US imposes further sanctions on Russia over Crimea, east Ukraine conflict:
The new US sanctions also targeted a Ukrainian businessman from Donetsk, Oleksandr Yanukovich, son of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, who was toppled by the Maidan protests in 2014. Ref. Source 9b
Russia's Lavrov says US signals it wants to mend ties:
Lavrov said last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin would "Consider constructively" Any request for a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama when he travels to New York next month for the U.N. General Assembly. Ref. Source 6h
Pentagon updates plans for war with 'potentially aggressive' Russia - media:
The Pentagon is reportedly reviewing and updating its contingency plans for a war with Russia for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with a defense official telling US media that Russia's "Actions" Prompted the assessment. Ref. Source 1d
US refuses to receive PM Medvedev's delegation to coordinate anti-terrorist actions in Syria:
Washington has refused to receive a Russian military delegation, headed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, to discuss coordinated action on the fight against terrorism in Syria, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said. Ref. Source 5h
Army chief recommends keeping brigade in Alaska:
Russia is not only acting aggressively in Europe, they're also asserting themselves in the Pacific, and specifically in the Arctic," Milley said during a Senate appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. Ref. Source 5v.