Russia
US may pause preparations for delivering F-35s to Turkey
The United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, officials told Reuters, in what would be the strongest signal yet by Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and Russia’s S-400 air defence system.
Russia to deploy nuclear-capable strategic bombers to Crimea
Russia has decided to deploy nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bombers to the Crimean peninsula in response to the US rolling out missile defense systems in Romania, the RIA news agency cited a senior Russian lawmaker as saying on Monday (18 March).
Norway at odds with Russia over GPS jamming
Norway says it has electronic proof that Russian forces disrupted GPS signals during recent NATO exercises, and has demanded an explanation from its eastern neighbour, the Nordic country’s defense minister said on Monday (18 March).
Putin in Crimea as Russia marks five years since ‘reunification’
Russian President Vladimir Putin flew into Crimea on Monday (18 March) to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Moscow's annexation of the strategic peninsula from Ukraine which was condemned by the West but remains popular among Russians.
Serbia and Eurasian Union remove last obstacle to free trade deal
Serbia and the members of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have resolved controversial issues related to brandy and cheese quotas, paving the way for signing a comprehensive free trade agreement.
Russia can’t be considered strategic partner of EU anymore, MEPs say
The EU should be ready to impose further sanctions on Russia if the country continues to violate international law, EU lawmakers said in a resolution adopted in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday (12 March).
Thousands protest again law to create autonomous Russian internet
Thousands of people took to the streets of Moscow and two other cities on Sunday (10 March) to rally against tighter internet restrictions, in some of the biggest protests in the Russian capital in years.
Political alternative in Montenegro: few pros, many cons
Montenegro is facing Sophie's Choice - sacrificing its statehood or abandoning corrupt authorities, writes Vlado Vurušić, a journalist with EURACTIV.hr, in an analytical report from the country's capital Podgorica.
Erdogan says Turkey will not go back on missile defence deal with Russia
Turkey will not go back on its agreement to buy S-400 missile defence systems from Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday (6 March), adding that Ankara may subsequently look into buying S-500 systems.
Lukashenko seeks better ties with West despite Russian ‘hysteric’ reactions
Belarus will seek better ties with the West even though this provokes “hysterics” from its traditional ally Russia, long-serving President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday (5 March), a day after lifting a cap of five US diplomats in his country....
Serbian leader hints that Kosovo recognition possible
President Aleksandar Vučić hinted Monday (4 March) that Serbia may be willing to recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state, but would require something in return from its former province as part of a broader compromise deal.
Comedian takes centre stage in Ukraine’s presidential race
In a popular Ukrainian TV series, comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy plays a president who is scrupulously honest and outwits crooked lawmakers and shadowy businessmen who try to stand in his way.
Daughter of Putin’s spokesman works as intern to French eurosceptic MEP
A daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman is working as an intern with a deputy on the European Parliament's security and defence sub-committee, the French MEP told AFP Monday (25 February).
After Putin’s warning, Russian TV lists nuclear targets in US
Russian state television has listed US military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.
Moldova and Europe face a catastrophe if Russian-backed parties win power in Sunday’s election
The present government has steered the country towards the EU because it firmly believes that a European future means a brighter future. But the progress achieved could be derailed if Sunday’s vote goes against the reformers, writes Pavel Filip.
Putin to US: I’m ready for another Cuban Missile-style crisis if you want one
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban Missile-style crisis if the United States wanted one and threatened to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on ships or submarines near US territorial waters.
In Moldova, voters choose between Russia and Europe
Voters in Moldova head to the polls on Sunday (24 February) for a parliamentary election reflecting the tiny ex-Soviet republic's long-standing division between pro-Russians and pro-Europeans.
Moscow ready to cut time for nuclear strike on US if necessary, says Putin
Moscow will match any US move to deploy new nuclear missiles closer to Russia by stationing its own missiles closer to the United States or by deploying faster missiles or both, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday (20 February). In...
France, Russia and US ‘working closely together’ on Nagorno-Karabakh
Positive momentum in the search for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been confirmed in recent days, with fresh meetings and more shuttle diplomacy in the region.
IRENA chief: Renewable energy is ‘defence policy of the future’
Renewable energy will rewrite the geopolitical map, according to the man tasked with taking clean energy global. Adnan Z. Amin also told EURACTIV that any politicians not worried by the “truly frightening” risks of climate change are not in the right job.
Is Russia behind climate change protests in EU? ‘Definitely yes’, says Ukraine
Ukraine is sure that Russia actively supports the recent protests in EU countries against global warming, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told a group of Brussels journalists on Monday (18 February).
Ukraine seeks EU help to prevent Russia from ‘suffocating’ its Azov Sea shore
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told Brussels journalists on Monday (18 February) his country was asking the EU and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to engage in efforts to avoid the “suffocation” of a strategic territory coveted by Russia.
Berlin woos US in Europe gas battle
Germany will put on a show of unity with the United States Tuesday (12 February) in talks on importing natural gas, as Berlin battles accusations an under-construction pipeline deepens European energy dependence on Russia.