The announcement came after the US issued a public warning for all American citizens in Ukraine to leave the country as soon as possible, adding Russia could invade Ukraine any day now.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has brushed aside suggestions that Moscow would wait until after the Beijing Games, as commercial satellite images show fresh Russian military deployments.
The visa restrictions will apply to those who have allegedly encouraged and engaged in violence against protesters, intimidation of journalists and opposition members, and manipulation of the electoral process.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has rung the alarm over a potential escalation in tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
State Department's waivers announcement lifts sanctions threat against third parties that had been cooperating with non-military parts of Iran’s nuclear program under the terms of the 2015 deal.
The China Daily newspaper says Washington has hatched a plot to persuade athletes to "play passively" or refuse to take part in competitions and "express discontent toward China".
The Biden administration refused a demand to permanently ban Ukraine from joining the NATO, and said allied deployments of troops and military equipment in Eastern Europe are nonnegotiable.
US Secretary of State Blinken and Russian FM Lavrov meet in Geneva in a high-stakes bid to defuse tensions, with the West fearing that Moscow will invade Ukraine despite warnings of severe reprisals.
Some analysts think Biden’s statement shows a lack of mental health, but others suggest that it could be a way to drag Russia into a difficult war arena in Eastern Europe.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stressed that the US and its partners are united in the face of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia can now send American-made missiles and weapons to Kiev to "help bolster its defences in the face of growing Russian aggression".
Washington will provide an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to Kiev as part of American efforts to help Ukraine protect itself.
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