The West is increasingly preparing for a major war on European soil amid increasing aggression from Russia and its anti-NATO allies.
After three and a half years of devastating conflict, Vladimir Putin is showing no signs of relenting on his military ambitions, and there are growing fears that his target stretches beyond Ukraine.
China's Xi Jinping has assembled what analysts are calling an 'Axis of Upheaval' in Beijing - convening Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un in a historic summit of more than 20 non-Western countries designed to isolate Donald Trump.
Analysts are waiting to see whether the trio commit to closer defence relations, in a move that would be a blow for the U.S. President who has recently touted his peacemaking credentials.
But despite the summits in Alaska and the White House, no diplomatic resolution has yet been brokered to end the three and a half year conflict.
