White House looks to undercut Putin's plans by exposing them in a so-called 'prebuttal' that works better than an after-the-fact explanation

Foreign Minister Lavrov says top officials will advise Putin on next steps when it gets US response to demands, but West still concerned Moscow planning to invade

Federal Financial Monitoring Service adds nine critics of Putin to registry, requiring the freezing of their bank accounts, as authorities up pressure on media, rights groups

Pileup of difficult moments presents challenge to twin pillars of Biden’s candidacy -- that he could get things done competently at home and restore America’s standing abroad

Biden says he may impose sanctions on Putin personally if Russia invades; other measures could restrict shipments of high-tech US equipment

Pentagon says 8,500 soldiers may be sent to Eastern Europe as Biden and West look to shore up alliance against possible plans by Moscow to move into Ukraine

Kay-Achim Schoenbach leaves post after saying Russian leader 'deserves respect,' won't invade Ukraine

Maneuvers reflect bold attempt by Kremlin to halt decades of NATO expansion after the end of the Cold War; Putin working to strengthen alliances with countries opposed to West

Russian president praises 'close cooperation' as chief negotiators return to Vienna after consultations; Iran's leader says 'no limits for expanding ties'

Kremlin says leaders will discuss 'whole range of issues of bilateral cooperation,' including 2015 deal; visit is first by an Iranian president to Russia since 2017