NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen accused Russia on Thursday of attacking Ukraine. He called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and Russia’s support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
“We call on Russia to end its illegal and self-declared annexation of Crimea,” Mr. Rasmussen said. He spoke at a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at the NATO summit in Wales.
The NATO chief said, “We call on Russia to pull back its troops from Ukraine and to stop the flow of arms, fighters and funds to the separatists.”
NATO has rejected an alliance military intervention in Ukraine. The country is a partner of NATO but not a full member. Mr. Rasmussen said individual countries can each decide whether to provide any military aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian and Russian officials are to meet in Minsk Friday to discuss a peace plan. President Petro Poroshenko said he would order a ceasefire for Ukraine’s armed forces if that meeting is successful.
India on Alert with Al-Qaida Announcement
Al-Qaida’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has announced a plan to launch a new group to rescue Muslims from injustice and oppression in India. He made the announcement in a video released Thursday. He said the group will operate in the states of Gujarat, Assam and Kashmir, and in Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Indian intelligence agencies released warnings across the country following the video release.
Security experts say al-Qaida's announcement is an effort to regain its public image. The terror organization is losing possible new members and support to the militant group Islamic State.
US Justice Department to Investigate Ferguson Police
The U.S. Justice Department will launch a wide civil rights investigation into the police department of Ferguson, Missouri.
A white police officer there shot and killed an unarmed young black man last month. The killing triggered days of violence and riots in the town.
The investigation will look into accusations that Ferguson police have treated African-Americans unfairly. It will also examine how the police department trains its officers.