Russian ships that sailed through the contested Sea of Azov should be banned from entering Western ports, a former U.S. ambassador said, speaking after Russia seized Ukrainian vessels, sparking fears of open conflict, Britain’s Express newspaper reported. The suggestion was made by John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Three Ukrainian naval vessels were seized by the Russian military late last month as they passed through the Kerch Strait. The Kerch Strait separates the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea, passing by contested Crimea. Ambassador Herbst wrote: “The United States and the EU should also look closely at Kremlin provocations in the Sea of Azov, and consider an appropriate...

Russia is seeking to boost its power in Europe and grip over Ukraine with the proposed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, the top U.S. energy diplomat said on Monday, in a step-up of Washington's rhetoric against the pipeline.

The European Union is studying ways to help bolster the economy in strife-torn eastern Ukraine, the EU's top diplomat said Monday, amid tensions with Russia over a naval confrontation in the Black Sea last month.

The European Union blacklisted nine locals involved in last month's rebel elections in east Ukraine on Monday, but was unlikely to heed swiftly Kiev's call for more reprisals against Moscow over the latest flare-up of tensions in the Azov Sea.

Two weeks after Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian vessels in the contested Kerch Strait, satellite images obtained exclusively by Fox News on Sunday show that additional forces may be headed to the region.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko called on Western democratic nations to take a tougher stand against Russia amid escalating tensions between the two regional rivals. 

A US Air Force jet carried out a rare observation flight over Ukraine on Thursday to “reaffirm US commitment” to Kiev after Russia attacked and seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels last month, it has been confirmed.

Russia cannot seem to shake its obsession with Ukraine.

Germany does not envision EU sanctions against Russia over its conflict with Ukraine as long as de-escalation efforts continue, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Friday.

Russian ships last month rammed, opened fire on and then seized three Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea, triggering fears of an potential invasion.