Russia
Stoltenberg: Big powers cannot decide about smaller ones
The big powers, including Moscow, cannot decide about the smaller ones, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told EURACTIV's partner efe in an interview in the midst of a crisis triggered by Russian forces amassing near Ukraine and Moscow's demands that no Eastern European countries join the Alliance.
Russia brands key Navalny aides ‘terrorists’
Russia has branded two key allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny "terrorists and extremists", a government database showed Friday (14 January), days ahead of the anniversary of the opposition leader's arrest.
Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill fails in US Senate, Menendez tables alternative legislation
The US Senate on Thursday (13 January) failed to pass a bill to slap sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a day after Democrats unveiled their own legislation.
Sweden boosts patrols on Gotland island amid Russia tensions
Sweden's military said on Thursday (13 January) it was ramping up its visible activities on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland amid increased tensions between NATO and Russia and a recent deployment of Russian landing craft in the Baltic.
Russia says Ukraine talks hit ‘dead end’, Poland warns of risk of war
Poland's foreign minister said that Europe was at risk of plunging into war as Russia said it was not yet giving up on diplomacy but that military experts were preparing options in case tensions over Ukraine could not be defused.
Gazprom quizzed on high energy prices, EU’s Vestager says
The European Union's anti-trust chief on Thursday (13 January) said she had asked gas companies including Gazprom about tight supplies after accusations the Russian giant was holding back extra production that could be released to lower soaring prices.
More tense Ukraine talks loom at OSCE meet in Vienna
The permanent council of the world's largest security body will meet in Vienna on Thursday (13 January), hoping to push Russia, the United States and its European allies towards dialogue to defuse the mounting crisis on Ukraine's border.
Ukraine ready to take decisions to end war at new ‘Normandy’ summit
Ukraine is ready to take the necessary decisions to end the war in its eastern Donbass region at a new summit of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday (11 January).
NATO meets with Russia amid tug-of-war over Ukraine
NATO and Russian officials are set to meet for talks in Brussels on Wednesday (12 January) to discuss Moscow’s military build-up along the Ukrainian border and European security. Wednesday’s meeting constitutes the first talks in the NATO-Russia Council since 2019. NATO...
Biden administration calls in on Democrat senators ahead of Nord Stream 2 vote
Several Democratic US senators said late on Monday (10 January), after meeting with Biden administration officials, that they believe sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline backed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz could harm relations with Germany. Under Secretary of...
US, Russia make no breakthrough or concessions in security talks, commit to keep talking
After nearly eight hours of negotiations in Geneva on Monday (10 January), talks between US and Russian officials over European security offered no sign of a major breakthrough.
Residents question Ukraine’s absence from talks about its future
As officials from the United States and Russia began talks on Monday (10 January) over Ukraine's security, Kyiv resident Oleh was among those who questioned why the country at the centre of the crisis was not at the negotiating table.
US, Russia set firm lines ahead of Ukraine, security talks
The United States and Russia set out firm lines Sunday (9 January) ahead of talks on Ukraine, with Washington warning of the risk of confrontation and Moscow ruling out concessions.
Britain warns Russia over Ukraine: we’re working on high-impact sanctions
Britain warned Moscow on Thursday (6 January) that it was working with Western partners on high-impact sanctions targetting Russia's financial sector should it invade Ukraine.
Borrell visits Ukraine frontline in show of support amid Russia fears
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell arrived in Ukraine Tuesday (4 January) in a show of support for Kyiv, as the West warns Russia against launching any attacks on its ex-Soviet neighbour.
Parallels between the crises in Ukraine and in the Balkans
The enemy of Putin's Russia is stability, and its real interest is the constant maintenance of tensions, if necessary with occasional military actions, so that it remains a factor that you must call if you want a solution, writes Orhan Dragaš.
Russia, China, Britain, US and France say no one can win nuclear war
China, Russia, Britain, the United States and France have agreed that a further spread of nuclear arms and a nuclear war should be avoided, according to a joint statement by the five nuclear powers published by the Kremlin.
Biden tells Ukraine that US will ‘respond decisively’ if Russia further invades
US President Joe Biden on Sunday (2 January) told Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy the United States and its allies will "respond decisively" if Russia further invades Ukraine, the White House said in a statement.
‘Serious’ talk between Biden and Putin sets stage for diplomacy
US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (30 December) exchanged warnings over Ukraine but conveyed some optimism that diplomatic talks in January could ease spiraling tensions.
Abbas to Putin: West Bank poised for ‘explosion’
Israeli policies risk triggering an "explosion" in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said Thursday (30 December) in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Palestinian state media said.
Biden and Putin speak amid Ukraine tensions for second time this month
US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak on Thursday (30 December), the White House said, as Washington crafts a common response to Russia's military build-up on the Ukraine border with European allies.
Russia says failure to certify Nord Stream 2 is not an option
Russia believes that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will get the necessary certification and eventually start working, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told RBC media on Wednesday (29 December).
Russian court orders rights group Memorial to close
Russia's Supreme Court on Tuesday (28 December) ordered the closure of Memorial, the country's most prominent rights group that chronicled Stalin-era purges and symbolised post-Soviet democratisation.