Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Most Americans Expect U.S.-Iran War to Be Prolonged 
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71, Leaving South Carolina Senate Seat Vacant 
Trump Administration Hands Over Key Evidence in Minnesota Immigration Shooting Investigations 
Trump Administration Bars U.S. Travelers From Congo Flights Amid Ebola Outbreak 
UK Sanctions 24 Russian-Linked Targets Over Cyberattacks and Election Interference 
EU to Propose New Rules Limiting Children's Access to Social Media 
Trump to Deliver National Address on 2020 Election Intelligence, Voting Machine Security 
Russia Launches Missile and Drone Attacks on Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv 
Israeli Strikes Kill Six in Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Continue in Cairo 
Trump Says U.S. Strikes on Iran Will Continue Until Nuclear Deal Is Reached 
Brazil Court Bars Flavio Bolsonaro From Visiting Jair Bolsonaro Ahead of Election 
Zelenskiy Plans Ukraine Government Shake-Up as Prime Minister Svyrydenko Set to Step Down 
EU Ministers Split as Support Grows for Ban on Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Trump to Deliver National Address on Declassified 2020 Election Intelligence 
UN Says Hamas Disrupted Gaza Aid Distribution, Group Denies Allegations 
Western Allies Push for More Air Defenses for Ukraine at Paris Summit 
Ukraine, Europe Launch Freyja Missile Shield to Strengthen Air Defense Against Russia 
The buildup of Russian troops at the border it shares with Ukraine has raised concerns among countries amidst fears of a possible invasion. Ahead of Moscow’s talks with Germany, Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew 10,000 of his troops from the border.
Putin has ordered a withdrawal of 10,000 Russian troops at the border it shares with Ukraine. The move would likely be seen by world leaders as an effort to extend an olive branch by the end of the year. It also comes amidst tensions over the buildup of soldiers at the border with Ukraine as well as the decision by Putin to test a hypersonic missile Thursday last week.
The drills took place in regions close to Ukraine such as Crimea, Rostov, and Kuban in the southern part of Russia. The deployments of thousands of troops have led to fears of a possible invasion or military conflict with Ukraine. While Russia has denied the allegations, it has also demanded that the West agree to their requests that Ukraine not be allowed membership in NATO as it poses a security issue for Russia, as Ukraine’s ties with Western nations are growing.
Moscow has also insisted that they are rightfully allowed to deploy troops on its own territory. Estimates for the number of Russian troops at the border range from 60,000 to 90,000. However, a US intelligence document suggested that the number could go as high as 175,000.
Satellite images have also suggested that Russia has continued to build up its military forces in Crimea and the region near Ukraine in the past few weeks all the while pressing the US to agree to its demands.
Speaking with Express, a Ukrainian soldier Kateryna Koval, a reserve officer in the Ukrainian armed forces, said that the country’s move towards NATO membership is the key to tackling the challenge posed by Russia over the coming years as well as Putin’s advances onto Ukraine. Koval explained that the move would not only bolster Ukraine’s strength, it will also show young Ukrainians who are in the Russian-occupied Crimea and the Donbas border that life can be different when it is allied with the West.
“We should consolidate strength to make good defense, security, and information policy in Ukraine,” said Koval, who is also a civil activist. “Of course we should strengthen our vector via Atlantic cooperation and to become a member of NATO.”
