Eastern Europe / News
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Russia accuses EU of “Euronazism” over victory day threats to Serbia
Russia has sharply criticised the European Union after reports emerged that Brussels could block Serbia’s accession bid if its president attends a military parade in Moscow commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Russia removes Taliban from terrorist list, acknowledging it as legitimate leadership of Afghanistan
Russia has formally removed the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organisations, officially recognising it as the legitimate government of Afghanistan on April 17.
Kremlin proposes a "frozen reserves for airplane and parts" deal to White House
Russia has approached the White House with a deal to use the approximately $5bn of Central Bank of Russia frozen assets trapped in the US to buy Boeing-manufactured planes and parts after a ceasefire in Ukraine goes into effect.
China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia
Russian energy company keeps gushing red ink.
EU is discussing plan to sidestep Hungary’s veto on renewing sanctions
The EU is discussing a plan to sidestep Hungary’s veto on renewing sanctions that boils down to not holding the biannual vote to renew them. Under EU rules if the sanctions are not renewed the measures currently in place remain in effect.
Russia and Indonesia work on direct bank settlement framework to bolster trade
Russia and Indonesia are currently working to establish direct settlement mechanisms between their respective banking institutions.
Russia’s birth rate falls to 200-year low
Russia's birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since the late 18th century, intensifying a long-standing demographic crisis with significant economic, social and geopolitical consequences.
New study reveals extent of Russian disinformation targeting Emerging Europe
'Pravda network' targeting regions of geopolitical interest for the Kremlin with negative impact on democracy and regional stability.
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Masked Moscow police accused of beating, humiliating dozens of Kyrgyz nationals in bathhouse raid
“We just don’t like you,” one officer reportedly said when asked about the violence used. “Outright fascism,” protest activists.
Venezuela's Maduro to attend Moscow's Victory Day parade
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will travel to Moscow to participate in Russia's Victory Day celebrations on May 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced.
Ukrainian pilot wanted for treason dodges jail by going to space on Russian rocket
A Ukrainian military pilot convicted of high treason has re-emerged in Earth’s orbit – rather than behind bars – after securing a spot aboard a Russian space mission.
Belarus now ‘untouchable’ under Russia’s nuclear umbrella
President Lukashenko says the new Union State security treaty guarantees Belarus “absolute security,” citing its alliance with nuclear-armed Russia as a strong deterrent against any potential foreign aggression.
Iran FM to visit Russia ahead of second round of US talks
Russia is heavily invested in Iran's nuclear programme, including removing spent fuel as part of the original 2015 nuclear agreement.
UPDATE: Hungary blocks EU sanctions on Serbia's deputy PM
Vulin claims Hungary and Slovakia have blocked EU sanctions on him after he made a series of controversial remarks in the European Parliament earlier this week.
Russia to launch online marriage register to help women catch cheaters
Conservative lawmakers and Orthodox activists in Russia are advocating the creation of a national registry of married citizens, to be made accessible through the government’s digital platform Gosuslugi.
Gazprom abandons Bolivia's Azero project after 16 years of unfulfilled promises
Gazprom, Russia's state-owned gas giant, has withdrawn from the Azero gas exploration project in Bolivia, ending a 16-year energy venture once heralded as a cornerstone of Moscow's expanding influence in Latin America.
Trump’s and Putin’s men to talk Ukraine in Istanbul on April 10
The US and Russian delegations will on April 10 hold their next meeting in Istanbul, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on April 8. The meeting will be launched at 10h Istanbul time in Russia’s consulate.
Lukashenko gifts Putin with foiled 580kg high explosives terrorist attack
Belarusian authorities intercepted a van carrying 580kg of the high explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), believed to be of US origin, at the Belarus-Poland border, the State Customs Committee of Belarus reported on April 2.
Russia’s Alrosa cuts record-breaking 200 carat diamond
Russian diamond producer Alrosa showcased the largest diamond ever cut in the country’s history – a 100-carat vivid yellow gem named “New Sun” – on April 4.
Kremlin envoy Dmitriev says “significant progress” made in talks during Washington trip
Russia and the US have made significant progress in discussing a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev said during a visit to Washington on April 3.