NATO pledges support for Ukraine amid escalating conflict with Russia

NATO has promised to provide material support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s military build-up along its border. Ukraine is carrying out what it describes as antiterrorism drills close to areas Russia annexed in 2014. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited NATO in Brussels and said all allies wanted to see Russia “take steps to deescalate the tensions it is creating”. Fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven year conflict and NATO says the number of Russian troops near the border is its highest since 2014. US President Joe Biden offered to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in a third country but Russia responded any meeting would be dependent on how America behaves.