MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sternly warned the West against encroaching further on Russia's security interests, saying Moscow's response will be “quick and tough” and make the culprits feel bitterly sorry for their action. The warning during Putin's annual state-of-the-nation address came amid a massive Russian military buildup...
EU Estimates 150,000 Russian Troops Near Ukraine’s Borders
BRUSSELS — The European Union is estimating that 150,000 Russian troops have already amassed for the biggest military buildup ever near Ukraine's borders and that it will only take “a spark” to set off a confrontation. At the same time, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that the...
Kremlin to Expel 10 US Diplomats in Response to US Sanctions
MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Moscow will order 10 U.S. diplomats to leave Russia in a retaliatory response to the U.S. sanctions. Lavrov also said that Moscow will add eight U.S. officials to its sanctions list and move to restrict and stop the activities of...
Kremlin Brushes Aside Western Calls to Release Navalny
MOSCOW — The Kremlin on Tuesday brushed aside calls from the West to release opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was arrested upon his return to Russia from Germany following treatment for poisoning with a nerve agent. Moscow called his case “an absolutely internal matter.” Navalny blames his poisoning on President...
US: Russian Hackers Targeting State, Local Networks
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials said that Russian hackers have targeted the networks of dozens of state and local governments in the United States in recent days, stealing data from at least two servers. The warning, less than two weeks before the election, amplified fears of the potential for tampering with...
US, Russia Appear Set to Extend Last Remaining Nuclear Pact
WASHINGTON — The United States and Russia inched closer Tuesday to a deal to extend their last remaining arms control pact, after U.S. threats to allow the deal to expire early next year. The two sides signaled they are ready to accept compromises to salvage the New START treaty just...
Biden Email Episode Illustrates Risk to Trump From Giuliani
WASHINGTON — A New York tabloid’s puzzling account about how it acquired emails purportedly from Joe Biden’s son has raised some red flags. One of the biggest involves the source of the emails: Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani has traveled abroad looking for dirt on the Bidens, developing relationships with shadowy figures,...
Russian-US Crew Welcomed Aboard the Space Station
MOSCOW — A trio of space travelers blasted off to the International Space Station on Wednesday, using for the first time a fast-track maneuver that allowed them to reach the orbiting outpost in just a little over three hours. NASA’s Kate Rubins along with Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of...
Armenia, Azerbaijan Report Attacks Despite Cease-Fire Deal
YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday accused each other of attacks over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh despite a cease-fire deal brokered by Russia in an effort to end the worst outbreak of hostilities in the region in decades. The cease-fire came into effect on Saturday, but was...
Pompeo Pledges US Engagement on the Balkans
DUBROVNIK, Croatia — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged Friday that Washington will remain engaged in the Balkans where China and Russia have been gaining political and economic influence. Pompeo spoke in the Croatian Adriatic Sea resort of Dubrovnik, the last leg of his European tour that also included...