Russia
Interpol elects South Korean as president, Russia condemns Western pressure
International police organization Interpol on Wednesday (21 November) elected Kim Jong-yang of South Korea as president, beating a Russian whose candidacy had raised concerns in Europe and the United States about the risk of Kremlin interference.
EU ministers to discuss militarisation of Azov Sea
EU foreign ministers will discuss a range of issues in Brussels on Monday (19 November), including for the first time the militarisation of the Azov Sea, which according to diplomats has been effectively blockaded by Russia.
European court says Navalny was a political prisoner
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday (15 November) that Russia’s repeated arrests and detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny were politically-motivated and breached his human rights, a decision certain to displease the Kremlin.
US warns Hungary and neighbours against Turkish Stream
The US has repeatedly taken position against Nord Stream 2, a Russia-sponsored pipeline planned to bring gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. But this time Washington took position against another such pipeline, bringing Russian gas under the Black Sea.
Opposition chief Navalny barred from leaving Russia, departs on second try
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Tuesday (13 November) he was prevented from flying out of Moscow for a European court ruling on whether his recent detentions have been politically motivated.
US join EU in condemning ‘sham’ Donbas elections
The United States on Monday (12 November) dismissed leadership elections in separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine as a "sham" one day after voters cast their ballots.
Stoltenberg opposes EU defence duplicating NATO, Putin likes the idea
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Europe against undermining transatlantic ties, following a defence spat between US President Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron.
Merkel, in Ukraine, vows to uphold Russia sanctions
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Kyiv on Thursday (1 November) she was determined to uphold sanctions against Russia for its role in the Ukraine conflict.
Brussels’ approach to Greater Eurasia in need of revision
It’s curious that the EU’s initiative “Connecting Europe and Asia” makes no mention of two of its most important players – the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Chinese “Belt and Road” Initiative, writes Yuri Kofner.
Mattis looks to calm European allies nervous about INF treaty
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday (28 October) that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it.
Macron, Trump confer ahead of Istanbul Syria summit with Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone Thursday (25 October) with US counterpart Donald Trump about strategy ahead of a four-way summit on Syria in Istanbul this weekend, the Élysée palace said.
NATO urges Trump officials not to quit nuclear treaty
European members of NATO urged the United States on Thursday (25 October) to try to bring Russia back into compliance with a nuclear arms control treaty rather than quit it, diplomats said, seeking to avoid a split in the alliance that Moscow could exploit.
The Sakharov Prize winner is dying behind Russian bars
The only way to save the Ukrainian citizens from the Russian captivity is consistent international pressure and our unity, writes Mykola Tochytskyi
Nord Stream 2 exposed as Russian weapon against NATO
Polish and other speakers at the Warsaw Security Forum on Wednesday (24 October) exposed the Gazprom-sponsored Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a security threat for the EU and NATO.
MEPs send message to Russia by giving Sakharov prize to Sentsov
The European Parliament awarded on Thursday (25 October) the prestigious Sakharov human rights prize to Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who has been jailed by Russia.
NATO in mock defence of Norway against Russian attack
NATO’s largest exercise since the end of the Cold War will focus on the mock defence of Norway. "Trident Juncture" starts on Thursday (25 October) and involves 50,000 military personnel from 31 countries – the 29 NATO members plus Sweden and Finland.
Putin-Trump Paris meet in preparation for 11 November
President Donald Trump said Tuesday (23 October) he "probably" will meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Paris on 11 November. Both Trump and Putin already are planning to be in the French capital that day to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.
UK government: No evidence of Russia influencing our voters
The UK government told the House of Commons that it has "not seen evidence of successful use of disinformation by foreign actors, including Russia, to influence UK democratic processes", which without any doubt includes the Brexit referendum.
Novaya Gazeta is sent funeral wreath and ram’s head in latest threats
A funeral wreath, a severed ram's head and threatening notes were sent to the Novaya Gazeta's Moscow office this week in what the newspaper said in an editorial statement were the latest threats against its journalists.
The ‘Velvet Revolution’ is affecting Armenia’s ties with Russia
Although Moscow is aware that the revolution in Armenia had domestic causes, it is not entirely sure that in terms of geopolitics things will remain the same in the future, write Vasif Huseynov and Ayaz Rzayev.
EU urges US, Russia talks to ‘preserve’ nuclear treaty
The European Commission on Monday (22 October) urged the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve a nuclear weapons treaty after President Donald Trump said Washington was withdrawing from the deal.
Russia, Uzbekistan hail $11 billion nuclear plant project during Putin visit
Russia and Uzbekistan on Friday (19 October) hailed the construction of an $11 billion nuclear power plant that should help solve an energy deficit in the Central Asian country while binding it tighter to Moscow politically.
Trump says US to exit landmark nuclear arms pact, Russia threatens retaliation
President Donald Trump said Washington would withdraw from a landmark Cold War-era treaty that eliminated nuclear missiles from Europe because Russia was violating the pact, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.
Russia: Western pressure on Macedonia crossed all boundaries
The Russian ministry of foreign affairs published on Thursday (18 October) a communiqué blasting what it called “roughest interference” by the US and leading EU states in pushing through the Skopje parliament the Macedonia-Greece name dispute agreement.