Europe's East
Belarus opposition wins European Parliament’s human rights award
The European Parliament awarded its annual Sakharov Prize for human rights on Thursday (22 October) to the democratic opposition movement in Belarus led by the exiled Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who stood up to strongman Alexander Lukashenko. “They have stood and still...
Flurry of meetings fails to re-assure over Nagorno-Karabakh peace settlement
Armenia’s prime minister said on Wednesday he saw no possibility of a diplomatic solution at this stage in the conflict with Azerbaijan over the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ukraine is a valuable ally in defeating Russian disinformation
Ukraine, the laboratory of Russia’s disinformation techniques, wants to work closely with the EU and NATO to defeat disinformation together, writes Andriy Yermak.
Tens of thousands march in Belarus despite police threat to open fire
Belarusian police on Sunday (18 October) detained more than 200 people as tens of thousands marched against strongman Alexander Lukashenko in defiance of police threats to open fire after weeks of demonstrations.
Armenia and Azerbaijan trade accusations of breaking new truce
Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of violating a new ceasefire on Sunday (18 October), as they tried for the second time in a week to bring a halt to fighting over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijan vows retaliation for deadly strike on civilians
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev vowed on Saturday (17 October) to take revenge on Armenia after a missile strike killed 12 sleeping people in the city of Ganja, a dramatic escalation in the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Attacks by Armenia against Azerbaijani civilians and critical infrastructure should not be overlooked
Armenia’s attacks against the civilian settlements and critical infrastructure of Azerbaijan threaten to cause a humanitarian catastrophe, writes Hikmet Hajiyev.
Azerbaijan warns over pipelines as Nagorno-Karabakh tensions rise
Azerbaijan accused Armenia on Wednesday (14 October) of trying to attack its gas and oil pipelines and warned of a “severe” response as tensions rose sharply around a fraying ceasefire in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Belarus allows police to use combat weapons as protests persist
Belarus police will now be permitted to use combat weapons in the streets if needed, the Interior Ministry said, as security forces again clashed with protesters who want President Alexander Lukashenko to quit after a contested 9 August election.
EU agrees to sanction Lukashenko, impose Russia sanctions over Navalny poisoning
EU foreign ministers on Monday (12 October) agreed to impose sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and move forward with a sanctions framework against the culprits involved in the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Police in Belarus crack down on protesters, detain dozens
Security forces in Belarus detained dozens of protesters on Sunday (11 October) and used force, including water cannon and batons, to break up crowds demanding a new presidential election, TV footage showed.
Russia brokers Karabakh ceasefire, EU voices ‘extreme concern’ over breaches
The EU diplomatic chief on Sunday (11 October) expressed his deep concern over reports of violations of a Russia-brokered ceasefire between warring neighbours Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Bulgaria, Czechia, Slovakia recall ambassadors from Belarus
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on Thursday (8 October) said they were recalling their ambassadors from Minsk for “consultations”, following similar action by fellow EU countries Poland and the Baltic states over a disputed presidential election in Belarus.
Why the EU must review its Eastern Partnership strategy
The events in Nagorno-Karabakh and Belarus demonstrate that it's time for the EU to review the effectiveness of its Eastern Partnership, writes Urmas Paet.
A Georgian perspective: Peace in the South Caucasus is the only common goal
It is perfectly natural for Georgia, as a neighbouring country, to express her readiness to support a Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and host a dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, writes Victor Kipiani.
Half Karabakh population displaced as mediators set for Geneva talks
Clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have displaced half of the population of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, an official said on Wednesday (7 October) as international mediators were set to hold their first meeting in Geneva.
EU, Ukraine hold live summit in Brussels to discuss trade ties, reforms and security
During the first live summit with international partners in Brussels following the outbreak of the pandemic on the continent, the EU and Ukraine leaders met on Tueasday (6 October) to take stock of cooperation amid what critics say is a...
Russia warns that Nagorno-Karabakh could become Islamist militant stronghold
The Kremlin issued a new appeal for an end to hostilities in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday (6 October) after Moscow’s foreign intelligence chief said the mountain enclave could become a launch pad for Islamist militants to enter Russia.OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Azerbaijan’s strength is not only on battlefield, it’s in international law
At a time when Armenian military forces have been dealt a significant blow and lack manpower and military equipment to resist Azerbaijan’s counter-offensive operation, Azerbaijan demands the restoration of its internationally recognized territorial integrity, writes Vasif Huseynov.
The Brief, powered by CEN-CENELEC – Sleepwalking into a Caucasus war?
War is disastrous. Even for the big nations. The US feels nothing but terrible regret for having embarked onto the Vietnam War, the former Soviet Union for its Afghanistan disaster. On European territory, we suffered the Yugoslav wars in the...
NATO chief says expects Turkey to calm Karabakh conflict
The head of NATO said Monday (5 October) he expected Turkey -- a key ally of Azerbaijan -- to use its "considerable" influence to calm the conflict in the Armenian separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Macron demands Turkey explain ‘jihadists’ in Azerbaijan
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (2 October) demanded that Turkey explain what he said was the arrival of jihadist fighters in Azerbaijan -- and urged NATO to face up to its ally's actions.
Putin, Macron call for ‘complete’ halt to fighting in Karabakh
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron called for a "complete" halt to fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and said they were ready to intensify diplomatic efforts to help solve the conflict.