US says Russia may create pretext to attack Ukraine
India Today
The United States has said that Russia might create a surprise pretext for an attack on Ukraine.
The United States has said that Russia might create a surprise pretext for an attack on Ukraine.
Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and might create a surprise pretext for an attack, the United States said on Sunday, as it reaffirmed a pledge to defend "every inch" of NATO territory.
Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, which is not part of the Atlantic military alliance, and Washington - while keeping open the diplomatic channels that have so far failed to ease the crisis - has repeatedly said an invasion is imminent.
Moscow denies any such plans and has accused the West of "hysteria".
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the eve of a trip that takes him to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, called for Russia to de-escalate and warned of sanctions if Moscow did invade.
A German official said Berlin did not expect "concrete results" but diplomacy was important.
In what could amount to a major concession to Moscow, Ukraine's ambassador to Britain told the BBC Kyiv could drop its bid to join NATO to avoid war.
Oil and gas refineries and hubs are up in flames not just in the Middle East, but also in Russia and the US. Crude oil prices have surged over $100 a barrel. With the energy infrastructure in the Middle East likely to take years to be rebuilt, the world could be set for the biggest oil disruption in history.
The US has sent a 15-point proposal to Iran aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, including strict restrictions on its nuclear programme, halting support for proxy groups and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says the war is already "won", but then points to his own defence chief as the man who did not want peace. Behind the victory claim lies a growing split inside Washington's war room.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the United States was in contact with "the right people" in Iran and suggested that Tehran was eager to reach an agreement to halt hostilities. "We're in negotiations right now," he told reporters, without offering further details on the scope or format of the talks.
Casting doubt on the prospects of any immediate resolution, Jeffrey Sachs dismissed the idea of a near-term endgame.
Iran has issued a blunt warning to the US, threatening to sink US ships and paralyse the country if attacked. A senior official said any strike would trigger a "head for an eye" response, if US strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
The young aviator, Rishi, is seen confidently guiding the aircraft during a practice session at California's Oxnard Airport.
Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was formally conveyed after Secretary-General Abdul Sattar Issa summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires in Beirut, Tawfiq Samadi Khoshkho. The ministry confirmed that Sheibani must leave Lebanese territory no later than March 29.
A US county judge, who made history as the first Indian-origin judge in Fort Bend, Texas, has been convicted of financial crimes. KP George, who traces his roots to Kerala, was found guilty of money laundering with prosecutors arguing he had misused funds intended for his election campaign.
A rare moment of peace between humans and wildlife was captured on IIT Madras campus by a research scholar and the wholesome video has over 10 million views.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, carries a significant share of the world's oil shipments, making it vital for global energy stability.
