The World’s Most Politically Charged Pipeline Is Going To Be Built

OilPrice.com: There’s No Stopping The World’s Most Politically Charged Pipeline

This week, Denmark granted Gazprom approval for its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, a project that is set to bring 55 billion cubic meters of Russian gas into Europe annually. It is one of the most controversial pipeline projects in the world and is now moving ahead despite strong opposition from multiple EU members and the United States.

The geopolitical tensions surrounding the development of Nord Stream 2 are unprecedented. To begin with, Russia has very poor relations with the Baltic states and Poland, nations who will almost always fight against anything they see as empowering Russia geopolitically. Then there is Ukraine, a nation that is strongly against the pipeline due to its fear of losing the transit fees that it currently charges Russia for exporting gas to Europe. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the United States sees this pipeline as a direct threat to its soft power in Europe as well as a threat to its growing LNG exports.

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WNU Editor: This pipeline is a go. Germany needs the energy, and they are committed to seeing this project through.

EU Nations To Expel Russian Diplomats In Response To The Nerve Agent Attack In Salisbury

The Guardian: At least 10 EU nations to expel Russian diplomats in spy row

Emmanuel Macron condemns ‘attack on European sovereignty’ as EU leaders back Theresa May

Russian intelligence agents and diplomats across the European Union will be expelled next week in response to the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury, described by Emmanuel Macron as an “attack on European sovereignty”.

At least 10 EU member states will order Russian officials to leave, with the number of countries answering the UK’s call for action expected to rise in the coming weeks.

“What happened in Great Britain has clearly never been seen before,” the French president told reporters, at the end of a summit where EU leaders agreed unanimously that Moscow was “highly likely” to be responsible for the assault. “It is an aggression against the security and the sovereignty of an ally, today a member of the European Union, which demands a reaction.”

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WNU Editor: This is not going to end anytime soon.

More News On EU Nations Reaction To The Nerve Agent Attack In Salisbury

Germany and France to take action against Russia for Salisbury poisoning -- DW
Europeans Promise More Steps Against Russia Over UK Spy Attack -- US Newsnad World Report/Reuters
EU vows 'more steps' against Russia as shockwaves from spy poisoning continue to be felt throughout Europe -- FOX News
May Served Secrets Over Dinner to Win EU Allies for Russia Fight -- Bloomberg
The chemical attack in Britain has united the EU against Russia -- VICE News
Russian spy: UK accused of leading 'anti-Russian campaign' -- BBC

News From Russia

Russian spy: EU recalls Russia ambassador after nerve agent attack -- RT
EU States Prepare Punitive Measures against Russia Over UK Spy Attack -- The Moscow Times
Merkel, Macron convinced by London’s ‘evidence’ implicating Russia in Skripal case -- Sputnik
Senior diplomat cautions EU that anti-Russian moves will ‘cut both ways’ -- TASS
'Tensions Between Russia, Some EU Countries Will Continue to Increase' - Analyst -- Sputnik

Is There A Covert Russian Plan To Influence Central And Eastern Europe?

Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Security Council. One European expert estimates that at least a third of Russia's diplomats work for Putin's intelligence agencies. Alexei Nikolskyi/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Reuters

Reuters: Russia has 'playbook' for covert influence in Eastern Europe: study

Russia has mounted a campaign of covert economic and political measures to manipulate five countries in central and eastern Europe, discredit the West's liberal democratic model, and undermine trans-Atlantic ties, a report by a private U.S. research group said.

The report released on Thursday said Moscow had co-opted sympathetic politicians, strived to dominate energy markets and other economic sectors, and undermined anti-corruption measures in an attempt to gain sway over governments in Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Serbia, and Slovakia.

"In certain countries, Russian influence has become so pervasive and endemic that it has challenged national stability as well as a country's Western orientation and Euro-Atlantic stability," said the report of a 16-month study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington and the Sofia, Bulgaria-based Center for the Study of Democracy.

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Update: Survey: Russia's Campaign To Influence Central, Eastern Europe (Novinite)

WNU Editor: You can add Montenegro to the list .... Montenegro PM accuses Russia of financing anti-NATO campaign (Reuters). But is there a plan .... I am sure that every major power in the world has a plan to influence other nations .... Russia included.

Is Russian Intelligence Secretly Funding Political Parties In Europe?

The Telegraph: Russia accused of clandestine funding of European parties as US conducts major review of Vladimir Putin's strategy

Exclusive: UK warns of "new Cold War" as Kremlin seeks to divide and rule in Europe

American intelligence agencies are to conduct a major investigation into how the Kremlin is infiltrating political parties in Europe, it can be revealed.

James Clapper, the US Director of National Intelligence, has been instructed by the US Congress to conduct a major review into Russian clandestine funding of European parties over the last decade.

The review reflects mounting concerns in Washington over Moscow’s determination to exploit European disunity in order to undermine Nato, block US missile defence programmes and revoke the punitive economic sanctions regime imposed after the annexation of Crimea.

The US move came as senior British government officials told The Telegraph of growing fears that “a new cold war” was now unfolding in Europe, with Russian meddling taking on a breadth, range and depth far greater than previously thought.

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Update #1: US to investigate Russian funding of European political parties amidst fears of 'new Cold War' -- The Independent
Update #2: US to probe Russian meddling in EU -- World Bulletin

WNU Editor: Is Russian intelligence funding political parties in Europe? The question that should be asked is .... who is not?

Russian President Putin: 'Russia's Isolation From The West Is Ending

Wall Street Journal: Vladimir Putin Suggests Russia’s Isolation From the West Is Ending

Russian president was center-stage at the G-20 summit following the Paris attacks.

MOSCOW—President Vladimir Putin was front and center at the Group of 20 summit in Turkey, where he made his case for deeper international partnerships in fighting Islamic State after the Paris terror attacks.

“We proposed cooperation on antiterrorism; unfortunately our partners in the United States in the initial stage responded with a refusal,” Mr. Putin said. “But life indeed moves on, often very quickly, and teaches us lessons. It seems to me that everyone is coming around to the realization that we can wage an effective fight only together.”

The Friday attacks have given the Russian leader, who spoke Sunday with President Barack Obama at the summit, a new chance to reduce the isolation that followed his intervention in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.

Speaking Monday before leaving Antalya, Turkey, Mr. Putin suggested Russia’s estrangement from the West is ending, noting a clear interest among European officials to renew ties in several spheres and characterizing the summit as less tense than last year’s meeting in Australia. Mr. Putin left that summit early

WNU Editor: The enemy of my enemy is my friend .... and right now everyone is an enemy of the Islamic State. But the situation that put Russia in this situation is Ukraine, and the conflict there is still brewing .... While West Focuses on Syria, Ukraine Conflict Flares (US News and World Report).

It’s Business As Usual Between Europe and Russia

The Gazprom logo is seen on the side of the Russian energy giant's headquarters in Moscow, Russia, February 24. At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok September 3 to 5, Gazprom clinched three major deals with some of Europe’s biggest energy companies. MAXIM ZMEYEV/REUTERS

Judy Dempsey, Newsweek: Forget Ukraine. It’s Business As Usual Between Europe and Russia

It was just like the old days before the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014. At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostokc Gazprom clinched three major deals with some of Europe’s biggest energy companies.

One of the most important was the revival of a lucrative asset swap between the Russian energy giant and Wintershall, the energy division of BASF, a German chemical company. BASF had abandoned that swap arrangement in December 2014 because of the geopolitical consequences of Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea.

WNU Editor: Its always about the money.

Russia Trains For The Invasion Of The Baltics And Scandinavia

Invasion: Zubr-class hovercraft, deploying marines during Zapad-09 in Mordovia during Russia's rehearsals for occupying part of the Baltic states

Daily Mail: Russia has rehearsed an invasion of SCANDINAVIA which, if carried out, would prevent NATO from reinforcing the Baltic states, claims US security report

* 33,000 Russian soldiers reportedly involved in mock invasion
* 'The Coming Storm' is by US-based Center for European Policy Analysis
* It reports simulated takeovers on Danish and Finnish Islands
* Russian takeover could be too fast for NATO to react

A mock invasion of Sweden and Norway has been carried out by 33,000 Russian troops, a US security think tank has claimed.

Tens of thousands of soldiers rehearsed a military takeover of Swedish and Norwegian territory near the Baltic Sea in March, security expert Edward Lucas said in a report for the US-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).

The exercise also simulated the invasion of other areas including the Danish island of Bornholm, Finland's Swedish-speaking Åland islands, and northern Norway, according to the report, The Coming Storm.

WNU Editor: I am skeptical that Russia would invade the Baltics and Scandinavia. Some of these countries are NATO members .... and invasion would mean war on a scale that has not been seen since the Second World War. But having said that .... it is true that the fear of war is making many countries shift their policies .... case in point .... Sweden .... Flexing Its Military Might, Russia Is Pushing Sweden Into NATO's Arms (Vice News).

Poland Blocks The Russian ‘Night Wolves’ Motorcycle Group From Entering The EU

The Guardian: Poland refuses to let biker gang follow Red Army route through country

The Night Wolves, a group loyal to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, planned to ride across Poland to mark second world war anniversary

Poland has said it will not allow a nationalist biker gang loyal to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, to enter the country as part of the group’s second world war commemorations.

The Night Wolves had planned to ride through Poland next week to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the conflict. Their plan was to cross several European countries on the way to Berlin, following the route taken by the Red Army in its defeat of Adolf Hitler’s Germany.

More News On Poland Blocking The Russian ‘Night Wolves’ Motorcycle Group From Entering The EU

Poland bars Russia's Night Wolves bikers over security -- BBC
Poland Bars Russia’s Night Wolves Motorcycle Club -- NYT
Poland Will Deny Pro-Putin Bike Gang the Night Wolves Entrance to EU -- Newsweek/Reuters
Poland to Block ‘Night Wolves’ Russian Motorcycle Group at Border -- WSJ
Poland Denying Entry To Pro-Putin Motorcyclists -- Radio Free Europe
Putin’s Favorite Biker Gang Is on the Road to Berlin -- Bloomberg
Meet The Night Wolves, The Russian Nationalist Biker Gang That Wants To Recreate The Red Army's March On Germany -- IBTimes

A Look At How The Kremlin Is Trying To Break International Sanctions

© Sputnik/ Ilya Pitalev

New York Times: Waving Cash, Putin Sows E.U. Divisions in an Effort to Break Sanctions

NICOSIA, Cyprus — When Cyprus seized hundreds of millions of dollars from bank depositors, many of them Russians, as part of an internationally brokered deal two years ago to rescue its collapsing financial system, the Russian leader, Vladimir V. Putin, denounced the move as “dangerous” and “unfair,” warning of a sharp chill in relations.

But Mr. Putin was all smiles recently when he received Cyprus’s president, Nicos Anastasiades, in Moscow. He hailed relations with the Mediterranean nation as “always being truly friendly and mutually beneficial” and agreed to extend — on greatly improved terms for Cyprus — a $2.5 billion Russian loan.

The shift from fury to declarations of eternal friendship displayed Mr. Putin’s well-known flair for tactical back flips. But it also showed his unbending determination to break out of sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and the European Union for Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and support for armed rebels in eastern Ukraine.

WNU Editor: The big story is not Putin trying to buy friends and allies in Europe .... the big story is on international investors making the decision that Russia is a perfect place to park their money .... sanctions or no sanctions .... Russian ruble seen as world’s best performing currency, hits 2015 high (RT). This is a vote of confidence that most countries are not enjoying right now ... including much of the Euro zone.

Update: Apparently Putin's popularity continues to be high in Russia .... Putin’s popularity peaks a year into Ukraine conflict (France 24).

Moscow Accuses Western Intelligence Agencies Of Trying To Destabilize Russia

President Putin addressing the FSB on Thursday. He vowed Russia would stand firm in its relations with the West. Kremlin.ru

VOA: Putin: Western Intel Services Aiming to Destabilize Russia

President Vladimir Putin said Western intelligence services have set it as their goal to destabilize Russia especially during upcoming elections, according to the Kremlin’s website.

In a speech Thursday in Moscow before top officials of the Federal Security Service, he said non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and politicized groups will take the lead in this effort.

“[We are seeing that] to attain their goals, Western intelligence services are unceasingly using civic non-governmental organizations and politicized associations, above all to discredit the government and destabilize the domestic situation in Russia, whereby operations are already planned for the upcoming 2016-12018 election campaigns,” Putin told officials of the KGB successor agency, according to a transcript of his speech posted by the Kremlin.

More News On Moscow Accusing Western Intelligence Agencies Of Trying To Destabilize Russia

Putin says Russia will stand firm in standoff with West -- AP
Putin says Western spies plot against Russia before polls -- Reuters
Putin Accuses West Of Anti-Russian Plots -- Radio Free Europe
Western spies are undermining my rule, says Putin: Russian president accuses security services of deliberately trying to destabilise the country before elections -- Daily Mail/Reuters
West's 'Arm-Twisting' Will Not Isolate Russia - Putin -- Sputnik
Putin Urges FSB: Harder, Faster, Stronger -- Moscow Times
To change the situation for the better we must make Russia stronger – Putin to FSB -- RT
Moscow says new U.S. national security strategy is anti-Russian -- Reuters
Russian Security Council Warns US Seeks 'Color Revolution' Against Kremlin -- IBTimes
Russia to take into account threats resulting from new U.S. security strategy -- RBTH

NATO: Russian Military Aircraft Are Risking The Safety Of European Airliners

Russian Warplanes Risking Safety Of European Airliners, Says Nato Chief -- The Telegraph

Jens Stoltenberg, the new secretary general of Nato, tells the Telegraph that more Russian military jets are flying over Europe without contacting air traffic control, raising the risk of mid-air collisions

Russia is placing civilian flights at risk by dispatching jet fighters and bombers into European airspace without following safety procedures, according to Nato’s secretary general.

Jens Stoltenberg told the Telegraph that Nato fighters had intercepted Russian military aircraft over 100 times so far this year, compared with 30 such incidents in 2013.

Russia’s long-range bombers and spy planes usually stay in international airspace, but they deliberately ignore safeguards designed to reduce the risk of collision with civilian flights. In particular, they switch off the “transponders” that allow aircraft to detect one another.

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Update #1: Russian Military Activity in Europe’s Airspace Is ‘Dangerous,’ Says U.K. -- Wall Street Journal
Update #2: Civilian Flights at Risk From Putin's 'Invisible' Fighters -- Newsweek

My Comment: Russian pilots shutting off their transponders is a definite no-no .... and dangerous. But such is the present state of affairs between the West and Russia.

EU Imposes Additional Sanctions On Russia

E.U. Imposes New Round Of Sanctions On Russia Over Threats To Ukraine -- Washington Post

MOSCOW — The European Union on Tuesday imposed a new round of sanctions on Russia over what it called threats to Ukraine’s independence, joining the Obama administration’s decision the previous day to ratchet up punishment even as it acknowledged that a new round of economic sanctions is unlikely to bring an immediate change in Russian behavior.

The European measures froze the E.U.-based assets of 10 Russian officials and five Ukrainians, all of whom the European Union linked to unrest in eastern Ukraine. They were also banned from travel to the 28 E.U. nations. Unlike the U.S. sanctions, which also hit Russian business executives, no prominent private-sector individuals were named by Europe. Only one person was also on the list of U.S. sanctions targets.

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More News On The EU Imposing Additional Sanctions On Russia

Ukraine crisis: EU sanctions target 15 individuals -- CNN
EU sanctions 15 politicians and military leaders over Ukraine -- Reuters
EU levies sanctions against 15 over Ukraine -- FOX News/AP
EU Follows U.S. In Imposing New Sanctions On Russia -- NPR
European Union Adds 15 Names to Ukraine Sanctions List -- New York Times
EU Escalates Response to Russia's Actions in Ukraine -- WSJ
EU Joins U.S. With New Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine -- Bloomberg Businessweek
EU ‘should be ashamed’ after sanctions on Russia - Moscow -- RT
Russia Criticizes Western Sanctions -- Voice of America
EU Sanctions Fall Short, Analysts Say -- Moscow Times

Who Will Blink First, Vladimir Putin Or The West?

Image: BBC

Ukraine Crisis: Who Will Blink First, Vladimir Putin Or The West? -- Ulrich Speck, Political Analyst, Special To CNN

(CNN) -- Russia's seizure of Crimea last month may have unfolded with a lightning quickness, but Vladimir Putin and the West are now engaged in a much slower match of wits on a chessboard stretching across most of eastern Ukraine.

Rather than going for checkmate, both sides now seem content to wait for the other to make a mistake. Putin made a strong first move by placing 40,000 troops on the border -- and separatists, who are not officially linked to Russia, on the ground in Ukraine.

Now Moscow is waiting for the pro-Western government in Kiev to try to retake the parts of the east it has seemingly lost. In Russia's eyes, any such move from the capital would legitimize an overwhelming counterattack -- a re-run of the Georgia crisis in 2008, when President Mikheil Saakashvili lost his nerve, shot first, and prompted a Russian invasion.

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My Comment: The premise of this article is that it believes that Putin has the power to significantly influence events in eastern Ukraine .... on this point I disagree. I have mentioned more than once in this blog that the people in this region are fiercely independent, and they do not follow anyone's line. It is in this region that the first strikes broke out (among the miners) that help bring down the old Soviet Union. If they did not listen to Moscow then .... what makes anyone think that they will listen to Moscow now.

I suspect that Putin knows the history of this region .... hence this is the reason why there is some hesitation on his part on what to do next. The high costs of such an operation also factors in .... as well as the post-period after an invasion. Ukraine is broke .... and it will require tens of billions of dollar to just stabilize the situation .... money that Moscow is very reluctant to spend. But if the situation in Ukraine implodes .... I can guarantee it that Putin will order the military to invade .... and he will not care who blinks first.

U.S. And Western Reactions To Russia's Role In The Ukraine Crisis

Obama, Europe Leaders Intend to Impose More Russia Sanctions -- Wall Street Journal

Leaders Cite Lack of Moscow Cooperation Following Geneva Agreement on Ukraine

President Barack Obama spoke with four other world leaders about clamping a new round of sanctions on Russia, but senior U.S. officials said action is unlikely on Friday as the U.S. continues to negotiate with allies.

The White House said that Mr. Obama in the call stressed the need for additional steps to be coordinated through the Group of Seven leading industrialized countries and the European Union.

The call involved the U.S., French, U.K., German and Italian leaders, but none of the governments specified when new sanctions would be implemented.

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More News On U.S. And Western Reactions To Russia's Role In The Ukraine Crisis

US, EU allies agree to 'impose costs' on Russia over Ukraine -- Deutsche Welle
G-7 Leaders Agree to Act on Russia as OSCE Monitors Held -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Obama: Economic sanctions if Russia enters Ukraine -- Washington Post/AP
Obama, Europe Leaders to Discuss More Russia Sanctions -- Update -- WSJ
Obama calls European allies on Russia-Ukraine -- Washington Post/AP
Obama calls allies about Russia/Ukraine -- USA Today
Kerry Accuses Russia of Ignoring Geneva Agreement On Ukraine -- Voice of America
Ex-Soviet states and EU partners call for Ukraine de-escalation -- Reuters
Ex-Soviet States Call on Russia to Withdraw Troops From Ukraine Border -- WSJ
Merkel warns Putin to do more to end Ukraine crisis -- The Guardian
Merkel voices 'great concern' on Ukraine in call to Putin -- Global Post/AFP
As Ukraine continues its anti-terrorist operation, American leaders consider providing lethal aid, prepare additional sanctions on Russia -- Kyiv Post

My Comment: Relations between the U.S. and Russia are now so bad that even the foreign ministers have trouble talking to each other .... Disgusted Kerry And Lavrov Can't Even Hold A Phone Conversation Any More -- Zero Hedge

President Obama: The U.S. And the E.U. Stay United Against Russia

U.S. President Barack Obama takes part in a EU-US summit in Brussels, March 26, 2014. VOA

Obama: U.S. And Europe United Over Ukraine Crisis -- CNN

(CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama again called for Russia to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine on Wednesday -- and warned of further isolation and "costs" if Moscow doesn't respond to the West's call for a change of course.

The United States and Europe are united in their support for Ukraine, including the need for economic assistance, and in their efforts to isolate Russia for its intervention in Crimea, Obama said, speaking at an European Union-U.S. summit in Brussels, Belgium.

He said that tougher sanctions would follow if Russia engaged in "deeper incursions" into Ukraine.

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More News On The U.S. - E.U. Summit

EU and US 'united' over crisis in Ukraine -- BBC
Obama says West is united against Russia -- USA Today
Obama: US, EU ‘United in Our Support of Ukraine’ -- Voice of America
Ukraine centre stage in EU-US Brussels summit -- Al Jazeera
US, EU summit focuses on Crimea crisis -- Deutsche Welle
Obama Says Russia 'Miscalculated' in Ukraine -- NBC
Obama: Russia miscalculated in Ukraine -- AP
Obama: Energy diversification needed in Europe -- Washington Post/AP
EU to press Obama at summit for aid in cutting Russian gas imports -- Reuters

Western Leaders Meet To Discuss Crimea And Russia

Obama To The Rescue? US President Swoops In As Western Leaders Meet To Discuss Crimea After Russian Forces Storms Last Ukrainian Base -- Daily Mail

* Ukraine orders the withdrawal of troops from Crimea as Russians advance
* Cameron: 'G8 summit will NOT be held in Russia in June this year'
* Russia bars 13 Canadian officials from country in response to sanctions
* Obama meets European leaders in The Hague to press for more sanctions
* German foreign minister says Putin has 'opened Pandora's Box' in Crimea
* Russian forces overrun Ukrainian marine base at Feodosia, eastern Crimea
* It follows the storming of the military compound in Belbek on Saturday

Barack Obama swooped into the Crimea crisis today in a desperate bid to rescue the region from war as advancing Russian troops strong-armed Ukraine into a wholesale retreat.

Flanked by a squadron of Marine-Corps gunships, the U.S. President arrived in Amsterdam by helicopter to press Europe's leaders to further punish Russia for annexing the peninsular.

And speaking ahead of the summit, his British counterpart, David Cameron, revealed that the G8 group of industrialised nations will not meet in Russia despite it being timetabled to take place in Sochi this June.

'We should be clear there's not going to be a G8 summit this year in Russia. That's absolutely clear,' Cameron said.

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More News On Western Leaders Meeting To Discuss Crimea And Russia

In day of tough diplomacy, Obama, world leaders gather in bid to isolate Russia over Ukraine -- FOX News/AP
Obama opens crisis talks in Europe as Ukraine pulls forces from Crimea -- Reuters
Obama, in Europe, Says Allies Are ‘United’ on Ukraine -- New York Times
Obama: Russia to Suffer Ukraine Costs -- Voice of America
Western Leaders Gather in Bid to Isolate Russia -- AP
World Leaders Discuss Ukraine as Worry Grows Over Russia -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Obama seeks allied, China support as Ukraine exits Crimea -- Reuters
Obama to Call for Suspension of Russia From G-8 -- Wall Street Journal
White House: G-7 nations to discuss suspending Russia -- Politico
White House: no need for G7 to engage with Russia -- Reuters
U.S. Sanctions Aimed at Putting Pressure on Russian Markets -- Bloomberg Businessweek
U.S., other powers may kick Russia out of G8 -- Jim Acosta, CNN Senior White House Correspondent

Russia - NATO - U.S. - Ukraine Military Movements -- News Updates March 22, 2014 (Updated)

Russian Troop Buildup Now Covers Essentially The Entire Ukrainian Border -- CBS

The buildup of Russian troops now covers essentially the entire Ukrainian border - with some soldiers as close as 50 kilometers away, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports.

The buildup is raising serious concerns that Russia could invade Ukraine proper.

The beefing up of Russian forces includes tanks and tactical aircraft but is also a very heavy logistical buildup which would allow for a sustained operation, Martin reports.

The buildup is at least twice the size of what the Russians advertised when they announced the exercise.

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More News On Russia - NATO - U.S. - Ukraine Military Movements

Ukraine envoy warns of more Russian incursion -- Al Jazeera
Russia: No Military Moves Planned Against Ukraine -- Military.com
Ukraine’s Crimean soldiers awaiting orders -- Washington Post
Ukrainian troops leave Crimean bases as truce with Russia expires -- Reuters
Crimean Self-Defense Forces to Join Russian Military – Official -- RIA Novosti
Crimea's Pro-Russian Militants To Join Russian Armed Forces -- Defense News
72 Crimean Military Units Request Joining Russia -- RIA Novosti
Ukraine's navy at end of rope in Crimea -- AFP

U.S. eyes military supplies for Ukraine, seeks to avoid escalation -- Reuters
Hagel Weighing Ukraine Request for Military Assistance -- PJ Media
US Considers Sanctions Against Russian Defense Sector -- Defense News

France suspends ‘most’ military cooperation with Russia -- France 24
France to suspend military cooperation with Russia -- Reuters

Germany says not approving any defense exports to Russia -- Reuters
Germany Puts on Hold Firm's Russian Military Deal -- AP

U.S., Ukraine to join international military drill in Bulgaria -- Reuters
NATO, Ukraine join military exercise in Bulgaria -- AP

U.S. to hold CEE military exercises in Poland: radio -- Reuters
US to hold major war games in Poland – ambassador -- RT
U.S., Poland look at widening activities at Polish air base -- Reuters
Up in arms: Poland accelerates missile defense plan amid Ukraine crisis -- RT

Finnish Air Force steps up surveillance amid "interesting traffic" over Baltic -- YLE
Ukraine crisis prompts security rethink in Europe -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP

Russia Warns That It May Change It's Stance On Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin. © RIA Novosti. Ramil Sitdikov

Russia Just Warned The US That It May Play The 'Iran Card' On Ukraine -- Business Insider

A senior Russian diplomat signaled a possible shift Wednesday in Russia's position on the ongoing Iranian nuclear talks amid tensions with the United States and other Western countries, according to The Associated Press.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by the Russian news organization Interfax as saying the recent sanctions announced by the European Union and U.S. may force Russia to retaliate by altering its stance on the Iran talks. Such a move would dramatically escalate tensions between Russia and the West, which are already high amid Russia's annexation of Crimea on Tuesday.

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Update #1: Senior Russian Diplomat: Moscow May Change Stance In Iranian Nuke Talks -- CBS/AP
Update #2: Russia warns West it may change stance on Iran, in retaliation over sanctions -- FOX News

My Comment: I expect to hear the same warnings about Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea, etc. in the next few weeks. I also expect no change in their policies .... if there was a change .... Putin would be making it and not the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister. But if more sanctions are imposed against Russia .... then expect that Putin speech.

Former Soviet States Are Nervous Over Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Former Soviet States. NYT

Russia's Seizure of Crimea Is Making Former Soviet States Nervous -- Matt Ford, The Atlantic

The crisis in Ukraine has countries formerly in Russia's orbit fearing Putin's next moves.

For the first time since the Soviet Union's collapse more than two decades ago, Russian military forces have moved into an Eastern European country and occupied its territory. Over 15,000 Russian soldiers are now stationed in Ukraine's autonomous republic of Crimea, according to Ukrainian officials (it's not clear how many of them were already in the region before this crisis), in a deployment ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to protect "Russian citizens and compatriots on Ukrainian territory." No shots have been fired, but Ukraine's acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, has placed his country's military on its highest alert level to deter "potential aggression," as the United States condemned Russia's "invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory" in violation of international law.

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My Comment: They should be nervous .... they could be next.

Russia Still Sees Europe As A Military Threat

Russia's Military Shows Its Might to Europeans -- Andrew Foxall, Moscow Times

More than 20 years after the end of the Cold War, one might have thought that Russia no longer viewed the West as its primary military target. Alas, this is not the case. While Russia's recent military exercises in Eastern Europe have gone largely unnoticed, they reveal that Russia still sees the West as a threat.

Russia's Zapad-2013 military exercises, held jointly with Belarus, took place in September. In theory, the exercises were a counterterrorism operation targeting "illegal armed groups." In practice, they were oriented toward fighting a large-scale war against conventional armies in Europe. And the language that Russia used toward NATO in the buildup to the exercises was highly charged. NATO, it was said, is an enemy because of its pursuit of a ballistic missile defense system and its continuing expansion.

Read more ....

My Comment: Russia is not going to invade Europe .... and Europe is not going to invade Russia .... but the military (on both sides) does what it does which is to prepare and train for something that they hope that they will never need to follow through.