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David R. Sands

David R. Sands

dsands@washingtontimes.com

David R. Sands covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He has authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993.

Articles by David R. Sands

In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, A Russian armored vehicle drives off a railway platform after arrival in Belarus, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. In a move that further beefs up forces near Ukraine, Russia has sent an unspecified number of troops from the country's far east to its ally Belarus, which shares a border with Ukraine, for major war games next month. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Biden warns of ‘dear price’ for Russia as Blinken huddles with Ukraine

President Biden told a White House press conference Wednesday that Russia would pay a "dear price" if it took military action against neighboring Ukraine, hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken huddled with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to kick off a hastily organized European mission to head off a new war in Europe.

January 19, 2022
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, center, and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, fourth right, arrive for the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)

Fears of Ukraine invasion rise as Russia talks fail to reach breakthrough

Fears rose Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is intent on invading Ukraine, as talks between American, NATO and Russian officials failed to produce a commitment from Moscow to draw down its major troop buildup along the border with the developing, U.S.-aligned democracy.

January 12, 2022
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg leaves after speaking during a media conference after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

NATO leader eyes more talks with Russia after lengthy session

Russian and NATO officials held a "serious and direct exchange" over soaring tensions in Ukraine and eastern Europe, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday, asserting that the Western military alliance still has deep concerns about the Kremlin's policy but hopes for more talks to ease the crisis.

January 12, 2022
Penrose-Barden after 24...Re1.

Chess was a sideline, but Penrose was no amateur

Jonathan Penrose was the epitome of that generation of fine British chess players who had all the talent in the world but lacked the time, the wherewithal and perhaps the monomaniacal ambition to scale the highest summits of the game.

January 11, 2022
Russian soldiers take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (AP Photo) ** FILE **

NATO foreign ministers to huddle ahead of Russia talks on Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers from NATO's 29 other member nations will gather virtually Friday ahead of a string of key diplomatic meetings with Russia aimed at trying to defuse mounting tensions over Ukraine, NATO officials said Tuesday morning.

January 4, 2022
President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden steps up diplomacy to head off clash with Russia

President Biden was back at work trying to prevent a new war in Europe on Sunday, arranging a pep talk with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy Sunday just days after a tough, nearly hour-long talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

January 2, 2022
Benko -- White to play and mate in three.

Chess for Christmas, confounding and consoling

'Tis the season to be -- a little melancholy, if you want to know the truth. Chess lovers have a lot to be thankful for these days, but there's an undeniable post-world championship match letdown now that Magnus Carlsen has successfully defended his crown -- again. And for a second straight holiday season, the specter of COVID-19 is hanging over the game.

December 21, 2021
Members of the Jehovah's Witnesses attend a court session in Perm, Russia, Wednesday, May 12, 2021. A court in the Russian city of Perm handed suspended sentences to five members of the Jehovah's Witnesses on Wednesday in connection with their beliefs. Russia banned the Jehovah's Witnesses in 2017 and declared it an extremist group, exposing all of its followers to prosecution. All five were handed suspended sentences between 2.5 and 7 years. (AP Photo/Anastasia Yakovleva)

U.S. joins appeal condemning repression of Jehovah’s Witnesses

The U.S. and six other countries Friday issued a joint declaration condemning repression of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the evangelizing Christian denomination that has faced severe state opposition in many of the countries where it operates.

December 17, 2021