Europe's East
Prankster strikes again, catches Juncker out on Putin, Trump
In a recorded telephone call with a prankster impersonating Armenia's new prime minister, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker described Russian President Vladimir Putin as his friend but said US President Donald Trump couldn’t understand what the world is about.
Putin says he warned Trump against closer NATO ties with Ukraine and Georgia
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday (19 July) warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a policy was irresponsible and would have unspecified consequences for the alliance.
OSCE surprised by Russian intelligence penetrating its Ukraine mission
The OSCE mission monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine said yesterday (18 July) claims that Russia's security agency had received inside information about its activities came as a major blow.
EU and Ukraine in tug of war over Naftogaz unbundling
The European Commission has repeated its insistence on breaking up the Ukrainian national gas and oil monopoly Naftogaz, separating transmission from production and supply, which the country had agreed to as a condition for receiving massive Western financing.
EU and Azerbaijan agree ‘Partnership Priorities’
A milestone in EU-Azerbaijan relations was reached in Brussels yesterday (11 July), with the end of negotiations of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities in the presence of President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
EU makes another attempt to press Ukraine to fight corruption
EU leaders used the 20th EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday (9 July) to press the country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, once again to take credible steps to fight rampant corruption.
Why NATO should double-down on Georgian membership
When NATO leaders meet in Brussels this week they should have Georgia on their minds, write Amanda Paul and Ana Andguladze.
EU freezes aid to Moldova as row over mayoral election rages
The European Union said on Wednesday (5 July) it had frozen a €100 million aid package to Moldova after a disputed mayoral election race in the capital Chisinau which critics say undermined the country’s democratic credentials.
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: Between lasting peace and eternal war
A solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible but hostile rhetoric is counter-productive argues Hikmat Hajiyev.
EU nuclear inquest approves Belarusian atom-smashing
EU investigators concluded on Tuesday (3 July) that an under-construction nuclear power plant in Belarus complies with the bloc’s so-called ‘stress tests’ but made a number of recommendations to the national regulator.
Ukrainian reforms – is the glass half full or half empty?
Over the last four years, Ukraine has made some tremendous changes to become a functioning market economy and a liberal democracy, a feat which is scarcely recognised by others, writes Ivan Miklos.
Azerbaijan asserts its power in the South Caucasus
A minor escalation carries an important message. Russia has reason to support Azerbaijan’s move in Nakhchivan, as its primary imperative in the South Caucasus is to prevent any country from moving too far into the Western camp, writes Xander Snyder.
Georgia is a country of old Europe
Many forces wish to undermine Georgia’s democratic development, and this is why the EU engagement and cooperation must be much more active, writes Gunnar Hökmar.
The Brief – Anti-system diplomacy? Let’s have more!
On the same day, 12 June 2018, anti-system politicians in two wildly different spots of the globe did their best to solve the world’s most complicated conundrums.
EU issues encouraging messages ahead of 10th anniversary of Russia-Georgia war
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini assured Georgia on Tuesday (12 June) that ten years after Russia's occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the EU has not given up seeking a “true solution” to the conflict.
Three presidents inaugurate TANAP pipeline in Turkey
The presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia will inaugurate today (12 June) the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), a key section of Europe's long-delayed Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), according to announcements made in the three country's media.
Germany, France voice cautious hope on reviving Ukraine peace process
Germany and France voiced cautious optimism Monday that Russia and Ukraine will take steps to revive the long-stalled peace process in the smouldering Ukraine war that has claimed 10,000 lives.
Ukraine approves anti-corruption court, but sacks reformist finance minister
Ukrainian lawmakers yesterday (7 June) approved key legislation to create a long-awaited anti-corruption court while also voting to dismiss the country's finance minister, a respected reformer backed by the West.
UN seeks ‘immediate’ heavy arms pullout in Eastern Ukraine
The UN Security Council condemned yesterday (6 June) "continuous violations of the ceasefire" in Ukraine's east and called for an immediate withdrawal of heavy weapons.
New Italian minister calls the TAP pipeline ‘pointless’
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte comfortably won a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament yesterday (6 June), but divisions inside his coalition put at risk a major gas pipeline project, seen by Brussels as a cornerstone of EU’s energy security.
In Austria, Putin calls for lifting sanctions, Kurz sticks by EU position
Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday (5 June) the European Union should end damaging sanctions against Moscow imposed over the Ukraine crisis and its annexation of Crimea.
EU must engage with Azerbaijan or Putin will
Azerbaijan’s strategic yet precarious geopolitical location and situation are such that the country deserves EU support, especially in light of growing tensions with Russia and Iran, writes Jan Zahradil MEP.
Georgia cuts diplomatic ties with Syria after recognition of separatists
Georgia said on Tuesday (29 May) it had started procedures to sever diplomatic relations with Syria after Damascus recognised its breakaway regions as independent states, a move Tbilisi dubbed manipulation from Russia.