(2022-02-17). Ex-U.S. Ambassador to USSR: Ukraine Crisis Stems Directly from Post-Cold War Push to Expand NATO. democracynow.org 
U.S. officials are accusing Russia of sending more forces to the Ukrainian border just days after Moscow announced it was pulling some troops back. This comes as Ukrainian authorities and Russian-backed separatists are both accusing the other side of violating a ceasefire in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. For more on the history behind the present crisis in Ukraine, we speak with one of the last U.S. ambassadors to the Soviet Union prior to the collapse of the USSR, Ambassador Jack Matlock, who says the U.S.-led expansion of NATO following the end of the Cold War helped lay the groundwork for the current s…
(2022-02-17). NATO Headquarters: Norway to sell Romania 32 F-16s. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com AgerpresFebruary 16, 2022 Romanian, Norwegian DefMins meet in Brussels, discuss Romania purchasing 32 F-16 fighter jets Minister of National Defense Vasile Dincu met on Wednesday with his Norwegian counterpart Odd Roger Enoksen on the sidelines of the NATO Defense Ministers meeting taking place until Thursday in Brussels, the National Defense Ministry informs. According to the …
(2022-02-17). Zelensky, NATO nations' military observers inspect Ukrainian war games. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azeri Press AgencyFebruary 16, 2022 Zelenskiy oversees drills in western Ukraine as NATO country observers look on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and military observers from NATO member states including Britain and Poland looked on as the country's armed forces carried out drills in western Ukraine on Wednesday, APA reports citing Reuters. Tanks fired shells and …
(2022-02-17). US gives no response to Russia's proposal to return nuclear weapons to its soil — MFA. tass.com As the Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed out, the issues of non-strategic nuclear weapons cannot be discussed without resolving the issue of not deploying them in NATO's non-nuclear member states…
(2022-02-17). NATO builds up forces at Russian borders, accusing Moscow of doing this — Lavrov. tass.com The Russian Foreign Minister noted that the Russian forces are on their territory and are not invading anywhere…
(2022-02-17). Russia tells NATO to 'calm down'. rt.com 
Western officials need to tone down 'hysteria' over an invasion, the Deputy Foreign Minister said | The reasons for Western panic about Russian aggression against Ukraine are entirely fictional, and the US-led NATO bloc needs to tone down its "hysteria," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said on Thursday. | Speaking in an interview with Russian publication Kommersant, Alexander Grushko was responding to a statement made by the defense ministers of NATO member states, who met on Wednesday in Brussels to discuss the current tensions on the Ukrainian border. In particular, members of the bloc had expressed conc…
(2022-02-17). NATO Chief Stoltenberg Holds Presser on Day 2 of Ministerial Meeting. sputniknews.com The summit of NATO defence ministers in Belgium is being held after the US and the bloc delivered their answers to Russia's security guarantee proposals. The draft agreements offered by Moscow suggested a halt to NATO's eastward expansion as a way to de-escalate tensions.
(2022-02-17). Headlines for February 17, 2022. democracynow.org NATO Defense Ministers Gather in Brussels, Dispute Russia's Claims of Troop Drawback, COVID-19 Pandemic Claimed 75,000 Lives Last Week, U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prepares to Roll Back Guidelines for COVID Restrictions, Hospitals in War-Ravaged Syria Forced to Close Amid Cuts in International Aid, U.N. Says 8 Million Yemenis Could Lose All Humanitarian Aid Next Month Due to Funding Shortages, Colombia Forced Displacement Crisis Worsened in 2021, Mexican Journalists Interrupt Congress to Demand Justice for Assassinated Colleagues, Amnesty International Condemns "Sham Trial" for Jailed Russi…
(2022-02-17). Moscow makes clear arguments to US response on security guarantees — Russian lawmaker. tass.com Leonid Slutsky reiterated his call to the US and NATO "to return to the implementation of measures in the field of peacekeeping, abandon the policy of containment and whipping up anti-Russian hysteria"
(2022-02-17). US, NATO double down on war threats against Russia over Ukraine. wsws.org Even as Moscow released videos of its tanks leaving Crimea and Belarus after military exercises there, NATO said it would reinforce its troops and nuclear forces in Europe.
(2022-02-17). NATO's pledge to give up actions damaging Russia's security remains an imperative — MFA. tass.com The ministry noted the US readiness to work on particular arms control and risk reduction measures…
(2022-02-17). 101st Airborne adds to 6,000-troop U.S. deployments to NATO's eastern flank. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Military.comFebruary 16, 2022 101st Airborne Soldiers Head to Europe as US Amasses 6,000 Troops to Deter Russia Hundreds of 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) soldiers are gearing up to deploy to Europe…. The soldiers from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, are expected to deploy soon and will include a mix of support personnel and ground combat units, …
(2022-02-17). Russia likely to invade Ukraine after February 20 — media. rt.com 
Claims that February 16 was planned invasion date were unrealistic, analysts say | Failed predictions that Russia would invade Ukraine on February 16 were unrealistic, and the key date to focus on is actually February 20, American political analysts have claimed, blaming "hype" for having caused US officials to focus on the wrong date. | Earlier this month, numerous western media outlets claimed that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine in the early hours of Wednesday, citing claims by anonymous officials that US President Joe Biden had warned members of the NATO bloc that an invasion was imminent. This date…
(2022-02-17). 2,000 U.S. troops, 600 pieces of equipment head to Slovakia for drills 190 miles from Ukraine border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com ReutersFebruary 16, 2022 U.S. troops heading from Germany to Slovakia for planned NATO drills The first part of a planned contingent of 2,000 U.S. troops and hundreds of vehicles entered the Czech Republic from Germany on Tuesday en route eastwards to Slovakia for NATO's Saber Strike military drills…. Slovakia borders Ukraine to the east but …
(2022-02-17). US and Russian Officials at Odds Over Status of Russian Troops Near Ukraine. news.antiwar.com On Wednesday, US and NATO officials said they saw no sign of a Russian pullback from areas near Ukraine after the Russian Defense Ministry announced troops were starting to leave the region. | "There's what Russia says and then there's what Russia does. And we haven't seen any pullback of its forces," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also said he…
(2022-02-17). Zelensky: Ukraine Should Have Held Referendum on NATO Before Adding Membership Goal to Constitution. sputniknews.com Ukrainian plans to join the alliance have been a major bone of contention in the region, with Russia offering security guarantee proposals, suggesting that NATO refrain from expanding eastwards. The bloc, however, declared that it won't abandon its "open-door" policies.
(2022-02-17). Putin tells Kishida about Russia's talks with US, NATO on security guarantees. tass.com The Russian president and the Japanese prime minister also discussed some current issues of bilateral relations and reaffirmed mutual interest in their constructive development based on existing agreements, including in trade and economic areas…
(2022-02-17). NATO Article 5: U.S. deploys B-52s, F-15s, F-35s to Europe. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Air Force MagazineFebruary 16, 2022 USAF Sends F-35s, B-52s, F-15s to Europe as NATO Ministers Opt for More Deterrence The U.S. Air Force sent F-35 fighters to Germany days after a B-52 Bomber Task Force arrived in England to reassure Allies amid increasing tensions in Eastern Europe. The deployments come as defense ministers from across …
(2022-02-17). NATO Headquarters: Norway to add troops to German-led battle group in Lithuania. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com ReutersFebruary 16, 2022 Norway adds troops to NATO force in Lithuania, sees no spillover risk in Arctic Norway said on Tuesday it will increase its contribution to NATO forces in Lithuania by up to 60 troops due to the military situation in and around Ukraine. The extra troops will be sent to Lithuania, where Oslo …
(2022-02-17). Kiev makes no secret Minsk-2 is not on its agenda — Russian Foreign Ministry. tass.com Sergey Vershinin recalled a recent statement by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk Kiev was not considering any new bills regarding the status of Donbass…
(2022-02-17). Russian diplomat blasts statements made at UN Security Council about State Duma appeal. tass.com "This is about proposing to consider the issue, although it does reflect the sentiment in the Russian society and in Donbass," Sergey Vershinin said…
(2022-02-17). UK makes new Russia allegation. rt.com 
The two regions of Donetsk and Lugansk have been ravaged by fierce fighting since 2014 | Reports of heavy shelling and explosions in war-torn regions of eastern Ukraine are merely Russian attempts to create a pretext for ordering an offensive against its neighbor, Britain's top diplomat has claimed, as Kiev and separatists blame each other for the attack. | On Thursday, leaders from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) reported that government troops had fired at several towns and villages using mortars, hand grenades, and rifles. | The Ukrainian Armed Forces subsequently disclosed that an area…
(2022-02-17). Kiev stubbornly refuses to hold dialogue with Donbass — Russian Foreign Ministry. tass.com Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stressed that over the past seven years Ukraine had failed to implement at least one provision of the package of measures to enforce the Minsk Agreements…
(2022-02-17). India Lifts Flight Restrictions With Ukraine After Call for Its Citizens to Leave European Country. sputniknews.com The situation in eastern Ukraine remains tense, with the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic saying on Thursday that the Ukrainian military fired mortar shells and grenades at four localities in Donbass.
(2022-02-17). Belarus' Decision on Recognition of DPR, LPR Will Be Joint With Russia, Lukashenko Says. sputniknews.com Earlier, the Russian Parliament, the Duma, voted in favour of requesting the president to recognise the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. Commenting on the request, Putin said that Russia will always act in Donbass' interests and stressed the importance of the Minsk agreements.
(2022-02-17). Kiev suggested meeting with Putin, but topic of discussion remains unknown — Kremlin. tass.com Earlier, the Russian president, commenting on the words of the Ukrainian leader about a personal meeting, noted that if they were to discuss the problems of Donbass, the Ukrainian leadership should first meet with the heads of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics…
(2022-02-17). What Is Going to Happen in Ukraine? dissidentvoice.org 
People gather in Rome to call for peace, February 15, 2022 | Photo Credit: Reuters Every day brings new noise and fury in the crisis over Ukraine, mostly from Washington. But what is really likely to happen? There are three possible scenarios: The first is that Russia will suddenly launch an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. …
(2022-02-17). Moscow responds to US 'intelligence' on Russian invasion. rt.com 
The Foreign Ministry has previously claimed February 15 will be remembered as the day Western 'propaganda' failed | Attempts to work out when Russia might begin an invasion of Ukraine, despite the Kremlin's insistence that war isn't on the cards, only discredit Western intelligence agencies, Moscow has blasted as tensions continue to rise on the shared border between the two Eastern European nations. | In a series of comments issued on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova poured scorn on Washington's persistent announcements that an offensive is on the horizon. | According to her, Kiev, whic…
(2022-02-17). Wednesday 2/23: Roundtable Discussion: Ukraine Crisis. indybay.org On Zoom! Link: rb.gy/bxhzue…
(2022-02-17). US makes new Russian troop claim. rt.com 
American officials have expressed doubt about whether Moscow is actually withdrawing soldiers | Russia has increased its troop deployment near Ukraine by several thousand in recent days, an anonymous official in Washington has claimed, despite Moscow's announcement on Tuesday that it was pulling some soldiers back to their bases following the completion of military drills in Belarus. | On Wednesday, a US official, who refused to be quoted by name, told reporters that Moscow had sent 7,000 more troops to bolster its forces on the Ukrainian border, and directly accused Russia of lying about a withdrawal, claimin…
(2022-02-17). US warns of 'global fallout'. rt.com 
The world economy will pay a heavy price if the West imposes new sanctions on Moscow, the US Treasury warns | If Russia launches an invasion of Ukraine, the global economy will suffer an inevitable fallout as a result of newly unleashed Western sanctions on Moscow, the US Treasury secretary warned on Wednesday. | Speaking to French news agency AFP, Janet Yellen explained that the US and its European allies are preparing a "very substantial package of sanctions that will have severe consequences for the Russian economy." | However, despite Washington wanting the highest cost to fall on Moscow, she admitted that…
(2022-02-17). Ukraine reveals new gun plan. rt.com 
Legal gun ownership in Ukraine would make any aggressor think twice before attacking it, Kiev's defense chief believes | Allowing people in Ukraine to legally own handguns would greatly improve national security against outside "aggressors," Ukraine's Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov told news agency RBK Ukraine on Thursday. The move would "increase citizens' personal security, help law enforcement and certainly reduce crime rates," the minister claims. | Reznikov said on Thursday he has been a "longtime gun-rights supporter", adding that "as a lawyer" he believes a gun law is long overdue in Ukraine. In late…
(2022-02-17). Conflict with Russia is Raising your Gasoline Bill; an Electric Car is the Answer. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Reporters pressed White House spokesperson Jen Psaki on Wednesday about the likelihood that any Russian military engagement in Ukraine will raise petroleum prices further. Ensuing US sanctions on Russia would keep some of its petroleum off the market, as has already happened to Iran, at a time when demand is …
(2022-02-17). Formula for de-escalation and package approach: Russia releases its reply to US. tass.com Russia stressed the need to de-escalate the situation around Ukraine by forcing Kiev to comply with the Minsk agreements, urging the West to refuse from military cooperation with this country…
(2022-02-17). Situation On Ukrainian Borders Remains Stable. telesurenglish.net Ukrainian Defense Minister Olexiy Reznikov said on Wednesday that the situation on Ukrainian borders remains stable. | RELATED: | "This morning, as every day, I received another summary with figures and facts, and they are fully consistent with our forecasts, and do not contain anything unexpected," Reznikov said. | Some Western media and politicians have claimed that Russia could "invade" Ukraine on Feb. 16. And yet Moscow has re…
(2022-02-17). US denies making failed Ukraine invasion prediction. rt.com 
The Russian invasion of Ukraine can still happen at any time, the State Department said | Incorrect predictions that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine on February 16 did not come from Washington, and America stands by its assessment that the Kremlin may launch an all-out offensive at any moment, the US State Department has said. | The denial follows multiple reports in Western media outlets claiming that Moscow was planning to launch an attack on Wednesday. Citing anonymous sources, American and British outlets suggested that the US intelligence community thought Russia would invade in the early hours of F…
(2022-02-17). Ukraine keeps arguing Minsk agreements are against its interests — Russian diplomat. tass.com "if the task of building peace on the domestic soil is among Ukraine's national interests, there should be no place for such claims," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said…
(2022-02-17). Selected Articles: Ukraine Invasion Scheduled for Wednesday Canceled. globalresearch.ca 
By Over recent weeks, AP's ace reporter Matthew Lee and colleagues had been repeatedly led down the White House garden path by the likes of broken-record "the-Russians-are-coming-and-it-could-be-Wednesday" national …
(2022-02-17). Ukrainian Forces Shell Outskirts of Donetsk, DPR Says. sputniknews.com Earlier on Thursday, the militia of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) in eastern Ukraine stated that the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly over the past day, as Kiev is trying to escalate the conflict.
(2022-02-17). Kalashnikov Helps Boost Russia's Prestige on the International Stage. journal-neo.org 
Internationally, Russia has traditionally been seen as one of the leading suppliers of technology, especially in such areas as the arms and military hardware markets. Many countries, all over the world, purchase Russian-made military equipment, including anti-aircraft missile systems, fighter jets battleships, etc. But, globally, the most widely sold and well-known Russian weapon is the …
(2022-02-17). Russian ice queen issues message to Valieva. rt.com 
The former world champion admitted she was lost for words after watching the drama at the Winter Olympics | Figure skating great Elizaveta Tuktamysheva has spoken of her heartbreak for Kamila Valieva after watching the pre-Winter Olympics favorite finish fourth in the individual competition, ending a campaign hindered by a high-profile doping case finish with a performance the 15-year-old was clearly unhappy with at the Beijing Games. | 2015 world champion Tuktamysheva has a strong relationship with Valieva, posing for playful photos when the pair have faced each other competitively and telling the prodigy to…
(2022-02-17). Hillary Clinton Accuses Trump of 'Spinning Up Fake Scandal' Amid the Durham Investigation. sputniknews.com Last week, Donald Trump argued that Special Counsel John Durham's new filing proves that his 2016 campaign and subsequent presidency "were spied on by operatives paid by" Hillary Clinton "in an effort to develop a completely fabricated connection to Russia", which has repeatedly rejected all "collusion" allegations.
(2022-02-17). Russia expects US to seriously study Moscow's response to Washington's reply – diplomat. tass.com
(2022-02-17). Some 20 Russian Warships of Caspian Flotilla Leave for Naval Exercises. sputniknews.com ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (Sputnik) – Some 20 warships of the Caspian Flotilla have left their home basis in Russia's Dagestan for naval drills in the Caspian Sea, the Russian Southern Military District said on Thursday.
(2022-02-17). WWF proposes to limit shipping in Arctic for whales' safety. tass.com According to the fund, WWF Russia is also conducting research on underwater noise off the coast of Chukotka to understand how it affects whales…
(2022-02-17). Putin says Russia needs to get tough on illegal migration. tass.com According to the head of state, Russia welcomes everyone who comes here to live, study and work complying with the country's laws, while respecting the nation's culture and traditions…
(2022-02-17). With Its Doomsday Clock at 100 Seconds to Midnight, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Calls for Escalating US Aggression Against Russia. orinocotribune.com By Roger D. Harris — Feb 14, 2022 | The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists emerged after World War II as a voice for peace by some of the scientists who developed the then ultimate weapon of mass destruction. Now, its mission has drifted into being an echo chamber for the US imperial project urging President Biden to take even more destabilizing actions against Russia. | Dropping the A-bombs | By the time that the scientists at the top-secret Manhattan Project had developed the atomic bomb and the US military had worked out the logistics for deploying it, World War II was for all intents and purposes over. By…
(2022-02-17). US Escorts Russian Bombers From East Syria Coalition Airspace. news.antiwar.com While the US and Russia are both largely focused on fighting ISIS in Syria, they still get tangled up in a lot of side arguments. This week, The US says Russia's bombers didn't give them advanced notice, so US fighters were dispatch to escort them away. The bombers reportedly ended up in Latakia. | The area is seldom used, with Russia not crossing the area since last May. US tensi…
(2022-02-17). IOC & WADA 'destroyed' Valieva, says skating icon. rt.com 
Alexander Zhulin accused international sports officials of ruining the 'brightest star of figure skating' | Former ice dance world champion Alexander Zhulin has said that international sporting authorities will have to live with the consequences of "ruining" Russian star Kamila Valieva's Olympic dreams after her doping case ordeal in Beijing. | What was expected to be Valieva's crowning triumph in the Chinese capital turned into a nightmare for the 15-year-old after a positive test for a doping sample taken in December was reported during the Games. | Valieva was cleared for continued competition by the Court…
(2022-02-17). Putin congratulates Russian figure skating star Shcherbakova on Olympic gold. tass.com The Russian leader wished Shcherbakova "new achievements and all the best"