Russian leaders have watched with mounting resentment as the transatlantic alliance has nearly doubled its membership since the end of the Cold War. President Vladimir Putin has drawn a red line in Ukraine.

Ukraine has received a second weapons supply shipment from the United States amid the looming threat of a potential Russian invasion.

If peace talks fail, the Russian military has several options to advance into Ukraine through northern, central, and southern invasion routes.

While the West ponders whether Vladimir Putin will invade eastern Ukraine, Xi Jinping watches.

A top Russian diplomat predicted “difficult” talks with the United States this week after attending a working dinner with U.S. officials in Geneva on Sunday as part of the kickoff to a string of meetings in three European cities this week, with ties at a low over Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine.