NATO calls special meeting to discuss Russia

NATO plans to hold an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers on January 7 to discuss the build-up of Russian military troops at the Ukrainian border, the alliance said on January 4.

Ukraine has accused Russia of planning an invasion, while Russia has called for NATO and the US to withdraw military support to Ukraine. Moscow also wants to see Ukraine's bid to join the alliance denied. The tension situation has led ]to concerns of a disruption in Russian gas transit via Ukraine, contributing to the recent climb in gas prices.

NATO ministers will discuss Russia and "broader European security issues" on a video call, the alliance said. The meeting will take place several days before a NATO-Russia Council, in which Russian officials will participate, on January 12. The following day there will be a meeting of the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which includes the US and other NATO members as well as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and other former Soviet states.

Moscow is also due to hold talks with Ukraine, Germany and France on January 6, according to Russian state media. And discussions are also planned between US and Russian officials in Geneva on January 10.