Strobe Talbott, president of the Brookings Institution, said Russian action in Ukraine was more than just a provocation. “The right way to characterize it is an act of war on the part of the Russian Federation," he said. "And in that respect, this is a major threat to the peace of Europe, to the peace of Eurasia and, therefore, a threat to the interests of the United States, and I would say a threat to the chances of a peaceful 21st century.”
Nuclear Issues, Russia-Ukraine on NATO Ministers' Agenda by webdesk@voanews.com (Carla Babb) Thursday February 5 th , 2015 at 11:58 AM Voice Of America 1 Share NATO defense ministers will meet Thursday in Brussels to discuss nuclear issues, the conflict in Ukraine and the threat of Russian aggression near NATO’s eastern border. Also on the agenda are Georgia’s aspirations to join the 28-member alliance. This will be the fifth defense ministers meeting for Chuck Hagel, who is making his final international trip as U.S. defense secretary. Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the meeting would offer the secretary time to reflect on NATO’s changes before he leaves office in the coming days. “This ministerial will be an opportunity for the secretary to offer parting thoughts on the evolution of the alliance over the course of his career — as a United States senator serving on the Foreign Relations Committee, as the former chairman of th