Photos: As tensions mount, a surreal version of everyday life plays out in Ukraine
Scott Olson/Getty Images


Russian fighter jets crossing into Ukrainian airspace. Pro-Russian forces detaining unarmed military observers in the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk. Ukrainian officials claiming they will "protect our motherland against any invasion."
The last week — and more specifically, the last 24 hours — have not eased tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and pro-Russian forces within Ukraine. Instead, the tentative Geneva agreement reached last week, which called for all armed groups to lay down their weapons and hand back occupied cities, seems all but moot, notes the Associated Press.
The Group of Seven nations announced on Friday they will each be imposing additional economic sanctions on Russia accordingly. Each country will determine its own sanctions, and the White House announced that, for now, it will specifically target wealthy associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Obama administration did not rule out wider-reaching sanctions, which would affect more of the Russian economy, if the country refuses to dial back its actions in Ukraine.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As the politics play out, life goes on in Ukraine, albeit in a rather surreal fashion for many citizens. Below, images of the unsettled country's contrasts. --Sarah Eberspacher
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
August 2 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include a tariff self-own, rough times at the Trump golf course, and more
-
5 inexcusably hilarious cartoons about Ghislaine Maxwell angling for a pardon
Cartoons Artists take on the circle of life, Ghislaine's Island, and more
-
Ozzy Osbourne obituary: heavy metal wildman and lovable reality TV dad
In the Spotlight For Osbourne, metal was 'not the music of hell but rather the music of Earth, not a fantasy but a survival guide'
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein