Europe's East
Belarus: a moment of truth for European values
Firmness is the only answer to Alexander Lukashenko’s Soviet-era thuggery. But in addition to strict sanctions, those who oppose oppression need our help: psychological support and scholarships for now-exiled young activists, support for media and shelter for journalists, writes Frans Timmermans.
EU keeps sanctions on ex-Ukraine leader, despite court loss
The EU said Wednesday (9 June) that Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovych and his son remain subject to asset freezes despite a court annulling an earlier decision to renew the sanctions.
Belarusian activists stage rally in Lithuania seeking to block traffic to Belarus
Belarusian activists in Lithuania have staged a rally aiming to block traffic heading to and from Belarus via the Medininkai border crossing, in a bid to put pressure on the Belarusian regime to open borders and call for stricter EU sanctions.
Belarus strongman toughens protest laws
Belarusian strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday (8 June) signed legislation toughening protest laws, raising the stakes of a crackdown following his disputed re-election last year.
Belarus authorities stage propaganda ‘interview’ with jailed journalist
Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich, who was arrested after his plane was forced to land in Minsk, appeared on state television Thursday (4 June) in a tearful interview that family and campaigners say was conducted under duress.
What can Lithuania and Poland do to protect Belarusian political refugees?
As many Belarusians flee their country and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, what can Lithuania and Poland do to protect Belarusians, write Monika Bičkauskaitė and Veranika Laputska.
Georgia opposition ends parliamentary boycott
Georgia's main opposition party on Sunday (30 May) announced the end of a months-long parliamentary boycott that has plunged the Caucasus nation into a spiralling political crisis, following disputed elections last year.
Putin and Lukashenko go for boat ride after plane outcry
Russian President Vladimir Putin took Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko for a boat trip on Saturday (29 May) as the close allies met for a second day and held "informal talks" amid the outcry after Minsk diverted a European plane.
Putin and Lukashenko to meet after Belarus plane diversion
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko will meet Friday (28 May) after the UN civil aviation agency announced it will investigate the diversion of a passenger plane and the arrest of a journalist on board in a...
Borrell: EU could hit key Belarus exports over plane ‘hijacking’
The EU is intent on making Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pay a high price for the forced landing of a European airliner to arrest regime opponents, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told AFP in an interview.
Ukraine condemns lack of progress towards NATO membership
Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday (26 May) condemned NATO reluctance to speed up Kyiv's membership in the alliance following tensions with Moscow over a buildup of Russian troops along the ex-Soviet country's borders.
Defiant Lukashenko defends plane diversion, blasts critics
A defiant President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday (26 May) defended Belarus's diversion of a European flight and arrest of a dissident on board, lashing out at critics at home and abroad.
Independence Day of Georgia – a story of freedom lost and regained
On 26 May, when Georgia celebrates its Independence Day, David Zalkaliani, the country's vice prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, describes what this day means for his compatriots.
EU leaders agree to pile sanctions on Belarus over jetliner ‘state piracy’
Western powers prepared to pile sanctions on Belarus and cut off its aviation links, furious after it scrambled a warplane to intercept a Ryanair aircraft and arrest a dissident journalist, an act one leader denounced as 'state piracy'.
Lithuania bars airport access to carriers flying over Belarus
Lithuania’s government has banned flights from departing or arriving in the country if they have used, or plan to use, the Belarusian airspace, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė announced on Monday (24 May).
Vilnius university says its student travelling with Protasevich also detained, demands release
A Belarusian university in Vilnius on Monday (24 May) said its student Sofia Sapega, 23, who was travelling with journalist Roman Protasevich, had also been detained when their flight was diverted there from Vilnius and demanded her release.
Minutes to touchdown: the moment the Belarusian journalist knew his time was up
Ryanair Flight 4978 had already begun its descent into the Lithuanian capital when the pilot announced that the plane would be suddenly diverting to Minsk, capital of neighbouring Belarus.
Belarus ‘state terrorism’ suddenly tops the agenda as EU leaders meet
Belarus forced a plane carrying an opposition activist to land in its capital, provoking a furious outcry from world leaders who described it as an "act of state terrorism" ahead of an EU summit expected to toughen sanctions on Minsk.
Belarus opposition activist dies in prison
A Belarusian political activist has died in jail where he was serving time for participating in the demonstrations that rocked the ex-Soviet country last year after a disputed presidential election, local media reported.
Kakha Kuchava: In Georgia we are changing the political culture
In a wide-ranging interview, Kakha Kuchava, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, told about the latest developments since the mediation by Council President Charles Michel, the role of Russia and the new format of ‘Associated Trio’ between Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.
Kyiv mayor says state security agents came to his doorstep
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Tuesday (18 May) that Ukrainian state security agents had come to his apartment in what he denounced as an attempt by his rival, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to put pressure on him.
Belarus raids main independent news site
Authorities in Belarus raided the offices of the country's largest independent news portal and took down its website on Tuesday (18 May), management said, signalling a widening crackdown after historic opposition protests last year.
Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine formalise their higher EU ambition
The three former Soviet republics hoping to join the EU have formalised their cooperation towards a more ambitious European integration on Monday (17 May) during a meeting of their foreign ministers in Kyiv.