Belarus summoned the Ukrainian ambassador on Thursday and demanded Kyiv carry out a full investigation, after a Ukrainian air defense missile crashed in a field in Belarus. Belarus is a staunch ally of Russia and has allowed its territory to be used as a staging ground for Russian attacks; the incident has heightened fears that Belarus could be drawn into a direct conflict with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Moscow in the spring during a video conference today between the two heads of state.