Russia

CBS News reported on September 12 that Russian President Putin publicly warned several European countries not to deploy combat troops to Ukraine, saying that doing so would be regarded by Russia as a direct war against Russia. The latest statement comes at a pivotal moment when several European states are engaged in intensive discussions over whether to send peacekeeping or security assurance forces to Ukraine, and it has further brought to the surface the strategic divisions within Europe over how to handle the Ukraine issue. The Kremlin simultaneously released hard-line signals, emphasizing that any form of NATO military presence entering Ukraine would trigger Russian countermeasures. Major European governments responded cautiously to Putin’s latest warning, with some reiterating that sovereign decisions are not subject to external threats, while others privately expressed deep concern over the risk of escalation.

The BRICS leaders’ summit has opened in New Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Modi as host and Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi in attendance. According to BBC reporting, Trump administration trade and tariff policies form the implicit main thread of discussions among participants, but there are clear divisions within BRICS on how to respond to Washington, making a unified position highly unlikely.

Ukraine’s prime minister revealed that President Zelenskyy’s plane was nearly hit by a drone while en route to Norway for the king’s funeral. The incident highlights the modern challenge of drone threats to airspace safety, drawing international attention to civil aviation security and airspace management in conflict zones.

[Brief] The BBC reported on September 8 that the Hungarian government has announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, accusing them of engaging in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying the expelled personnel must leave the country within the prescribed timeframe. Hungary has long been regarded as Russia’s closest ally within the EU, but the new Hungarian government has visibly shifted away from its previously pro-Kremlin stance. This expulsion is one of the largest actions against Russian diplomatic personnel by Hungary in recent years, reflecting continued deterioration in bilateral relations. Analysts noted that the new Hungarian government is recalibrating its Russia policy to align more with the broader EU position, while still seeking to maintain pragmatic cooperation with Russia in areas such as energy. ...

U.S. Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on September 7 for face-to-face talks with President Zelenskyy, marking the first time senior U.S. officials have personally traveled to the Ukrainian capital since the war escalated.

On September 3, 2026, the EU and NATO jointly vowed to intensify pressure on Russia after an unidentified drone entered German airspace. The EU called it a ’new escalation,’ while Germany launched investigations into multiple sabotage incidents. This marks a shift from passive sanctions to active deterrence in European security policy.

CIA chief secretly visits Moscow, urges Russia to make peace with Ukraine

The CIA director made a rare unannounced visit to Moscow, raising questions about US-Russia intelligence channels and Middle East dynamics.

Core Summary The Wall Street Journal exclusively reports that Russia has initiated internal preparations for a new round of military mobilization, testing conscription capabilities and personnel databases across regional military offices. Ukrainian President Zelensky warns that Moscow may conscript at least 300,000 additional troops for the Ukraine battlefield, signaling a potential escalation of the two-and-a-half-year conflict with major implications for European security and global energy markets. Event Details According to sources familiar with the matter, Russia’s Defense Ministry has directed multiple federal subjects to update service-eligible personnel data and conduct systematic mobilization drills covering communications, conscription procedures, and medical facilities. ...

Russia launched massive missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and surrounding regions early August 20, killing at least 8 people and hitting multiple apartment blocks and warehouses. Ukraine’s emergency services called it one of the most intense recent attacks, with residential areas as primary targets. The strikes come as a 60-day ceasefire expired, raising international concerns about escalation risks.