Europe's East
Ukrainian oligarch linked to Zelenskiy suffers blow in London court
Ukraine’s new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hardly expected to become a protagonist in a possible impeachment of his US colleague Donald Trump. On top of that, his name has now also appeared in the press in relation to a London court case of possible financial malpractice involving billions of dollars.
Erdogan thanks Orban for ‘support at the international stage’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met in Baku on Tuesday (15 October), on the fringes of the Turkic Council, a group of countries speaking the same family of languages, which Hungary wants to join.
Trump ex-Russia adviser Fiona Hill testifies in impeachment inquiry
Donald Trump’s former Russia adviser testified for more than nine hours on Monday (14 October) behind closed doors, the latest witness summoned in the impeachment inquiry against the US president over his request that Ukraine investigate a political rival.
Armenia’s EU accession could be a ‘question for the people,’ Deputy PM says
Armenia has a "completely different level of relationship" with the European Union after last year's revolutionary uprising, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan has said, telling EURACTIV any future EU accession is a "question that the people of Armenia need to answer."
Ukraine sees hope for ‘last chance’ peace summit in mid-November
The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany could hold a summit in Paris in mid-November if Kyiv and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine can maintain a ceasefire, Ukraine’s foreign minister said on Monday (14 October), warning of a “last chance” for Moscow.
Global Eurasia – Connectivity as a driver for peace, stability & security
In the Caucasus Region, power has traditionally been a complex mix of countries’ geography, resources, military capabilities and economic importance. Yet trade and trading routes are often underestimated as a driver for security and stability.
Ukraine, Russia resume blame game as peace process hits roadblock
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday accused Russia of delaying a summit aimed at resolving the conflict between Kyiv and pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s east, but Moscow said Kiev needed to pull back its troops first.
Two businessmen who helped investigate Biden in Ukraine arrested in US
A Ukraine- and a Belarus-born businessman who helped President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani investigate political rival Joe Biden were arrested in a scheme to illegally funnel money to a pro-Trump election committee and other US political candidates, prosecutors said on Thursday (10 October).
East-West corridor: ‘Hard’ versus ‘soft’ connectivity?
A conference organised by EURACTIV on ‘Global Eurasia – connectivity as a driver for peace, stability and security’ raised questions such as “greener” connectivity, in line with Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen’s priorities. But diplomats from the region were more focused on infrastructure.
Ukraine peace drive hits first bump, but Moscow says ‘Normandy’ summit possible
Ukraine on Wednesday (9 October) refused to pull back troops in its restive east, saying for the second time this week that continued shelling by pro-Russian separatists there precluded the implementation of a disengagement agreement.
2018 uprising leads to a ‘technological revolution’, Armenian PM says
Armenia's 2018 uprising has paved the way for a "technological revolution" in the country, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Monday (7 October), as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation group rallied around the use of technology for regional collaboration.
EU divisions over Russia mount as France, Germany seek peace in Ukraine
French and German attempts to end the conflict in east Ukraine risk increasing tensions that were already rising in the European Union over how to handle Russia and which could complicate peace efforts.
Thousands rally in Kyiv to protest the ‘Steinmeier formula’ for eastern Ukraine
Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv's main square on Sunday (6 October) to protest against President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's deal with Moscow to grant autonomy to Ukraine's pro-Russian rebel-held east as part of efforts to end a five-year conflict there.
Hopko: Russia is killing the Minsk Agreement every day
A summit between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany is expected to take place within days in an effort to settle the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. But such a summit is pointless, especially when Putin will play his role of 'нас тут нет' (we are not here), says Hanna Hopko.
Zelenskiy pushes for Donbas election, faces domestic backlash
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday (3 October) that Ukrainian candidates should take part in an election that is expected to be held in the east of the country, currently controlled by pro-Russian rebels.
Trump publicly asks China to probe Biden, even amid impeachment inquiry
President Donald Trump on Thursday (3 October) again invited foreign interference in a US presidential election by publicly calling on China to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden, the kind of request that has already triggered an impeachment inquiry in Congress.
EU Commission hopeful of Russia-Ukraine thaw as many in Kyiv denounce ‘capitulation’
The European Commission commended on Thursday (3 October) a recent diplomatic meeting in the Belarus capital Minsk, which gives hope for an international summit to stop the fighting in Eastern Ukraine. But many in Ukraine see the development as “capitulation”.
Breakthrough at talks opens way to summit on Ukraine conflict
A breakthrough at talks between Moscow and Kyiv has opened the way to the first international summit in three years being convened on ending fighting in east Ukraine.
Russia fumes over Belarus’s refusal to host air base
Russia said on Thursday (26 September) that Belarus’s refusal to host a military air base backed by President Vladimir Putin had been an “unpleasant episode”, a rare public display of disagreement between the close allies.
Russia’s Lavrov favours resumption of direct flights to Georgia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov supports the resumption of direct flights from Russia to Georgia that Moscow suspended in July, the Kommersant daily cited him as saying in an interview published on Wednesday (25 September).
Trump slammed EU over lack of support for Ukraine, Zelenskiy agreed ‘1000%’
In a July telephone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Donald Trump attacked European countries for failing to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, a transcript showed Wednesday (25 September).
The Brief, powered by EDAA – Dangerous liaison
US President Donald Trump risks impeachment (again), this time because of a request he is said to have made to Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Reportedly, Trump pressured the Ukrainian president in a 25 July telephone call (five days after Zelenskiy...
Trump facing impeachment inquiry over telephone call with Zelenskiy
Democrats in the US House of Representatives plunge into a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Wednesday (25 September), a move that could dramatically change the 2020 presidential race.