Ukraine

Ukrainians have watched the U.S. exit from Afghanistan with dismay and are desperate to hear reassurance of support as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington, two former U.S. diplomats write.

Russia says it will begin a phased reduction of troops from its border with neighboring Ukraine – apparently ending a standoff that had alarmed Kyiv and Western observers.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who announced Monday he'd tested positive for the coronavirus, has been taken to a Kyiv hospital. A spokeswoman says his symptoms are "nothing serious."

A standoff ends with the gunman releasing all 13 hostages unharmed after Volodymyr Zelenskiy posts a video to social media saying, "Everyone should watch the 2005 film Earthlings."

The pandemic has hit the global business of surrogate birthing, leaving many infants and their new parents thousands of miles apart.

"Especially during a pandemic, it is insanity for Russian-led forces and Ukrainians to be killing each other," write former U.S. envoys to Ukraine William B. Taylor, Steven Pifer and John E. Herbst.

More than 200 new infections have been identified in a prison in eastern Shandong province. Meanwhile, in South Korea, dozens from the same religious sect have contracted the virus.

"America used to be a beacon of freedom, liberty and anti-corruption efforts. Now a lot of Ukrainians feel like ... we are by ourselves," says a Ukrainian political commentator.

The career diplomat, who served as ambassador to Ukraine, became a key figure in the impeachment of President Trump, was forced out of her post in May.

The secretary of state issued an angry salvo on Saturday against Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of All Things Considered. NPR stands by her reporting.

As the State Department faces ongoing questions over Marie Yovanovitch's treatment as U.S. envoy to Ukraine, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells NPR, "I've defended every single person on this team."