"Russia's latest move comes after the Kremlin and Ukraine failed to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement last weekend in Istanbul for the first in-person negotiations in the three-plus years of fighting. It also comes as the United States has backed off of its military and financial commitments to Ukraine under the Trump administration, forcing European nations to step up in the fight against the Kremlin. In recent months, NATO has bolstered its presence along the eastern flank with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, with thousands of troops and equipment having been deployed to the border. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutt warned last winter that the Kremlin wanted to "wipe Ukraine off the map" and could attack other parts of Europe, too. "It is time to shift to a wartime mindset," Rutte said. "How many more wake-up calls do we need? We should be profoundly concerned. I know I am." In a stark warning, he added, "Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation. With Ukraine, and with us.""