Turning now to Russia.
Following an unexplained absence from the public eye, President Vladimir Putin is marking his return with show of military force.
According to Russian news agencies on Tuesday, a defense ministry source said Russia plans to deploy nuclear-capable bomber jets to Crimea as part of ongoing defense exercises.
It comes as Russia's Northern Fleet in the Arctic... launched military drills of "full combat readiness,"... moving to action some 40-thousand troops, as well as dozens of warships.
Meanwhile, the European Union has reiterated that it would stick to its policy of not legitimizing what it called... Russia's "illegal" takeover of Crimea.
This as pro-Russian supporters in Crimea are marking the first anniversary since Moscow's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula.
