Russia’s demand that Ukraine never joins NATO has drawn the alliance more closely together, the co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer group said Wednesday. Having recently returned from Ukraine, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, (D-N.H.), said Russian President Vladimir Putin has “manufactured this crisis” by massing troops, armor and artillery, aircraft and support units, including medical groups, on its border with Ukraine. The massive build-up, coupled with military exercises in Belarus, did not intimidate NATO but has had “exactly the opposite effect,” Shaheen said. Eastern European allies “were grateful to see NATO act so unified” in sending aircraft and forces forward … Continue reading Russia’s Ukraine Build Up Not Intimidating NATO, Senator Says