Russia
Chizhov: Juncker might be interested in meeting Putin in Osaka
Commission President Jean Claude Juncker may be interested in sitting down with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Osaka on 28-29 June, according to Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov.
Iran-US tensions dominate two Central Asia summits
Two regional summits held in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan last week had a common denominator: the support from Russia and China to Iran in the face of US threats after two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
‘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.
US will not accept more Turkish F-35 pilots over Russia air defenses
The United States has decided to stop accepting any additional Turkish pilots who planned to come to the United States to train on F-35 fighter jets, US officials say, in a clear sign of the escalating dispute over Ankara’s plans to purchase Russian air defenses.
A Russian perspective: The EU’s only one way to succeed
The EU can achieve its goal maintaining its positions in the multipolar world of today and of tomorrow only by interacting with other pillars of its common Eurasian civilisation, including Russia, writes Vladimir Chizhov.
China’s panda diplomacy puts a smile on ‘best friend’ Putin’s face
Chinese President Xi Jinping presented two pandas to Moscow’s zoo at a ceremony with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (5 June), in a gesture the Russian president described as a sign of deepening trust and respect between the two powers.
US calls ‘false’ the narrative that LNG cannot compete with pipeline gas
US prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) being shipped to Europe will remain competitive with Russian piped gas prices over the long term, US energy secretary Rick Perry said on Wednesday (5 June).
Watad: The oil company that came from nowhere and became a key player in Syria
Life in rebel-held northwest Syria has, without a doubt, been made easier by Watad Petroleum’s presence. But with no information available publicly about who owns or runs it, there is a persistent suspicion about it, writes Haid Haid.
Kazakhstan calls EU’s new Central Asia strategy ‘visionary’
Kazakhstan welcomes the EU's new vision for a stronger partnership with Central Asia, particularly as it took into account the country's proposals, its deputy foreign minister told EURACTIV and called the document, due to be adopted next month, "visionary".
Serbia places forces on alert after Kosovo police operation in Serb-populated north
Serbia ordered its troops on full alert on Tuesday (28 May) and Russia accused Kosovo of provocation after a Kosovan police anti-crime operation in a region populated mainly by Serbs led to clashes.
Exploring the limits of EU’s unbelievable behaviour on Nord Stream 2
In April, the Russian-owned Nord Stream 2 company initiated legal proceedings agains the EU under the Energy Charter Treaty. If an amicable solution cannot be found, the case will set an important precedent for EU energy policy, write Kim Talus and Leigh Hancher.
In northwest Siberia, Russia’s flagship gas project defies pipeline politics
Rarely has the construction of a gas pipeline in Europe caused such a heated dispute as Nord Stream 2. EURACTIV went to the source to explore the economic, political, legal and societal dimensions of Russia's controversial pipeline project.
Turkey preparing for possible US sanctions over S-400s
Turkey’s defence minister said it was preparing for potential US sanctions over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems, even while he said there was some improvement in talks with the United States over buying F-35 fighter jets.
EU puts hope in Kazakhstan in helping unlock the WTO knot
At the Astana Economic Forum, a representative of the EU hinted that the host country, Kazakhstan, could play a role in helping to bridge differences over the reform of the World Trade Organisation
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.
Nazarbayev: I stepped down in the interest of the people of Kazakhstan
The first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was the main speaker and the centre of attention at the 12th edition of the Astana Economic Forum on Thursday (16 May). To a wide international audience, he provided explanations for his recent...
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.
Montenegro sentences Russians, opposition leaders for failed 2016 coup
A Montenegrin court sentenced 14 defendants, including two opposition leaders and two Russians, to prison terms on Thursday (9 May) over of a failed coup in 2016 that aimed to overthrow the government and install a pro-Russian alliance.
Montenegro court to deliver verdicts over ‘pro-Russian coup plot’
A Montenegro court is set Thursday (9 May) to deliver verdicts to 14 people accused of planning to violently overthrow the government with Russian help in 2016, an alleged plot whose details remain murky even after a lengthy trial.
Pompeo: Russia is ‘aggressive’ in Arctic, China’s work there also needs watching
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday (6 May) that Russia is behaving aggressively in the Arctic and China’s actions there had to be watched closely as well, amid growing divisions in the polar region over global warming and access to minerals.
Council of Europe turns 70 amid Russia crisis
The Council of Europe, a pan-continental rights watchdog, on Sunday (5 May) marked its 70th anniversary at a time of mounting populism and a standoff with Russia as well as doubts over its own role in the modern world.
Tension grows between US and Russia over Venezuela standoff
The United States and Russia traded warnings against interfering in Venezuela on Wednesday (1 May), a day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Moscow of stopping President Nicolas Maduro from leaving the country.
Poland, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to talk on polluted Russian oil
Representatives of Poland, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine will meet on Friday (26 April) in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to discuss how to solve the problem of polluted Russian oil, Poland’s pipeline operator PERN said on Thursday night.