Eastern Europe / News
Putin visit to Kazakhstan fails to clarify nuclear power plant financing issue
Astana trying to stay in Kremlin’s favour.
Russia reportedly planning to transport voters to Armenia to sway election
Reuters investigation reveals disinformation campaigns and discussions about transporting large numbers of Russian-Armenians to vote in Armenia.
Shokhin appointed Russia's new business ombudsman as uncertainty over budget funding rises
The appointment of Alexander Shokhin as Russia's new business ombudsman is more significant than the title suggests. Shokhin is not merely another bureaucrat; he has spent almost two decades as president of the Russian Union of Industrialists .
Peskov rules out Ukraine ceasefire talks with Europe as it is a party to the war
As Europe hunts for a suitable mediator to negotiate a Ukraine war ceasefire deal with Russia, the Kremlin has ruled out any talks as Europe is party to the conflict, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 29.
US extends licence for Lukoil foreign asset sales to June
The United States has extended by one month, to June 27, a licence allowing companies to continue discussions with Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil (LKOH.MM) over the potential purchase of its overseas assets.
A growing Balkan bloc objects to Ukraine's accelerated EU membership
Former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban was the most vocal opponent of Ukraine’s EU accession bid. However, behind the scenes several other EU members have opposed allowing the agricultural superpower to join.
Moscow has closed the Ukraine ceasefire dialogue with the US - Ryabkov
Russia has suspended dialogue with the US on strategic stability and nuclear arms control, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, signalling a further deterioration in relations between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
Putin deepens ties with Kazakhstan with nuclear power plant deal and renewed friendship declaration during state visit
Vladimir Putin arrived in Astana on Wednesday for a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan — his second to the country in a single presidential term — trailing a delegation of more than 30 senior officials and business figures.
_CroppeD_270526_1779910732.jpg)
Terrorist attacks in Russia thwarted by joint work with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, says FSB director
Warns Afghanistan-based ISKP actively recruiting individuals across Central Asia and migrant workers in Russian locations.
Ukraine's drone campaign bites into Russian fuel supply as refinery damage forces emergency imports from Belarus
Russia's purchases of Belarusian gasoline on the St Petersburg commodity exchange exceeded 17,000 tonnes in early May — roughly 58-times the volume bought in the same period last year.
Ukraine shifts from wartime survival to long-term economic planning
Ukraine’s economy shrank sharply following the start of the war in 2022, with industrial facilities, energy infrastructure and logistics networks repeatedly targeted by missile and drone strikes.
Russia seeks partial privatisation of state carrier Aeroflot
Russian national air carrier Aeroflot plans to privatise a 23.76% stake worth approximately $634mn as part of the government’s financial market development programme.
Ukraine's ammunition lifeline frays as US scales back Nato commitments
Half of the members' ammunition alliance to supply Ukraine with shells have withdrawn from the Czech-led initiative that has kept the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) supplied with crucial munitions in its war with Russia in the last two years.
Macron calls Lukashenko as US withdraws from Ukraine ceasefire talks
French President Emmanuel Macron took the unusual step of calling Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko on May 24, which is now housing Russian nuclear weapons.
The hunt for a European mediator in Russia-Ukraine talks continues, but no talks are likely yet
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has put himself forward to represent the EU in possible ceasefire talks with Russia now the US has fully withdrawn from the process, but immediately ruled out any talks starting unless Russia agreed to a ceasefire.
Norway overtakes Russia as world's top gas pipeline exporter
Norway overtook Russia as the world’s biggest exporter of gas via pipeline in 2025, reflecting Moscow’s loss of most of its market share in Europe over the past four years.