Joe Biden has ruled out sending American troops into Ukraine. The West is banking on sanctions to deter Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine. Palki Sharma tells you why sanctions have historically failed to achieve their objectives.

Gravitas: Biden rules out sending US troops to Ukraine

A squad of roughly 30 elite British troops has arrived in Ukraine to assist in the training of the Ukrainian armed forces on new anti-tank weapons supplied by the UK amid worries of a new Russian invasion.

Members of the Ranger Regiment, which is part of the army's newly formed Special Operations Brigade, were flown out aboard military jets that also delivered 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers to the country this week, Sky News reported.

British surveillance aircraft have also been sighted as part of the UK's subtle but noticeable build-up of military support for Ukraine.

The Royal Air Force C-17 transport planes travelling back and forth between the UK and Ukraine have been plotted using open source flight-tracking software.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-block-us-bid-to-impose-un-sanctions-on-north-koreans-446312">Russia, China block US bid to impose UN sanctions on North Koreans</a>

According to Sky News, "many" flights have taken place since Monday.

The UK has delivered 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers in the airlift, according to the Daily Mail.

This statistic is believed to be correct.

On Monday, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament that the UK had decided to supply Ukraine with a batch of light-armour defensive weapons systems, and that a "small number" of UK staff will travel to the country to provide initial training. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine on target of Russian Nukes?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-on-target-of-russian-nukes-446038/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The next day, the UK minister for armed forces, James Heappey, said that "thousands" of such weapons had been airlifted to Ukraine.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the transfer of weapons and instructors to Ukraine by the UK and Canada confirms Russia's suspicions that the West has been preparing a provocation on the Ukrainian territory. 
 
IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/arrow-3-iron-dome-whats-next-in-israels-missile-interception-strategy-446193">Arrow 3, Iron Dome: What's next in Israel's missile interception strategy?</a>

Western countries have recently accused Russia of preparing for invasion by building up its troops along its border with Ukraine.

Moscow, on the other hand, has rejected the charges and stated that it has no plans to undertake a military action against any country.

The claims are also seen by Russia as a justification for NATO military assets to be stationed near its borders.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A squad of roughly 30 elite British troops has arrived in Ukraine to assist in the training of the Ukrainian armed forces on new anti-tank weapons supplied by the UK amid worries of a new Russian invasion.

A squad of roughly 30 elite British troops has arrived in Ukraine to assist in the training of the Ukrainian armed forces on new anti-tank weapons supplied by the UK amid worries of a new Russian invasion. Members of the Ranger Regiment, which is part of the army's newly formed Special Operations Brigade, were flown out aboard military jets that also delivered 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers to the country this week, Sky News reported. British surveillance aircraft have also been sighted as part of the UK's subtle but noticeable build-up of military support for Ukraine. The Royal Air Force C-17 transport planes travelling back and forth between the UK and Ukraine have been plotted using open source flight-tracking software. ALSO READ | Russia, China block US bid to impose UN sanctions on North Koreans According to Sky News, "many" flights have taken place since Monday. The UK has delivered 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers in the airlift, according to the Daily Mail. This statistic is believed to be correct. On Monday, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament that the UK had decided to supply Ukraine with a batch of light-armour defensive weapons systems, and that a "small number" of UK staff will travel to the country to provide initial training. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine on target of Russian Nukes? The next day, the UK minister for armed forces, James Heappey, said that "thousands" of such weapons had been airlifted to Ukraine. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the transfer of weapons and instructors to Ukraine by the UK and Canada confirms Russia's suspicions that the West has been preparing a provocation on the Ukrainian territory. IN PICS | Arrow 3, Iron Dome: What's next in Israel's missile interception strategy? Western countries have recently accused Russia of preparing for invasion by building up its troops along its border with Ukraine. Moscow, on the other hand, has rejected the charges and stated that it has no plans to undertake a military action against any country. The claims are also seen by Russia as a justification for NATO military assets to be stationed near its borders. (With inputs from agencies)

UK sends 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine amid fears of Russian invasion

As Western countries fear Russian incursion in Ukraine, the United States President Joe Biden has clarified his comments that he delivered in this context as he suggested that the allies were split over how to react to any potential "minor incursion" from Russia.&nbsp;

During a news conference on Wednesday, it looked like Biden is suggesting that the US and other allies might disagree over the response if Moscow stopped short of a major invasion and he also said he expected Putin to launch some kind of action.&nbsp;

The presser was meant to mark Biden's administration one year in office, when he said, "It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and what to not do, et cetera." Biden also added that an invasion would be a "disaster" for Russia.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-block-us-bid-to-impose-un-sanctions-on-north-koreans-446312">Russia, China block US bid to impose UN sanctions on North Koreans</a>

The comments invited backlash by allies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded sharply to that on Thursday, tweeting in English and Ukrainian: "We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations. Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones."&nbsp;

Also,&nbsp;NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg weighed in on the situation, especially on Biden's comment as he said that the "minor incursion" comment was not a green light to a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Be in no doubt that if Russia were to make any kind of incursion into Ukraine, or on any scale, whatever, I think that that would be a disaster, not just for Ukraine, but for Russia."

Biden clarification&nbsp;and damage control

Biden's comments appeared to some as giving Russia the green light to attack - a remark that could escalate the already heightened border issues between Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;

Biden sought to clarify his comments as on Thursday (January 20), he said that "I have been absolutely clear with President (Vladimir) Putin, he has no misunderstanding. If any, any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border that is an invasion".

Biden further added that such an invasion would be met by a "severe and coordinated response, economic response as discussed in details with our allies, as laid out very clearly with President Putin."&nbsp;

A Western security source said as quoted by Reuters that "it was not helpful, in fact it was a gift to Putin, but we should not read too much into it.&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;has not given Moscow the green light for an attack on Ukraine. It was a slip of his tongue, and the official Western position will prevail."

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/arrow-3-iron-dome-whats-next-in-israels-missile-interception-strategy-446193">Arrow 3, Iron Dome: What's next in Israel's missile interception strategy?</a>

Meanwhile, the US tried to control the damage as&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken also commented during his address at a press conference&nbsp;during a visit to Berlin to meet ministers from Britain, France and Germany.&nbsp;

He said, "No matter which path Russia chooses, it will find the United States, Germany, and our allies, united."&nbsp;

Ukraine-Russia border tensions

Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops on its borders with Ukraine, and Western states fear Moscow is planning a new assault on a country it invaded in 2014.

Russia denies it is planning an attack but says it could take unspecified military action if a list of demands is not met, including a promise from NATO never to admit Ukraine as a member.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-one-year-of-biden-no-better-than-trump-446303/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

As Western countries fear Russian incursion in Ukraine, the United States President Joe Biden has clarified his comments that he delivered in this context as he suggested that the allies were split over how to react to any potential "minor incursion" from Russia.

As Western countries fear Russian incursion in Ukraine, the United States President Joe Biden has clarified his comments that he delivered in this context as he suggested that the allies were split over how to react to any potential "minor incursion" from Russia. During a news conference on Wednesday, it looked like Biden is suggesting that the US and other allies might disagree over the response if Moscow stopped short of a major invasion and he also said he expected Putin to launch some kind of action. The presser was meant to mark Biden's administration one year in office, when he said, "It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and what to not do, et cetera." Biden also added that an invasion would be a "disaster" for Russia. ALSO READ | Russia, China block US bid to impose UN sanctions on North Koreans The comments invited backlash by allies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded sharply to that on Thursday, tweeting in English and Ukrainian: "We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations. Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones." Also, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg weighed in on the situation, especially on Biden's comment as he said that the "minor incursion" comment was not a green light to a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Be in no doubt that if Russia were to make any kind of incursion into Ukraine, or on any scale, whatever, I think that that would be a disaster, not just for Ukraine, but for Russia." Biden clarification and damage control Biden's comments appeared to some as giving Russia the green light to attack - a remark that could escalate the already heightened border issues between Russia and Ukraine. Biden sought to clarify his comments as on Thursday (January 20), he said that "I have been absolutely clear with President (Vladimir) Putin, he has no misunderstanding. If any, any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border that is an invasion". Biden further added that such an invasion would be met by a "severe and coordinated response, economic response as discussed in details with our allies, as laid out very clearly with President Putin." A Western security source said as quoted by Reuters that "it was not helpful, in fact it was a gift to Putin, but we should not read too much into it. Biden has not given Moscow the green light for an attack on Ukraine. It was a slip of his tongue, and the official Western position will prevail." IN PICS | Arrow 3, Iron Dome: What's next in Israel's missile interception strategy? Meanwhile, the US tried to control the damage as Secretary of State Antony Blinken also commented during his address at a press conference during a visit to Berlin to meet ministers from Britain, France and Germany. He said, "No matter which path Russia chooses, it will find the United States, Germany, and our allies, united." Ukraine-Russia border tensions Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops on its borders with Ukraine, and Western states fear Moscow is planning a new assault on a country it invaded in 2014. Russia denies it is planning an attack but says it could take unspecified military action if a list of demands is not met, including a promise from NATO never to admit Ukraine as a member. × (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden clarifies over Russia remark; Ukraine says there are no 'minor incursions' and small nations

In the early years of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader, the country’s military was a hollowed-out but nuclear-armed shell.

It struggled to keep submarines afloat in the Arctic and an outgunned insurgency at bay in Chechnya. Senior officers sometimes lived in moldy, rat-infested tenements. And instead of socks, poorly trained soldiers often wrapped their feet in swaths of cloth, the way their Soviet and Tsarist predecessors had.

Two decades later, it is a far different fighting force that has massed near the border with Ukraine. Under Putin’s leadership, it has been overhauled into a modern sophisticated army, able to deploy quickly and with lethal effect in conventional conflicts, military analysts said. It features precision-guided weaponry, a newly streamlined command structure and well-fed and professional soldiers. And they still have the nuclear weapons.

The modernized military has emerged as a key tool of Putin’s foreign policy: capturing Crimea, intervening in Syria, keeping the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and, just this month, propping up a Russia-friendly leader in Kazakhstan. Now it is in the middle of its most ambitious — and most ominous — operation yet: using threats and potentially, many fear, force, to bring Ukraine back into Moscow’s sphere of influence.

“The mobility of the military, its preparedness and its equipment are what allow Russia to pressure Ukraine and to pressure the West,” said Pavel Luzin, a Russian security analyst. “Nuclear weapons are not enough.”

Without firing a shot, Putin has forced the Biden administration to shelve other foreign policy priorities and contend with Kremlin grievances the White House has long dismissed — in particular reversing Ukraine’s Westward lean in the post-Soviet period.

It is Putin’s highest-stakes use of the military to muscle Russia back into the global relevance it lost with the ending of the Cold War. Putin laid out that doctrine in 2018, when he used his annual state-of-the-nation speech to unveil new nuclear weapons that could fly 20 times the speed of sound.

“No one listened to us,” Putin said in his address, which included a video simulation showing a Russian missile heading toward the United States. “Listen to us now.”

Today, it is the overhaul of the conventional forces that has provided leverage in the Ukraine crisis.

The T-72B3 tanks amassed on Ukraine’s border have a new thermal optics system for nighttime fighting as well as guided missiles with twice the range of other tanks, according to Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Ph.D. candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert. Kalibr cruise missiles deployed on ships and submarines in the Black Sea and Iskander-M rockets arrayed along the border can hit targets just about anywhere inside Ukraine, Lee said.

In the past decade, the Russian air force has acquired more than 1,000 new aircraft, according to a 2020 article by Alexei Krivoruchko, a deputy defense minister. This includes the country’s most advanced fighters, the SU-35S; a squadron of these has been deployed to Belarus before joint military exercises next month.

The new capabilities were evident in Russia’s intervention in Syria in 2015. They were not only effective, but caught some in the U.S. military off guard.

“I’m embarrassed to admit, I was surprised a few years ago when Kalibr missiles came flying out of the Caspian Sea, hitting targets in Syria,” said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe. “That was a surprise to me, not only the capability, but I didn’t even know they were there.”

Kremlin thinking has also evolved over the size of the armed forces. The military relies less on a dwindling number of conscripts and more on a slimmed-down, well-trained core of roughly 400,000 contract soldiers.

These soldiers receive better treatment. Visiting the Defense Ministry in December, Putin boasted that the average lieutenant now made just over the equivalent of $1,000 per month, better than the average salary in other sectors. The federal government, he added, was spending about $1.5 billion on subsidizing private housing for service members.

And all Russian soldiers are now required to be deployed with thick, military issued socks.

What is new is not just Russia’s upgraded equipment, but the evolving theory of how the Kremlin uses it. The military has honed an approach that Dmitry Adamsky, a scholar of international security at Reichman University in Israel, calls “cross-domain coercion” — blending the real or threatened use of force with diplomacy, cyberattacks and propaganda to achieve political aims.

That blended strategy is playing out in the current crisis around Ukraine. Russia is pushing for immediate wide-ranging concessions from the West. Russian troop movements into allied Belarus put a potential invasion force within 100 miles of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Russian state media is warning that Ukrainian forces are the ones preparing acts of aggression.

And on Jan. 14, hackers brought down dozens of Ukrainian government websites and posted a message on one stating, “Be afraid and expect the worst.”

“You see some cyber, you see diplomacy, you see military exercises,” Adamsky said. “They are all related by design.”

Not all the forces arrayed along the Ukrainian border are Russia’s most advanced. The ones amassed in the north have older weaponry and are mostly there to intimidate and stretch Ukrainian resources, said Oleksiy Arestovych, a former Ukrainian military intelligence officer who is now a political and military analyst.

The more well-equipped and modernized units, he said, have moved into the area close to two breakaway provinces in Ukraine’s east, where Russia instigated a separatist war in 2014 that continues today.

Russia’s military modernization is also, increasingly, meant to send a message to the United States, projecting power beyond Eastern Europe, frustrating and sometimes surprising U.S. officials.

It took Russia’s military transport planes only hours, for instance, to start ferrying about 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops, along with heavy armor, to the Southern Caucasus after Putin brokered an end to the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In Syria, where Russia intervened in 2015 using devastating airstrikes and limited ground troops to protect President Bashar Assad, Russia’s advancements showed it could effectively deploy precision-guided weaponry, long an edge that Western armed forces had held over Russia.

Russia used the war in Syria, experts say, as a laboratory to refine tactics and weaponry, and to gain combat experience for much of its force. More responsibility was delegated to lower-level officers, a degree of autonomy that contrasts with the civilian government structure in the Putin era. Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu said last month that all ground troop commanders, 92% of air force pilots and 62% of the navy had combat experience.

“They showed to themselves and the whole world they are able to wage large-scale operations with precision weapons, and long-range weapons, and intelligence capability to support it,” Adamsky, the expert based in Israel, said.

For all its strides in recent years, Russia’s military retains a critical weakness of its Soviet predecessor: the civilian side of the country’s economy, nearly devoid of high-tech manufacturing and corporate investment in research and development. Army expenditures amount to a far higher percentage of the gross domestic product than in most European countries, starving other sectors.

When Ukraine’s military shot down Russian reconnaissance drones, for example, they discovered electronics and motors bought from hobby drone companies in Western Europe, according to a report published in November by Conflict Armament Research, a company based in Britain that specializes in tracing weaponry.

Russia possesses few new weapons systems fully created from the ground up, analysts say. Much of its modernization consists of refurbishments of older equipment.

But individual weapons systems are less important than the military’s innovative use of knowledge gained in each of the engagements of Putin’s tenure, said Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who was NATO commander when war broke out in Ukraine in 2014.

“The compliment that we have to pay to Russia is that they are a learning and adaptive force,” Breedlove said. “Every time we see them in conflict, they get a little better and a little better.”

Putin was only a few months into his first presidential term when he faced a military catastrophe. On Aug. 12, 2000, a torpedo exploded inside the nuclear submarine Kursk, sending it to the Barents Sea floor with 118 sailors. The Russian navy’s failed rescue mission, leading to the deaths of all aboard and an uncharacteristic mea culpa from Putin, underscored the military’s ineptitude.

The sinking came to define Putin’s first term, along with a vicious and bloody war in Chechnya where the Russian military struggled for years to quash an Islamic insurgency.

A major turning point came in 2008 when a long-simmering conflict over disputed territories in the Republic of Georgia exploded into war.

Russian forces quickly overwhelmed their much smaller Georgian neighbors, but the war uncovered deep deficiencies in the Russian military. Ground troops were not in radio contact with the air force, leading to several serious friendly fire attacks. Communications were so bad that some officers had to use their personal cellphones. Tanks and armored personnel carriers broke down frequently.

The failures prompted a massive shake-up of the Russian armed forces. The Soviet military’s prowess at land warfare was revived, with improvements such as revamped artillery technology, according to Mathieu Boulègue, a research fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House in London.

Just over a decade later, Russia’s tools of electronic warfare, which can be used to intercept or jam enemy communications and knock drones off course and out of the sky, are believed far superior to the U.S. military’s, analysts said.

“We’re playing catch-up now,” Hodges said. “For the last 20 years, we were focused on iPhones or cellphones and terrorist networks, while they continued to develop substantial, powerful jamming and intercept capabilities.”

There have been some setbacks for Moscow, including unsettling weapons failures. In 2019, a prototype of a nuclear-propelled cruise missile — hailed by Putin as the centerpiece of a new arms race with the United States — blew up during a test, killing at least seven people and spewing radiation for miles.

But as the Kremlin’s rhetoric increasingly cast Russia as locked in an existential conflict with the West, little expense was spared. The investment in the military was accompanied by a militarization of Russian society under Putin, entrenching the concept of a motherland surrounded by enemies and the possibility of a coming war.

All those developments, analysts say, make it hard for the West to stop Putin from attacking Ukraine, if he is determined.

“There’s very little we can do to deny Russia’s ability to wage further warfare against Ukraine,” Boulègue said. “We can’t deter a worldview.”

In the early years of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader, the country’s military was a hollowed-out but nuclear-armed shell. It struggled to keep submarines afloat in the Arctic and an outgunned insurgency at bay in Chechnya.

In the early years of Vladimir Putin’s tenure as Russia’s leader, the country’s military was a hollowed-out but nuclear-armed shell. It struggled to keep submarines afloat in the Arctic and an outgunned insurgency at bay in Chechnya. Senior officers sometimes lived in moldy, rat-infested tenements. And instead of socks, poorly trained soldiers often wrapped their feet in swaths of cloth, the way their Soviet and Tsarist predecessors had. Two decades later, it is a far different fighting force that has massed near the border with Ukraine. Under Putin’s leadership, it has been overhauled into a modern sophisticated army, able to deploy quickly and with lethal effect in conventional conflicts, military analysts said. It features precision-guided weaponry, a newly streamlined command structure and well-fed and professional soldiers. And they still have the nuclear weapons. The modernized military has emerged as a key tool of Putin’s foreign policy: capturing Crimea, intervening in Syria, keeping the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and, just this month, propping up a Russia-friendly leader in Kazakhstan. Now it is in the middle of its most ambitious — and most ominous — operation yet: using threats and potentially, many fear, force, to bring Ukraine back into Moscow’s sphere of influence. “The mobility of the military, its preparedness and its equipment are what allow Russia to pressure Ukraine and to pressure the West,” said Pavel Luzin, a Russian security analyst. “Nuclear weapons are not enough.” Without firing a shot, Putin has forced the Biden administration to shelve other foreign policy priorities and contend with Kremlin grievances the White House has long dismissed — in particular reversing Ukraine’s Westward lean in the post-Soviet period. It is Putin’s highest-stakes use of the military to muscle Russia back into the global relevance it lost with the ending of the Cold War. Putin laid out that doctrine in 2018, when he used his annual state-of-the-nation speech to unveil new nuclear weapons that could fly 20 times the speed of sound. “No one listened to us,” Putin said in his address, which included a video simulation showing a Russian missile heading toward the United States. “Listen to us now.” Today, it is the overhaul of the conventional forces that has provided leverage in the Ukraine crisis. The T-72B3 tanks amassed on Ukraine’s border have a new thermal optics system for nighttime fighting as well as guided missiles with twice the range of other tanks, according to Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Ph.D. candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert. Kalibr cruise missiles deployed on ships and submarines in the Black Sea and Iskander-M rockets arrayed along the border can hit targets just about anywhere inside Ukraine, Lee said. In the past decade, the Russian air force has acquired more than 1,000 new aircraft, according to a 2020 article by Alexei Krivoruchko, a deputy defense minister. This includes the country’s most advanced fighters, the SU-35S; a squadron of these has been deployed to Belarus before joint military exercises next month. The new capabilities were evident in Russia’s intervention in Syria in 2015. They were not only effective, but caught some in the U.S. military off guard. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I was surprised a few years ago when Kalibr missiles came flying out of the Caspian Sea, hitting targets in Syria,” said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe. “That was a surprise to me, not only the capability, but I didn’t even know they were there.” Kremlin thinking has also evolved over the size of the armed forces. The military relies less on a dwindling number of conscripts and more on a slimmed-down, well-trained core of roughly 400,000 contract soldiers. These soldiers receive better treatment. Visiting the Defense Ministry in December, Putin boasted that the average lieutenant now made just over the equivalent of $1,000 per month, better than the average salary in other sectors. The federal government, he added, was spending about $1.5 billion on subsidizing private housing for service members. And all Russian soldiers are now required to be deployed with thick, military issued socks. What is new is not just Russia’s upgraded equipment, but the evolving theory of how the Kremlin uses it. The military has honed an approach that Dmitry Adamsky, a scholar of international security at Reichman University in Israel, calls “cross-domain coercion” — blending the real or threatened use of force with diplomacy, cyberattacks and propaganda to achieve political aims. That blended strategy is playing out in the current crisis around Ukraine. Russia is pushing for immediate wide-ranging concessions from the West. Russian troop movements into allied Belarus put a potential invasion force within 100 miles of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Russian state media is warning that Ukrainian forces are the ones preparing acts of aggression. And on Jan. 14, hackers brought down dozens of Ukrainian government websites and posted a message on one stating, “Be afraid and expect the worst.” “You see some cyber, you see diplomacy, you see military exercises,” Adamsky said. “They are all related by design.” Not all the forces arrayed along the Ukrainian border are Russia’s most advanced. The ones amassed in the north have older weaponry and are mostly there to intimidate and stretch Ukrainian resources, said Oleksiy Arestovych, a former Ukrainian military intelligence officer who is now a political and military analyst. The more well-equipped and modernized units, he said, have moved into the area close to two breakaway provinces in Ukraine’s east, where Russia instigated a separatist war in 2014 that continues today. Russia’s military modernization is also, increasingly, meant to send a message to the United States, projecting power beyond Eastern Europe, frustrating and sometimes surprising U.S. officials. It took Russia’s military transport planes only hours, for instance, to start ferrying about 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops, along with heavy armor, to the Southern Caucasus after Putin brokered an end to the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In Syria, where Russia intervened in 2015 using devastating airstrikes and limited ground troops to protect President Bashar Assad, Russia’s advancements showed it could effectively deploy precision-guided weaponry, long an edge that Western armed forces had held over Russia. Russia used the war in Syria, experts say, as a laboratory to refine tactics and weaponry, and to gain combat experience for much of its force. More responsibility was delegated to lower-level officers, a degree of autonomy that contrasts with the civilian government structure in the Putin era. Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu said last month that all ground troop commanders, 92% of air force pilots and 62% of the navy had combat experience. “They showed to themselves and the whole world they are able to wage large-scale operations with precision weapons, and long-range weapons, and intelligence capability to support it,” Adamsky, the expert based in Israel, said. For all its strides in recent years, Russia’s military retains a critical weakness of its Soviet predecessor: the civilian side of the country’s economy, nearly devoid of high-tech manufacturing and corporate investment in research and development. Army expenditures amount to a far higher percentage of the gross domestic product than in most European countries, starving other sectors. When Ukraine’s military shot down Russian reconnaissance drones, for example, they discovered electronics and motors bought from hobby drone companies in Western Europe, according to a report published in November by Conflict Armament Research, a company based in Britain that specializes in tracing weaponry. Russia possesses few new weapons systems fully created from the ground up, analysts say. Much of its modernization consists of refurbishments of older equipment. But individual weapons systems are less important than the military’s innovative use of knowledge gained in each of the engagements of Putin’s tenure, said Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who was NATO commander when war broke out in Ukraine in 2014. “The compliment that we have to pay to Russia is that they are a learning and adaptive force,” Breedlove said. “Every time we see them in conflict, they get a little better and a little better.” Putin was only a few months into his first presidential term when he faced a military catastrophe. On Aug. 12, 2000, a torpedo exploded inside the nuclear submarine Kursk, sending it to the Barents Sea floor with 118 sailors. The Russian navy’s failed rescue mission, leading to the deaths of all aboard and an uncharacteristic mea culpa from Putin, underscored the military’s ineptitude. The sinking came to define Putin’s first term, along with a vicious and bloody war in Chechnya where the Russian military struggled for years to quash an Islamic insurgency. A major turning point came in 2008 when a long-simmering conflict over disputed territories in the Republic of Georgia exploded into war. Russian forces quickly overwhelmed their much smaller Georgian neighbors, but the war uncovered deep deficiencies in the Russian military. Ground troops were not in radio contact with the air force, leading to several serious friendly fire attacks. Communications were so bad that some officers had to use their personal cellphones. Tanks and armored personnel carriers broke down frequently. The failures prompted a massive shake-up of the Russian armed forces. The Soviet military’s prowess at land warfare was revived, with improvements such as revamped artillery technology, according to Mathieu Boulègue, a research fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House in London. Just over a decade later, Russia’s tools of electronic warfare, which can be used to intercept or jam enemy communications and knock drones off course and out of the sky, are believed far superior to the U.S. military’s, analysts said. “We’re playing catch-up now,” Hodges said. “For the last 20 years, we were focused on iPhones or cellphones and terrorist networks, while they continued to develop substantial, powerful jamming and intercept capabilities.” There have been some setbacks for Moscow, including unsettling weapons failures. In 2019, a prototype of a nuclear-propelled cruise missile — hailed by Putin as the centerpiece of a new arms race with the United States — blew up during a test, killing at least seven people and spewing radiation for miles. But as the Kremlin’s rhetoric increasingly cast Russia as locked in an existential conflict with the West, little expense was spared. The investment in the military was accompanied by a militarization of Russian society under Putin, entrenching the concept of a motherland surrounded by enemies and the possibility of a coming war. All those developments, analysts say, make it hard for the West to stop Putin from attacking Ukraine, if he is determined. “There’s very little we can do to deny Russia’s ability to wage further warfare against Ukraine,” Boulègue said. “We can’t deter a worldview.”

Putin overhauled Russia's hollowed-out forces, modernizing the military

As authorities continue their crackdown on the opposition, Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to its list of "terrorists and extremists".&nbsp;

Navalny and several of his allies, like his key aide Lyubov Sobol, have been listed in a database of banned individuals compiled by the Federal Monitoring Service for Financial Institutions (Rosfinmonitoring).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-dont-regret-russia-return-says-navalny-a-year-after-his-arrest-445445">I don't regret Russia return, says Navalny a year after his arrest</a>

This decision places them on the same footing as right-wing nationalist groups and foreign "terrorist" groups, including the Taliban and the Islamic State extremist group.

Putin's top critic Navalny was jailed and his political organisation was outlawed last January, in what has been a brutal crackdown on dissent in Russia during the past year.

Sobol and the majority of Navalny's allies have since fled the country.

A dozen Navalny allies were added to the list on Tuesday, according to Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, which was shut down last year after being declared extremist.

Lawyer Vyacheslav Gimadi, anti-corruption investigator Georgy Alburov, and several former regional office coordinators, who were also labelled extremists last year, are among those

They include Georgy Alburov, Vyacheslav Gimadi and several former coordinators of Navalny's regional offices that were also branded extremist last year.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-daughter-urges-eu-to-confront-putin-as-she-collects-2021-sakharov-prize-on-fathers-behalf-437461">Alexei Navalny's daughter urges EU to confront Putin as she collects 2021 Sakharov Prize on father's behalf</a>

A lawyer for Navalny's anti-corruption Foundation and producer of the opposition politician's YouTube channel, Sobol, 34, has been wanted by Russian police since October.

"Participated in elections and was fighting corruption? Extremist," Sobol tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Меня, Навального и коллег включили в государственный список террористов и экстремистов. Участвовала в выборах и боролась с коррупцией? Экстремист. 
 
Возможно, я первый выпускник МГУ с красным дипломом юрфака в этом списке.
— Соболь Любовь (@SobolLubov) <a href="https://twitter.com/SobolLubov/status/1485910867279597570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

'Super team of terrorists'&nbsp;

Navalny's key aides Ivan Zhdanov and Leonid Volkov were added to the list earlier this month.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, they mocked the "terrorist" label.

Previously in charge of Navalny's regional offices, Volkov tweeted that he was "proud to work in our team of 'extremists and terrorists'".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Горжусь работать в нашей прекрасной команде "экстремистов и террористов". 
Девальвируя значение слов или выворачивая значение слов на изнанку, Кремль роет все глубже яму себе: делает все для того, чтобы те, кто еще верит Путину, переставали ему верить.
— Leonid Volkov (@leonidvolkov) <a href="https://twitter.com/leonidvolkov/status/1485910983470194689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"It's great that our super team of 'terrorists' is being joined by such great people," Zhdanov, who headed the now-disbanded Anti-Corruption Foundation, said on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Ну собственно как и говорил. Мы всего лишь были первыми публичными. Потом будет массово. 
Классно, что наша суперкоманда «террористов» пополняется такими крутыми людьми.
— Ivan Zhdanov (@ioannZH) <a href="https://twitter.com/ioannZH/status/1485902304217899008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

United States and European Union both condemned the move, which came amid high tensions over fears of Russia invading Ukraine.

"This latest designation represents a new low in Russia's continuing crackdown on independent civil society," US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington.

"We urge Russia to cease the abuse of 'extremism' designations to target nonviolent organizations, to end its repression of Mr. Navalny and his supporters, and to honour its international obligations to respect and ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms," Price said.

Watch | Gravitas: The story of Alexei Navalny

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-story-of-alexei-navalny-361674/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Moreover, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on Navalny's opposition, prison officials have asked a Moscow court to convert Navalny's brother Oleg's suspended sentence into a real jail time one.&nbsp;

This request was registered with Moscow's Lyublinsky district court on Monday.

Oleg Navalny received a one-year suspension of his sentence last year for violating anti-coronavirus restrictions during protests demanding his brother's release.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As authorities continue their crackdown on the opposition, Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to its list of "terrorists and extremists".

As authorities continue their crackdown on the opposition, Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to its list of "terrorists and extremists". Navalny and several of his allies, like his key aide Lyubov Sobol, have been listed in a database of banned individuals compiled by the Federal Monitoring Service for Financial Institutions (Rosfinmonitoring). Also read | I don't regret Russia return, says Navalny a year after his arrest This decision places them on the same footing as right-wing nationalist groups and foreign "terrorist" groups, including the Taliban and the Islamic State extremist group. Putin's top critic Navalny was jailed and his political organisation was outlawed last January, in what has been a brutal crackdown on dissent in Russia during the past year. Sobol and the majority of Navalny's allies have since fled the country. A dozen Navalny allies were added to the list on Tuesday, according to Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, which was shut down last year after being declared extremist. Lawyer Vyacheslav Gimadi, anti-corruption investigator Georgy Alburov, and several former regional office coordinators, who were also labelled extremists last year, are among those They include Georgy Alburov, Vyacheslav Gimadi and several former coordinators of Navalny's regional offices that were also branded extremist last year. Also read | Alexei Navalny's daughter urges EU to confront Putin as she collects 2021 Sakharov Prize on father's behalf A lawyer for Navalny's anti-corruption Foundation and producer of the opposition politician's YouTube channel, Sobol, 34, has been wanted by Russian police since October. "Participated in elections and was fighting corruption? Extremist," Sobol tweeted. Меня, Навального и коллег включили в государственный список террористов и экстремистов. Участвовала в выборах и боролась с коррупцией? Экстремист. Возможно, я первый выпускник МГУ с красным дипломом юрфака в этом списке. — Соболь Любовь (@SobolLubov) January 25, 2022 × 'Super team of terrorists' Navalny's key aides Ivan Zhdanov and Leonid Volkov were added to the list earlier this month. On Tuesday, they mocked the "terrorist" label. Previously in charge of Navalny's regional offices, Volkov tweeted that he was "proud to work in our team of 'extremists and terrorists'". Горжусь работать в нашей прекрасной команде "экстремистов и террористов". Девальвируя значение слов или выворачивая значение слов на изнанку, Кремль роет все глубже яму себе: делает все для того, чтобы те, кто еще верит Путину, переставали ему верить. — Leonid Volkov (@leonidvolkov) January 25, 2022 × "It's great that our super team of 'terrorists' is being joined by such great people," Zhdanov, who headed the now-disbanded Anti-Corruption Foundation, said on Twitter. Ну собственно как и говорил. Мы всего лишь были первыми публичными. Потом будет массово. Классно, что наша суперкоманда «террористов» пополняется такими крутыми людьми. — Ivan Zhdanov (@ioannZH) January 25, 2022 × United States and European Union both condemned the move, which came amid high tensions over fears of Russia invading Ukraine. "This latest designation represents a new low in Russia's continuing crackdown on independent civil society," US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington. "We urge Russia to cease the abuse of 'extremism' designations to target nonviolent organizations, to end its repression of Mr. Navalny and his supporters, and to honour its international obligations to respect and ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms," Price said. Watch | Gravitas: The story of Alexei Navalny Moreover, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on Navalny's opposition, prison officials have asked a Moscow court to convert Navalny's brother Oleg's suspended sentence into a real jail time one. This request was registered with Moscow's Lyublinsky district court on Monday. Oleg Navalny received a one-year suspension of his sentence last year for violating anti-coronavirus restrictions during protests demanding his brother's release. (With inputs from agencies)

Is Navalny a terrorist? Russia adds Kremlin critic, allies to 'terrorists' list; US, EU condemn the move

No Russian or Soviet leader has ever visited Pakistan. Reports say Vladimir Putin could break this trend later in the year. What explains this new Russia-Pakistan romance? How should India see it? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Will Putin make his maiden trip to Pakistan?

We knew this was coming.

“George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” These were the ominous words of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to President George W. Bush in Bucharest, Romania, at a NATO summit in April 2008.

Mr. Putin was furious: NATO had just announced that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance. This was a compromise formula to allay concerns of our European allies — an explicit promise to join the bloc, but no specific timeline for membership.

At the time, I was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, part of a team briefing Mr. Bush. We warned him that Mr. Putin would view steps to bring Ukraine and Georgia closer to NATO as a provocative move that would likely provoke pre-emptive Russian military action. But ultimately, our warnings weren’t heeded.

Within four months, in August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Ukraine got Russia’s message loud and clear. It backpedaled on NATO membership for the next several years. But in 2014, Ukraine wanted to sign an association agreement with the European Union, thinking this might be a safer route to the West. Moscow struck again, accusing Ukraine of seeking a back door to NATO, annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and starting an ongoing proxy war in Ukraine’s southeastern Donbas region. The West’s muted reactions to both the 2008 and 2014 invasions emboldened Mr. Putin.

This time, Mr. Putin’s aim is bigger than closing NATO’s “open door” to Ukraine and taking more territory — he wants to evict the United States from Europe. As he might put it: “Goodbye America. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

As I have seen over two decades of observing Mr. Putin, and analyzing his moves, his actions are purposeful and his choice of this moment to throw down the gauntlet in Ukraine and Europe is very intentional. He has a personal obsession with history and anniversaries. December 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Russia lost its dominant position in Europe. Mr. Putin wants to give the United States a taste of the same bitter medicine Russia had to swallow in the 1990s. He believes that the United States is currently in the same predicament as Russia was after the Soviet collapse: grievously weakened at home and in retreat abroad. He also thinks NATO is nothing more than an extension of the United States. Russian officials and commentators routinely deny any agency or independent strategic thought to other NATO members. So, when it comes to the alliance, all Moscow’s moves are directed against Washington.

In the 1990s, the United States and NATO forced Russia to withdraw the remnants of the Soviet military from their bases in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Baltic States. Mr. Putin wants the United States to suffer in a similar way. From Russia’s perspective, America’s domestic travails after four years of President Donald Trump’s disastrous presidency, as well as the rifts he created with U.S. allies and then America’s precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, signal weakness. If Russia presses hard enough, Mr. Putin hopes he can strike a new security deal with NATO and Europe to avoid an open-ended conflict, and then it will be America’s turn to leave, taking its troops and missiles with it.

Ukraine is both Russia’s target and a source of leverage against the United States. Over the last several months Mr. Putin has bogged the Biden administration down in endless tactical games that put the United States on the defensive. Russia moves forces to Ukraine’s borders, launches war games and ramps up the visceral commentary. In recent official documents, it demanded ironclad guarantees that Ukraine (and other former republics of the U.S.S.R.) will never become members of NATO, that NATO pull back from positions taken after 1997, and also that America withdraw its own forces and weapons, including its nuclear missiles. Russian representatives assert that Moscow doesn’t “need peace at any cost” in Europe. Some Russian politicians even suggest the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against NATO targets to make sure that we know they are serious, and that we should meet Moscow’s demands.

For weeks, American officials have huddled to make sense of the official documents with Russia’s demands and the contradictory commentary, pondered how to deter Mr. Putin in Ukraine and scrambled to talk on his timeline.

All the while, Mr. Putin and his proxies have ratcheted up their statements. Kremlin officials have not just challenged the legitimacy of America’s position in Europe, they have raised questions about America’s bases in Japan and its role in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also intimated that they may ship hypersonic missiles to America’s back door in Cuba and Venezuela to revive what the Russians call the Caribbean Crisis of the 1960s.

Mr. Putin is a master of coercive inducement. He manufactures a crisis in such a way that he can win no matter what anyone else does. Threats and promises are essentially one and the same. Mr. Putin can invade Ukraine yet again, or he can leave things where they are and just consolidate the territory Russia effectively controls in Crimea and Donbas. He can stir up trouble in Japan and send hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, or not, if things go his way in Europe.

Mr. Putin plays a longer, strategic game and knows how to prevail in the tactical scrum. He has the United States right where he wants it. His posturing and threats have set the agenda in European security debates, and have drawn our full attention. Unlike President Biden, Mr. Putin doesn’t have to worry about midterm elections or pushback from his own party or the opposition. Mr. Putin has no concerns about bad press or poor poll ratings. He isn’t part of a political party and he has crushed the Russian opposition. The Kremlin has largely silenced the local, independent press. Mr. Putin is up for re-election in 2024, but his only viable opponent, Aleksei Navalny, is locked in a penal colony outside of Moscow.

So Mr. Putin can act as he chooses, when he chooses. Barring ill health, the United States will have to contend with him for years to come. Right now, all signs indicate that Mr. Putin will lock the U.S. into an endless tactical game, take more chunks out of Ukraine and exploit all the frictions and fractures in NATO and the European Union. Getting out of the current crisis requires acting, not reacting. The United States needs to shape the diplomatic response and engage Russia on the West’s terms, not just Moscow’s.

To be sure, Russia does have some legitimate security concerns, and European security arrangements could certainly do with fresh thinking and refurbishment after 30 years. There is plenty for Washington and Moscow to discuss on the conventional and nuclear forces as well as in the cyber domain and on other fronts. But a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine’s dismemberment and neutralization cannot be an issue for U.S.-Russian negotiation nor a line item in European security. Ultimately, the United States needs to show Mr. Putin that he will face global resistance and Mr. Putin’s aggression will put Russia’s political and economic relationships at risk far beyond Europe.

Contrary to Mr. Putin’s premise in 2008 that Ukraine is “not a real country,” Ukraine has been a full-fledged member of the United Nations since 1991. Another Russian assault would challenge the entire U.N. system and imperil the arrangements that have guaranteed member states’ sovereignty since World War II — akin to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but on an even bigger scale. The United States and its allies, and Ukraine itself, should take this issue to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly as well as the Security Council. Even if Russia blocks a resolution, the future of Ukraine merits a global response. The United States should also raise concerns in other regional institutions. Why is Russia trying to take its disputes in Europe to Asia and the Western Hemisphere? What does Ukraine have to do with Japan, or Cuba and Venezuela?

Mr. Biden has promised that Russia “will pay a heavy price” if any Russian troops cross Ukraine’s borders. If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine with no punitive action from the West and the rest of the international community, beyond financial sanctions, then he will have set a precedent for future action by other countries. Mr. Putin has already factored additional U.S. financial sanctions into his calculations. But he assumes that some NATO allies will be reluctant to follow suit on these sanctions and other countries will look the other way. U.N. censure, widespread and vocal international opposition, and countries outside Europe taking action to pull back on their relations with Russia might give him pause. Forging a united front with its European allies and rallying broader support should be America’s longer game. Otherwise this saga could indeed mark the beginning of the end of America’s military presence in Europe.

We knew this was coming. “George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.

We knew this was coming. “George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” These were the ominous words of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to President George W. Bush in Bucharest, Romania, at a NATO summit in April 2008. Mr. Putin was furious: NATO had just announced that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance. This was a compromise formula to allay concerns of our European allies — an explicit promise to join the bloc, but no specific timeline for membership. At the time, I was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, part of a team briefing Mr. Bush. We warned him that Mr. Putin would view steps to bring Ukraine and Georgia closer to NATO as a provocative move that would likely provoke pre-emptive Russian military action. But ultimately, our warnings weren’t heeded. Within four months, in August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Ukraine got Russia’s message loud and clear. It backpedaled on NATO membership for the next several years. But in 2014, Ukraine wanted to sign an association agreement with the European Union, thinking this might be a safer route to the West. Moscow struck again, accusing Ukraine of seeking a back door to NATO, annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and starting an ongoing proxy war in Ukraine’s southeastern Donbas region. The West’s muted reactions to both the 2008 and 2014 invasions emboldened Mr. Putin. This time, Mr. Putin’s aim is bigger than closing NATO’s “open door” to Ukraine and taking more territory — he wants to evict the United States from Europe. As he might put it: “Goodbye America. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” As I have seen over two decades of observing Mr. Putin, and analyzing his moves, his actions are purposeful and his choice of this moment to throw down the gauntlet in Ukraine and Europe is very intentional. He has a personal obsession with history and anniversaries. December 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Russia lost its dominant position in Europe. Mr. Putin wants to give the United States a taste of the same bitter medicine Russia had to swallow in the 1990s. He believes that the United States is currently in the same predicament as Russia was after the Soviet collapse: grievously weakened at home and in retreat abroad. He also thinks NATO is nothing more than an extension of the United States. Russian officials and commentators routinely deny any agency or independent strategic thought to other NATO members. So, when it comes to the alliance, all Moscow’s moves are directed against Washington. In the 1990s, the United States and NATO forced Russia to withdraw the remnants of the Soviet military from their bases in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Baltic States. Mr. Putin wants the United States to suffer in a similar way. From Russia’s perspective, America’s domestic travails after four years of President Donald Trump’s disastrous presidency, as well as the rifts he created with U.S. allies and then America’s precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, signal weakness. If Russia presses hard enough, Mr. Putin hopes he can strike a new security deal with NATO and Europe to avoid an open-ended conflict, and then it will be America’s turn to leave, taking its troops and missiles with it. Ukraine is both Russia’s target and a source of leverage against the United States. Over the last several months Mr. Putin has bogged the Biden administration down in endless tactical games that put the United States on the defensive. Russia moves forces to Ukraine’s borders, launches war games and ramps up the visceral commentary. In recent official documents, it demanded ironclad guarantees that Ukraine (and other former republics of the U.S.S.R.) will never become members of NATO, that NATO pull back from positions taken after 1997, and also that America withdraw its own forces and weapons, including its nuclear missiles. Russian representatives assert that Moscow doesn’t “need peace at any cost” in Europe. Some Russian politicians even suggest the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against NATO targets to make sure that we know they are serious, and that we should meet Moscow’s demands. For weeks, American officials have huddled to make sense of the official documents with Russia’s demands and the contradictory commentary, pondered how to deter Mr. Putin in Ukraine and scrambled to talk on his timeline. All the while, Mr. Putin and his proxies have ratcheted up their statements. Kremlin officials have not just challenged the legitimacy of America’s position in Europe, they have raised questions about America’s bases in Japan and its role in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also intimated that they may ship hypersonic missiles to America’s back door in Cuba and Venezuela to revive what the Russians call the Caribbean Crisis of the 1960s. Mr. Putin is a master of coercive inducement. He manufactures a crisis in such a way that he can win no matter what anyone else does. Threats and promises are essentially one and the same. Mr. Putin can invade Ukraine yet again, or he can leave things where they are and just consolidate the territory Russia effectively controls in Crimea and Donbas. He can stir up trouble in Japan and send hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, or not, if things go his way in Europe. Mr. Putin plays a longer, strategic game and knows how to prevail in the tactical scrum. He has the United States right where he wants it. His posturing and threats have set the agenda in European security debates, and have drawn our full attention. Unlike President Biden, Mr. Putin doesn’t have to worry about midterm elections or pushback from his own party or the opposition. Mr. Putin has no concerns about bad press or poor poll ratings. He isn’t part of a political party and he has crushed the Russian opposition. The Kremlin has largely silenced the local, independent press. Mr. Putin is up for re-election in 2024, but his only viable opponent, Aleksei Navalny, is locked in a penal colony outside of Moscow. So Mr. Putin can act as he chooses, when he chooses. Barring ill health, the United States will have to contend with him for years to come. Right now, all signs indicate that Mr. Putin will lock the U.S. into an endless tactical game, take more chunks out of Ukraine and exploit all the frictions and fractures in NATO and the European Union. Getting out of the current crisis requires acting, not reacting. The United States needs to shape the diplomatic response and engage Russia on the West’s terms, not just Moscow’s. To be sure, Russia does have some legitimate security concerns, and European security arrangements could certainly do with fresh thinking and refurbishment after 30 years. There is plenty for Washington and Moscow to discuss on the conventional and nuclear forces as well as in the cyber domain and on other fronts. But a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine’s dismemberment and neutralization cannot be an issue for U.S.-Russian negotiation nor a line item in European security. Ultimately, the United States needs to show Mr. Putin that he will face global resistance and Mr. Putin’s aggression will put Russia’s political and economic relationships at risk far beyond Europe. Contrary to Mr. Putin’s premise in 2008 that Ukraine is “not a real country,” Ukraine has been a full-fledged member of the United Nations since 1991. Another Russian assault would challenge the entire U.N. system and imperil the arrangements that have guaranteed member states’ sovereignty since World War II — akin to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but on an even bigger scale. The United States and its allies, and Ukraine itself, should take this issue to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly as well as the Security Council. Even if Russia blocks a resolution, the future of Ukraine merits a global response. The United States should also raise concerns in other regional institutions. Why is Russia trying to take its disputes in Europe to Asia and the Western Hemisphere? What does Ukraine have to do with Japan, or Cuba and Venezuela? Mr. Biden has promised that Russia “will pay a heavy price” if any Russian troops cross Ukraine’s borders. If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine with no punitive action from the West and the rest of the international community, beyond financial sanctions, then he will have set a precedent for future action by other countries. Mr. Putin has already factored additional U.S. financial sanctions into his calculations. But he assumes that some NATO allies will be reluctant to follow suit on these sanctions and other countries will look the other way. U.N. censure, widespread and vocal international opposition, and countries outside Europe taking action to pull back on their relations with Russia might give him pause. Forging a united front with its European allies and rallying broader support should be America’s longer game. Otherwise this saga could indeed mark the beginning of the end of America’s military presence in Europe.

Putin has the US right where he wants it

The Biden administration is mulling to deploy several thousand troops, as well as warships and aircraft, to NATO allies in the Baltics and Eastern Europe amid fears of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.

The US president is expected to make a decision as early as this week, the New York Times has reported citing unnamed Pentagon officials.

The reports state that the Pentagon officials met Biden on Saturday where several options were discussed to shift American military bases “much closer to Putin’s doorstep”.

Among the options discussed in the meet include sending 1,000 to 5,000 troops to Eastern European countries, with the potential to increase that number tenfold if things deteriorate.

It is being said that Biden’s latest offensive is to counter Russia’s troop build-up at Ukraine’s borders.

According to the Guardian report, Russia has amassed thousands of troops more along Ukraine’s borders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/threat-of-war-forces-us-to-order-departure-of-ukrainian-embassy-staffs-kin-447011" hreflang="en">Threat of war forces US to order departure of Ukrainian embassy staff’s kin</a>

A large military force, including Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, elite spetsnaz troops and anti-aircraft batteries, has arrived in Belarus from Russia’s eastern military district, the report said.

Apart from that, six Russian landing ships capable of carrying main battle tanks, troops and other military vehicles travelled through the Channel en route to the Mediterranean last week in a deployment.

In a recent interview, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that the US is focused on building deterrence to counter against any possible Ukraine invasion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-russia-of-very-serious-consequences-if-it-installs-puppet-regime-in-ukraine-447008">UK warns Russia of 'very serious consequences' over Ukraine</a>

“Even as we’re engaged in diplomacy, we are very much focused on building up defence, building up deterrence,” he said on Sunday.

“NATO itself will continue to be reinforced in a significant way if Russia commits renewed acts of aggression. All of that is on the table,” he added.

Meanwhile, the US has warned its citizens not to travel to Russia amid “ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine”.

"Do not travel to Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine," a statement from the US State Department said, adding that Americans could also face "harassment" and that the embassy would have "limited ability to assist US citizens."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Biden administration is mulling to deploy several thousand troops, as well as warships and aircraft, to NATO allies in the Baltics and Eastern Europe amid fears of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.

The Biden administration is mulling to deploy several thousand troops, as well as warships and aircraft, to NATO allies in the Baltics and Eastern Europe amid fears of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to reports. The US president is expected to make a decision as early as this week, the New York Times has reported citing unnamed Pentagon officials. The reports state that the Pentagon officials met Biden on Saturday where several options were discussed to shift American military bases “much closer to Putin’s doorstep”. Among the options discussed in the meet include sending 1,000 to 5,000 troops to Eastern European countries, with the potential to increase that number tenfold if things deteriorate. It is being said that Biden’s latest offensive is to counter Russia’s troop build-up at Ukraine’s borders. According to the Guardian report, Russia has amassed thousands of troops more along Ukraine’s borders. Also read | Threat of war forces US to order departure of Ukrainian embassy staff’s kin A large military force, including Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, elite spetsnaz troops and anti-aircraft batteries, has arrived in Belarus from Russia’s eastern military district, the report said. Apart from that, six Russian landing ships capable of carrying main battle tanks, troops and other military vehicles travelled through the Channel en route to the Mediterranean last week in a deployment. In a recent interview, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that the US is focused on building deterrence to counter against any possible Ukraine invasion. Also read | UK warns Russia of 'very serious consequences' over Ukraine “Even as we’re engaged in diplomacy, we are very much focused on building up defence, building up deterrence,” he said on Sunday. “NATO itself will continue to be reinforced in a significant way if Russia commits renewed acts of aggression. All of that is on the table,” he added. Meanwhile, the US has warned its citizens not to travel to Russia amid “ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine”. "Do not travel to Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine," a statement from the US State Department said, adding that Americans could also face "harassment" and that the embassy would have "limited ability to assist US citizens." (With inputs from agencies)

Biden mulling to deploy thousands of troops to Eastern Europe, Baltics amid Russian invasion fears: Report

The crisis in Ukraine is increasingly looking like a proxy war between an assertive Russia and Vladimir Putin and the NATO military alliance led by the US. Ukraine is at the heart of the crisis. In this background the comments of the German Naval Chief in New Delhi highlights the severity of the decision taken on Ukraine.

German naval Chief forced to step down after comments on Ukraine

Momentum is building for a conflict in Ukraine. A gaffe by Joe Biden has given Russia the upper hand. The US President suggested he would tolerate a "minor invasion" in Ukraine. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Ukraine crisis: Will Russia go to war?

More than 2,000 Russian-led troops began to pull out from Kazakhstan after being dispatched to quell the protesters following request from president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The unrest has seen authorities arrest thousands of people and has resulted in dozens of confirmed deaths.

Following the protest, Karim Massimov, Kazakhstan’s former intelligence chief and two-time prime minister, was detained on the charge of treason.

How and when did the protest begin?

January 2, 2022, marked the beginning of the biggest protest Kazakhstan has ever seen since the country’s independence, following the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The agitation initially began against the doubling of the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which most Kazakhs use as car fuel, following the removal of state caps.

The protests quickly spread throughout the country and eventually turned into a massive discontent against the ruling establishment. The protest saw thousands of people taking to the streets of Almaty, with calls of “old man out” reverberating the country’s largest city.

<img alt="Protesters storming in the city hall of Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e094581b-1926-492a-8d5a-5333f9273df0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/6_12.jpg" />

The police responded with stun tear gas and stun grenades.

‘Old man’ was a reference to Nursultan Nazarbayev, former long-time leader of Kazakhstan, who served as president from Kazakhstan’s independence until he resigned in 2019 and anointed Tokayev as his successor.

Why did the civilians protest?

It was not only for cheaper fuel that the Kazakhs were fighting against. There has been growing discontent among the people over rising income inequality, which has further worsened due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the lack of democracy.

According to media reports, the average national monthly salary is just under $600. The banking system has fallen prey to deep crises precipitated by non-performing loans. And rampant corruption has further added misery to the people’s lives.

<img alt="Protesters gathering in a square outside an administration office in Aktau, the capital of the resource-rich Mangistau region in Kazakhstan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b22fc23-f60d-40e2-9394-f1a966666189" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4_34.jpg" />

While the Central Asian Country—which is endowed with natural gas—has been remained politically stable, its authoritarian government has been widely criticised over the years for violating fundamental freedoms.

Hence, much of the anger displayed on the streets was not directed at Tokayev, but at Nazarbayev, who is still widely deemed the country’s ultimate ruler.

How many people died and were arrested?

Police said “dozens” of protesters were killed overnight after they allegedly tried to take over government buildings and police stations. Around 2,000 were arrested.

Eighteen security officers were killed and 748 wounded in the unrest, local media report. The health ministry said 1,000 people have been wounded.

How did Tokayev respond?

In a televised address early on January 6, Tokayev called the protesters as “terrorists” “bandits” and “militants”.

Tokayev blamed the demonstrations on “foreign actors” and “radical Islamist groups”.

In a hardline televised address, Tokayev declared that he had ordered security forces to “shoot to kill without warning”.

Why Russia intervened?

After the violence spiralled out of control last week, Tokayev called on the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)— equivalent to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)—for assistance.

The alliance of post-Soviet nations is led by Russia with members from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

<img alt="Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a video emergency meeting of the CSTO " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b75efaf9-0d31-44e3-b5ef-309e955c48eb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/7_10.jpg" />

Troops began arriving in Kazakhstan on Thursday and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they had been dispatched because the country was facing the “aggression of international terrorism.”

The Russian president added that the deployment sent a signal that leaders would not allow “so-called colour revolution scenarios” to “destabilise” ex-Soviet countries.

Tokayev said the CSTO had dispatched 2,030 troops and 250 pieces of hardware.

<img alt="CSTO Belarus' soldiers attend a ceremony marking the end of the CSTO mission in Almaty" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4a905da5-bc4b-40d2-a624-a360a3e66d11" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_106.jpg" />

On Wednesday, Tokayev declared that his country had defeated an attempted&nbsp;coup d’etat&nbsp;and insisted that the Russian-led troops would go home “soon”.

(With inputs from agencies)

More than 2,000 Russian-led troops began to pull out from Kazakhstan after being dispatched to quell the protesters following request from president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

More than 2,000 Russian-led troops began to pull out from Kazakhstan after being dispatched to quell the protesters following request from president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The unrest has seen authorities arrest thousands of people and has resulted in dozens of confirmed deaths. Following the protest, Karim Massimov, Kazakhstan’s former intelligence chief and two-time prime minister, was detained on the charge of treason. How and when did the protest begin? January 2, 2022, marked the beginning of the biggest protest Kazakhstan has ever seen since the country’s independence, following the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. The agitation initially began against the doubling of the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which most Kazakhs use as car fuel, following the removal of state caps. The protests quickly spread throughout the country and eventually turned into a massive discontent against the ruling establishment. The protest saw thousands of people taking to the streets of Almaty, with calls of “old man out” reverberating the country’s largest city. The police responded with stun tear gas and stun grenades. ‘Old man’ was a reference to Nursultan Nazarbayev, former long-time leader of Kazakhstan, who served as president from Kazakhstan’s independence until he resigned in 2019 and anointed Tokayev as his successor. Why did the civilians protest? It was not only for cheaper fuel that the Kazakhs were fighting against. There has been growing discontent among the people over rising income inequality, which has further worsened due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the lack of democracy. According to media reports, the average national monthly salary is just under $600. The banking system has fallen prey to deep crises precipitated by non-performing loans. And rampant corruption has further added misery to the people’s lives. While the Central Asian Country—which is endowed with natural gas—has been remained politically stable, its authoritarian government has been widely criticised over the years for violating fundamental freedoms. Hence, much of the anger displayed on the streets was not directed at Tokayev, but at Nazarbayev, who is still widely deemed the country’s ultimate ruler. How many people died and were arrested? Police said “dozens” of protesters were killed overnight after they allegedly tried to take over government buildings and police stations. Around 2,000 were arrested. Eighteen security officers were killed and 748 wounded in the unrest, local media report. The health ministry said 1,000 people have been wounded. How did Tokayev respond? In a televised address early on January 6, Tokayev called the protesters as “terrorists” “bandits” and “militants”. Tokayev blamed the demonstrations on “foreign actors” and “radical Islamist groups”. In a hardline televised address, Tokayev declared that he had ordered security forces to “shoot to kill without warning”. Why Russia intervened? After the violence spiralled out of control last week, Tokayev called on the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)— equivalent to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)—for assistance. The alliance of post-Soviet nations is led by Russia with members from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Troops began arriving in Kazakhstan on Thursday and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they had been dispatched because the country was facing the “aggression of international terrorism.” The Russian president added that the deployment sent a signal that leaders would not allow “so-called colour revolution scenarios” to “destabilise” ex-Soviet countries. Tokayev said the CSTO had dispatched 2,030 troops and 250 pieces of hardware. On Wednesday, Tokayev declared that his country had defeated an attempted coup d’etat and insisted that the Russian-led troops would go home “soon”. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: What was the cause of massive Kazakhstan unrest that unnerved prez Tokayev?

In a significant development in Pakistan-Russia ties, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics that will take place in Beijing next month.&nbsp;

The Olympics are a showstopper event for Chinese President Xi Jinping and will take place from February 4 to February 20.

The development comes as over the years Pakistan and Russia have increased engagement. Last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had visited Islamabad from New Delhi, something that is not the norm. The last time Lavrov visited Pakistan was in 2012.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-russia-says-preliminary-talks-with-us-in-geneva-complex-but-businesslike-443468">Ukraine crisis: Russia says preliminary talks with US in Geneva 'complex but businesslike'</a>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan may become one of the first foreign leaders to visit China after the start of the pandemic when he visits early next month, he has been invited by Chinese President Xi for the visit.&nbsp;

Khalid Mansoor, Special Assistant to Pakistan's Prime Minister on CPEC, said while unveiling a report on China-Pakistan economic cooperation that Mr Khan wanted to "remove all bottlenecks for investors" ahead of the visit early next month.

Apart from bilateral meetings, Imran Khan will also be holding meetings with other dignitaries present at the event including holding a key bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin, sources said.&nbsp;

It is pertinent to note that Imran Khan and Vladimir Putin were to meet at the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Dushanbe in September 2021, the meet could not take place in person because the Russian President pulled out of the summit last minute following a COVID-19 case outbreak in his inner circle, the two dignitaries back then had spoken twice in 13 days.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-talks-on-ukraine-blinken-warns-russia-of-confrontation-443436">Ahead of talks on Ukraine, Blinken warns Russia of confrontation</a>

Afghanistan has been one of the key areas of engagement between the two sides. Pakistan and Russia are part of the troika plus meet on Afghanistan, along with US and China.

Defence engagement has also increased, though unlikely to be a part when it comes to Russia-India. Pakistani and Russian military exercises Druzhba has been taking place regularly. Such exercises happened even in 2019, months after the Pulwama terror attack. The first of these exercises happened in 2016 in Pakistan, just days Uri attack.

It will be an important occasion for China, even as it faces the boycott of the Winter Olympics by the West. Both Russia, Pakistan are close allies of the country. China, Pakistan call each other "all weather allies" while recently Russian President in his year-end presser called ties with China's Xi as "relation of trust".

In a significant development in Pakistan-Russia ties, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics that will take place in Beijing next month.

In a significant development in Pakistan-Russia ties, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics that will take place in Beijing next month. The Olympics are a showstopper event for Chinese President Xi Jinping and will take place from February 4 to February 20. The development comes as over the years Pakistan and Russia have increased engagement. Last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had visited Islamabad from New Delhi, something that is not the norm. The last time Lavrov visited Pakistan was in 2012. ALSO READ | Ukraine crisis: Russia says preliminary talks with US in Geneva 'complex but businesslike' Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan may become one of the first foreign leaders to visit China after the start of the pandemic when he visits early next month, he has been invited by Chinese President Xi for the visit. Khalid Mansoor, Special Assistant to Pakistan's Prime Minister on CPEC, said while unveiling a report on China-Pakistan economic cooperation that Mr Khan wanted to "remove all bottlenecks for investors" ahead of the visit early next month. Apart from bilateral meetings, Imran Khan will also be holding meetings with other dignitaries present at the event including holding a key bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin, sources said. It is pertinent to note that Imran Khan and Vladimir Putin were to meet at the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Dushanbe in September 2021, the meet could not take place in person because the Russian President pulled out of the summit last minute following a COVID-19 case outbreak in his inner circle, the two dignitaries back then had spoken twice in 13 days. ALSO READ | Ahead of talks on Ukraine, Blinken warns Russia of confrontation Afghanistan has been one of the key areas of engagement between the two sides. Pakistan and Russia are part of the troika plus meet on Afghanistan, along with US and China. Defence engagement has also increased, though unlikely to be a part when it comes to Russia-India. Pakistani and Russian military exercises Druzhba has been taking place regularly. Such exercises happened even in 2019, months after the Pulwama terror attack. The first of these exercises happened in 2016 in Pakistan, just days Uri attack. It will be an important occasion for China, even as it faces the boycott of the Winter Olympics by the West. Both Russia, Pakistan are close allies of the country. China, Pakistan call each other "all weather allies" while recently Russian President in his year-end presser called ties with China's Xi as "relation of trust".

Imran Khan, Vladimir Putin likely to meet in China on the sidelines of Winter Olympics

Slew of disputes between former Cold War adversaries US and Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakhstan counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had a “lengthy” conversation over the phone on the present unrest in the Central Asian country and exchanged views on measures taken to “restore order” in the region, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

Tokayev said Kazakhstan would relentlessly pursue what he called the fight against terrorism, according to a statement on the Kazakh presidential website.

Tokayev also thanked the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)— a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states—for its help in quelling the protests that broke out earlier this week.

The two leaders agreed to remain in “constant” contact and to hold a CSTO video conference meeting in the coming days, the Kremlin added.

In what started out as a protest against a spike in fuel prices, the dissatisfaction soon veered towards the ruling establishment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kazakhstan-unrest-what-sparked-the-protests-and-how-they-will-affect-global-geopolitics-443011">Kazakhstan unrest: What sparked the protests and how they will affect global geopolitics</a>

The violence erupted when police fired tear gas and stun grenades at thousands protesting in Almaty late on Tuesday.

The protesters stormed government buildings including the city administration headquarters and presidential residence, setting them ablaze, prompting Tokayev to call in troops from the Moscow-led alliance.

A nationwide state of emergency was also declared. The interior ministry said 26 “armed criminals” had been killed in the unrest.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/security-officials-killed-in-kazakhstan-protests-russian-alliance-sends-troops-442629">Security officials killed in Kazakhstan protests; Russian alliance sends troops</a>

It said 18 security officers had been killed and more than 740 wounded.

More than 4,000 people have been detained, including some foreigners, according to the ministry.

According to news reports, much of the anger was directed towards Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was the president from independence until resigning in 2019 and anointing Tokayev as his successor.

Critics have accused him and his family of staying in control behind the scenes and accumulating vast wealth at the expense of ordinary citizens.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakhstan counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had a “lengthy” conversation over the phone on the present unrest in the Central Asian country and exchanged views on measures taken to “restore order” in the region, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakhstan counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had a “lengthy” conversation over the phone on the present unrest in the Central Asian country and exchanged views on measures taken to “restore order” in the region, the Kremlin said on Saturday. Tokayev said Kazakhstan would relentlessly pursue what he called the fight against terrorism, according to a statement on the Kazakh presidential website. Tokayev also thanked the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)— a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states—for its help in quelling the protests that broke out earlier this week. The two leaders agreed to remain in “constant” contact and to hold a CSTO video conference meeting in the coming days, the Kremlin added. In what started out as a protest against a spike in fuel prices, the dissatisfaction soon veered towards the ruling establishment. Also read | Kazakhstan unrest: What sparked the protests and how they will affect global geopolitics The violence erupted when police fired tear gas and stun grenades at thousands protesting in Almaty late on Tuesday. The protesters stormed government buildings including the city administration headquarters and presidential residence, setting them ablaze, prompting Tokayev to call in troops from the Moscow-led alliance. A nationwide state of emergency was also declared. The interior ministry said 26 “armed criminals” had been killed in the unrest. Also read | Security officials killed in Kazakhstan protests; Russian alliance sends troops It said 18 security officers had been killed and more than 740 wounded. More than 4,000 people have been detained, including some foreigners, according to the ministry. According to news reports, much of the anger was directed towards Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was the president from independence until resigning in 2019 and anointing Tokayev as his successor. Critics have accused him and his family of staying in control behind the scenes and accumulating vast wealth at the expense of ordinary citizens. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin, Kazakh leader Tokayev discuss measures to ‘restore order’ in Kazakhstan

High-ranking officials from the United States and NATO are all set to hold talks with Russia next week, but before that, NATO Foreign Ministers will hold a video conference on Friday.

NATO Foreign Ministers to hold a video conference ahead of talks with Russia amid tensions

Russia test-fired around 10 new Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missiles from a frigate, Interfax news agency reported on Friday. The report added that two more were test-fired from a submarine.&nbsp;

"The Project 22350, Admiral Gorshkov, successfully conducted a series of tests of the hypersonic Zirkon missile, a total of about 10 launches," Interfax quoted the northern fleet.&nbsp;

"The Project 885, Severodvinsk, a Yasen class nuclear-power submarine, conducted two test firing of Zirkon missiles," it added.&nbsp;

Last week, Russia had confirmed that the military successfully fired a simultaneous salvo of its Zircon hypersonic missiles. Russia has carried out a number of successful tests of its Zircon hypersonic cruise missile.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-russia-talks-biden-affirms-sanctions-threat-putin-says-that-would-be-colossal-mistake-441294">US-Russia talks: Biden affirms sanctions threat; Putin says that would be colossal mistake</a>

However, it was the first time that Russian authorities reported a successful simultaneous launch test of several Zircon missiles. Now, looks like more details of the launch have emerged.&nbsp;

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the weapon as part of a new generation of unrivalled arms systems. He had called it "a big event in the country's life". He added that this was "a substantial step" in increasing Russia's defence capabilities.

Russia, the United States, France and China have all been experimenting with so-called hypersonic glide vehicles — defined as reaching speeds of at least Mach 5.

The launch was confirmed amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. During his latest telephonic conversation with US President Joe Biden, he said new sanctions risked a "complete rupture".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Biden "made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement after Biden's 50-minute call with the Russian leader. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia test-fired around 10 new Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missiles from a frigate, Interfax news agency reported on Friday. The report added that two more were test-fired from a submarine.

Russia test-fired around 10 new Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missiles from a frigate, Interfax news agency reported on Friday. The report added that two more were test-fired from a submarine. "The Project 22350, Admiral Gorshkov, successfully conducted a series of tests of the hypersonic Zirkon missile, a total of about 10 launches," Interfax quoted the northern fleet. "The Project 885, Severodvinsk, a Yasen class nuclear-power submarine, conducted two test firing of Zirkon missiles," it added. Last week, Russia had confirmed that the military successfully fired a simultaneous salvo of its Zircon hypersonic missiles. Russia has carried out a number of successful tests of its Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. ALSO READ | US-Russia talks: Biden affirms sanctions threat; Putin says that would be colossal mistake However, it was the first time that Russian authorities reported a successful simultaneous launch test of several Zircon missiles. Now, looks like more details of the launch have emerged. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the weapon as part of a new generation of unrivalled arms systems. He had called it "a big event in the country's life". He added that this was "a substantial step" in increasing Russia's defence capabilities. Russia, the United States, France and China have all been experimenting with so-called hypersonic glide vehicles — defined as reaching speeds of at least Mach 5. The launch was confirmed amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. During his latest telephonic conversation with US President Joe Biden, he said new sanctions risked a "complete rupture". Meanwhile, Biden "made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement after Biden's 50-minute call with the Russian leader. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia's new hypersonic Tsirkon missile was fired from frigate, submarine; new details emerge

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed his Belarusian counterpart Alyaksandr Lukashenka's proposal to hold another round of joint military drills. Putin, who met with Lukashenka in St. Petersburg on December 29, said the military exercises would be held in February or March in Belarus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin played a game of ice hockey in St. Petersburg with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko after their diplomatic talks on Wednesday (December 29).&nbsp;

The Russian President donned his favoured number 11 jersey during a decisive 18-7 win in an ice hockey game. The friendly match was played after bilateral talks were broadcast on state television.

Lukashenko was given the coveted number one shirt as he played for the same team as Putin, who was nothing short of a Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring seven goals. Meanwhile, Lukashenko scored two goals.

The leaders were also joined by the Belarusian's son Nikolai during the match at the Manezh children's and youth sports school in Strelna.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-in-the-mood-for-a-conversation-says-russia-ahead-of-putin-biden-phone-call-441185">We are in the mood for a conversation, says Russia ahead of Putin-Biden phone call</a>

Watch the video here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🇷🇺🇧🇾 Putin and Lukashenko will play hockey. Lukashenko at number 01, Putin at number 11.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Belarus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Belarus</a> <a href="https://t.co/LTeqoTgzqx">pic.twitter.com/LTeqoTgzqx</a>
— Dailyaz (@dailyaz1) <a href="https://twitter.com/dailyaz1/status/1476227887145660417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
VIDEO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko play ice hockey after holding diplomatic talks. 
Both presidents played on the same team - Putin scoring 7 goals and Lukashenko 2, with the leaders coasting home in an 18:7 drubbing <a href="https://t.co/JRqWFDufvO">pic.twitter.com/JRqWFDufvO</a>
— Der politische Kater! 🙀😹🙀😹🙀😹🙀😹 (@GrunkohlProblem) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrunkohlProblem/status/1476586528835096577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Putin said earlier on Wednesday that Russia and Belarus plan to hold joint military drills in February or March 2022.&nbsp;

The planned exercises, on Belarusian territory, has been announced amid unprecedented East-West tensions, with Russia demanding that NATO promise not to admit Ukraine, which borders both Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Ukraine says Russia may be preparing for an invasion, something Moscow had denied.

Russian President Vladimir Putin played a game of ice hockey in St. Petersburg with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko after their diplomatic talks on Wednesday (December 29).

Russian President Vladimir Putin played a game of ice hockey in St. Petersburg with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko after their diplomatic talks on Wednesday (December 29). The Russian President donned his favoured number 11 jersey during a decisive 18-7 win in an ice hockey game. The friendly match was played after bilateral talks were broadcast on state television. Lukashenko was given the coveted number one shirt as he played for the same team as Putin, who was nothing short of a Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring seven goals. Meanwhile, Lukashenko scored two goals. The leaders were also joined by the Belarusian's son Nikolai during the match at the Manezh children's and youth sports school in Strelna. ALSO READ | We are in the mood for a conversation, says Russia ahead of Putin-Biden phone call Watch the video here: 🇷🇺🇧🇾 Putin and Lukashenko will play hockey. Lukashenko at number 01, Putin at number 11.#Russia #Belarus pic.twitter.com/LTeqoTgzqx — Dailyaz (@dailyaz1) December 29, 2021 × VIDEO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko play ice hockey after holding diplomatic talks. Both presidents played on the same team - Putin scoring 7 goals and Lukashenko 2, with the leaders coasting home in an 18:7 drubbing pic.twitter.com/JRqWFDufvO — Der politische Kater! 🙀😹🙀😹🙀😹🙀😹 (@GrunkohlProblem) December 30, 2021 × Putin said earlier on Wednesday that Russia and Belarus plan to hold joint military drills in February or March 2022. The planned exercises, on Belarusian territory, has been announced amid unprecedented East-West tensions, with Russia demanding that NATO promise not to admit Ukraine, which borders both Russia and Belarus. On the other hand, Ukraine says Russia may be preparing for an invasion, something Moscow had denied.

Watch: Putin and Lukashenko play ice hockey for one team; guess how many goals Russian President scored

President Vladimir Putin is seeking security guarantees from the West in exchange for pulling back from Ukraine. Will Joe Biden agree to halt NATO's eastward expansion? Or will he push ahead with sanctions? Palki Shama tells you.

President Vladimir Putin seeks security guarantees from West

President Vladimir Putin is seeking security guarantees from the West in exchange for pulling back from Ukraine. Will Joe Biden agree to halt NATO's eastward expansion? Or will he push ahead with sanctions?

US President Joe Biden, counterpart Putin to speak on phone-call

If the west fails to meet the demands, what does it leave Russia with? Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that his country will be ready with alternatives. Let's tell you what demands Russia has put forth.

Russian troops hold drills near Ukraine border

Russia's foreign ministry has warned against the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

According to Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokeswoman, ''The persistent attempts by NATO to draw those countries into the orbit of its interests and opportunistic policies haven’t gone unnoticed by Russia.''

“It’s quite obvious that Finland and Sweden joining NATO … would have serious military and political consequences that would require an adequate response from the Russian side,” she highlighted.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-month-long-military-drills-concluded-near-ukraine-440080/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

''The policy of not being part of any alliances, traditionally pursued by Stockholm and Helsinki, is viewed by Moscow as an important factor in ensuring stability in northern Europe,'' Zakharova added.

It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin had said NATO had "brazenly tricked" the country with successive waves of expansion since the Cold War.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rebel-held-regions-of-eastern-ukraine-are-growing-closer-to-russia-437500">Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia</a>

Moscow says the expansion of NATO threatens Russia and has contravened assurances given to it as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

It has presented the West with sweeping security demands, saying NATO must not admit new members and seeking to bar the United States from establishing new bases in former Soviet republics.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-cannot-dictate-to-nato-says-germany-438184">Also read |&nbsp;Russia cannot 'dictate' to NATO, says Germany</a>

Speaking about Moscow’s proposals, Zakharova reiterated that ''ruling out the expansion of NATO and the deployment of weapon systems that threaten our security near the Russian borders are going to be the main, key issues at the upcoming talks with the US and NATO.''

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday to discuss concerns about Russia’s military build-up on the borders of Ukraine, the US State Department said.

"They discussed NATO’s dual-track approach to Russia, noting the alliance remains ready for meaningful dialogue with Russia while standing united to defend and protect allies," the State Department said on Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia's foreign ministry has warned against the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). According to Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokeswoman, ''The persistent attempts by NATO to draw those countries into the orbit of its interests and opportunistic policies haven’t gone unnoticed by Russia.

Russia's foreign ministry has warned against the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). According to Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokeswoman, ''The persistent attempts by NATO to draw those countries into the orbit of its interests and opportunistic policies haven’t gone unnoticed by Russia.'' “It’s quite obvious that Finland and Sweden joining NATO … would have serious military and political consequences that would require an adequate response from the Russian side,” she highlighted. ''The policy of not being part of any alliances, traditionally pursued by Stockholm and Helsinki, is viewed by Moscow as an important factor in ensuring stability in northern Europe,'' Zakharova added. It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin had said NATO had "brazenly tricked" the country with successive waves of expansion since the Cold War. Also see | Rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine are growing closer to Russia Moscow says the expansion of NATO threatens Russia and has contravened assurances given to it as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. It has presented the West with sweeping security demands, saying NATO must not admit new members and seeking to bar the United States from establishing new bases in former Soviet republics. Also read | Russia cannot 'dictate' to NATO, says Germany Speaking about Moscow’s proposals, Zakharova reiterated that ''ruling out the expansion of NATO and the deployment of weapon systems that threaten our security near the Russian borders are going to be the main, key issues at the upcoming talks with the US and NATO.'' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday to discuss concerns about Russia’s military build-up on the borders of Ukraine, the US State Department said. "They discussed NATO’s dual-track approach to Russia, noting the alliance remains ready for meaningful dialogue with Russia while standing united to defend and protect allies," the State Department said on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia warns NATO against inclusion of Finland, Sweden

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has revealed that it was not the KGB but Father Frost, the Soviet Santa, that was the real force behind his rapid rise.

''I am more thankful to the people of Russia that entrusted me with this high position,'' said the Russian leader at the traditional annual news conference and jokingly commented on a question by one of the journalists who mentioned a person suing Father Frost for not granting his wishes.

Putin came to power on New Year's Eve, the day Father Frost brings presents and rights the world, in 1999 when Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly quit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christmas-2021-know-where-is-santa-claus-right-now-this-is-how-you-can-track-santa-claus-location-439770" hreflang="en">Christmas 2021: Know where is Santa Claus right now? This is how you can track Santa Claus' location</a>

"My relationship with Father Frost has always developed in a good way," said Putin.

Asked by a reporter from Veliky Ustyug, a snowy Russian town said to be Father Frost's home, about a man suing him for not delivering on his wishes for 23 years, Putin came to Santa's defence.

"Can I remind the plaintiff that Father Frost only fulfils the wishes of boys and girls who have been good," Putin said.

''Let him analyse his behaviour and think about what prevents Father Christmas from giving him presents,'' he added.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pictures-people-from-different-parts-of-the-world-celebrate-christmas-439819">Pictures: People from different parts of the world celebrate Christmas</a>

When asked about the current state of relations between the Russian President and Father Frost, Putin said he is thankful to him and the Russians for being able to serve as the country's leader.

''I hope that Father Frost does not just grant us presents but ability to fullfill our plans, both of a country as a whole and every Russia's citizen,'' he said

An explosion in cases driven by the rise of the Omicron variant has meant a Christmas season tainted by the pandemic for a second year running, with longed-for family reunions overshadowed by the prospect of yet more Covid-19 restrictions.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has revealed that it was not the KGB but Father Frost, the Soviet Santa, that was the real force behind his rapid rise. ''I am more thankful to the people of Russia that entrusted me with this high position,'' said the Russian leader at the traditional annual news conference and jokingly commented on a question by one of the journalists who mentioned a person suing Father Frost for not granting his wishes.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has revealed that it was not the KGB but Father Frost, the Soviet Santa, that was the real force behind his rapid rise. ''I am more thankful to the people of Russia that entrusted me with this high position,'' said the Russian leader at the traditional annual news conference and jokingly commented on a question by one of the journalists who mentioned a person suing Father Frost for not granting his wishes. Putin came to power on New Year's Eve, the day Father Frost brings presents and rights the world, in 1999 when Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly quit. Also read | Christmas 2021: Know where is Santa Claus right now? This is how you can track Santa Claus' location "My relationship with Father Frost has always developed in a good way," said Putin. Asked by a reporter from Veliky Ustyug, a snowy Russian town said to be Father Frost's home, about a man suing him for not delivering on his wishes for 23 years, Putin came to Santa's defence. "Can I remind the plaintiff that Father Frost only fulfils the wishes of boys and girls who have been good," Putin said. ''Let him analyse his behaviour and think about what prevents Father Christmas from giving him presents,'' he added. Also see | Pictures: People from different parts of the world celebrate Christmas When asked about the current state of relations between the Russian President and Father Frost, Putin said he is thankful to him and the Russians for being able to serve as the country's leader. ''I hope that Father Frost does not just grant us presents but ability to fullfill our plans, both of a country as a whole and every Russia's citizen,'' he said An explosion in cases driven by the rise of the Omicron variant has meant a Christmas season tainted by the pandemic for a second year running, with longed-for family reunions overshadowed by the prospect of yet more Covid-19 restrictions. (With inputs from agencies)

Vladimir Putin says Soviet Santa is 'real force' behind his rapid rise

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics by the United States and its allies a mistake driven by a desire to restrain China's development.

Washington will not prevent China's emergence as a global competitor by dragging politics into sports, Putin said in reply to a question at his annual news conference.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nhl-says-wont-send-players-for-beijing-games-after-regular-season-disrupted-due-to-surge-in-covid-19-cases-439109">NHL says won't send players for Beijing Games after regular season disrupted due to surge in COVID-19 cases</a>

Canada and the United Kingdom have said they will join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the games, a move which Beijing has condemned as a betrayal of the Olympic principles. 
&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics by the United States and its allies a mistake driven by a desire to restrain China's development.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics by the United States and its allies a mistake driven by a desire to restrain China's development. Washington will not prevent China's emergence as a global competitor by dragging politics into sports, Putin said in reply to a question at his annual news conference. ALSO READ: NHL says won't send players for Beijing Games after regular season disrupted due to surge in COVID-19 cases Canada and the United Kingdom have said they will join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the games, a move which Beijing has condemned as a betrayal of the Olympic principles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Western diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics is a mistake

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 20) held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and&nbsp;the two leaders discussed enhancing India-Russia cooperation.&nbsp;

It was a follow-up of&nbsp;bilateral discussions between India and Russia&nbsp;after Putin's visit&nbsp;on December 6, when PM Modi hosted him in the Indian capital Delhi for the 21st annual India-Russia Summit.&nbsp;

The Indian prime minister informed about the telephonic call on his official Twitter account as he wrote, "Spoke with my friend, President Putin, to follow up on our discussions during his recent visit to India."

"We agreed on the way forward for enhancing India-Russia cooperation, including in supply of fertilizers. We also discussed recent international developments," PM Modi added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/key-takeaways-of-modi-putin-summit-anti-terror-fight-covid-19-s-400-deal-434710">Key takeaways of Modi-Putin summit: Anti-terror fight, COVID-19, S-400 deal</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Spoke with my friend, President Putin, to follow up on our discussions during his recent visit to India. We agreed on the way forward for enhancing India-Russia cooperation, including in supply of fertilizers. We also discussed recent international developments. <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KremlinRussia_E</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1472937274127962114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also, the office of the Russian President informed that both the leaders exchanged views on the situation in the "Asia-Pacific" region, adding that they also discussed practical aspects of implementing the agreements finalised during Putin's visit to India.

"Vladimir Putin warmly thanked Narendra Modi for the hospitality extended to the Russian delegation during the high-level visit to New Delhi on December 6," Kremlin said in a statement.&nbsp;

"A mutual disposition was expressed for the further all-round development of relations of a particularly privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India," the statement added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gift-from-gujarat-pm-narendra-modi-gives-exquisite-agate-bowls-to-russian-president-vladimir-putin-434688">Gift from Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi gives exquisite Agate Bowls to Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>

A Russian official as quoted by PTI said, "They discussed practical aspects of implementing the agreements reached at the talks and expressed mutual intent for the further multifaceted development of relations of the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India."

Both the leaders also congratulated each other for the upcoming New Year holidays and also agreed to intensify bilateral contacts in various areas.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 20) held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the two leaders discussed enhancing India-Russia cooperation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 20) held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the two leaders discussed enhancing India-Russia cooperation. It was a follow-up of bilateral discussions between India and Russia after Putin's visit on December 6, when PM Modi hosted him in the Indian capital Delhi for the 21st annual India-Russia Summit. The Indian prime minister informed about the telephonic call on his official Twitter account as he wrote, "Spoke with my friend, President Putin, to follow up on our discussions during his recent visit to India." "We agreed on the way forward for enhancing India-Russia cooperation, including in supply of fertilizers. We also discussed recent international developments," PM Modi added. ALSO READ | Key takeaways of Modi-Putin summit: Anti-terror fight, COVID-19, S-400 deal Spoke with my friend, President Putin, to follow up on our discussions during his recent visit to India. We agreed on the way forward for enhancing India-Russia cooperation, including in supply of fertilizers. We also discussed recent international developments. @KremlinRussia_E — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 20, 2021 × Also, the office of the Russian President informed that both the leaders exchanged views on the situation in the "Asia-Pacific" region, adding that they also discussed practical aspects of implementing the agreements finalised during Putin's visit to India. "Vladimir Putin warmly thanked Narendra Modi for the hospitality extended to the Russian delegation during the high-level visit to New Delhi on December 6," Kremlin said in a statement. "A mutual disposition was expressed for the further all-round development of relations of a particularly privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India," the statement added. ALSO READ | Gift from Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi gives exquisite Agate Bowls to Russian President Vladimir Putin A Russian official as quoted by PTI said, "They discussed practical aspects of implementing the agreements reached at the talks and expressed mutual intent for the further multifaceted development of relations of the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India." Both the leaders also congratulated each other for the upcoming New Year holidays and also agreed to intensify bilateral contacts in various areas.

Indian PM Modi, Russian President Putin speak on phone about developing bilateral ties

Daria Navalnaya, daughter of the jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, urged the European Union to stand up to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Navalnaya collected EU's top human rights prize on behalf of her father — the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in a ceremony at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday (December 15).

Daria Navalnaya, daughter of the jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, urged the European Union to stand up to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Navalnaya collected EU's top human rights prize on behalf of her father — the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in a ceremony at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday (December 15). During the event, the 20-year-old said, "Although coming here is amazing, it is also probably exactly how mine and my family's worst nightmare looks like." She added, "I don't understand why those who advocate for pragmatic relations with dictators can't simply open some history books. It's very easy to understand the inescapable political law: the pacification of dictators and tyrants never works." ALSO READ | Under Kim Jong Un's rule, at least 7 North Koreans executed for watching K-pop videos The 45-year-old Navalny has been held in a corrective labour colony in Russia, since February 2 after returning from Germany in January, where he was recovering from a poisoning attack with a Novichok nerve agent. He is serving part of a three-and-a-half-year sentence, for alleged parole violations. Authorities have also launched new probes against him, including a new "extremism" investigation in September that could see him spend up to a decade more in jail. "I don't understand why those who advocate for pragmatic relations with dictators can't simply open some history books," Navalnaya told lawmakers. "It's very easy to understand the inescapable political law: the pacification of dictators and tyrants never works." ALSO READ | US develops new software to predict actions that can trigger 'outsized' Chinese reactions "It seems to me that the problem is that the desire to appease the dictator, again and again, to not anger him, to ignore his crimes as long as it's possible is not a pragmatic approach at all. It's time to say it straight. Under the sign of pragmatism, there is cynicism, hypocrisy, and corruption." What is Sakharov Prize? The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov is awarded every year. Past winners include South African President Nelson Mandela, Venezuela’s democratic opposition and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai.

Alexei Navalny's daughter urges EU to confront Putin as she collects 2021 Sakharov Prize on father's behalf

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held virtual talks amid rising tensions with the West. Topping the agenda was a joint Russia-China security policy. Can the two ambitious and volatile leaders agree to work together? Is the West facing a two-front threat? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: A Russia-China military alliance against NATO?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold virtual talks as the two leaders face pressure from the West on separate fronts.

Putin and Xi Jinping hail Russia-China ties during virtual summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have held a video meeting amid tensions with West.

Russian President Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping holds virtual meet

In a bid to strengthen ties between Russia and China, President Vladimir Putin to hold a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping on December 15.

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart on December 15

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will hold a virtual summit on December 15 to discuss bilateral relations and international issues, amid tensions on Russia-Ukraine border.

President Xi and Putin to hold talks amid rising tensions on Russia-Ukraine border

vladimir-putin

Vladimir Putin, News on Vladimir Putin, stories on Vladimir Putin, articles on Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Putin stories at Wion, Vladimir Putin news, Vladimir Putin latest news

vladimir putin