Eastern Europe / News
“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.
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.