The Kremlin has announced a deadline for the Ukrainian government to pay part of its fuel debt to Moscow or the flow of Russian gas to its neighboring country would be halted.
A top Russian military commander has advised senior US military officials against deployment of US and NATO aviation, ships and troops near its border.
Russia has started extensive military drills near the Ukrainian border following the escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine and a major military maneuvers by US forces in Poland.
NATO is strengthening its military footprint along its eastern border immediately in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, the alliance's chief said Wednesday.