About: Crimea annexation
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.
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.
Ukraine sets up group to stop any attempt by Russia to influence elections
Ukraine has set up a group to stop any attempt by Russia to influence next year’s elections, a state security body said on Thursday (18 October).
Salvini ‘at home’ in Moscow, denounces EU sanctions on Russia
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini denounced the "madness" of western sanctions against Russia, during a trip to Moscow Wednesday (17 October), and launched a fierce attack on the European Union.
Russian Orthodox Church breaks with Constantinople in row over Ukraine
The Russian Orthodox Church said on Monday (15 October) it had decided to sever all relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in protest over its endorsement of Ukraine’s request for an “autocephalous”, or independent, church.
Russia is undermining Europe’s key democratic institution
Russia’s possible return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would mean that even institutions created to defend European values are no longer able to do so, writes Volodymyr Yermolenko.
EU unlikely to heed British call for more Russia sanctions
The European Union is unlikely to heed London's call for it to match the latest US sanctions against Moscow over an attack on a former Russian spy in Britain earlier this year, diplomats in Brussels said.
Putin defends ‘private’ trip to Austrian FM’s wedding
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (22 August) defended his appearance at the Austrian foreign minister's wedding after his dance with the bride caused a furore.
Trump’s submission to Putin stuns EU allies
The political class in the US, as well as many of Washington's European allies were astonished to watch Donald Trump playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands at the Helsinki summit on Monday (16 July).
EU makes another attempt to press Ukraine to fight corruption
EU leaders used the 20th EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday (9 July) to press the country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, once again to take credible steps to fight rampant corruption.
Major risks apprehended over Trump’s Brussels, Helsinki visits
With a NATO summit in Brussels on 11-12 July and a tête-à-tête with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, this week will give Donald Trump a chance to elaborate on that surprising diplomatic doctrine, but only at the risk of further fueling tensions with the country's already deeply unsettled allies.
Conte to push for EU-Russia de-escalation at summit
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said yesterday (27 June) the renewal of EUuropean Union economic sanctions against Russia should not be automatic, as Rome seeks to resume EU funding to small Russian firms to ease tensions with Moscow.
Sanctions are good? Russian cheese producer claims credit for French soccer wins
Russian businessman Oleg Sirota thinks he knows why the French soccer team got off to a winning start at the World Cup: he is supplying their hotel with cheese and yoghurt from his dairy.
In Austria, Putin calls for lifting sanctions, Kurz sticks by EU position
Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday (5 June) the European Union should end damaging sanctions against Moscow imposed over the Ukraine crisis and its annexation of Crimea.
Putin opens new bridge to Crimea, provoking Ukraine, Western ire
President Vladimir Putin drew condemnation from the US, Europe and Ukraine on Tuesday (15 May) after he opened a new bridge linking mainland Russia and Moscow-annexed Crimea by driving a truck across it to the peninsula.
In Eastern Europe, ‘Immortal Regiment’ marches eclipse Europe Day
What is 9 May? For most in the EU, it’s Europe Day, in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the cornerstone of what is today the European Union. But in Eastern Europe, Russia has in recent years promoted a different kind of celebration, more in the vein of Cold War era parades.
The EU has a duty to the population of Donbas
In Donbass, Ukraine is experiencing a catastrophe comparable with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Now as then, it is urgent to restore the confidence of the affected people in the state and their trust to each other, argues Sergii Parashyn.
Greens call on EU governments to stay away from Russia World Cup
Rebecca Harms, an expert on Eastern Europe of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, has initiated an open letter calling on EU governments to stay away from the FIFA World Cup taking place in Russia in June 2018.
Ukraine ambassador: Tsarist and KGB mentality don’t change with time
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the EU, Mykola Tochytskyi, explains in an interview with EURACTIV why Kyiv is against the planned Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He also talks about Ukraine's relations with Brussels and its complicated ties with Moscow.
Estonia calls for deployment of US troops, Patriot missiles
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid called for US Patriot missiles and troops to be deployed to her small Baltic state yesterday (4 April), telling AFP it was necessary to make deterrence "believable" for Russia.
Salisbury attack: new economic sanctions would be counterproductive
Sanctions introduced in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea have had a mixed impact on the country and have come at a cost for the EU. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Juncker urges Putin to ‘re-establish’ security cooperation
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker urged Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (20 March) to help "re-establish" continental security cooperation following his re-election, amid mounting concern over the poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain.
Vladimir Putin: Uncontested ruler of his kingdom
Vladimir Putin’s popularity, 18 years after his accession to power, leaves no doubt about the outcome of the election in Russia taking place on 18 March. His popularity has been built on the systematic erosion of his opponents' credibility. EURACTIV.fr reports.