Is the Ukraine crisis ending? NATO doesn’t think so

Published

4 years ago

February 18, 2022

With Moscow announcing a partial pull back of troops, could the crisis in Ukraine be nearing an end? The West doesn’t think so.

With Russia announcing a partial pull back of forces, the alliance has accused Russia of in fact sending more troops to the border.

“They have always moved forces back and forth,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg revealed. “So just that we see movement of forces of battle tanks doesn’t confirm a real withdrawal.

“It has been a big up and down, back and forth, all the way, but the trend over the last weeks and months has been a steady increase in the Russian capabilities close to Ukraine’s borders.

“So Russia retains the capability of a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine without any warning time.”

Moscow announced a partial pullback of forces from near Ukraine earlier this week.

Russia’s defence ministry published video of military vehicles leaving the Crimean peninsula – an area Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014.

They said some of the country’s military drills had already ended, and others were coming to a close.

Moscow also announced some troops would be returning to their permanent bases.

In spite of this, a senior Western official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said intelligence showed Russian military exercises would be at their most active during the remainder of February.

He said there were no credible signs at this point that there would be any kind of military de-escalation.

NATO is considering new steps to deter Moscow on its eastern flank in response to the Russian threat in Ukraine’s north, east and south.

Russia says it never planned to attack Ukraine but wants to lay down “red lines” to prevent its neighbour from joining NATO, which it sees as a threat to its own security.

Airlines face disruptions that surpass previous Middle East conflicts

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Ahron Young

What’s happening in the Middle East?

Trump says U.S. strikes could last four to five weeks and described the operation as the last best chance to act, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns the hardest hits are yet to come
Six U.S. service members have been killed, additional American forces are being deployed to the region, and the White House says nine Iranian naval ships have been destroyed
Iran says it sees no limit to its right to self defence and will not negotiate, as missile and drone attacks continue across Israel, Lebanon and Gulf states
More than 500 Iranians have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes, with further deaths reported in Lebanon, Israel and the UAE
Shipping, aviation and energy markets have been severely disrupted, more than 11,000 flights have been cancelled, Gulf stock markets have closed temporarily, and oil and gas prices have surged amid Strait of Hormuz fears

Oil prices surge amid rising Middle East conflict risks

Crude oil surges 7% amid fears of Middle East conflict; Strait of Hormuz disruptions may push Brent over $100.

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil surges 7% amid fears of Middle East conflict; Strait of Hormuz disruptions may push Brent over $100.

Crude oil prices spiked dramatically as investors react to the growing risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East. U.S. crude surged 7.2 percent, trading near $71.84 a barrel, signalling heightened concern across energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint, has come under intense scrutiny. Rising war-risk insurance premiums and suspended tanker traffic are already slowing the movement of oil, creating ripple effects in global supply chains.

JPMorgan has warned that prolonged disruptions over three weeks could force Gulf producers to reduce output, potentially pushing Brent crude prices to between $100 and $120 a barrel. Markets are closely watching for developments that could reshape global energy pricing.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

News

Trump warns of last opportunity to hit Iran as conflict escalates

Trump declares final chance to strike Iran, aiming to dismantle missile systems and prevent nuclear weapons amid U.S. troop losses.

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump declares final chance to strike Iran, aiming to dismantle missile systems and prevent nuclear weapons amid U.S. troop losses.

President Trump has declared this is the final opportunity to strike Iran as conflict intensifies across the Middle East, outlining four key military objectives including dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and targeting its navy.

The U.S. says its mission is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to halt its alleged support for terrorist groups abroad, signalling a potentially prolonged campaign in the region.

Four U.S. troops have already been killed, with officials warning further casualties are possible as operations continue.

#Trump #Iran #MiddleEast

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker