About: Crimea annexation
Ukraine says Russian military buildup threatens its security
Russia is building up armed forces near Ukraine’s borders in a threat to the country’s security, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Ruslan Khomchak said on Tuesday (30 March), accusing Moscow of pursuing an “aggressive policy” towards Kyiv.
Ukraine sanctions French MEPs for visiting Crimea
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on two dozen Russian officials and three French members of the European Parliament who visited Russian-annexed Crimea without Kyiv's permission.
After EU embarrassment in Moscow, Michel makes it up by going to Kyiv, Tbilisi
While European lawmakers were scolding the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell for his ill-fated trip to Russia, European Council President Charles Michel has announced he will be travelling to Ukraine and Georgia in March.
EU deplores ‘widespread detentions’ in pro-Navalny protests
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he deplored the "widespread detentions and disproportionate use of force" against protesters and journalists in Russia on Sunday (31 January).
Ukraine launches ‘Crimean Platform’, Russia also invited
In an exclusive interview, Emine Dzhaparova, Ukraine's first deputy minister of foreign affairs, told EURACTIV about her country’s new initiative to keep the international community attention's focused on the occupation of Crimea by Russia.
In Baltics, Macron defends French dialogue with Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted on Monday (28 September) that Europe should cooperate with Russia to build peace in Europe, despite calls among European Union peers to review his stance towards Moscow after the poisoning of a Russian opposition leader.
12 years after war: Georgia moving forward but still searching for justice
The Russian aggression of August 2008 against Georgia was a blatant attempt to change the borders of Europe by force, launching a series of events spreading over the wider region, writes David Zalkaliani.
French MEPs visit Crimea illegally to observe Russia’s constitutional vote
Ukraine's ambassador to the EU has written to European Parliament President David Sassoli to condemn a move by a group of French MEPs who are visiting the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Ukraine’s success is the best deterrent against the Russian revanche
There is no better strategy for the West in dealing with Russia than strength and unity, and there should be no appeasement and no return to “business as usual”, writes Kostiantyn Yelisieiev.
It is time for the EU to build security partnerships with its neighbours
As the EU is discussing the way to develop the Eastern Partnership policy for the decade ahead, it is time for the EU to finally become more ambitious about the security dimension of this partnership, three former Eastern Partnership foreign...
Rosneft replaces sanctioned trading arm with new one
Russia’s Rosneft, which closed its oil trading arm after sanctions were imposed by US authorities in February, has set up a new Geneva-based trading business, four trading sources familiar with the matter said.
Putin and Trump discuss G7 summit
US President Donald Trump told President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Monday (1 June) about his idea of holding an expanded Group of Seven summit later this year with a possible invitation for Russia, the Kremlin and the White House said.
EU should consider ‘flexible’ Russia sanctions over Ukraine: report
The EU should reconsider its 'all or nothing' approach on sanctions imposed on Russia for its role in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as its annexation of Crimea, a new report from the International Crisis Group suggests.
Putin postpones milestone Victory Day military parade over coronavirus
President Vladimir Putin, citing the deepening coronavirus crisis, said on Thursday (16 April) Russia would postpone its 9 May celebrations including a huge military parade across Red Square to mark 75 years since the Soviet victory in World War Two.
COVID-19 as an excuse for lifting sanctions on Russia?
There has been an increased number of calls for rolling back the EU sanctions against Russia in order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, but this idea is dangerous, argues Inna Sovsun.
Crimean experts warn Russia has appetite for Black Sea, more Ukrainian land
Increasingly grandiose Russian military exercises in the Black Sea, compounded by the impending water crisis and a burgeoning defence industry in the Crimea, indicate that the security situation in Southern Ukraine may soon deteriorate, Ukrainian experts from Crimea warn.
Concessions to Russia will cost Europe too much
Europe’s strength lies in its unity and solidarity, but strength does not mean making concessions to an aggressor in a hope that it will become your friend: strength is to make the aggressor hange his behaviour, writes Mykola Tochytskyi. Mykola...
German arrested for illegal military exports to Russia
German prosecutors said Thursday (13 February) they had arrested a businessman on suspicion of exporting millions of euros in machinery to Russia that could be used for military purposes, in violation of EU sanctions.
EU needs to expand sanctions to Russian elites who are flying below the radar
Just like the United States has done, the EU must sanction Russians who have become rich by breaking the law or using force in their country, writes Anna Talimonchuk.
Opposition wins no seats in Belarus election
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko maintained his hold on power after results published early on Monday (18 November) showed not a single opposition candidate had won a seat in parliamentary elections over the weekend.
Russia returns captured ships to Ukraine, paving road to ‘Normandy’ summit
Russia will return three captured naval ships to Ukraine on Monday and is moving them to a handover location agreed with Kyiv, Crimea's border guard service was cited as saying by Russian news agencies on Sunday (17 November).
Belarus leader defends rights record during Austria visit
Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko defended his isolated country's human rights during a visit to Austria Tuesday (12 November), as he seeks closer ties with the European Union amid tensions with Russia.
EU divisions over Russia mount as France, Germany seek peace in Ukraine
French and German attempts to end the conflict in east Ukraine risk increasing tensions that were already rising in the European Union over how to handle Russia and which could complicate peace efforts.