Russia & Caucasus

"Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states," U.S. President Joe Biden said on Feb. 22. 
Ukraine war

Transcript: Biden announces sanctions on Russia

'We have our next move prepared as well,' U.S. president says

23 February 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announces the imposition of sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, at his residence in Tokyo on Feb. 23. (Kyodo via Reuters) 
Ukraine war

Japan to impose sanctions on Russia amid Ukraine crisis: Kishida

Prime minister urges Moscow to return to diplomacy to break impasse

23 February 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden announces sanctions against Russia at the White House.
Ukraine war

Biden unveils sanctions on Russia for 'beginning' Ukraine invasion

U.S. top diplomat cancels meeting with Moscow counterpart Lavrov

23 February 2022
St. Basil's Cathedral, left, and the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin, as seen through a gate in central Moscow.
Ukraine war

U.K., EU sanctions hit Russian lawmakers, banks and oligarchs

London stops short of cutting off Moscow's access to capital markets

23 February 2022
Workers are seen at the construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Russia in 2019.
Ukraine war

Russia vows to keep pumping gas as Germany suspends Nord Stream 2

Moscow says Berlin's decision on pipeline will boost prices across Europe

23 February 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized the independence of two breakaway regions of Ukraine.
Ukraine war

Vladimir Putin crosses 'red line' with his Ukraine obsession

Russian leader takes big gamble as next few days crucial

22 February 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 21, in a televised session of the country's National Security Council, said Russia and Ukraine are a "people bound by blood, by family ties."
Ukraine war

U.S. and U.K. to impose sanctions against Russia over Ukraine

Washington warns 'fence-sitters'; China calls for restraint at U.N. Security Council

22 February 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers an address to the nation in Moscow on Feb. 21. (Kremlin via Reuters)
Ukraine war

Putin orders troops to east Ukraine, recognizes breakaway regions

U.S. to block investment, trade with Luhansk and Donetsk

22 February 2022
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, met in 2014 with Fumio Kishida, then Japan's foreign minister.
International relations

Japan and India eye March summit to talk Quad and Ukraine

Kishida aims to coordinate with Modi on Russia as tensions mount

21 February 2022
A satellite image shows a Russian helicopter deployment at Donuzlav Lake in Crimea. Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies
Ukraine war

Ukraine crisis: Satellite images show military buildup near borders

S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems deployed in Belarus

20 February 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches joint exercises by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus in September 2021.
Comment

Ukraine crisis creates new security risks in Asia

Tensions rise over military buildup in Russian Far East

19 February 2022
First German-led NATO battle group reinforcement military vehicles arrive at Rukla military base in Lithuania on Feb 17: Putin's intimidation of Ukraine has given the alliance a new sense of purpose.
Opinion

What the Ukraine crisis means for Europe

EU remains fundamentally divided over how to deal with Vladimir Putin

19 February 2022
A satellite image shows troops and equipment, as well as a large field hospital, at the Osipovichi training area in Belarus on Monday. Exercises are still underway in the area. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)
Ukraine war

Ukraine crisis: Satellite images show Russian push toward border

Half of Moscow's forces in area now within 50 km, Western intelligence says

19 February 2022
Ukrainian police officers march in Independence Square, central Kyiv, on Wednesday.
Ukraine war

Kyiv remains calm as shelling renews fears of Russian invasion

Locals in Ukraine's capital skeptical about political rhetoric

18 February 2022
Ukrainian service members conduct artillery and anti-aircraft drills near the border with Russian-annexed Crimea on Jan. 28. (Press Service of the Joint Forces Operation/Handout via Reuters)
Ukraine war

Russia poised to launch Ukraine attack in 'coming days': U.S.

Dow sheds 622 points, its biggest drop this year, as tensions flare

18 February 2022
Celebrators carry a giant Ukrainian flag at the Olympic stadium in Kyiv on Feb. 16 for the newly declared Unity Day.
Ukraine war

Ukraine crisis: Blinken says Russia continues buildup at border

Kyiv reports massive cyberattack targeting government websites and major banks

17 February 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the situation in Russia and Ukraine from the White House.
Ukraine war

Biden says Russian attack on Ukraine still possible

U.S. president says Moscow would pay steep economic price for an invasion

16 February 2022
Satellite image of Russian forces about 50 km from the Ukraine border in Soloti, western Russia, on Feb. 13. ©2022 Maxar Technologies
Ukraine war

Ukraine crisis: Satellite images show movement in Russian forces

Moscow says troops returning to base, but scale of withdrawal remains unclear

16 February 2022
Russian tanks during the drill at the Kadamovsky range in the Rostov region, Russia, on Feb. 3: China's leaders will try to copy some of Putin's tactics.
Opinion

Ukraine crisis a gift for China that keeps on giving

Beijing is learning invaluable lessons regarding the future of Taiwan

15 February 2022
German armed forces prepare to transport howitzers to Lithuania at a military base in Munster, Germany, on Feb. 14.
Ukraine war

G-7 vows 'forceful' response if Russia attacks Ukraine as talks continue

Japan maps out sanction response while U.S. closes embassy in Kyiv

15 February 2022
Men hold weapons during a basic combat training for civilians in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine war

Ukraine conflict risks market fallout worse than Cuban missile crisis

Central banks fight inflation stoked by tensions, but overkill would prompt recession

15 February 2022
Tanks and tankers: Ukraine's military conducts exercises, top, and LNG is loaded on a ship in Qatar. (Source photos by AP and Ukrainian Armed Forces Press Service/Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

Qatar's Asian gas contracts hamper Ukraine planning

U.S. pursues alternative LNG supplies for Europe if Russian cuts flow

14 February 2022
U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin address the Ukraine situation on Feb. 12 by phone.
Ukraine war

Biden warns Putin Ukraine invasion would draw decisive response

Sanctions in coordination with European allies among potential options

13 February 2022
Russian infantry fighting vehicles stand on the training area at the Kadamovsky range in the Rostov region, Russia, on Jan. 27: Japan has studiously avoided specifying what measures they might impose.
Opinion

Japan must do more to support Ukraine

Tokyo's efforts to mollify Russia have been a clear failure

12 February 2022
A wheat field in the Stavropol region of Russia, the world's top exporter of the grain.
Ukraine war

Ukraine crisis sends grain prices soaring, threatens food security

Wheat and corn costs approach levels seen during Arab Spring unrest

12 February 2022