May 16 WATCH: Pentagon press secretary John Kirby holds briefing after Biden orders troop redeployment to Somalia By Ben Fox, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Biden has signed an order to redeploy hundreds of U.S. troops to Somalia to counter the Islamic extremist rebel group al-Shabab. It's an effort that American military leaders said had been hampered by Trump's late-term decision to withdraw forces. Continue reading
May 16 WATCH: GOP splinters over $40 billion supplemental funding for Ukraine By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Signs of Republican resistance are mounting over a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine. It's a reemergence of the Trump-led isolationist wing of the GOP coming at a crucial moment as Ukraine desperately battles the Russian invasion. Continue reading
May 16 Russia hits new hurdles in Ukraine and beyond as international opposition grows By Oleksandr Stashevskyi, Ciaran McQuillan, Associated Press Russia's aggression in Ukraine is hitting new hurdles both on the battleground and internationally. Continue reading
May 15 McConnell backs Finland, Sweden NATO memberships during stop in Europe By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press McConnell is a staunch supporter of the Western military alliance, and the visit by the Republicans who made a surprise stop over the weekend to Ukraine's capital delivers a show of American support for the region as Ukraine battles the… Continue reading
May 15 Western officials say Russia is losing momentum as the war in Ukraine grinds on By Associated Press While Moscow lost ground on the diplomatic front, Russian forces failed to make territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. Continue reading
May 15 Finland declares it will seek NATO membership as Sweden prepares to follow suit By Frank Jordans, Jari Tanner, Associated Press The Finnish Parliament is expected to endorse the decision in the coming days. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels, most likely at some point next week. Continue reading
May 14 Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra wins Eurovision with a show of support for a nation gripped by war By Paolo Santalucia, Colleen Barry, Associated Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the victory, Ukraine’s third since its 2003 Eurovision debut, and said “we will do our best” to host next year’s contest in the hotly contested port city of Mariupol. Continue reading
May 14 McConnell leads GOP Senate delegation in secret meeting with Zelenskyy in Ukraine By Associated Press A video posted on Zelenskyy’s Telegram account showed McConnell, R-Ky., and Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Barrasso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas greeting him in the capital. Continue reading
May 14 Russian forces withdraw from Kharkiv region following weeks of bombardments By Oleksandr Stashevskyi, David Keyton, Associated Press Ukraine’s general staff said the Russians were pulling back from the northeastern city of Kharkiv and focusing on guarding supply routes, while launching mortar, artillery and airstrikes in the eastern Donetsk province in order to “deplete Ukrainian forces and destroy… Continue reading
May 14 Putin says Finland NATO membership would harm relations By Jari Tanner, Associated Press The Kremlin’s press service said in a statement Saturday Putin told Sauli Niinisto that Finland’s abandonment “of its traditional policy of military neutrality would be an error since there are no threats to Finland’s security.”… Continue reading