Eastern Europe / News
Zelenskiy urges faster Patriot deliveries as Europe’s PULR programme weapons funding dries up
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pressed Nato allies to accelerate deliveries of Patriot missile interceptors, as Ukraine’s stocks start to run dangerously low, warning that funding alone will not solve growing shortages.
Russian oil flows through Druzhba return to normal as Hungary and Slovakia resume Russian oil and gas imports
Russian crude oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline returned to normal levels in May, marking the first full month of uninterrupted supplies since transit resumed in April after a dispute.
Russia eyes Azerbaijan to plug food import gap as Moscow-Yerevan ties fray
Moscow has significantly expanded phytosanitary and veterinary restrictions on Armenian produce since early spring.
Serbian businessman confirms €2bn bid for Gazprom stake in NIS
Serbian businessman Ranko Mimović said he has submitted an offer to Russia’s Gazprom to acquire its majority stake in sanctioned oil company NIS.
Middle East conflict and energy shock slow growth across EBRD regions
Bank warns higher energy costs are reigniting inflation, weakening industrial competitiveness and straining already fragile public finances
Ukraine drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal as Russia's SPIEF investment forum kicks off
Ukraine hit St Petersburg oil terminals on the morning of June 3 just as Russia’s flagship St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) kicks in a message designed to show that nowhere in Russia is safe from Ukraine’s long-range drones.
Kremlin collects $3bn from Russia’s oligarchs in "voluntary contributions" to the budget
Russia has collected RUB225bn ($3.1bn) in "voluntary contributions" from major businesses as of late May as the Ministry of Finance (MinFin) scrambles to raise more money for the increasingly pressured budget.
German business returns to Russia for St Petersburg Investment forum
A group of German business figures is set to attend Russia’s flagship St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) which kicks off on June 3, marking a return of top German companies to Russia’s flagship event.
Tensions rise between Romania and Russia after drone strikes apartment block
A drone struck an apartment block in Romania's Galați, close to the Ukrainian border, causing a fire and prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents.
Rubio backs Trans-Caspian gas pipeline proposal in meeting with Turkmenistan’s top diplomat
Infrastructure could boost European energy security, though Russia could move to block it.
Warsaw-Kyiv relations hit new low as Nawrocki seeks to strip Zelenskiy of Poland’s highest honour
Rift after Kyiv named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which Poland accuses of genocide.
EU mulls freezing Russian oil sanctions as fuel shortage looms
The European Union is considering a temporary freeze on its Russian oil price cap mechanism as policymakers worry about a looming fuel shortage as a result of the Iran war disruptions.
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Euroclear appeals immediate enforcement of $256bn Russian Central Bank ruling
Euroclear has appealed the immediate enforcement of a RUB18.2 trillion ($256bn) Moscow court ruling won by Russia's central bank, as the EU weighs using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
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Mexico to discuss SWIFT alternative for dollar-free trade with Russia
Russia and Mexico will discuss a SWIFT alternative for dollar-free trade at a business forum this autumn, the Russian embassy said, though US influence over Mexican banks remains a significant obstacle.
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Russian oil tanker arrives in Japan as Middle East supply concerns grow
A tanker carrying Russian oil has arrived at Japan's Kiire port as Japanese firms step up purchases on a government request, Russian media reports.
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Russia reports fuel facility fires in Saratov and Rostov after Ukrainian drone attack
Fires hit fuel facilities in Russia's Saratov and Rostov regions after an overnight Ukrainian drone attack, with Moscow blaming falling debris and Kyiv claiming direct strikes on a Rosneft refinery.
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Russia's Dmitriev says Europe needs Russia to survive
Russia's Kirill Dmitriev said Europe needs Russia to survive amid an energy crisis, after Bloomberg reported the EU is weighing a temporary freeze of its $44.10 price cap on Russian oil over the Iran war.
Russian drone struck by Ukrainian air defences crashes into Romanian apartment block in Galati
Details are still emerging, but confusion reigned after what appears to be a Russian Geran-2 drone struck an apartment building in the Romanian city of Galati early on May 29 after being hit by Ukrainian air defences.
Business over principles: Ireland's aluminium business with Russia is flourishing
More than 80% of Irish-made alumina was exported to Russia in the first quarter of 2026, the highest proportion since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Irish Times reported on May 30.
Russia recalls Armenia envoy ahead of election
Moscow cites Yerevan’s closer ties with the European Union, as it increases pressure on PM Nikol Pashinyan days before crucial general election.