- Gunmen with rocket-propelled grenades and sniper rifles erected a sign reading "Crimea is Russia" and raised the Russian flag over the building. The gunmen wore black and orange ribbons, a Russian symbol of victory in World War II. After armed men seized the Crimea parliament building and raised the Russian flag, the US says…
In April 2008, NATO deliberated on admitting Ukraine as a new member as a show of strength against Vladimir Putin. Washington favored the move, but the Germans thwarted the plan. A reconstruction of a decision that ended in disaster.