Europe's East
Russian spy agency played role in Berlin murder of Georgian man: Bellingcat
Russia’s FSB security service planned and organized the murder of a Georgian man in Berlin last summer, a killing that triggered diplomatic expulsions from Germany and Moscow, the investigative website Bellingcat said on Monday (17 February).
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy wants ‘legitimate’ local elections in Donetsk, Luhansk
Addressing the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (15 February), Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy repeated his plea for Western support, while indicated his openness to hold local elections in the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Lugansk together with the rest of the country in October.
The Kremlin is pushing Belarus to merge with Russia: Lukashenko
The Kremlin is pushing Belarus to merge with Russia in exchange for cheap energy, the Belarusian leader said Friday (14 February), as Russian strongman Vladimir Putin is believed to be maneuvering to extend his stay in power.
Facebook says it dismantles Russian intelligence operation targeting Ukraine
Facebook on Wednesday (12 February) said it had suspended a network of accounts used by Russian military intelligence to seed false narratives online targeting Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.
German arrested for illegal military exports to Russia
German prosecutors said Thursday (13 February) they had arrested a businessman on suspicion of exporting millions of euros in machinery to Russia that could be used for military purposes, in violation of EU sanctions.
Europe’s Southern Gas Corridor ‘almost ready’, says Azebaijan’s SOCAR
A 25-year supply contract has been signed with Italy, and the first Azeri gas is expected to start flowing before the end of 2020, said Vitaly Baylarbayov, deputy vice president of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.
Senior appointments in Moscow and Kyiv point to tentative thaw
New senior appointments in Moscow and Kyiv on Tuesday (11 February) pointed towards a tentative thaw in ties, after the Ukrainian president's new chief of staff offered guarded praise for the man put in charge of the Ukraine file in the Kremlin.
Modernisation in Azerbaijan
The key word in Azerbaijan in recent months appears to be modernisation, with opportunities being given to young and well-educated professionals, replacing a Soviet-time old guard.
In snap parliamentary elections, Azeris put hopes in young candidates
Exit polls look good for the ruling party in Azerbaijan's snap elections, held on Sunday (9 February). The main difference compared to past elections is that many more young and Western-trained people are expected to fill the 125-seat Azeri Parliament.
OSCE warns Ukraine over disinformation bill
A new bill aimed at curbing the spread of disinformation in Ukraine could pose a risk to freedom of expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe warned on Wednesday (5 February).
EU needs to expand sanctions to Russian elites who are flying below the radar
Just like the United States has done, the EU must sanction Russians who have become rich by breaking the law or using force in their country, writes Anna Talimonchuk.
Former ambassador: Ukraine EU membership bid possible within three years
Ukraine's EU integration bid is continuing and the country could apply for membership in 2023, but the new administration has missed opportunities to push forward with NATO rapprochement, Ukraine’s former ambassador to the EU told Promote Ukraine, an NGO representing Ukrainian civil society in Brussels.
Poroshenko: More tanks in Donbas than in the German Bundeswehr
The former president of Ukraine sat down with EURACTIV warned that without the elusive ceasefire the loss of Ukrainian lives continues.
In surprise move, Borrell says will visit Ukraine’s disputed region of Donbas
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday (28 January) he intends to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks, including the disputed region of Donbas which is under the control of pro-Russia separatists.
Ukraine’s own Green Deal aims to slash energy imports
Ukraine’s long-term climate plan could significantly cut reliance on energy imports, its energy ministry suggested last week. But a 2050 phase-out date for coal power has provoked disappointment.
Azerbaijan: remembering red carnations and looking into the future
Hikmat Hajiev, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration talks about the state of play of EU-Azerbaijan relations, geopolitics, trade and violent Soviet repression.
Ukraine PM Honcharuk given one more chance
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected on Friday evening (17 January) the prime minister's resignation letter and told him to stay on and tackle the unpopular issue of high salaries of some public officials and multimillion-dollar bonuses paid to executives at the state gas company.
A Ukrainian story: leaks, PM resignation, vermicelli and Zelenskiy
The new political season in Ukraine kicked off with audio tapes leaked on Wednesday (15 January), suggesting that the prime minister, finance minister and deputy central bank governor had criticised President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's incompetence in the fields of economy and finance.
Trump impeachment trial opens as watchdog faults White House on Ukraine
The Senate impeachment trial on whether to remove US President Donald Trump from office formally began on Thursday (16 January) even as a congressional watchdog found that the White House broke the law by withholding security aid for Ukraine approved by Congress.
Polish PM condemns Putin for ‘lies’ about Second World War
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Sunday (29 December) condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for blaming Poland for the outbreak of the Second World War, saying Moscow was lying to deflect attention from recent failures.
Ukraine and Donbas separatists exchange 200 prisoners in controversial swap
Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in the country's war-torn east exchanged 200 prisoners on Sunday, swapping detained fighters for civilians and servicemen held captive in some cases for years in two breakaway regions.
Russia, Ukraine agree ‘in principle’ new gas deal, signature expected in Minsk
Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission, after hours-long talks on Thursday, agreed in principle on a new gas deal starting after 1 January 2020, European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič told a briefing. Ukraine is a key transit route for...
Trump becomes third US President to be impeached
Donald Trump on Wednesday (18 December) became the third US president to be impeached as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America.