About: EU-Russia relations
As Germany hits the brakes on Nord Stream 2, what’s the solution to Europe’s gas crisis?
When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Europe was dependent on Russia for 27% of its gas consumption, and it vowed to diversify supplies as a result. Today, Europe is even more dependent on Russian gas than it was back then, at 38%. Diversification has failed, writes Murray Worthy.
Europe’s banks brace for Russia sanctions fallout
European banks on Tuesday (22 February) were bracing for the fallout from fresh global sanctions as the Ukraine crisis escalated, although US bank executives said they expected the industry to be insulated from major disruption after pulling back from Russia...
EU: Russia must choose war or diplomacy in Ukraine
While continuing negotiations and exploring all diplomatic routes, should Russia choose the path of war, the EU is prepared said the heads of the EU institutions during Wednesday's (16 February) plenary debate in European Parliament.
Russia says it returns some troops to base in areas near Ukraine
Some troops in Russia's military districts adjacent to Ukraine are returning to their bases after completing drills, Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday (15 February), a move that could de-escalate frictions between Moscow and the West.
Germany’s special path is destroying Europe
Germany's elite showing understanding for Russia's supposedly justified security concerns is a recipe for disaster when it comes to resolving the Ukraine crisis, write Elmar Brok and Christian Moos.OpinionPromoted content
30 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union the Kremlin repeats old lies
The collapse of the Soviet Union returned freedom to many nations and ended the communist rule over millions. The aftermath of its collapse shapes Vladimir Putin’s vision, as well as his domestic and foreign policies.
Ukraine diplomacy looms large as EU leaders meet Eastern Partnership counterparts
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years, EU leaders and their Eastern Partnership counterparts met on Wednesday (15 December) for a summit aimed to reaffirm the strategic importance of the region. The EU summit with...
EU explores Russia options, adopts sanctions against Wagner group
EU foreign ministers on Monday (13 December) discussed options for a possible new round of economic sanctions against Russia, in coordination with the United States and Britain, ahead of two crucial summits in Brussels this week.
Chizhov: Russia is well-placed to play a constructive role in Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Afghanistan, the ‘Crimea Platform’, carbon border tax, COVID and vaccines, and the new political season.
EU launches WTO dispute against Russia over procurement
The European Union has launched a legal challenge at the World Trade Organisation against Russian measures it says restrict or prevent EU companies from selling goods to Russian state-owned enterprises.
Merkel says ‘sovereign’ EU should be able to talk to Putin
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday (25 June) insisted that the EU should be able to talk to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, after other leaders from the bloc thwarted her push for a summit.
Russia’s Lavrov blames the West for ‘shutting Russia out’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has blamed the European Union for having suspended “the mutually beneficial architecture of cooperation” and for pushing to “shut Russia out,” following a meeting with his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva in Moscow.
EU hesitant over potential ‘Putin connection’ in Belarus plane ‘hijacking’
Despite the speculations about a Russian involvement in the forced landing of the Ryanair airliner in Minsk, given the importance of Russia, EU leaders who met in Brussels for a two-day summit decided to decouple the issues and concentrate on...
EU leaders to task Borrell with preparation of Russia report
EU leaders will task EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell with preparing a report on the bloc's strategy towards Russia, similar to the one presented in March on Turkey, according to summit conclusions seen by EURACTIV.
Russian ambassador: Moscow and EU need to pull themselves out of ‘this mess’
The Russian Ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, discussed the current tensions against the background of purported covert operations by Russian military intelligence GRU on EU soil, jailed dissident Alexei Navalny, the Sputnik vaccine, and the upcoming Economic Forum in St Petersburg.
EU summons Russian envoy over travel bans on Brussels officials
The European Union summoned Russia's ambassador to the bloc on Monday to condemn Moscow's decision to bar eight officials from entering the country, which the Kremlin said was in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russian citizens by the EU.
Baltic states expel Russian diplomats in solidarity with Prague
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will expel several Russian diplomats and embassy employees in solidarity with Prague, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced during a joint press conference on Friday (23 April). EURACTIV’s media partner LRT.lt reports.
Czechs say Russian retaliation stronger than expected, seeks EU solidarity
The Czech Republic said on Monday (19 April) Russia's eviction of 20 Czech embassy employees in response to Prague's expulsion of 18 Russian staff was a stronger than expected reaction and the government would consider further steps.
Diplomatic double whammy as EU overtures rebuffed by Turkey, Russia
The EU's hopes of rapprochements with Turkey and Russia have been rebuffed. But these diplomatic defeats have been years in the making, writes Robert Ellis.
Russia offers Finland technology to make Sputnik V vaccine
Russia has offered to supply Finland with the technology to produce its Sputnik V vaccine, Tass news agency reported, in what observers fear is a strategic manoeuvre with political and commercial motives.
Hit Putin where it hurts, Navalny’s associates say
The EU should target Russian President Vladimir Putin's close circle of people and 'hit him where it hurts', two close associates of imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny said on Monday (22 February). They also warned of the increasing influence of corrupted Russian money in Europe.
Borrell’s Moscow trip is a learning experience, not the death of EU foreign policy
Despite EU chief diplomat Joseph Borrell’s Moscow adventure, EU foreign policy has not died, and he should not resign, writes Niklas Novaky. Niklas Novaky is a research officer for EU security and defence policy at the Wilfried Martens Centre in...
Russia says it would be ready to cut EU ties if hit with painful sanctions
Russia said on Friday (12 February) it would be ready to sever ties with the European Union if the bloc hit it with painful economic sanctions, a statement that Germany described as disconcerting and incomprehensible.