Russia threatens retaliation if Ukraine demands not met

The Russian navy’s missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov sails off for an exercise in the Arctic (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia has warned it would quickly take “retaliatory measures” if the US and its allies reject its security demands and continue their “aggressive” policies, ratcheting up pressure on the West amid concerns that Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly denied it has any such designs, but the United States and its Nato allies are worried because Russia has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s border and launched a series of war games in the region.