Russia has decided to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The move is the latest step fueling tensions with the West amid fears of an invasion. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of Moscow-backed rebel regions in eastern Ukraine. Donetsk and Luhansk, together known as Donbas, lie…

The White House has followed through on its threat to issue sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. President Biden announced the sanctions Tuesday afternoon, targeting two banks and several high-profile Russian individuals. The video above includes clips from President Biden’s announcement. Today, in close coordination with our Allies and partners, I am announcing…

The United States has promised sanctions following the Russian government announcement that it is moving closer to what could be described as an invasion of Ukraine. Those sanctions will be announced Tuesday, according to U.S. government officials. “We must make it clear that an attack on Ukraine is an attack on the sovereignty of every UN…

A likely result of the the ongoing crisis at the Russia/Ukraine border, oil prices rose to their highest levels in over seven years. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was up about 2% to $97.32 by midmorning Tuesday. Earlier, it reached its highest price since September 2014 at $99.50. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude jumped by 3.3% to…

In a public broadcast late February 21 (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a lengthy, moody speech about the status of relations between Russia and its neighbor, Ukraine. Putin in essence declared a formal cold war with the West, while also making clear his belief that an independent Ukraine should not exist – going…

In a move that could further escalate ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the leaders of France and Germany that he planned to sign a decree recognizing Russia-supporting separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. The idea was the topic of a meeting with his presidential Security Council Monday. “The goal of…

Ongoing tension between Ukraine and Russia has been a focus at the annual Munich Security Conference. Security officials from the West, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are all scheduled to speak during the weekend conference. “I am here to ensure that through our discussions and the discussions…

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a last-minute visit to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, after intelligence indicated Russia is moving closer to an invasion of Ukraine. Despite Russian reports of troop withdrawals, U.S. intelligence suggests Russia has done the opposite, sending an additional 7,000 troops to Ukraine’s borders. “The most immediate threat…

Tuesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it was pulling back some troops that had been training near Ukraine’s borders. But security have not been able to confirm the claim. “On the contrary, we continue to see forces, especially forces that would be in the vanguard of any renewed aggression against Ukraine, continuing to be at the…

Recovery efforts began after heavy rain caused deadly flooding and mudslides in a mountainous region of Brazil. Authorities in Petropolis, located in Rio de Janeiro state, upped the death toll to at least 58 on Wednesday. The state fire department said late Tuesday the area received over 10 inches of rain within three hours Tuesday.…