拜登預言攻擊日
With the Ukraine crisis nearing a critical point, here is an update on the situation as it stands.
隨著烏克蘭危機來到關鍵時刻，以下是目前情勢的最新進展。
critical (adj.)關鍵的,重大的
On February 18, US President Biden said he believed Russian President Putin had decided to attack “in the coming days.”
美國總統拜登2月18日表示他相信俄國總統普丁決定在「近幾日」發動攻擊。
attack (v.)(n.)攻擊；bomb attack 炸彈攻擊coming (adj.)即將發生的,即將來臨的
According to US intelligence, Russia has stationed more than 150,000 troops around Ukraine’s borders, and 40,000 more if you include Russian-backed separatists and Crimea.
根據美國情報指出，俄國部署了超過150,000名士兵在烏克蘭邊界，如果包括親俄的分離主義分子和克里米亞半島的話，還要再加40,000人。
intelligence (n.)情報,智力,智慧；CIA 美國中情局=Central Intelligence Agencyborder (n.)邊界separatist (n.)分裂主義者,分離主義者
Even if an invasion doesn’t happen within the next few days, European stability and the future of East-West relations are hanging in the balance.
即使在接下來幾日俄國沒有侵略烏克蘭，歐洲的穩定和東西方關係也難以預料。
invade (v.)入侵,侵略；invasion (n.)侵略,侵犯；an invasion of privacy 侵犯隱私stability (n.)穩定；stable (adj.)穩定的hang in the balance （未來發展）難以預料
Events in the coming week could decide whether the stalemate is resolved peacefully or whether Europe is at war.
接下來一周的發展可能決定是否能和平打破僵局抑或歐洲將開戰。
stalemate (n.)僵局,僵持局面 = deadlock
At stake are Europe’s post-Cold War security framework and the long-agreed limits on the deployment of military and nuclear forces.
歐洲冷戰後的安全框架和常規軍事及核武部署限制也岌岌可危。
at stake 有風險,處於緊要關頭framework (n.)框架,體系,結構；legal framework 法律的框架deployment (n.) 部署
In a move that further pushes Europe to the brink of war, Putin has ordered troops to deploy in two Russia-backed separatist territories in eastern Ukraine, the Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic.
普丁下令部署軍隊在東烏克蘭兩個親俄分離主義領地，分別是盧干斯克人民共和國和頓內次克人民共和國，此舉將歐洲進一步推向戰爭的邊緣。
brink (n.)(事情發生的)邊緣territory (n.)領土,領地,(動物的)地盤republic (n.)共和國
For years, these two small political entities were largely ignored by the outside world. But now it seems as if all eyes are on Luhansk and Donetsk, as they may be the spark that ignites the biggest conflict in Europe since WW2.
多年來，這兩個政體多被外界忽略，但現在似乎所有目光都集中在盧干斯克和頓內次克，因為它們將有可能引發歐洲自二戰以來最大的衝突。
spark (n.)火花,誘因,導火線ignite (v.)點燃,激起
Intense diplomacy is ongoing, but both the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the wider security issues that Russia insists on would have to be dealt with.
外交談判正如火如荼地進行，但烏克蘭東部的衝突和俄國所堅持的安全議題還有待解決。
diplomacy (n.)外交；diplomat (n.)外交官ongoing (adj.)進行中的；an ongoing project 一項正在進行中的專案deal with 應付,處理
After Putin visited Xi Jinping in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the two leaders declared a “no limits” strategic partnership between the countries.
普丁與習近平在北京冬奧開幕晤面後，兩位領導人宣布兩國間形成「無限制」戰略夥伴。
opening ceremony 開幕 ；closing ceremony 閉幕declare (v.)宣布,聲明strategic (adj.)戰略性的
However, Beijing does not want to deal with the economic fallout of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially when Xi is prepared to secure an unprecedented third term.
然而，在習近平試圖保住前所未有的第三任期時，北京當局也無意處理俄國侵略烏克蘭所造成的經濟影響。
secure (v.)獲得unprecedented (adj.)史無前例的,空前的term (n.)任期