The United States urged the Vatican on Wednesday to criticize Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict more forcefully, hours before Pope Francis was due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• June 10, 2015

The annual report of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has been approved by its board of governors despite Russia's protests against it listing a nuclear site near Crimea's Sevastopol as being in Ukraine, according to a document seen by Reuters.

• June 9, 2015

Western nations and Russia traded accusations at the United Nations on Friday over the recent upsurge in violence in eastern Ukraine, while a senior member of an international monitoring team blamed both sides in the conflict for breaking a ceasefire.

• June 6, 2015

History has become a weapon in Russia's battle with the West over Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin looks increasingly to the past to whip up patriotism and rally support.

• June 6, 2015

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday the situation with Russia had taken a "sad turn" and he was gathering U.S. military leaders and diplomats to assess the effectiveness of NATO strategy toward Moscow in response to the Ukraine crisis.

• June 4, 2015

Philippine President Benigno Aquino made a veiled comparison on Wednesday between China's activities in the South China Sea and Nazi Germany's expansionism before World War Two, echoing similar remarks he made last year that outraged Beijing.

• June 3, 2015

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi called on Wednesday for a "strong agreement" with Greece to ensure it stays in the euro zone and also has a sustainable economy.

• June 3, 2015

Vietnam took delivery of two new missile boats on Tuesday made locally and modeled on Russian vessels, the latest move by its military to strengthen maritime defenses as tensions simmer over sovereignty in the South China Sea.

• June 3, 2015