KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists traded accusations of violating a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, a potential flash point as Western officials amplified claims that Russian forces were preparing for a possible attack on Ukraine.
Diplomatic efforts to avert a potential war were in motion on multiple fronts. In Moscow, Russia stood firm on its demands that Ukraine be blocked from future NATO membership. A written response by the Kremlin said U.S. rejection of Moscow’s terms could bring “the implementation of military-technical measures.”
BRUSSELS — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, attending a NATO meeting in Brussels, told reporters Thursday that the reports of the shelling of a government-held village in eastern Ukraine are “certainly troubling” and that the United States is still gathering details.
“But you know, we’ve said for some time that the Russians might do something like this in order to justify a military conflict, so we’ll be watching this very closely,” he said.
At a news conference in Brussels, Austin said of Russia’s claims that it was pulling some of its forces from the border: “We don’t see that. Quite the contrary, we see them add to the more than 150,000 that they already have arrayed along their border even in the last couple of days. We’ve seen some of those troops inch closer to that border. We’ve seen them fly in more combat and support aircraft. We’ve seen them sharpen their readiness in the Black Sea. We’ve...
Pakistani actress and model Ayesha Omar has strongly denied a controversial statement falsely attributed to her on social media. In recent days, a statement circulated online claiming that the act...