Russia has condemned the Western alliance for ramping up its naval presence in the so-called 'NATO lake' after alleged sabotage by Moscow-linked vessels.

The drones will be used to monitor the cables and prevent sabotage.

Moscow sees a ban on Ukraine’s entry to NATO as a key condition in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war, the pro-Kremlin news agency Interfax reported on Jan. 24, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.

NATO is not involved in decisions taken by member states, such as the United States, over hiring in the armed forces based around diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) criteria, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Davos on Thursday.

Now men will go content with what we spoiled. Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled. - Wilfred Owen, “Strange Meeting” (1919)  There have been

Any attempt to get Ukraine into Nato will run into a “buzz saw” in Washington unless Europe pays for it, a top diplomat for Donald Trump has said.

President Donald Trump said NATO countries must sharply increase their defense spending, demanding member states push beyond current benchmarks that many of them already struggle to hit.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed on Thursday the need to step up support for Ukraine, adding it was vital Russia did not win as it could result in Russian President Vladimir Putin 'high fiving' the leaders of North Korea and China.

Biden, Trump teams reportedly discussed an arrangement under which NATO's European members would buy U.S.-made arms for Ukraine.

Russia hopes that "the Syrian people will successfully overcome all the challenges it faces and will elaborate consensus decisions on the future of its state," the statement reads