Ukraine: What We Know

 

 

 

 

The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

— President Joe Biden characterized the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine as "very high" and said it could occur within the next several days.

— U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the U.N. Security Council that the world could expect to see Russia attack Ukraine within days.

— U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Russia is continuing to amass its forces along Ukraine's borders and sees no indication that it is sending troops home as it claims.

— Biden will speak with transatlantic leaders on a phone call Friday about Russia's buildup of military troops on the border of Ukraine and the continued efforts of the U.S. to pursue deterrence and diplomacy.

— The State Department confirmed that Russia has expelled U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission to Russia Bart Gorman.

— Russia said it will take time to withdraw forces that have completed military drills near the Ukraine border.

— The U.S. says it has received Russia's written response to a U.S. letter about security concerns in Europe.

— The West is demanding that Russia pull its troops and weapons from Ukraine's border, while Moscow is pushing for NATO to curtail its operations in Eastern and central Europe. Russia also maintains that the Western defensive alliance should reject Ukraine's NATO membership bid, a move the United States calls a "non-starter."

 

Words in this story:

invasion - n  an act of invading especially: the incursion of an army for conquest or plunder; the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful

amass- v  to collect for oneself; accumulate; to collect into mass: gather

transatlantic- adj  crossing or extending across the Atlantic Ocean; situated or originating from beyond the Atlantic Ocean

deterrence- n the act of deterring: such as  the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment; the maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack

alliance - n the state of being allied: the action of allying;  a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals

diplomacy- n the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations; skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility: tact

 

Comprehension Quiz

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https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-what-we-know-/6403165.html