Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
With tensions between Russia and Ukraine on a high, world powers are on alert in case Russia decides to carry out an invasion. UK Conservative Parliament member Tobias Ellwood recently criticized the UK’s decision not to send troops to assist Ukraine.
Ellwood, who chairs the House of Commons Defense Committee, criticized the decision that was announced by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace that the chances of the UK sending troops to help Ukraine is unlikely. Wallace made the comments in his interview with The Spectator, citing that because Ukraine is not a NATO-member country, it would be unlikely for world powers to send troops to deter Russia.
Ellwood said that the policy would likely attract Russian President Vladimir Putin and encourage Moscow to carry out an invasion of Ukraine without fears of a response from the UK. “Watch this space. We’ve just given the green light to RUSSIA,” tweeted Ellwood.
Wallace’s comments follow his joint statement with Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Yuriyovych Reznikov. Both ministers expressed concern over the situation at the border Russia and Ukraine share. There has been an increase of Russian troops at the border between the two countries as of late, prompting fears of an invasion.
US intelligence has estimated that the number of Russian troops at the border was around 70,000. At the same time, Wallace previously said that the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine. Last week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Putin that “serious consequences” would come if Russia decides to carry out an invasion.
Despite a video call between Putin and US President Joe Biden, there have been no signs of de-escalation of Russian troops at the border. 24 hours following the call, video footage showed Buk missile systems and armored vehicles arriving at a train station in Voronezh in Russia. Two days after the leaders spoke, infantry units coming from St. Petersburg were deployed to a camp east of Kursk which is 100 kilometers away from the Ukraine border, according to UK-based intelligence agency Janes.
Even as Russia continues its military buildup, US intelligence officials as well as European security officials, told VOA that an invasion is not the inevitable outcome.
