Secretary Of Defense Meets With Officials, U.S. Troops In Poland

The visit comes as spiking tensions in eastern Ukraine on Friday aggravated Western fears of a Russian invasion and a new war in Europe.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is visiting U.S. troops in Poland.

This comes as spiking tensions in eastern Ukraine on Friday aggravated Western fears of a Russian invasion and a new war in Europe, with a humanitarian convoy hit by shelling and pro-Russian rebels evacuating civilians from the conflict zone. A strong explosion hit the eastern city of Donetsk.

The Kremlin declared massive nuclear drills to flex its military muscle, and President Vladimir Putin pledged to protect Russia's national interests against what it sees as encroaching Western threats. U.S. and European leaders, meanwhile, grasped for ways to keep the peace and Europe's post-Cold War security order.