US Ambassador Meets Russian Officials on Ukraine
The US Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, visited Russia’s Foreign Ministry on February 11
The US is actively considering all options it might take towards the civil war in Syria, including a military intervention, stated US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
Although Hagel said this is only one option amongst others, this is an unprecedented statement contrasting with the US's up to now more distanced stance.
Western countries have taken a more active approach, following reports that chemical weapons were used in the Syrian conflict over this week.
"The Defence Department has responsibility to provide the president with options for all contingencies," said Hagel while on a visit to Malaysia Sunday.
"And that requires positioning our forces, positioning our assets, to be able to carry out different options - whatever options the president might choose," added he.
However he explained that his statement does not necessarily mean that the US has already started to position forces.
"A very quick assessment of what happened, and whatever appropriate response should be made, that needs to happen within that time frame of responsible action," said the US Defense Secretary, without specifying a time frame.
At the same time, the US foreign office said that over the week Secretary of State John Kerry has talked to Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem in order to be assured of Syria's claims that the government is not responsible for the alleged chemical attack.
Kerry has further talked to diplomatic representatives from across the Middle East in an effort to clear up the circumstances around the incident.
US Vice President JD Vance has indicated that Washington may impose sanctions and potentially take military action against Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate a peace deal ensuring Ukraine's long-term independence
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has once again called for Republika Srpska to separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Monday that Ukraine would not accept any agreements regarding its future
On February 13, 2025, several Russian drones launched in a large-scale attack on Ukraine crossed into Moldova's airspace
The European Parliament has reiterated its refusal to recognize the self-proclaimed authorities of Georgia
A major police operation is underway in Munich after a car plowed into a crowd of demonstrators near the city's central train station
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