UK foreign office says Kremlin is planning to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine – CNN

The British government is reporting it has information that the Russian government is planning to “install a pro-Russian leader” in Ukraine. CNN’s Pamela Brown speaks with Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin and Ret. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling.

Ukraine cyber-attack: Russia to blame for hack, says Kyiv

The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of being behind Friday’s cyber-attack on dozens of official websites. About 70 government websites were temporarily down, in the largest such attack on Ukraine in four years. Before the sites went offline, a message appeared warning Ukrainians to “prepare for the worst”. Access to most of the sites was

U.S. is ‘fully prepared’ if Russia invades Ukraine, secretary of state says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. is planning “things that we have not done in the past” if Russia invades Ukraine. His comments follow days of diplomatic talks and a deadlock on resolving the crisis brewing along the Ukraine-Russia border. Russia has 100,000 troops lined up next to Ukraine, with tanks and artillery.

Sweden Launches Psychological Defense Agency To Counter Disinformation

Sweden has created a new government agency dedicated to fighting disinformation, particularly from foreign governments such as Russia, China and Iran. The Swedish Psychological Defense Agency, based in Karlsbad and with an office in Solna, will be headed by director general Henrik Landerholm, a former ambassador, and will have 45 staff. It will work with

Russian troops amass near Ukraine border – WION

Ukraine is preparing itself against the Russian troop build-up near its border. Russia is said to have amassed more than 100,000 of its troops along the border with Ukraine. Ukraine is readying itself for the worst.

Russia agrees to begin security talks with U.S. at start of year

Russia will enter talks with U.S. negotiators on security guarantees it wants from the West at the start of next year, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, amid concerns over a Russian military build-up near Ukraine’s border. Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of considering a new attack on Ukraine as early as

European gas prices hit record as Russian flows via Yamal reverse

European gas prices hit a new record high on Tuesday after a pipeline that brings Russian gas to Germany switched to flow east, a move the Kremlin said had no political backdrop, while two big German customers said Gazprom was meeting supply obligations. Westward gas flows through the Yamal-Europe pipeline, one of the major routes

NATO will not let Russia dictate its military posture, Germany says

NATO will discuss Russia’s security proposals but it will not let Moscow dictate the alliance’s military posture, German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Sunday on a visit to German troops based in Lithuania to deter a Russian attack. On Friday, Moscow set out a list of demands for the West that includes withdrawing NATO battalions

Russia threatens to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe amid tensions in Ukraine – WION

Russia said it may be forced to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe in response to what it believes as NATO’s plans to do the same.

US, Europe expand sanctions on Belarus over ‘migrant smuggling’ – WION

The United States, Canada, and European allies expanded sanctions on Belarus placing restrictions on government officials and entities for human rights abuses and official support for “migrant smuggling.”