Crimean Crisis

First unarmed European drones arrive in Ukraine to monitor one-month truce

The first unarmed drones arrived on Monday in Ukraine to help OSCE teams monitor the implementation of a fragile one-month truce in the separatist east.

Ukraine claims slow but steady progress against pro-Russian rebels

Ukraine's armed forces say they have caused heavy casualties among pro-Russian separatist forces.

Ukraine: Shelling kills three civilians, injures five in rebel stronghold

The latest deaths come as Ukraine's military says it is gearing up to retake the main insurgent bastion in the east, after a month of solid advances saw government forces encircle insurgents hunkered there.

US sanctions against Russia effective, rebels no match for Ukraine army: Obama

President Barack Obama says that US sanctions levied against Russia over its actions in Ukraine are working.

'Not a new Cold War,' says Obama after slapping sanctions on Russia

The United States and the European Union, in a carefully coordinated action, announced targeted new sanctions against Russian banks, energy and defense firms.

Western sanctions will make us independent: Russia

He said sanctions could only make Russia more economically independent as Europe prepared new measures over Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

Russia struggling with half million refugees who fled Ukraine fighting

Widely viewed by the West as having fomented the conflict by supporting pro-Russian separatists, Russia now faces the growing challenge of caring for the refugees.

Russia proactive in encouraging instability in Ukraine: US

The US on Monday alleged that Moscow, in fact, is taking steps that could be actually contributing to the instability in Ukraine.

Europe's reluctance to slap tougher sanctions on Putin frustrates US

While Obama has put a premium on responding to the provocations in coordination with Europe, the White House has grown increasingly frustrated with the continent's reluctance to impose sanctions on Russian economic sectors.

US sanctions unacceptable, says Russia, threatens retaliation

Russia on Thursday called new US sanctions outrageous and unacceptable and threatened retaliation.