DefenceTalkNATO is activating its “defence plans” for allied countries as Russia attacks non-NATO member Ukraine, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg told a media conference on Thursday. Stoltenberg also confirmed that NATO will hold a video summit on Friday to discuss the Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbour. And he reiterated that NATO had no “plans” to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-activating-defence-plans-for-allies-as-russia-invades-ukraine-78061/

DefenceTalkSweden and Finland plan to stay out of NATO despite the “shock” of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leaders of the two countries said Thursday. With the military offensive ordered last night by Russian President Vladimir Putin, “we have entered a new and dark chapter in European history,” Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-finland-firm-on-staying-out-of-nato-78055/

DefenceTalkUkraine, sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has since independence in 1991 been torn between its former Soviet master Moscow and the Western institutions it wants to join. Here is an overview: Independence and nuclear arsenal scrapped In December 1991, Ukraine votes in favour of independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Russian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-torn-between-russia-and-the-west-78078/

DefenceTalkAt least six pro-government fighters, including Syrian troops, were killed in Israeli air strikes Thursday targeting positions held by Iran-backed groups near the capital Damascus, a war monitor reported. It is the fourth time this month that Israeli strikes have been reported inside Syria, keeping up a campaign against pro-Iranian forces supporting the Damascus government […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israeli-strikes-kill-six-near-damascus-monitor-78082/

DefenceTalkChina on Wednesday accused the United States of “raising tensions” and “creating panic” over the Ukraine crisis, shortly after Washington announced sanctions against Moscow and said it would continue to supply weapons to Ukraine against a Russian invasion. Beijing has trod a cautious line on Ukraine as Moscow has massed thousands of troops on the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-accuses-us-of-raising-tensions-on-ukraine-issue-78044/

DefenceTalkNATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that Russian forces continue to prepare for a potential attack on Ukraine after Moscow recognized two separatist regions as independent. “Every indication is that Russia continues to plan for a full-scale attack on Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said after an urgent meeting with Ukraine’s envoy. “We see that more and more […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-warns-russia-readying-for-full-scale-attack-on-ukraine-78031/

DefenceTalkEU members on Tuesday agreed a package of new sanctions against Russia that aims to inflict severe damage on the country after its recognition of breakaway regions in Ukraine, the EU foreign policy chief said. The 27 members of the EU unanimously agreed the measures at an informal meeting in Paris on the sidelines of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-agrees-sanctions-that-will-hurt-russia-78028/

DefenceTalkUkraine on Tuesday urged its Western allies to hit Russia with “tough sanctions” after President Vladimir Putin recognized two breakaway regions as independent and ordered in his troops. Putin’s move – which came with tens of thousands of Russian soldiers on Ukraine’s borders and fears of an all-out invasion – was quickly and widely condemned […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-urges-tough-sanctions-after-putin-orders-troops-into-rebel-regions-78025/

DefenceTalkWestern leaders on Saturday said Russia and China were seeking to “replace the existing international rules” with their own order, as Beijing backed Moscow over its showdown with NATO. Russia has all but encircled Ukraine with its huge troop buildup and US President Joe Biden has warned that Vladimir Putin plans an invasion within days. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/west-voices-fears-of-russia-china-axis-78008/

DefenceTalkRussia said Friday it was withdrawing more tanks and other armored vehicles from areas near Ukraine’s border after running war games that had raised concerns in the West. “Another military train carrying personnel and military equipment belonging to tank army units of the western military district returned to their permanent bases in the Nizhny Novgorod […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-says-withdrawing-military-forces-from-near-ukraine-77992/