Russia

Russia says Navalny sanctions talk is affecting its borrowing plans

Russia said on Wednesday (16 September) that talk of possible sanctions over the case of Alexei Navalny was affecting its plans to borrow money on international markets, acknowledging the risk of harmful economic fallout from his poisoning.

Putin throws $1.5 billion lifeline to Belarus leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin bestowed a $1.5 billion loan on Belarus in a gesture of support for its leader Alexander Lukashenko, who flew to entreat his patron for help after five weeks of mass protests demanding his resignation.

Fifteen scientists launch critique of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine data

A group of scientists sent a formal letter to the Lancet on Monday outlining doubts about the accuracy of early data on Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, one of the authors said, adding further fuel to a dispute surrounding the "Sputnik-V" shot.

Kremlin set for election wins, but Navalny supporters make rare gains in Siberia

The ruling United Russia party looked set for an array of local election wins on Sunday (13 September), but was also on course for some setbacks as stricken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s supporters made rare gains in city politics in Siberia.

Hungary says it will be only EU country to send minister to Israel-UAE accord signing

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó will be the only EU diplomatic leader to attend the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Washington for the Israel-United Arab Emirates peace deal, his spokesman said on Sunday (13 September).

Merkel dampens talk of halting Nord Stream 2, party sources say

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her economy minister on Tuesday (8 September) played down the possibility of halting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany as part of any sanctions imposed on Moscow due to the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

German foreign minister threatens sanctions over Navalny poisoning

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday (6 September).

How might West respond to Russia over Navalny poisoning?

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Germany will consult its NATO allies about how to respond to findings by a German military laboratory that Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a Soviet-style nerve agent.

‘Putin, have some tea’: Russian city holds eighth anti-Kremlin protest

Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday in Russia’s far eastern city of Khabarovsk to protest against President Vladimir Putin’s handling of a regional political crisis and the suspected poisoning of his most vocal critic.

Azerbaijan accuses Moscow of arming Armenia since July clashes

An Azeri presidential aide said on Saturday (29 August) that Russia has been supplying Armenia with weapons since a clash between the two former Soviet republics in July.

‘Bulgarian connection’ investigated in Navalny poisoning

German medical specialists are investigating similarities between the attempted poisoning of a Bulgarian businessman and his son in 2015 and the recent poisoning of Russian opposition frontman Alexei Navalny, who is being treated in a Berlin hospital.

Russia bristles at proposed EU carbon tax

Russia on Wednesday (26 August) voiced fears over EU plans for carbon taxes on imports from countries outside the bloc, a move that would hit hard a country heavily dependent on hydrocarbons trade.

Russia warns US, EU against Belarus sanctions, interference

Russia's foreign ministry said on Tuesday (25 August) it had warned the United States and European Union against imposing sanctions on its ally Belarus and interfering in its internal affairs.

US backs EU probe of Russian opposition leader’s illness

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday (25 August) said he was "deeply concerned" by initial findings that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned, and endorsed a European Union-led investigation into the circumstances of his illness.

Russian-backed organisations amplifying QAnon conspiracy theories, researchers say

Russian government-supported organisations are playing a small but increasing role amplifying conspiracy theories promoted by QAnon, raising concerns of interference in the November US election.

EU calls for ‘independent, transparent’ probe into Navalny case

The European Union's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell on Monday (24 August) called on the Russian authorities to launch an "independent and transparent investigation" into the apparent poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Heavy surveillance on Navalny reported before alleged poisoning

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who fell gravely ill after what his allies believe was a poisoning, will survive, the founder of the activist group that sent the air ambulance to fly him to Germany, told a newspaper.

Belarus: The uprising has begun and is not going to stop soon

The protesters in Belarus are pawns in a geopolitical tectonic battle between East and West, although they don’t realise it, write Noé Morin and Bryan Bille.

Allies of Navalny accuse Kremlin of blocking his evacuation to Germany

Allies of stricken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny accused the Kremlin of thwarting his medical evacuation to Germany on Friday (21 August), saying the decision placed his life in mortal danger because the Siberian hospital treating him was under-equipped.

Russian opposition politician Navalny in hospital after suspected poisoning

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is in a serious condition in a Siberian hospital after suffering severe symptoms of what his spokeswoman on Thursday (20 August) said she believed was a deliberate poisoning.

Putin’s unexpected dilemma: What to do with Lukashenko?

The eruption of anti-government protests in Belarus has presented an unexpected dilemma for President Vladimir Putin, with the Kremlin strongman cautiously weighing his options at a sensitive moment for Russia.

Crisis in Belarus not geopolitical, EU leaders say after 3-hour summit

EU leaders made it clear following a 3-hour long online summit on the situation in Belarus on Wednesday (19 August) that the crisis following the controversial elections was not a geopolitical one and that it should not antagonise Russia.

Belarus opposition urges EU to reject vote as leaders hold online summit

The exiled head of Belarus's opposition urged European leaders to reject President Alexander Lukashenko's "fraudulent" re-election on Wednesday (19 August) as the EU held an emergency summit on the country's political crisis.