Eastern Europe / News
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.
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.
A row has broken out between Hungary and Ukraine over Kyiv’s right to join the EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed this week that 95% of Hungarians are against Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Putin heads to Belarus for EEU summit amid divisions within bloc
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Belarus on June 26-27 to attend events commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Kazakhstan denies Ukrainian drones attacking Russia via its airspace
Moscow said dozens crossed western parts of its neighbour headed for Russian targets.
Nato members agree to 5% GDP spending hike, but will they pay?
Nato leaders agreed to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 and renewed their commitment to collective defence at the Nato summit held in the Hague on June 25, but how many of them will pay?
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Putin to skip Rio BRICS summit over ICC warrant as Xi signals no-show
Brazil's hosting of next month's BRICS summit is being overshadowed by the likely absence of two of the bloc's most powerful leaders, threatening to dent the gathering's geopolitical significance.
Estonia already spending more than 5% on Nato defences as it prepares for possible war with Russia
Nato members are gathering in The Hague for the annual security conference on June 25 where the US is demanding countries increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP by 2035. Estonia is already there.
How President Trump clinched a ceasefire between Israel and Iran
Following twelve days of intense warfare between Iran and Israel, a ceasefire has been reached through direct US intervention and diplomatic support from other countries.
Russia courts Mexico with LNG offer as energy ties with US face strain
Russia is pushing to boost energy ties with Mexico, offering LNG and tech support as the country faces ageing infrastructure, low output, and heavy reliance on US gas.
The Belarusian opposition leaders Sergey and Svetlana Tikhanovsky vow to continue the fight to release more political prisoners
Belarusian opposition figures Sergey Tikhanovsky, and his wife, presidential contender Svetlana Tikhanovskaya vowed to continue their fight against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and seek the release of more political prisoners.
Polish authorities thwarted assassination attempt on Ukrainian president in 2024, officials say
Polish and Ukrainian security services disrupted an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at Rzeszów airport in April 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine said on June 23.
US auditors arrive in Kyiv to check for corruption
American auditors have just landed in Kiev, and their plan is simple – to dig out what is really happening with the billions of dollars that the US has already sent to Ukraine.