Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia has pulled its troops from the Ukraine border. Russia has pulled its troops out from the Ukraine border in an attempt to stem the growing violence in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday.
Clashes continued over the weekend in Eastern Ukraine between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian supporters, and 42 died in violent clashes in Odessa.
The conflict in Ukraine escalated to another level on Thursday when Russia announced it would be ramping up military exercises after the Kiev government confirmed that its forces were responsible for killing five pro-Russian militants.
More violence between the neighboring countries occurs. Security forces in eastern Ukraine launched an operation Sunday to eliminate pro-Russian separatists from a police headquarters in Slaviansk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila Putina, have finalized their divorce after three decades of marriage, according to the leader's official biography on the Kremlin website.
Ukraine prepares for elections in May and Russia looks on. Having lost the Crimea to Russia, Ukraine now looks forward to consolidate a nation splintered after overthrowing its government and surviving, partially, an invasion.
Although it has been nearly three decades since the horrifying and disastrous nuclear explosion at Chernobyl, researchers have noticed that the dead trees and plants in the area have decomposed at a much slower rate than normal.
Ukraine and Russia strengthen their sides and continue to watch each others' moves. Violence and unrest continues to plague the Crimea. The last week has seen fast developments in the Black Sea peninsula, increasing tensions between Russia and the Ukraine.
Tensions remain high in Eastern Europe as both sides flex their geopolitical muscles. Crimea is poised to vote on a referendum that will decide the fate of Eastern Europe and reset the balance of power in the world.
"You can call yourself Republicans ... but don't call yourself Reagan Republicans," Republican Senator John McCain told some of his fellow GOP colleagues Thursday on the Senate floor, according to "Politico."
With pro-Russian forces occupying the Crimean peninsula and the Russian navy blockading Ukrainian ships in the area, the Ukrainian crisis continues to escalate despite diplomatic conversations between the West and Russia. As diplomacy continues to drag, both sides have made moves that show their strength, but it may not work in the long run.
While the crisis in Ukraine hasn't resulted in on-the-ground war so far, a propaganda war has been raging between Russia and Ukraine. On Wednesday, RT anchor Liz Wahl's job became a casualty of that bloodless conflict, as she announced live, on-air that she could no longer be a part of the Russian state-funded news organization.
The United States ramped up its pressure on Russia on Thursday as President Obama signed an executive order that allows for sanctions and expands visa bans
Cyber attacks between Russia and Ukraine have already occurred, but have reportedly been limited in scope. However, with the propaganda war ramping up and tensions increasing, a threat of a large-scale cyber war looms over the region, just as the threat of a ground war continues.
