Russia’s defense minister has indicated that more troops may be needed in the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea… citing the growing presence of foreign forces and a deterioration of the situation in Ukraine.
NATO has responded by saying that a build-up of Russian forces would raise tensions and undermine the shaky cease-fire in place between Kiev and separatists in Eastern Ukraine.//
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament approved President Petro Poroshenko’s plan to grant “special status” to the regions claimed by separatists… in part, granting self-rule for a 3-year period… in which deeper relations with neighboring Russia would be allowed.//
It also ratified an association agreement with the European Union Tuesday… a deal that had triggered the crisis that pitted Russia against the West.