Eastern Europe / News
Myanmar junta's chief visits Russia, set to meet Putin
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is in Russia for what is only his second meeting with President Vladimir Putin, according to an announcement by the Kremlin.
Moscow has created a database to track anti-war Russians, court case reveals
Russia has confirmed the existence of a database tracking citizens who have expressed opposition to the war in Ukraine, raising concerns over intensified state surveillance and repression.
Kremlin-backed candidate wins Abkhazia presidency in runoff vote
Badra Gunba claimed victory over his opponent Adgur Ardzinba in the second round of the presidential election in the Russia-backed Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia.
Hungary blocks EU Ukraine security proposal
Hungary has blocked a proposed EU security assurances and military assistance proposal for Ukraine ahead of a key summit due on March 6.
US drops rare earths deal with Ukraine amid tensions over peace talks
The United States is no longer considering signing a rare earths and minerals agreement with Ukraine, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, as Washington shifts its focus toward pushing for a peace deal.
Latin American leaders blast Trump-Zelensky diplomatic fallout
The diplomatic rift between the United States and Ukraine has drawn sharp criticism from Latin American leaders, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro lambasting the Trump-Zelensky meeting.
Turkey invited to top table as Europe scrambles to rearm
With European powers facing sobering reality of possible future with little or no US defence support, attention has turned to Ankara's big defence manufacturing capacity and 800,000-strong army.
Emerging Europe’s Ukraine critics unleashed by Trump’s attack on Zelenskiy
Leaders of Bulgaria, Georgia and Hungary back Trump in row with Ukrainian president and slam Europe's handling of the war.
Pressure to seize Russian frozen funds builds, but no consensus yet
The pressure on EU leaders to seize Russia’s $300bn in frozen Central Bank of Russia funds is building as the US threatens to withdraw its support for Ukraine completely, but there is no consensus on the move yet.
Viktor Orban urges EU to start direct talks with Russia on Ukraine
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to begin direct talks with Russia on ending the conflict in Ukraine, a move that highlights growing divisions within the bloc over its approach to the war.
Indian markets likely to face volatility after Trump-Zelenskiy meeting
Indian financial markets are grappling with renewed uncertainty following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which concluded with a near altercation.
Europe at a "crossroads" as EU leaders gather in London to respond to growing defence crisis
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged European leaders to “step up” to a “once-in-a-generation moment” for the continent’s security at an emergency summit called in London on March 2.
North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine were told they were fighting against South Koreans
North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia in Ukraine were deceived into thinking they were battling South Korean forces.
Iranian parliament approves free trade zone with EEU
After years of negotiations, Iran's parliament has ratified an agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to create a free trade zone.
Stop praising Trump, Kremlin tells Russian state media
The Kremlin has advised Russian state-aligned media outlets to avoid excessive praise of US President Donald Trump, instead directing attention towards President Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic skills.
Europe will need Turkey in world with less or no Nato says foreign minister
Ankara has second largest land forces in military bloc. Turkish officials leverage the point in effort at obtaining long-sought EU membership.
Colombian president blasts Ukraine-US minerals deal as "stupidity"
Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego has criticised Ukraine's intention to finalise an agreement granting the United States access to its rare earth minerals, slamming the move as "stupidity."
Argentina breaks with Ukraine support at UN, echoing Trump's pro-Russia shift
Argentina’s decision to abstain from a United Nations vote on an EU-sponsored resolution urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine has sparked widespread criticism.
Russian official admits that rural Russian schools are in a worse state than war-damaged Ukraine
A Russian official has admitted that rural schools in Tatarstan are in worse condition than those in war-damaged, Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.
Trump lays out harsh terms for US support for Ukraine at his first Cabinet meeting
Some more clarity emerged on the US plans for Ukraine as US President Donald Trump held his first cabinet meeting. The terms are harsh, shifting the bulk of the burden to Europe.