Europe's East
War veterans join biggest gay pride march in Ukraine
War veterans in fatigues joined more than 8,000 people marching in Kyiv's Gay Pride parade amid tight security on Sunday (23 June), the biggest ever annual celebration of diversity in ex-Soviet Ukraine.
Georgian protesters slam ‘Putinism’, raise pressure on ruling oligarch
Several thousand anti-government protesters took to the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi for a fourth day on Sunday (24 June) as tensions rose between Moscow and its ex-Soviet neighbour.
Thousands of protesters try to storm Georgia parliament
Thousands of protesters attempted Thursday (20 June) to storm the Georgian parliament in Tbilisi, furious that a Russian lawmaker addressed the assembly from the speaker's seat during an international event.
Russians, Ukrainian to face murder charges over downing of Flight MH17
Three Russians and a Ukrainian will face murder charges for the deaths of 298 people aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, the international investigative team said on Wednesday (19 June). The suspects...
Main takeaways from the Moldovan political crisis
Although the new coalition comes with risks, Moldova is now in a unique position to restore its democratic track record and recommit to its path of pro-European reforms, write Cristina Gherasimov and Iulian Groza.
Will Brussels turn its back – again – on the Balkans?
Will the EU honour its word to Tirana and Skopje or will Brussels – not for the first time – leave the Western Balkans stewing in its own juice? All eyes are on the reaction of EU foreign ministers to last week's inflammatory rhetoric by two Balkan leaders, writes Denis MacShane.
‘Moldova is free’ cheers new premier as rival steps aside
Moldova’s new prime minister Maia Sandu consolidated her power on Friday (14 June) as her predecessor resigned, appearing to ease a crisis that shook the country for the past week as two rival governments jostled for control.
EU, Russia confident about Ukraine gas transit deal, despite tense talks
Russia and the EU on Thursday (13 June) expressed hope that a solution could be found to allow gas supply transits through Ukraine to continue from next year.
The case for change in Russian foreign policy
Russian Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov recent speech on EU-Russian relations was skilfully made but his claims lack credibility, responds Michael Emerson.
Moldova’s unprecedented power struggle: A drama in five acts
Two governments - one ‘de facto’, one ‘de jure’ - are holding meetings in Moldova’s capital. Each claims legitimacy and accuses the other of usurpation of power. Civil servants are starting to take sides in what is an unprecedented power struggle for the country.
Ukraine’s new president vows pro-Western trajectory in Brussels
Ukraine's strategy of seeking full-fledged NATO membership remains unchanged, new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday (5 June), during his first trip to Brussels.
The football tournament you’ve never heard of
Eight football teams will duel it out in the foothills of the Caucasus this month to decide which is the best in Europe. But you will not find Germany, Italy or Spain on the match list and none of the teams taking part are fully recognised by the international community.
Council of Europe warns Armenia over plan to block court entrances
Monitors from the Council of Europe, the organisation specialised in human rights, appealed on Tuesday (21 May) to the authorities in Armenia to refrain from any actions that could be seen as undemocratic, following a judge’s decision to release former President Robert Kocharyan from pre-trial detention.
High fives, selfies and a snap election as Zelenskiy takes power in Ukraine
Television comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy took the oath of office as Ukraine’s new president on Monday (20 May), promising that as hard as he had worked in the past to make Ukrainians laugh, he would now work to keep them from crying.
Future of the Eastern Partnership: The Polish view
An “Association Agreements plus” with a secretariat, a rotating presidency, and the creation of a regional economic area. These could be the next steps for the "Eastern Partnership" (EaP) launched 10 years ago, writes Prof. Jacek Czaputowicz.
Ambassador: For Georgia, the Eastern Partnership means a lot
In a wide-ranging interview, the Ambassador of Georgia to the EU talked about the lessons learned from 10 years of Eastern Partnership, her country’s reforms, relations with neighbours, including the biggest one – Russia.
Volunteering initiatives build new society in Ukraine
In various initiatives to build a new civil society, the communication between Ukraine and international allies wouldn’t be possible without the English language, writes Kate Rohozhnykova.
How to rectify Georgia’s statehood
It is a well-known Georgian secret, that the billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili runs the country’s affairs through his “Georgian dream” political party, police and judiciary and even some other political parties and most of the mass media, writes Nino Burjanadze.
Russia offers passports to east Ukraine, president-elect decries ‘aggressor state’
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order on Wednesday (24 April) simplifying the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport for residents of separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine, prompting calls from Kyiv for more international sanctions.
Ukrainian President-elect calls for IMF talks to lower gas prices for households
Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy's team on Wednesday (24 April) called on the government and state energy company Naftogaz to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund on lowering household gas prices from 1 May.
Ukraine enters uncharted waters after Zelenskiy wins presidency
Ukraine entered uncharted political waters on Monday (22 April) after near final results showed a comedian with no political experience and few detailed policies had dramatically upended the status quo and won the country's presidential election by a landslide.
Russia’s ally message to Ukraine’s probable new President: Do deal and get territory back
Ukraine's new president could regain control over the separatist-controlled east of his country within months and get cheap gas and major investment from Russia if he does a deal with Moscow, the Kremlin's closest ally in Ukraine said.
EU should prevent any disruption of Ukrainian elections
Incumbent Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s supporters are trying to portray opponent Volodymyr Zelenskiy as pro-Russian. But there is no evidence of his “pro-Russianness”, and he has explicitly backed plans to join NATO and the EU, writes Oleg Sukhov.