Eastern Europe / News
Slovak PM Fico expects deal with EU over sanctions against Russia on July 15, and threatens to continue blocking sanctions if none made.
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico expects an agreement between the European Union and Slovakia could be reached on Tuesday, July 15, over Slovakia lifting its veto of the EU’s 18th round of sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine signs €11bn in reconstruction deals at Rome URC2025 conference
Ukraine signed close to 200 agreements and memorandums totalling €11bn during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) held in Rome, according to Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.
EC proposes floating Russian oil cap rate at 15% below global price
The European Commission has proposed a floating price cap on Russian crude oil set at 15% below the average global market price over the previous three months, European Union diplomats said on July 11.
Slovakia seeks EU guarantees on Russian gas phase-out ahead of sanctions deal
Slovakia is pushing for firm guarantees from the European Commission and key EU member states over the future of its energy security, as it links this condition to its support for a fresh round of sanctions on Russian gas imports.
Trump pledges first financial aid to Ukraine since he took over
President Donald Trump may sign off on the first new package of military funding for Ukraine of up to $3.8bn since taking office at the start of this year.
Lavrov visits North Korea to reaffirm security pact
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States, South Korea and Japan against forming a trilateral security alliance that explicitly targets North Korea, cautioning that such a move would inflame regional tensions.
Trump hits EU, Mexico with whopping 30% tariffs
US President Donald Trump escalated his trade war with Mexico and Europe by slapping whopping 30% tariffs on both, after neither of them managed to cut a new trade deal before the July 9 deadline.
A stray drone and the shadow of war: How fear and mistrust are pushing Nato and Belarus to the brink
In today’s Europe, even a foam-and-plywood drone can trigger fighter jets, send heads of state scurrying for shelter and deepen fears of war.
Russia proposes removing enriched uranium from Iran
Russia has proposed removing enriched uranium from Iran and communicated the offer to Iranian authorities, the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Trump says Ukraine's Nato allies to pick up arms bill from now on
US allies have agreed to pick up the bill for arming Ukraine from now on, US President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC News on July 11.
EU pledges €2.3bn to rebuild Ukraine, and seed a private equity fund to raise another €10bn
For the first time, the EU has begun to pledge money to rebuild Ukraine’s batter economy should the war come to an end. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new package of financial assistance to Ukraine's recovery.
Belarus pushes for BRICS membership amid geopolitical bargaining and Western scrutiny
Belarus is walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to strengthen ties with emerging powers like the BRICS while quietly seeking to ease Western sanctions.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov floats a “new concept” to halt Ukraine conflict at meeting with counterpart Rubio in Asia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told his counterpart Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of his disappointment and frustration" at the lack of progress to ending the Ukraine conflict, but said his counterpart had floated a “new concept".
URC2025: Ukraine to spend $50bn on defence in 2025, but needs more outside help
Ukraine will allocate nearly $50bn to defence and security in 2025, amounting to 26% of the country's GDP, but it’s going to need more outside help, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said as the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC25) kicks off.
Slovakia blocks latest round of EU sanctions against Russia
Slovakia nearly eradicated Russian gas imports during the winter of 2022-23, but imports spiked following the return of the Fico-led government.
Ukraine says EU accession talks can proceed without Hungary’s consent
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration says that negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union can begin without the support of Hungary, as only 26 members are needed to start the talks.
Sergei Lavrov lauds Hungarian government’s policy in interview with pro-Orban media
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lauded the Hungarian government's foreign policy as "balanced and pragmatic", in an interview granted to pro-Orban daily Magyar Nemzet.
Trump to restart weapons deliveries to Ukraine
“We have to,” said US President Donald Trump, announcing that his administration would restart weapons supplies to Ukraine, which is facing intensifying bombardment by Russian missiles.
Russian air travel collapses and transport minister commits suicide in one weekend
As Ukrainian drone attacks caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and thousands delayed, Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead.