Eastern Europe / News
Russia launches intense long-range missile strikes and drone barrage targeting Ukrainian infrastructure
Russia has launched the most intense missile and drone strikes on key Ukrainian infrastructure targets over the weekend that is growing in ferocity, focusing on the dwindling air defences installations, logistics hubs, and ammunition depots.
Russia becomes first country to formally recognise Taliban government in Afghanistan
Russia has formally recognised the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group seized power in August 2021, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on July 4.
Trump-Zelenskiy call discusses air defence ammo as US pauses some arms deliveries
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a telephone conversation on July 4 and discussed the future defence cooperation and halt in delivery of American weapons.
Denmark takes over EU presidency, vows to support Ukraine’s accession
Denmark has taken over the European Union’s rotating presidency and pledged to support Ukraine's bid to join the bloc while warning it may seek to nix Hungary’s EU voting rights if it continues to veto the vote.
Russia becomes first country to officially recognise Taliban in Afghanistan
Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, with the Islamic Emirate calling it a "brave decision."
“No progress” on Ukraine in Trump’s call with Putin
US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, where the two leaders made “no progress” on bringing the conflict to an end.
Putin congratulates Belarusian President Lukashenko on Independence Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Belarus’s Independence Day on July 3, highlighting their long-standing cultural ties and emphasising their common fight against the Nazis in WWII.
Ukraine, allies put on a brave face as US weapons supplies stop
Washington halted the delivery of missiles used in air defence and ammunition to Kyiv on July 1, claiming its own stocks were dwindling causing consternation in Kyiv which is battling to hold off massive Russian drone and missile barrages.
Azerbaijan arrests eight Russians as diplomatic crisis deepens over Yekaterinburg killings
Killings of two Azerbaijani brothers by the Russian FSB in Yekaterinburg sparked the most serious confrontation between Baku and Moscow since independence.
Russian forces take full control of Luhansk for the first time, advance in other new regions
Russian forces have reportedly taken full control of the region of Luhansk and a village in Ukraine’s east-central Dnipropetrovsk region, marking the first such advance in the area since the war began, reported Reuters, citing Russian media.
Poland eyes border checks with Lithuania amid migrant pressure, but Vilnius left in the dark
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on June 30 that his government is considering reintroducing border controls with Lithuania in response to increased concerns about irregular migration.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
Azerbaijan arrests Russian journalists as Yekaterinburg victims' bodies return home for fresh autopsy
FSB killings of two Azerbaijani brothers in Yekaterinburg triggered a strong diplomatic response from Baku.
Slovak MFA Blanár causes international outrage for his statements on forgiving Russia
Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Juraj Blanár has caused international outrage for his statement about the need to “find some way of cooperation and maybe also of forgiveness” to Russia.
Russian FSB kills two Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, causing uproar in Azerbaijan
The killings triggered Azerbaijan's strongest diplomatic response since the AZAL aircraft downing in December 2024.
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United States and Russia angling for influence in Turkmenistan
Kremlin seems to be worried its grip on Ashgabat is slipping.
US lifts sanctions related to Paks nuclear plant upgrade
The expansion of the Paks II nuclear power plant could now gain "new momentum" following Washington's decision to lift sanctions related to the project.
Kremlin intensifies missile attacks on Ukraine, brings down F-16
The Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) brought down one of Ukraine’s valuable F-16 fighters at the weekend that was trying to counter another massive missile barrage. Such strikes have been intensifying in the last month.
Russia seizes control of major lithium deposit in eastern Ukraine
Russian forces have taken control of a village in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast that is also the site of Europe’s largest known lithium ore deposits that will gut the recent minerals deal signed on April 30 with the Trump administration.
Russia’s Tinkov and Calvey bet on Mexican fintech as Plata targets $10bn IPO
Two of the most prominent figures in post-Soviet finance, Oleg Tinkov and Michael Calvey, have reunited as investors in Plata, a rapidly growing Mexican fintech aiming to replicate the success of Tinkoff Bank, Russia’s first online-only fintech.