. Russia last month amassed 100,000 troops near the border and in Crimea, its biggest buildup since 2014, but quickly announced a pullback in what many saw as a test for the new US administration of President Joe Biden. But both Blinken and Zelensky said Thursday that the pullout had been limited. "We're aware that Russia has withdrawn some forces from the border with Ukraine, but we also see that significant forces remain there," Blinken said. Zelensky said that Russia was still flexing its muscle on the Black Sea and that it had only removed 3,000 to 3,500 troops from Crimea. "The forces that remain along the Ukrainian border permit the Russian side to launch a military operation against Ukraine at any moment," Zelensky said. In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that "tens of thousands" of Russian troops remained and that they had left heavy weaponry despite some reductions. "Overall, there is a significant Russian presence, and there are many more Russian troops now, in and around Ukraine, than before the recent increase in tensions," Stoltenberg said. With Blinken in Kiev, the Ukrainian military said that one soldier was killed and another injured from shelling in Donetsk, a breakaway area in the eastern Donbas region. Zelensky, however, said there had been a decline in sniper fire, a leading cause of casualties. He also welcomed US support but said that Ukraine "desperately" needed more. Russia's withdrawal of troops "is slow -- therefore, perhaps, there still may be a threat. Nobody wants these surprises," Zelensky said. He has renewed calls for Ukraine to join NATO but Western European nations have been cool to the idea, fearing the Russian reaction. The United States has earmarked $408 million in security aid for Ukraine this fiscal year and Blinken said he spoke in depth with Ukrainian leaders about their needs. Biden in his first three months in office has sought to toughen US resolve against Russia after his predecessor Donald Trump's flirtation with President Vladimir Putin. Likely believing that the new US leadership presents greater opportunities, comedian-turned-president Zelensky said that he had invited Biden to visit Ukraine. Blinken replied that he would convey the invitation and that Biden hoped to visit eventually. Biden also has proposed a summit with Putin in a bid to bring stability to the relationship -- making it all the more pressing to show solidarity with Ukraine first. Blinken arrived late Thursday from London where he joined other foreign ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies in condemning Russia's "irresponsible and destabilising behaviour" in Ukraine and elsewhere. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine says Russia still has 100,000 troops near its border

The US&nbsp;Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a bill on Wednesday to deliver aid to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;in its struggle with Russia and pressure companies helping to build Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that could deprive Kyiv of lucrative transit fees.

The&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;Security Partnership Act, which was approved by voice vote, authorises $300 million in foreign military financing, of which $150 million would be subject to conditions. It needs to be passed in the full Senate and House of Representatives and signed by President Joe Biden to become law.

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Ukraine&nbsp;is seeking international support in its standoff with Moscow over a buildup of Russian troops on its eastern border and in Crimea, which Russia annexed from&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;in 2014.

Kyiv and Moscow have traded blame for a collapse in the ceasefire in the eastern Donbass region, where Ukrainian troops have battled Russian-backed forces in a conflict Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people since 2014.

"Ukrainians have a right to choose their own future, and this bill contributes to that by supporting Western-style military reforms, lethal and non-lethal military equipment to defend itself from Russia, and US&nbsp;diplomatic support for peace negotiations," Senator Jim Risch, the committee's top Republican, said in a release.

The bill contains an amendment from Republican Senator Ted Cruz that requires the State Department to determine whether 20 ships, including the Akademik Cherskiy, Umka, and Errieit, are subject to US&nbsp;sanctions for helping to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a project to bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The determination is required within 15 days of passage.

The pipeline, led by Russian state gas company Gazprom and its Western allies, would bypass&nbsp;Ukraine, depriving it of billions of dollars in transit fees and likely undermining the country's efforts against Russian aggression. Biden has said the pipeline is a bad deal for Europe, but the project is about 95 per cent&nbsp;complete.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a bill on Wednesday to deliver aid to Ukraine in its struggle with Russia and pressure companies helping to build Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that could deprive Kyiv of lucrative transit fees.

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a bill on Wednesday to deliver aid to Ukraine in its struggle with Russia and pressure companies helping to build Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that could deprive Kyiv of lucrative transit fees. The Ukraine Security Partnership Act, which was approved by voice vote, authorises $300 million in foreign military financing, of which $150 million would be subject to conditions. It needs to be passed in the full Senate and House of Representatives and signed by President Joe Biden to become law. Ukraine is seeking international support in its standoff with Moscow over a buildup of Russian troops on its eastern border and in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Kyiv and Moscow have traded blame for a collapse in the ceasefire in the eastern Donbass region, where Ukrainian troops have battled Russian-backed forces in a conflict Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people since 2014. "Ukrainians have a right to choose their own future, and this bill contributes to that by supporting Western-style military reforms, lethal and non-lethal military equipment to defend itself from Russia, and US diplomatic support for peace negotiations," Senator Jim Risch, the committee's top Republican, said in a release. The bill contains an amendment from Republican Senator Ted Cruz that requires the State Department to determine whether 20 ships, including the Akademik Cherskiy, Umka, and Errieit, are subject to US sanctions for helping to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a project to bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The determination is required within 15 days of passage. The pipeline, led by Russian state gas company Gazprom and its Western allies, would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of billions of dollars in transit fees and likely undermining the country's efforts against Russian aggression. Biden has said the pipeline is a bad deal for Europe, but the project is about 95 per cent complete. (With inputs from agencies)

US advances bill to aid Ukraine in its struggle with Russia, pressure Nord Stream 2

The US State Department on Monday branded as an "unprovoked escalation" the reported Russian plans to block parts of the Black Sea, which could ultimately impact access to Ukrainian ports.

Russian state media have reported that Moscow intends to close parts of the Black Sea to foreign military and official ships for six months.&nbsp;

Such a move could affect access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait, on the eastern tip of the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

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"This represents yet another unprovoked escalation in Moscow's ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilise Ukraine," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"This development is particularly troubling amid credible reports of the Russian troop buildup in occupied Crimea and around Ukraine's borders, now at levels not seen since Russia’s invasion in 2014," he added.

Moscow's military build-up on the border with Ukraine is even bigger than in 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday, describing the deployment as "very seriously concerning."&nbsp;

While the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell cited a figure of 150,000 Russian soldiers on the Ukrainian border, before his own services scaled that figure back without explanation to 100,000, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby declined to name a specific figure.

Tensions between Russia and the West have been escalating in recent weeks following an uptick in fighting between Ukraine's army and pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow has amassed tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's northern and eastern borders, as well as in annexed Crimea, sparking warnings from NATO.

(With input from agencies)

The US State Department on Monday branded as an "unprovoked escalation" the reported Russian plans to block parts of the Black Sea, which could ultimately impact access to Ukrainian ports.

The US State Department on Monday branded as an "unprovoked escalation" the reported Russian plans to block parts of the Black Sea, which could ultimately impact access to Ukrainian ports. Russian state media have reported that Moscow intends to close parts of the Black Sea to foreign military and official ships for six months. Such a move could affect access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait, on the eastern tip of the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. "This represents yet another unprovoked escalation in Moscow's ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilise Ukraine," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. "This development is particularly troubling amid credible reports of the Russian troop buildup in occupied Crimea and around Ukraine's borders, now at levels not seen since Russia’s invasion in 2014," he added. Moscow's military build-up on the border with Ukraine is even bigger than in 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday, describing the deployment as "very seriously concerning." While the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell cited a figure of 150,000 Russian soldiers on the Ukrainian border, before his own services scaled that figure back without explanation to 100,000, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby declined to name a specific figure. Tensions between Russia and the West have been escalating in recent weeks following an uptick in fighting between Ukraine's army and pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has amassed tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's northern and eastern borders, as well as in annexed Crimea, sparking warnings from NATO. (With input from agencies)

'Unprovoked escalation': US says Russia's plans to block Black Sea to impact access to Ukrainian ports

The United States has cancelled this week's planned deployment of two warships to the Black Sea, Turkish officials and media said Wednesday, amid high tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkish diplomatic sources said the passage of the first ship through the Bosphorus due on Wednesday did not take place.&nbsp;

Anadolu state news agency said both deployments, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, have been cancelled with Ankara not yet informed of any possible rescheduling.

Last week Turkey announced that it had been informed through diplomatic channels that two US warships "will pass toward the Black Sea" and remain in the region until May 4.

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There was no confirmation from Washington either of the planned deployments or of their cancellation.

Washington is required to give Ankara at least 15 days notice before sending warships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits under the terms of the 1936 Montreux Convention.

The treaty's terms allow foreign warships to stay in the Black Sea for 21 days.

US Navy ships routinely operate in the region in support of Ukraine, which has been fighting Russian-backed forces in its east since a 2014 revolution ousted the pro-Moscow leader in Kiev.

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula around the same time, setting up a confrontation with the West that lingers to this day.

Last week's announcement of a US deployment of warships came as tensions between Moscow and Kiev have risen due to a build-up of Russian troops at the Ukraine border.

These troop deployments come against the backdrop of renewed incidents between Kiev forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Wednesday's news of the cancellation of the US warships' deployment came a day after US President Joe Biden talked by phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

During that conversation, Biden proposed a summit with Putin in a neutral country and called on Russia to "de-escalate tensions", according to the White House.

(With input from agencies)

The United States has cancelled this week's planned deployment of two warships to the Black Sea, Turkish officials and media said Wednesday, amid high tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The United States has cancelled this week's planned deployment of two warships to the Black Sea, Turkish officials and media said Wednesday, amid high tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Turkish diplomatic sources said the passage of the first ship through the Bosphorus due on Wednesday did not take place. Anadolu state news agency said both deployments, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, have been cancelled with Ankara not yet informed of any possible rescheduling. Last week Turkey announced that it had been informed through diplomatic channels that two US warships "will pass toward the Black Sea" and remain in the region until May 4. There was no confirmation from Washington either of the planned deployments or of their cancellation. Washington is required to give Ankara at least 15 days notice before sending warships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits under the terms of the 1936 Montreux Convention. The treaty's terms allow foreign warships to stay in the Black Sea for 21 days. US Navy ships routinely operate in the region in support of Ukraine, which has been fighting Russian-backed forces in its east since a 2014 revolution ousted the pro-Moscow leader in Kiev. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula around the same time, setting up a confrontation with the West that lingers to this day. Last week's announcement of a US deployment of warships came as tensions between Moscow and Kiev have risen due to a build-up of Russian troops at the Ukraine border. These troop deployments come against the backdrop of renewed incidents between Kiev forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Wednesday's news of the cancellation of the US warships' deployment came a day after US President Joe Biden talked by phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. During that conversation, Biden proposed a summit with Putin in a neutral country and called on Russia to "de-escalate tensions", according to the White House. (With input from agencies)

US cancels Black Sea deployment of warships amid high tensions between Russia, Ukraine

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to lower tensions on the Ukrainian border and suggested they hold their first summit.

The White House and the Kremlin reported only the second conversation between the two since Biden took office in January. Western officials urged Moscow to end the build-up and Russia, in words recalling the Cold War, said its "adversary" should keep US&nbsp;warships well away from the Crimea region.

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Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven-year conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people.

In a sign of concern about tensions spinning out of control in the Ukraine crisis, Biden phoned Putin to propose they meet in a third country while underlining US&nbsp;commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia's actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference," the White House said in a statement.

"The president voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions," it said.

In the first public Russian description of the build-up, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had moved two armies and three paratrooper units to its western border as part of a large snap drill meant to test combat readiness and respond to what he called threatening military action by NATO.

Shoigu said on state TV that the three-week exercise, which he called successful, was due to wrap up in the next two weeks.

Shoigu said NATO was deploying 40,000 troops and 15,000 pieces of military equipment near Russia's borders, mainly in the Black Sea and the Baltic regions.

The Western alliance denies any such plans.

A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters: "We know Russia's capacity. This enormous build-up that they've made militarily ... to take aggressive action, but we don't know their intentions obviously," the official said.

Russia has regularly accused NATO of destabilizing Europe with its troop reinforcements in the Baltics and Poland since the annexation of Crimea.

Two US&nbsp;warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week in response to what U.S. and NATO officials say is the largest massing of Russian forces - with thousands of combat-ready troops - since Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine.

"We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast," Ryabkov said. "It will be for their own good. He called the US&nbsp;deployment a provocation designed to test Russian nerves.

Blinken met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels after Group of Seven foreign ministers condemned what they said was the unexplained rise in Russian troop numbers.

Echoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who met Kuleba earlier, Blinken said Moscow's military actions on Ukraine's doorstep were "very provocative".

"Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Kuleba.

Kyiv has welcomed the show of Western support, but it falls short of Ukraine's desire for full membership of NATO.

Kuleba said Kyiv wanted a diplomatic solution, though he also appealed for further economic sanctions against Moscow and more military assistance to Ukraine.

Separately, two diplomats said Stoltenberg would chair a video conference with allied defense and foreign ministers on Wednesday. Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were to be present at NATO headquarters to brief the other 29 allies on Ukraine, as well as on Afghanistan, the diplomats said.

In contrast to former president Donald Trump's reluctance to criticize Putin, Biden came into office in January openly attacking what he says is the Kremlin's meddling in US elections, &nbsp;mounting of a huge cyber attack last year, and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Biden said in a March interview that he agreed Putin is a "killer."

The White House has promised retaliatory actions but has yet to make public any details.

In a surprise move Tuesday, Biden also used the call to suggest a summit with Putin somewhere other than in the United States or Russia.

"President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with US interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia," the White House statement said.

Putin similarly held a summit in Finland in 2018 with Trump, who caused a furor at home by appearing to ignore his own intelligence community's assessment and to accept the Russian leader's denials of election meddling.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the summit was being proposed for "the coming months," which would mean "this summer."

However, she expressed US skepticism over how much could be achieved in relations with Putin's Russia.

"What we're working toward is predictable and stable. We're not looking for an establishment of trust as much as a predictability and stability," she told reporters.

Moscow earlier Tuesday responded to criticism of its troop deployments by saying they were "training exercises" and said Russia felt threatened by the western NATO alliance.

In its readout of the Biden-Putin call, the Kremlin said "both sides expressed their readiness to continue dialogue on the most important areas of ensuring global security."

It also said that Biden proposed a summit "in the near future" but did not say whether the idea had been accepted.

Amid fears in Ukraine that Russia could launch a large-scale assault, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met in Brussels with top officials of NATO nations including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who voiced his strong support for Kiev.

(With input from agencies)

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to lower tensions on the Ukrainian border and suggested they hold their first summit.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to lower tensions on the Ukrainian border and suggested they hold their first summit. The White House and the Kremlin reported only the second conversation between the two since Biden took office in January. Western officials urged Moscow to end the build-up and Russia, in words recalling the Cold War, said its "adversary" should keep US warships well away from the Crimea region. Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven-year conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people. In a sign of concern about tensions spinning out of control in the Ukraine crisis, Biden phoned Putin to propose they meet in a third country while underlining US commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia's actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference," the White House said in a statement. "The president voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions," it said. In the first public Russian description of the build-up, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had moved two armies and three paratrooper units to its western border as part of a large snap drill meant to test combat readiness and respond to what he called threatening military action by NATO. Shoigu said on state TV that the three-week exercise, which he called successful, was due to wrap up in the next two weeks. Shoigu said NATO was deploying 40,000 troops and 15,000 pieces of military equipment near Russia's borders, mainly in the Black Sea and the Baltic regions. The Western alliance denies any such plans. A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters: "We know Russia's capacity. This enormous build-up that they've made militarily ... to take aggressive action, but we don't know their intentions obviously," the official said. Russia has regularly accused NATO of destabilizing Europe with its troop reinforcements in the Baltics and Poland since the annexation of Crimea. Two US warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week in response to what U.S. and NATO officials say is the largest massing of Russian forces - with thousands of combat-ready troops - since Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine. "We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast," Ryabkov said. "It will be for their own good. He called the US deployment a provocation designed to test Russian nerves. Blinken met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels after Group of Seven foreign ministers condemned what they said was the unexplained rise in Russian troop numbers. Echoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who met Kuleba earlier, Blinken said Moscow's military actions on Ukraine's doorstep were "very provocative". "Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Kuleba. Kyiv has welcomed the show of Western support, but it falls short of Ukraine's desire for full membership of NATO. Kuleba said Kyiv wanted a diplomatic solution, though he also appealed for further economic sanctions against Moscow and more military assistance to Ukraine. Separately, two diplomats said Stoltenberg would chair a video conference with allied defense and foreign ministers on Wednesday. Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were to be present at NATO headquarters to brief the other 29 allies on Ukraine, as well as on Afghanistan, the diplomats said. In contrast to former president Donald Trump's reluctance to criticize Putin, Biden came into office in January openly attacking what he says is the Kremlin's meddling in US elections, mounting of a huge cyber attack last year, and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Biden said in a March interview that he agreed Putin is a "killer." The White House has promised retaliatory actions but has yet to make public any details. In a surprise move Tuesday, Biden also used the call to suggest a summit with Putin somewhere other than in the United States or Russia. "President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with US interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia," the White House statement said. Putin similarly held a summit in Finland in 2018 with Trump, who caused a furor at home by appearing to ignore his own intelligence community's assessment and to accept the Russian leader's denials of election meddling. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the summit was being proposed for "the coming months," which would mean "this summer." However, she expressed US skepticism over how much could be achieved in relations with Putin's Russia. "What we're working toward is predictable and stable. We're not looking for an establishment of trust as much as a predictability and stability," she told reporters. Moscow earlier Tuesday responded to criticism of its troop deployments by saying they were "training exercises" and said Russia felt threatened by the western NATO alliance. In its readout of the Biden-Putin call, the Kremlin said "both sides expressed their readiness to continue dialogue on the most important areas of ensuring global security." It also said that Biden proposed a summit "in the near future" but did not say whether the idea had been accepted. Amid fears in Ukraine that Russia could launch a large-scale assault, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met in Brussels with top officials of NATO nations including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who voiced his strong support for Kiev. (With input from agencies)

Biden tells Putin to ease tensions on Ukrainian border, proposes summit

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday told Russia to end its "unjustified" military build-up around Ukraine at a meeting with Kiev's top diplomat.

"Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said.&nbsp;

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday&nbsp;NATO and the West must act quickly to prevent an escalation of violence between&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and Russia, adding that&nbsp;further sanctions against Moscow and more military help to Kyiv could help.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-other-nato-countries-of-turning-ukraine-into-powder-keg-377269" hreflang="en">Russia accuses US, other NATO countries of turning Ukraine into 'powder keg'</a>

"At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression," Kuleba told a news conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"This could be direct support aimed at strengthening&nbsp;Ukraine's defence capabilities. Because we do know that Russia spares no effort to prevent third countries from cooperating with&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;in the defence sector. Russia is working hard to undermine our defence capabilities."

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Russia on Tuesday warned the United States to ensure its warships stayed well away from Crimea "for their own good", calling their deployment in the Black Sea a provocation designed to test Russian nerves.

Moscow annexed Crimea from&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;in 2014. Two US&nbsp;warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week amid an escalation in fighting in eastern&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;where government forces have battled Russian-backed troops in a conflict in which Kyiv says 14,000 people have been killed over the years.

The deployment comes as the West sounds the alarm over what it says is a big and unexplained build-up of Russian forces close to&nbsp;Ukraine's eastern border and in Crimea. Russia has said it moves its forces around as it sees fit, including for defensive purposes.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was cited by Russian news agencies on Tuesday as warning US&nbsp;warships in the Black Sea to keep their distance, saying the risk of unspecified incidents was very high.

"There is absolutely nothing for American ships to be doing near our shores, this is purely a provocative action. Provocative in the direct sense of the word: they are testing our strength, playing on our nerves. They will not succeed," Ryabkov was cited as saying.

"We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast. It will be for their own good."

The Pentagon has declined to discuss the ships' deployment, saying only that the US&nbsp;military routinely sends vessels to the region.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea and it has powerful missile and radar facilities on the peninsula.

(With inputs from agencies)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday told Russia to end its "unjustified" military build-up around Ukraine at a meeting with Kiev's top diplomat. "Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday told Russia to end its "unjustified" military build-up around Ukraine at a meeting with Kiev's top diplomat. "Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday NATO and the West must act quickly to prevent an escalation of violence between Ukraine and Russia, adding that further sanctions against Moscow and more military help to Kyiv could help. Also read| Russia accuses US, other NATO countries of turning Ukraine into 'powder keg' "At the operational level, we need measures which will deter Russia and which will contain its aggressive intentions. This could be ... a new round of sanctions which would raise the price of Russian aggression," Kuleba told a news conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "This could be direct support aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities. Because we do know that Russia spares no effort to prevent third countries from cooperating with Ukraine in the defence sector. Russia is working hard to undermine our defence capabilities." Meanwhile, Russia on Tuesday warned the United States to ensure its warships stayed well away from Crimea "for their own good", calling their deployment in the Black Sea a provocation designed to test Russian nerves. Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Two US warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week amid an escalation in fighting in eastern Ukraine where government forces have battled Russian-backed troops in a conflict in which Kyiv says 14,000 people have been killed over the years. The deployment comes as the West sounds the alarm over what it says is a big and unexplained build-up of Russian forces close to Ukraine's eastern border and in Crimea. Russia has said it moves its forces around as it sees fit, including for defensive purposes. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was cited by Russian news agencies on Tuesday as warning US warships in the Black Sea to keep their distance, saying the risk of unspecified incidents was very high. "There is absolutely nothing for American ships to be doing near our shores, this is purely a provocative action. Provocative in the direct sense of the word: they are testing our strength, playing on our nerves. They will not succeed," Ryabkov was cited as saying. "We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast. It will be for their own good." The Pentagon has declined to discuss the ships' deployment, saying only that the US military routinely sends vessels to the region. Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea and it has powerful missile and radar facilities on the peninsula. (With inputs from agencies)

NATO chief tells Russia to end its 'unjustified' Ukraine military build-up

A Ukrainian MP with ties to Russia has bought a national Ukrainian news channel, prompting a round of resignations from journalists who fear his ownership will mean coverage influenced by Moscow.

Taras Kozak of the pro-Moscow party "Opposition Platform" already owned two national TV stations before he took over the channel ZIK this week.

Kozak is a close ally of politician Viktor Medvedchuk, a controversial figure in Ukraine because of his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin while Kiev is fighting a Moscow-backed separatist war.

Journalist Roman Nedzelskiy, one of five journalists to resign from the channel along with its CEO, said Medvedchuk now essentially controls ZIK.&nbsp;

"Tomorrow I will be on the air with the last broadcast of the weekly show 'Details' and then I will start looking for a job," he said on Facebook late Friday.

"Medvedchuk is an enemy of my country, a murderer of both the past and the future," his colleague Vakhtang Kipiani wrote as he announced his resignation.

Mustafa Nayyem, a Ukrainian MP, wrote on social media that the takeover would be a challenge for new President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;

"It is difficult to say which is worse -- a Russian tank on the demarcation line or a broadcast holding... belonging practically to a relative of Vladimir Putin".&nbsp;

Medvedchuk claims Putin is godfather to one of his daughters.

Ukraine is locked in a five-year conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country that has claimed over 13,000 lives.

A Ukrainian MP with ties to Russia has bought a national Ukrainian news channel, prompting a round of resignations from journalists who fear his ownership will mean coverage influenced by Moscow.

A Ukrainian MP with ties to Russia has bought a national Ukrainian news channel, prompting a round of resignations from journalists who fear his ownership will mean coverage influenced by Moscow. Taras Kozak of the pro-Moscow party "Opposition Platform" already owned two national TV stations before he took over the channel ZIK this week. Kozak is a close ally of politician Viktor Medvedchuk, a controversial figure in Ukraine because of his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin while Kiev is fighting a Moscow-backed separatist war. Journalist Roman Nedzelskiy, one of five journalists to resign from the channel along with its CEO, said Medvedchuk now essentially controls ZIK. "Tomorrow I will be on the air with the last broadcast of the weekly show 'Details' and then I will start looking for a job," he said on Facebook late Friday. "Medvedchuk is an enemy of my country, a murderer of both the past and the future," his colleague Vakhtang Kipiani wrote as he announced his resignation. Mustafa Nayyem, a Ukrainian MP, wrote on social media that the takeover would be a challenge for new President Volodymyr Zelensky. "It is difficult to say which is worse -- a Russian tank on the demarcation line or a broadcast holding... belonging practically to a relative of Vladimir Putin". Medvedchuk claims Putin is godfather to one of his daughters. Ukraine is locked in a five-year conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country that has claimed over 13,000 lives.

Journalists resign after pro-Russia MP buys Ukraine channel

A new corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-tests-new-anti-ship-cruise-missile-and-s-125-air-defence-system-181743">arrived in the port of Sevastopol</a> on Friday&nbsp;to join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea.

Orekhovo-Zuyevo is a Buyan-M class corvette armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles with a claimed range of 2000 km, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Her sister ship - corvette Vyshny Volochek has already joined the fleet in June.

In 2016 two other ships of the same class took part in military action in Syria. The Black Sea Fleet is expected to get two more corvettes armed with Kalibr missiles next year, the spokesman of the fleet Aleksei Rulev told journalists last month.

Earlier this week,&nbsp;two patrol ships Dmitry Rogachev and Vassiy Bykov had also arrived in Sevastopol.

The enforcement of the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, follows Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels off the coast of the peninsula on November 25.

A new corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo arrived in the port of Sevastopol on Friday to join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea. Orekhovo-Zuyevo is a Buyan-M class corvette armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles with a claimed range of 2000 km, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

A new corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo arrived in the port of Sevastopol on Friday to join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea. Orekhovo-Zuyevo is a Buyan-M class corvette armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles with a claimed range of 2000 km, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. Her sister ship - corvette Vyshny Volochek has already joined the fleet in June. In 2016 two other ships of the same class took part in military action in Syria. The Black Sea Fleet is expected to get two more corvettes armed with Kalibr missiles next year, the spokesman of the fleet Aleksei Rulev told journalists last month. Earlier this week, two patrol ships Dmitry Rogachev and Vassiy Bykov had also arrived in Sevastopol. The enforcement of the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, follows Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels off the coast of the peninsula on November 25.

Watch: New missile carrier ship joins Russian fleet in Crimea

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nato-calls-emergency-meeting-over-russia-ukraine-standoff-at-sea-of-azov-179555"> today signed a decree to introduce </a>martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said.

The move comes after tensions escalated over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-russia-rams-navy-tugboat-off-crimea-179358">Russia's capture of Ukranian ships</a> accusing its neighbour of illegally entering Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine's military is on high alert over the incident.

The Ukranian president's martial law decree, however, needs parliamentary approval.

Meanwhile, Britain condemned Russia's "act of aggression" against Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait off the coast of Crimea.

Russia on its part ignored Western calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews it captured near Crimea on Sunday. The Russian foreign ministry blamed Ukraine for the current crisis.

"It's obvious that this painstakingly thought-through and planned provocation was aimed at igniting another source of tension in the region in order to create a pretext to ramp up sanctions against Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We'd like to warn the Ukrainian side that the policy of provoking a conflict with Russia in the area of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, which has been pursued by Kiev in coordination with the United States and the European Union, is fraught with serious consequences," it added.

The United States said Russia was involved in "outlaw actions" in the Sea of Azov.

"The United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible," US ambassador Nikki Haley told the UN Security Council.

Ukraine and Russia have been in a state of uneasy peace after the Russian military annexed Crimea in 2014.

Russia's Interfax news agency reported that 24 Ukrainian sailors were detained and at least three were wounded in the clash with the Russians over the weekend.

The Sea of Azov has become the latest bone of contention between the two countries after Russia built a bridge connecting Russia's Krasnodar to Crimea. Ukrainian vessels have to tiptoe across Russian ships from the Black Sea through the bottleneck of the Kerch Strait and into the Azov Sea to reach Ukrainian ports.&nbsp;

A bilateral treaty signed in 2003 had given both Russia and Ukraine the right to access the Sea of Azov.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today signed a decree to introduce martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said. The move comes after tensions escalated over Russia's capture of Ukranian ships accusing its neighbour of illegally entering Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today signed a decree to introduce martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said. The move comes after tensions escalated over Russia's capture of Ukranian ships accusing its neighbour of illegally entering Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine's military is on high alert over the incident. The Ukranian president's martial law decree, however, needs parliamentary approval. Meanwhile, Britain condemned Russia's "act of aggression" against Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait off the coast of Crimea. Russia on its part ignored Western calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews it captured near Crimea on Sunday. The Russian foreign ministry blamed Ukraine for the current crisis. "It's obvious that this painstakingly thought-through and planned provocation was aimed at igniting another source of tension in the region in order to create a pretext to ramp up sanctions against Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "We'd like to warn the Ukrainian side that the policy of provoking a conflict with Russia in the area of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, which has been pursued by Kiev in coordination with the United States and the European Union, is fraught with serious consequences," it added. The United States said Russia was involved in "outlaw actions" in the Sea of Azov. "The United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible," US ambassador Nikki Haley told the UN Security Council. Ukraine and Russia have been in a state of uneasy peace after the Russian military annexed Crimea in 2014. Russia's Interfax news agency reported that 24 Ukrainian sailors were detained and at least three were wounded in the clash with the Russians over the weekend. The Sea of Azov has become the latest bone of contention between the two countries after Russia built a bridge connecting Russia's Krasnodar to Crimea. Ukrainian vessels have to tiptoe across Russian ships from the Black Sea through the bottleneck of the Kerch Strait and into the Azov Sea to reach Ukrainian ports. A bilateral treaty signed in 2003 had given both Russia and Ukraine the right to access the Sea of Azov.

Ukraine president signs decree to introduce martial law amid tensions with Russia

German foreign minister&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-russia-rams-navy-tugboat-off-crimea-179358">Heiko Maas said today that</a> Russian blockade of the passage into the Sea of Azov was&nbsp;not acceptable and urged both Russia and Ukraine to de-escalate tensions.

Heiko Maas called for the opening of the blockade as tensions simmered between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia's FSB security service said its border patrol boats had seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat after opening fire. The security agency said three Ukrainian sailors were injured in the clash.

Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of sending the ships to deliberately provoke Russia. Ukraine said its ships hadn't done anything wrong.

The Ukraine vessels had allegedly ignored warnings sent by the Russian navy, the officials claimed.

Tensions between the two countries have been simmering since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in 2014 leading to worldwide condemnation. Ukraine asked the international community to punish Russia as the latest skirmish threatened to disrupt the uneasy peace.

Meanwhile, the UN will meet on Monday over the latest development on the request of both Russian and Ukrainian officials. Both the European Union and NATO urged both countries to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation.

NATO said it will hold an emergency meeting with Ukrainian officials at alliance headquarters in Brussels on Monday.

Canada and Denmark sided with the Ukraine government as Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland asked Russia to release the captured vessels.

Meanwhile, the FSB has said Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukraine for ships illegal entry into Russia's territorial waters.

A bilateral treaty gives both Russia and Ukraine the right to use the Sea of Azov.&nbsp;

Russia had built road bridge linking southern Russia where the Kerch Strait is located after annexing Crimea. Ukraine has key ports in the Sea of Azov which has become the latest tug of war between the two countries.

German foreign minister Heiko Maas said today that Russian blockade of the passage into the Sea of Azov was not acceptable and urged both Russia and Ukraine to de-escalate tensions.

German foreign minister Heiko Maas said today that Russian blockade of the passage into the Sea of Azov was not acceptable and urged both Russia and Ukraine to de-escalate tensions. Heiko Maas called for the opening of the blockade as tensions simmered between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's FSB security service said its border patrol boats had seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat after opening fire. The security agency said three Ukrainian sailors were injured in the clash. Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of sending the ships to deliberately provoke Russia. Ukraine said its ships hadn't done anything wrong. The Ukraine vessels had allegedly ignored warnings sent by the Russian navy, the officials claimed. Tensions between the two countries have been simmering since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in 2014 leading to worldwide condemnation. Ukraine asked the international community to punish Russia as the latest skirmish threatened to disrupt the uneasy peace. Meanwhile, the UN will meet on Monday over the latest development on the request of both Russian and Ukrainian officials. Both the European Union and NATO urged both countries to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation. NATO said it will hold an emergency meeting with Ukrainian officials at alliance headquarters in Brussels on Monday. Canada and Denmark sided with the Ukraine government as Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland asked Russia to release the captured vessels. Meanwhile, the FSB has said Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukraine for ships illegal entry into Russia's territorial waters. A bilateral treaty gives both Russia and Ukraine the right to use the Sea of Azov. Russia had built road bridge linking southern Russia where the Kerch Strait is located after annexing Crimea. Ukraine has key ports in the Sea of Azov which has become the latest tug of war between the two countries.

NATO calls emergency meeting over Russia-Ukraine standoff at Sea of Azov

Ukraine is still suffering from the trauma of the world&#39;s worst civil nuclear accident at Chernobyl but has nonetheless turned the hazardous fuel into the backbone of its energy portfolio.

The crisis-torn country now uses atomic power for more than half of its electricity needs as it struggles through a coal shortage sparked by a three-year war against Russian- backed insurgents in the separatist east.

And that figure shot up to nearly three-quarters of all power consumed during natural gas price disputes with its eastern arch foe and energy superpower Russia from 2014 to 2016.

Ukraine Wednesday marked 31 years since the disaster in which thousands died with the country extending the lifespan of its communist-era nuclear reactors and turning atomic power into a workhorse that will be around for generations to come.

The Chernobyl plant&#39;s fourth reactor in the north of former Soviet Ukraine exploded in 1986 after a safety test went horribly wrong at 1.23 am on April 26.

Some Ukrainians remain worried that a similar catastrophe could hit their country again.

&quot;The main risk in using nuclear energy in Ukraine is associated with reactors that have exhausted their lifespans,&quot; says Iryna Golovko of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine&#39;s energy projects department.

&quot;Today six of Ukraine&#39;s 15 operating reactors have surpassed their designed service lives,&quot; she told AFP. &quot;And by 2020, there will be 12 of them.&quot;

Ukraine enjoys abundant coal reserves that happen to lie mostly in regions controlled by Russian insurgents.

Kiev spent nearly three years in the uncomfortable position of fighting the rebels while enriching them by buying their anthracite coal to keep its thermal power plants pumping.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko bowed to public pressure and banned all trade with the separatist east on March 15.

Energy Minister Igor Nasalyk said shortly after Poroshenko&#39;s decision that nuclear power&#39;s share of total electricity production had jumped to 62 from around 55 percent.

It had stood at 46 percent before Ukraine was riven by war and economic crises in 2013.

The government has since allowed regional power companies to impose blackouts in case of weather-related surges in demand.

Ukraine is also negotiating a coal purchase agreement with the United States that Kiev hopes could fulfil two-thirds of its annual needs.

But energy analyst Viktor Logatskiy of the Razumkov Centre research institute still thinks that the service lives of all 15 of Ukraine&#39;s existing reactors will be extended by 2030 as a long-term power source backup.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The crisis-torn country now uses atomic power for more than half of its electricity needs as it struggles through a coal shortage

Ukraine is still suffering from the trauma of the world's worst civil nuclear accident at Chernobyl but has nonetheless turned the hazardous fuel into the backbone of its energy portfolio. The crisis-torn country now uses atomic power for more than half of its electricity needs as it struggles through a coal shortage sparked by a three-year war against Russian- backed insurgents in the separatist east. And that figure shot up to nearly three-quarters of all power consumed during natural gas price disputes with its eastern arch foe and energy superpower Russia from 2014 to 2016. Ukraine Wednesday marked 31 years since the disaster in which thousands died with the country extending the lifespan of its communist-era nuclear reactors and turning atomic power into a workhorse that will be around for generations to come. The Chernobyl plant's fourth reactor in the north of former Soviet Ukraine exploded in 1986 after a safety test went horribly wrong at 1.23 am on April 26. Some Ukrainians remain worried that a similar catastrophe could hit their country again. "The main risk in using nuclear energy in Ukraine is associated with reactors that have exhausted their lifespans," says Iryna Golovko of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine's energy projects department. "Today six of Ukraine's 15 operating reactors have surpassed their designed service lives," she told AFP. "And by 2020, there will be 12 of them." Ukraine enjoys abundant coal reserves that happen to lie mostly in regions controlled by Russian insurgents. Kiev spent nearly three years in the uncomfortable position of fighting the rebels while enriching them by buying their anthracite coal to keep its thermal power plants pumping. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko bowed to public pressure and banned all trade with the separatist east on March 15. Energy Minister Igor Nasalyk said shortly after Poroshenko's decision that nuclear power's share of total electricity production had jumped to 62 from around 55 percent. It had stood at 46 percent before Ukraine was riven by war and economic crises in 2013. The government has since allowed regional power companies to impose blackouts in case of weather-related surges in demand. Ukraine is also negotiating a coal purchase agreement with the United States that Kiev hopes could fulfil two-thirds of its annual needs. But energy analyst Viktor Logatskiy of the Razumkov Centre research institute still thinks that the service lives of all 15 of Ukraine's existing reactors will be extended by 2030 as a long-term power source backup. (AFP)

Coal shortage forces Ukraine to turn to nuclear power despite Chernobyl trauma

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday he could not rule out a full-scale Russian invasion after the military reported the worst violence in the pro-Moscow separatist east for a year. 
 
Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said insurgent attacks had doubled from the previous day as tensions between Kiev and Moscow soared over Kremlin charges last week that Ukraine plotted to stage armed incursions into Russian-annexed Crimea. 
 
&quot;The last time we witnessed a similar intensity of fire using heavy armaments was a year ago,&quot; he told reporters in Kiev. 
 
Poroshenko responded to the violence by sending his top army commander into the conflict zone, and warned that he could &quot;not exclude a full-scale Russian invasion (of Ukraine) along all fronts&quot;. 
 
&quot;The likelihood of the conflict&#39;s escalation remains very high,&quot; the Ukrainian leader said in televised remarks from the western city of Lviv. 
 
Poroshenko added that a further escalation may force him to introduce &quot;martial law and a mobilisation&quot; of reserve forces. 
 
Moscow did not immediately respond to Poroshenko&#39;s comments. 
 
Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of trying to escalate a 28-month conflict in the country&#39;s rust belt that has claimed more than 9,500 lives and began just weeks after Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula in March 2014. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

'The likelihood of the conflict's escalation remains very high,' he said in televised remarks

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday he could not rule out a full-scale Russian invasion after the military reported the worst violence in the pro-Moscow separatist east for a year. Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said insurgent attacks had doubled from the previous day as tensions between Kiev and Moscow soared over Kremlin charges last week that Ukraine plotted to stage armed incursions into Russian-annexed Crimea. "The last time we witnessed a similar intensity of fire using heavy armaments was a year ago," he told reporters in Kiev. Poroshenko responded to the violence by sending his top army commander into the conflict zone, and warned that he could "not exclude a full-scale Russian invasion (of Ukraine) along all fronts". "The likelihood of the conflict's escalation remains very high," the Ukrainian leader said in televised remarks from the western city of Lviv. Poroshenko added that a further escalation may force him to introduce "martial law and a mobilisation" of reserve forces. Moscow did not immediately respond to Poroshenko's comments. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of trying to escalate a 28-month conflict in the country's rust belt that has claimed more than 9,500 lives and began just weeks after Russia annexed the Black Sea peninsula in March 2014. (AFP)

Ukraine President Poroshenko warns of 'full-scale Russian invasion'

Russia should allow observers, including Western journalists, to attend upcoming military drills that could again put Ukraine on edge just as Russian President Vlamidir Putin has sharpened his rhetoric, the commander of the US&nbsp;Army in Europe told Reuters.

The comments by lieutenant general Ben Hodges came as Ukraine accuses Russia of amassing more than 40,000 troops in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014, and on the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine&#39;s UN&nbsp;ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned this week the Russian forces could reflect &quot;some very bad intentions&quot;.

Hodges declined to offer estimates of Russian forces or speculate about Putin&#39;s intentions ahead of pre-announced, large-scale exercises in Russia&#39;s south that are expected to include Crimea.

But he said Russia could help address concerns by following the example of military drills led by the United States and its allies in Europe, to which Russia was allowed to send observers.

&quot;The Russians could really help alleviate and provide some stability if they had invited observers,&quot; Hodges said. &quot;That would do a lot, frankly, to lower anxiety.&quot;

A US&nbsp;intelligence official called the absence of observers at the Russian exercises &quot;a worrisome development that we hope is just an oversight.&quot;

A spokeswoman at US&nbsp;Army in Europe said Russia sent observers to the &quot;Anakonda&quot; exercises in Poland in June, which include some 31,000 forces from countries including Poland, the United States and other NATO allies and partners.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in December that its main military exercise for 2016 would test its Southern Military District troops, which now includes Crimea and Russia&#39;s Black Sea Fleet. It said the drills,&nbsp;called Caucasus-2016 would take place in September.

The Russian Army&#39;s Red Star newspaper in January quoted Colonel-General Alexander Galkin as saying the exercise would check combat readiness and test how air, sea and land forces collaborated together. 
 
&quot;There&#39;s nothing wrong with an exercise. It&#39;s ... the lack of transparency,&quot; Hodges said.

The September exercises appear poised to take place at a moment of rising tensions. Putin this week pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine after accusing it of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts.

At the Pentagon, spokesman Gordon Trowbridge dismissed Russian accusations about Ukrainian saboteurs, saying the United States had no information to support them. He added Washington was less concerned about Russian troop movements than about the rhetoric from Moscow.

&quot;We don&rsquo;t necessarily see any evidence of troop movements that are so large that we are concerned about those on their own,&quot; Trowbridge said.

US&nbsp;officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they saw no firm indications of any new Russian military activity pointing to fresh intervention in Ukraine.

One US&nbsp;official noted a recent rotation of several divisions of Russian forces into Crimea to relieve an equal number, which have since departed.

Pro-Russian separatists are fighting the Kiev government&#39;s forces in the eastern Ukraine region despite a fragile ceasefire. Civilian casualties from shelling, mines and booby traps in eastern Ukraine are at their highest in a year, the United Nations&#39; human rights chief has said.

A peace plan for the eastern Donbass region of Ukraine, negotiated in Minsk between Ukraine and Russia by Germany and France some 18-month ago, has stalled for months.

The Pentagon voiced alarm this week about escalating violence, noting attacks by Pro-Russian separatists killed 40 Ukrainians and wounded 170 in July alone.

Hodges cautioned that Moscow had &quot;no incentive&quot; on its own to see things stabilise in Ukraine. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s why ... the OSCE and the rest of the West and the EU and all have got to maintain pressure,&quot; Hodges said, praising commitments by the United States and its allies during the NATO summit in Warsaw last month. 
 
(Reuters)

Ukraine's UN?ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned this week the Russian forces could reflect 'some very bad intentions'

Russia should allow observers, including Western journalists, to attend upcoming military drills that could again put Ukraine on edge just as Russian President Vlamidir Putin has sharpened his rhetoric, the commander of the US Army in Europe told Reuters. The comments by lieutenant general Ben Hodges came as Ukraine accuses Russia of amassing more than 40,000 troops in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014, and on the Ukrainian border. Ukraine's UN ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned this week the Russian forces could reflect "some very bad intentions". Hodges declined to offer estimates of Russian forces or speculate about Putin's intentions ahead of pre-announced, large-scale exercises in Russia's south that are expected to include Crimea. But he said Russia could help address concerns by following the example of military drills led by the United States and its allies in Europe, to which Russia was allowed to send observers. "The Russians could really help alleviate and provide some stability if they had invited observers," Hodges said. "That would do a lot, frankly, to lower anxiety." A US intelligence official called the absence of observers at the Russian exercises "a worrisome development that we hope is just an oversight." A spokeswoman at US Army in Europe said Russia sent observers to the "Anakonda" exercises in Poland in June, which include some 31,000 forces from countries including Poland, the United States and other NATO allies and partners. The Russian Defense Ministry said in December that its main military exercise for 2016 would test its Southern Military District troops, which now includes Crimea and Russia's Black Sea Fleet. It said the drills, called Caucasus-2016 would take place in September. The Russian Army's Red Star newspaper in January quoted Colonel-General Alexander Galkin as saying the exercise would check combat readiness and test how air, sea and land forces collaborated together. "There's nothing wrong with an exercise. It's ... the lack of transparency," Hodges said. The September exercises appear poised to take place at a moment of rising tensions. Putin this week pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine after accusing it of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts. At the Pentagon, spokesman Gordon Trowbridge dismissed Russian accusations about Ukrainian saboteurs, saying the United States had no information to support them. He added Washington was less concerned about Russian troop movements than about the rhetoric from Moscow. "We don’t necessarily see any evidence of troop movements that are so large that we are concerned about those on their own," Trowbridge said. US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they saw no firm indications of any new Russian military activity pointing to fresh intervention in Ukraine. One US official noted a recent rotation of several divisions of Russian forces into Crimea to relieve an equal number, which have since departed. Pro-Russian separatists are fighting the Kiev government's forces in the eastern Ukraine region despite a fragile ceasefire. Civilian casualties from shelling, mines and booby traps in eastern Ukraine are at their highest in a year, the United Nations' human rights chief has said. A peace plan for the eastern Donbass region of Ukraine, negotiated in Minsk between Ukraine and Russia by Germany and France some 18-month ago, has stalled for months. The Pentagon voiced alarm this week about escalating violence, noting attacks by Pro-Russian separatists killed 40 Ukrainians and wounded 170 in July alone. Hodges cautioned that Moscow had "no incentive" on its own to see things stabilise in Ukraine. "That's why ... the OSCE and the rest of the West and the EU and all have got to maintain pressure," Hodges said, praising commitments by the United States and its allies during the NATO summit in Warsaw last month. (Reuters)

US general calls on Russia to allow observers at military drills

Vladimir Putin summoned his security council and the Russian Navy announced war games in the Black Sea a day after the Russian president accused Ukraine of trying to provoke a conflict over Crimea, which Moscow seized and annexed in 2014. 
 
The belligerent posture heightened worries in Ukraine that Russia may plan to ramp up fighting in a war between Kiev and pro-Russian eastern separatists that had been de-escalated by a shaky peace process. 
 
Using some of his most aggressive rhetoric against Kiev since the height of the war two years ago, Putin has pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine, which he accused of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts. 
 
Ukraine has called the accusations false and says they look like a pretext for Russia to escalate hostilities. Such an escalation could be used by Putin to demand better terms in the Ukraine peace process, or to inflame nationalist passions at home ahead of Russian parliamentary elections next month. 
 
The Russian leader met his top military and intelligence service brass on Thursday and reviewed &quot;scenarios for counter-terrorism security measures along the land border, offshore and in Crimean air space&quot;, the Kremlin said. 
 
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he had ordered all Ukrainian units near Crimea and in eastern Ukraine onto the highest state of combat readiness. He was seeking to urgently speak to Putin, the leaders of France and Germany, US Vice President Joe Biden and European Council President Donald Tusk. 
 
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said the United States was extremely concerned and called on both sides to reduce tension and rhetoric. 
 
In New York, the UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting at Ukraine&#39;s request to discuss the growing tensions. 
 
Ukrainian UN Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned that Russia had amassed more than 40,000 troops in the region and said the build-up could reflect &quot;very bad intentions&quot;. 
 
Oleh Slobodyan, a spokesman for the Ukrainian border guards, said he had observed an uptick in Russian military activity in northern Crimea in recent days after heavier fighting in eastern Ukraine. 
 
&quot;These troops are coming with more modern equipment and there are air assault units,&quot; he told a news briefing in Kiev. 
 
The Russian Defence Ministry said its navy, whose Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea would start to hold exercises in the area to practice repelling underwater attacks by saboteurs. 
 
There were reports on Thursday evening that the authorities had cut off Internet access in northern Crimea close to Ukraine. 
 
(Reuters)

Putin has pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine, which he accused of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts

Vladimir Putin summoned his security council and the Russian Navy announced war games in the Black Sea a day after the Russian president accused Ukraine of trying to provoke a conflict over Crimea, which Moscow seized and annexed in 2014. The belligerent posture heightened worries in Ukraine that Russia may plan to ramp up fighting in a war between Kiev and pro-Russian eastern separatists that had been de-escalated by a shaky peace process. Using some of his most aggressive rhetoric against Kiev since the height of the war two years ago, Putin has pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine, which he accused of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts. Ukraine has called the accusations false and says they look like a pretext for Russia to escalate hostilities. Such an escalation could be used by Putin to demand better terms in the Ukraine peace process, or to inflame nationalist passions at home ahead of Russian parliamentary elections next month. The Russian leader met his top military and intelligence service brass on Thursday and reviewed "scenarios for counter-terrorism security measures along the land border, offshore and in Crimean air space", the Kremlin said. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he had ordered all Ukrainian units near Crimea and in eastern Ukraine onto the highest state of combat readiness. He was seeking to urgently speak to Putin, the leaders of France and Germany, US Vice President Joe Biden and European Council President Donald Tusk. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said the United States was extremely concerned and called on both sides to reduce tension and rhetoric. In New York, the UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting at Ukraine's request to discuss the growing tensions. Ukrainian UN Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned that Russia had amassed more than 40,000 troops in the region and said the build-up could reflect "very bad intentions". Oleh Slobodyan, a spokesman for the Ukrainian border guards, said he had observed an uptick in Russian military activity in northern Crimea in recent days after heavier fighting in eastern Ukraine. "These troops are coming with more modern equipment and there are air assault units," he told a news briefing in Kiev. The Russian Defence Ministry said its navy, whose Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea would start to hold exercises in the area to practice repelling underwater attacks by saboteurs. There were reports on Thursday evening that the authorities had cut off Internet access in northern Crimea close to Ukraine. (Reuters)

Russia announces war games after accusing Ukraine of terrorist plot