The stakes are further elevated as President Donald Trump deploys thousands of U.S. troops to the Middle East for an anticipated ground assault meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

With the world’s attention shifting to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Russia is pushing forward with a spring offensive in Ukraine despite months of peace talks that no longer appear to be Washington’s priority.

U.S. and European officials have told The Associated Press that Russia is sending a shipment of drones to Iran including upgraded versions of the drone technology that Tehran originally supplied to Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.

The past week showed that neither side is easing up. Russia on Tuesday fired almost 1,000 drones and 34 missiles at Ukraine in one of the war's biggest bombardments. The following day Ukraine launched almost 400 drones at Russian regions.

With the Pentagon potentially seeking a $200 billion supplemental package to fund the ongoing war with Iran, President Donald Trump defended that figure in part by saying U.S. ammunition "was taken down by giving so much to Ukraine.

Russia has unleashed a massive drone and missile barrage on civilian areas of Ukraine and is stepping up ground attacks along the front.

As President Donald Trump slams fellow NATO members as “cowards” for not leaping into the war against Iran, an unlikely European country has been helping Gulf nations defend themselves from Iranian drones.

Robert Fico said ending sanctions on Russian energy imports would help tackle the energy crisis stemming from the war in Iran. What we know on day 1,502