Europe's East
EU ministers to discuss militarisation of Azov Sea
EU foreign ministers will discuss a range of issues in Brussels on Monday (19 November), including for the first time the militarisation of the Azov Sea, which according to diplomats has been effectively blockaded by Russia.
US join EU in condemning ‘sham’ Donbas elections
The United States on Monday (12 November) dismissed leadership elections in separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine as a "sham" one day after voters cast their ballots.
Merkel, in Ukraine, vows to uphold Russia sanctions
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Kyiv on Thursday (1 November) she was determined to uphold sanctions against Russia for its role in the Ukraine conflict.
US representative for Syria: We’re not going to put this country back together
James F. Jeffrey, Special Representative for Syria engagement in the US Department of State, answered on Tuesday (30 October) the questions of a small group of Brussels journalists about the state of play in and around Syria.
Rival diplomats to dispute second round of Georgia presidential election
Ex-French diplomat Salome Zurabishvili has taken a slight lead in Georgia's presidential election, seen as a crucial test for the increasingly unpopular ruling party, results showed on Monday (29 October).
The Sakharov Prize winner is dying behind Russian bars
The only way to save the Ukrainian citizens from the Russian captivity is consistent international pressure and our unity, writes Mykola Tochytskyi
MEPs send message to Russia by giving Sakharov prize to Sentsov
The European Parliament awarded on Thursday (25 October) the prestigious Sakharov human rights prize to Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who has been jailed by Russia.
Bolton tests the Caucasus waters ‘to advance American interests’
The Assistant to US President for National Security Affairs John Bolton arrived in Azerbaijan on Wednesday (24 October), as part of a tour which will also take him to Armenia and Georgia, in an effort described by commentators as an attempt to isolate Iran.
The ‘Velvet Revolution’ is affecting Armenia’s ties with Russia
Although Moscow is aware that the revolution in Armenia had domestic causes, it is not entirely sure that in terms of geopolitics things will remain the same in the future, write Vasif Huseynov and Ayaz Rzayev.
Ukraine sets up group to stop any attempt by Russia to influence elections
Ukraine has set up a group to stop any attempt by Russia to influence next year’s elections, a state security body said on Thursday (18 October).
Elmar Mammadyarov : Azerbaijan’s EU relation is of strategic nature
In a wide-ranging interview, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov discussed his country’s relations with the EU, major energy and transport projects, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and relations with global players.
Russian Orthodox Church breaks with Constantinople in row over Ukraine
The Russian Orthodox Church said on Monday (15 October) it had decided to sever all relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in protest over its endorsement of Ukraine’s request for an “autocephalous”, or independent, church.
Georgia’s culture boom
Many praise Georgia as being a good pupil in the Eastern Partnership class, but cementing contacts between Georgia and EU citizens is much more than signing political agreements, writes Mikheil Batiashvili.
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.