Europe's East
Russia is undermining Europe’s key democratic institution
Russia’s possible return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would mean that even institutions created to defend European values are no longer able to do so, writes Volodymyr Yermolenko.
Russia claims fresh ‘proof’ Ukraine downed flight MH17
Russia on Monday (17 September) released fresh information to back its claim the missile that downed a Malaysia Airlines flight over war-torn Ukraine in 2014 was fired by Kiev's forces.
TRACECA could have been the backbone of Belt and Road
In the early 1990’s, the EU had actually paved the way for Euro-Asian connectivity programmes with TRACECA, a programme meant to promote regional transport dialogue. However, its attention to the initiative dwindled over the years, writes Nicola Contessi.
Poland’s push for Via Carpathia may boost cooperation in Eastern Europe
For a long time, Warsaw has been looking for opportunities to boost regional cooperation with neighbours. Now plans for the so-called Carpathian Strategy have gained the support of some countries in the region, paving the way for a series of joint projects partly funded by the EU.
Tearful mourners queue to bid farewell to east Ukraine rebel chief
The funeral in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk of a pro-Russian rebel leader killed in an explosion last week drew vast crowds of mourners on Sunday (2 September), Reuters footage from the breakaway region showed. Alexander Zakharchenko was fatally injured in an...
Merkel holds ‘intensive’ discussions in Azerbaijan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held what she called "intensive" discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in talks that addressed energy cooperation, human rights, and the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
EU unlikely to heed British call for more Russia sanctions
The European Union is unlikely to heed London's call for it to match the latest US sanctions against Moscow over an attack on a former Russian spy in Britain earlier this year, diplomats in Brussels said.
After Trump attack on Russia ties, Merkel eyes Azeri gas
Castigated by US President Donald Trump as relying too much on Russian gas supplies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Azerbaijan this week to discuss the development of a southern pipeline to deliver gas to Europe from the Caspian.
Ukraine’s energy liberalisation opportunity should not be missed
The reform and modernisation of Ukraine’s energy market is vital to the future of Ukraine, but can also play a very important role in the energy security and economic development of the region, and the wider European continent, writes Maxim Timchenko.
Russian meddling in Greek domestic affairs ‘unacceptable’, Commission says
Russia’s meddling in Greece's domestic affairs is "unacceptable", the European Commission told EURACTIV.com, amid an ongoing war of words between Athens and Moscow.
More Western sanctions will be seen as ‘economic war’, Moscow warns
If the United States decides to impose more sanctions on the banking sector or on specific currencies, then Russia will regard it as an “open declaration of economic war,” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned.
A decade after the war: Why the world should support Georgia’s peace initiatives
This week marks ten years since Georgia lived through a dramatic five day war with the Russian Federation. On 12 August 2008, the EU brokered a ceasefire deal bringing an end to open warfare – but not to conflict, explains Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.
Georgia’s NATO future resurfaces during Russia conflict anniversary
Foreign affairs chiefs from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine met in Georgia this week to take part in commemorations marking 10 years since Russia’s invasion of the Caucasus Republic during 2008's August War.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: the basic prerequisites for a sustainable and lasting peace
A sustainable and lasting settlement is attainable but Azerbaijan should commit itself to peace, writes Armenian diplomat Rima Karapetyan.
Russia used lessons from Georgia war in Ukraine conflict
Ten years ago, in August 2008, Russia and Georgia went to war over South Ossetia, a small separatist Georgian region which Moscow would later controversially recognise as independent, in the face of international criticism.
Ukraine goes back to the future as IMF programme stutters
Ukraine's backsliding on reforms continues a national tradition: a Reuters study of data since 1994 shows it has drawn less than half the IMF funds it could have received, with commitment to change often weakening when economic indicators improve.
Russia tests the waters for Donbas referendum
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Thursday (26 July) that the question of holding a referendum in eastern Ukraine was touched upon at a meeting of representatives of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine in Berlin, the RIA news agency reported.
Opposition parties blast Merkel over secretive meeting with Russian officials
German opposition parties have criticised Chancellor Angela Merkel for not providing more detail of her discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the head of Russia’s military general staff Valery Gerasimov.
Analyst: Visegrád Group’s anti-European course is anti-Ukrainian
Relations between the Visegrád countries and Ukraine have deteriorated in recent years. But from the point of view of ordinary Ukrainian citizens, Central and Eastern Europe is still a very attractive model, especially in the economic sense, analyst Kateryna Zarembo told EURACTIV.pl.
Visegrad plus Ukraine = V5?
Ukraine hopes that the Slovak presidency of the Visegrad group will resuscitate stalled cooperation between the group and the Eastern European country. But Kyiv still has a lot to learn about how the V4 does business, warns Hennadiy Maksak.
Belarus extends visa-free travel for tourists to 30 days
Belarus on Tuesday (24 July) announced that it is extending visa-free travel for tourists from five days to 30 days in a move that could attract more visitors to the ex-Soviet state on the European Union's doorstep.
US-Russia relations beyond Helsinki
For the US, Ukraine is important. For Russia, Ukraine is everything, writes Jacob L. Shapiro for Geopolitical Futures. Jacob L. Shapiro is the Director of Analysis for Geopolitical Futures, a global analysis company founded and led by George Friedman, an...
Georgia’s European way: What next?
The offer by the European Commission to let the College meet on an annual basis with Georgia’s leadership is unique when comparing it to relations between the EU and other third countries, writes Steven Blockmans.