Category: News

Facing criticism that its initial package of sanctions on Russia was not severe enough, the Biden administration on Wednesday both defended its actions and announced an expansion of the penalties, which are meant to deter what appears to be an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday afternoon, in a statement released by the White …

Read more “Biden Administration Increases Sanctions on Russia Amid Calls for Stronger US Measures”

White House officials have called the latest package of sanctions against Russia “a severe action,” with President Joe Biden saying the economic restrictions will “cut off Russia’s government from Western financing” — powerful claims that some critics and even some Biden allies say are overblown and will do little to stop President Vladimir Putin on …

Read more “US Sanctions on Russia Draw Praise, Criticism  “

Tensions in eastern Ukraine and heightened Western fears of a Russian invasion should not have a significant impact on the International Space Station or U.S.-Russia cooperation in space, the former head of the National Space Council told The Associated Press. Four NASA astronauts, two Russian cosmonauts and one European astronaut are currently on the space …

Read more “Ex-Official: Space Station ‘Largely Isolated’ From Tensions”

Top U.S. officials painted a grim picture of what a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine would look like, as Ukraine declared a state of emergency starting at midnight Thursday. Pentagon officials said Russia was set to invade. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports. …

As the U.N. Security Council held a late-night emergency session in a bid to avert war, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation in eastern Ukraine early Thursday, saying he was acting in response to threats from Ukraine and warning other countries not to intervene. He added in the televised address …

Read more “Explosions Heard in Kyiv, Putin Announces Military Operation in Eastern Ukraine”

As Ukraine on Wednesday announced plans for a 30-day state of emergency, residents of the eastern city of Kharkiv appeared calm, saying they were preparing for a possible war but still hopeful their city would escape unscathed. VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Kharkiv. Camera: Yan Boechat. …

Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, is turning to tradition to alleviate soaring poverty and an ailing economy. His efforts have enhanced the mayor’s reputation as a possible challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul. …

Europe is facing calls to impose immediate tougher sanctions on Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine and his pledge to send in what the Kremlin called “peacekeeping” troops. “We are anticipating further steps on strengthening sanction pressure,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters Wednesday. …

Read more “As West Ratchets Up Economic Pain on Moscow, Will Unity Hold?”

Top U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s incursion into the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine an assault on democracy. “It’s stunning to see – in this day and age – a tyrant rolling into a country. This is the same tyrant who attacked our democracy in 2016,” House …

Read more “US Lawmakers: Russia Incursion Into Ukraine Is Assault on Democracy “

The recognition by Russian President Vladimir Putin of two self-proclaimed republics within Ukrainian territory has created an uncertain scenario for Russians, as war and economic sanctions point to a troubled future. Along Russia’s border with eastern Ukraine, interviews with some members of the local population suggest some are eager to fight while others say there …

Read more “Mixed Feelings on the Russian Side of the Ukraine Border Over Potential War”

Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, arrived in Russia Wednesday for a crucial meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Officials said the two sides will review bilateral ties, including energy cooperation. Pakistan’s state-run PTV broadcast live Khan’s arrival at the airport in Moscow, where he was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. “What a time …

Read more “Pakistan’s Khan in Russia to Discuss Trade, Energy Cooperation with Putin”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called up army reservists and ordered military exercises for volunteers in newly created territorial defense brigades, but senior opposition lawmakers and former ministers fear the country is ill-prepared for war with Russia — despite their pleas to the government to get organized. With credible reports mounting of more Russian forces …

Read more “Zelenskyy Under Pressure to Mobilize Ukrainians, Start Serious Defense Planning  “

With Russia announcing it will continue its military drills with Belarus, many observers believe it is just another step by Moscow to prepare for a wider invasion of Ukraine. Russia had originally said the drills would end on February 20 – as Maxim Moskalkov reports. …

As Russia moves troops into the Donbas region of Ukraine, experts warn that the prospect of a shooting war erupting in Europe, combined with heavy sanctions on Russia, is likely to cause instability in the energy market, possibly translating into significantly higher costs for both gasoline and natural gas.    Because Russia is one of …

Read more “War in Ukraine Expected to Trigger Higher Fuel Prices”

The psycho-social wellbeing of an entire generation of Ukrainian children is at risk from war in the country’s eastern Donbas region, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund. With legions of Russian troops pouring in, the situation is only worse, as VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports. …

President Joe Biden cut off Russia from Western financing and placed sanctions on large Russian banks in response to what he called the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine has more. Skype video courtesy, Michael Kimmage soundbite …

Greek authorities have suspended the search for 10 people missing in a ferry fire near Greece. The vessel is being towed to a mainland port five days after the blaze started.   The Euroferry Olympia caught fire last Friday three hours after leaving Igoumenitsa, Greece, for Brindisi, Italy. The ferry was carrying 292 people. Only …

Read more “Greek Authorities Suspend Search for 10 Missing in Ferry Fire”

An hourslong hostage standoff at the Apple Store in Amsterdam ended late Tuesday with police in a car driving into the hostage taker as he ran from the store. His hostage was safe, police said.  “We can confirm that the hostage taker is out of the Apple Store,” police said in a tweet. “He is …

Read more “Standoff Ends at Amsterdam Apple Store; Hostage Safe”

Monday nights in any city — even the liveliest — can be quiet, but on this Monday evening, Kyiv was noticeably more subdued than usual. The roads were emptier, there were fewer pedestrians about, and the bars and restaurants were pretty much abandoned.  It was as if the season finale of a popular reality TV …

Read more “Reporter’s Notebook: The 56 Minutes That Shook Ukraine “

U.S. President Joe Biden cut off the Russian government from international financing on Tuesday and imposed sanctions on two large banks, declaring that its movement of troops into eastern Ukraine was “a flagrant violation of international law.”  In a brief White House speech to the American public, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order late …

Read more “Biden Cuts Off Russia from International Financing Over Ukraine Action”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he is conscripting reservists for a special period but ruled out a general mobilization after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine.  One of Europe’s worst security crises in decades is unfolding after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two areas of eastern Ukraine as independent. Both adjoin …

Read more “Ukrainian President Drafts Reservists, Rules Out General Mobilization for Now”

Germany on Tuesday halted the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea natural gas pipeline project designed to double the flow of Russian gas to Germany, a day after Moscow formally recognized the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states.  What is Nord Stream 2?  The more than $11 billion project that …

Read more “EXPLAINER: What is the Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline?”

Despite his country’s recently warming ties with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Moscow’s decision to recognize the two Ukrainian enclaves of Donetsk and Luhansk. Speaking to reporters, President Erdogan described as “unacceptable” Russia’s recognition of the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, calling on all parties to abide by international law. Turkey …

Read more “Erdogan Criticizes Moscow over Ukraine, at Great Risk”

Police in the Central African Republic have detained four French soldiers who are with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA). The arrests sparked false rumors that France had attempted to assassinate the C.A.R.’s president. The French military personnel were arrested Monday at the airport in Bangui. The four men were in the …

Read more “Police in Central African Republic Arrest 4 French Soldiers “