Eastern Europe / News
URC2025: Ukraine to spend $50bn on defence in 2025, but needs more outside help
Ukraine will allocate nearly $50bn to defence and security in 2025, amounting to 26% of the country's GDP, but it’s going to need more outside help, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said as the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC25) kicks off.
Slovakia blocks latest round of EU sanctions against Russia
Slovakia nearly eradicated Russian gas imports during the winter of 2022-23, but imports spiked following the return of the Fico-led government.
Ukraine says EU accession talks can proceed without Hungary’s consent
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration says that negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union can begin without the support of Hungary, as only 26 members are needed to start the talks.
Sergei Lavrov lauds Hungarian government’s policy in interview with pro-Orban media
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lauded the Hungarian government's foreign policy as "balanced and pragmatic", in an interview granted to pro-Orban daily Magyar Nemzet.
Trump to restart weapons deliveries to Ukraine
“We have to,” said US President Donald Trump, announcing that his administration would restart weapons supplies to Ukraine, which is facing intensifying bombardment by Russian missiles.
Russian air travel collapses and transport minister commits suicide in one weekend
As Ukrainian drone attacks caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and thousands delayed, Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead.
Lavrov hits back at Nato’s Rutte, denies Russian plans to invade Europe or attack Nato
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hit back at Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte's claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping could ask Russia to attack Nato to clear a path for China’s occupation of Taiwan, or that it plans to invade Estonia.
Global South unity on display at BRICS summit, leaders avoid criticising Russia
The BRICS leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6 for the annual meeting, where they condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, the US airstrikes on Iran and Ukraine’s drone strikes on trains, but not Russia's war in Ukraine.
Kremlin to replenish National Welfare Fund by RUB1.3tn in June, enough to cover the budget deficit, despite oil revenue pressures
The Kremlin has replenished the National Welfare Fund (NWF) with a new RUB1.3tn ($14.9bn) injection in June, as the Ministry of Finance credited long-delayed foreign exchange proceeds and gold reserves purchased last year.
BRICS leaders gather in Rio to challenge Western dominance
Leaders from the BRICS group have convened in Rio de Janeiro for their 17th annual summit, casting the expanded bloc as a counterweight to Western institutions whilst grappling with internal divisions over key geopolitical flashpoints.
Russia launches intense long-range missile strikes and drone barrage targeting Ukrainian infrastructure
Russia has launched the most intense missile and drone strikes on key Ukrainian infrastructure targets over the weekend that is growing in ferocity, focusing on the dwindling air defences installations, logistics hubs, and ammunition depots.
Russia becomes first country to formally recognise Taliban government in Afghanistan
Russia has formally recognised the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group seized power in August 2021, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on July 4.
Trump-Zelenskiy call discusses air defence ammo as US pauses some arms deliveries
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a telephone conversation on July 4 and discussed the future defence cooperation and halt in delivery of American weapons.
Denmark takes over EU presidency, vows to support Ukraine’s accession
Denmark has taken over the European Union’s rotating presidency and pledged to support Ukraine's bid to join the bloc while warning it may seek to nix Hungary’s EU voting rights if it continues to veto the vote.
Russia becomes first country to officially recognise Taliban in Afghanistan
Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, with the Islamic Emirate calling it a "brave decision."
“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.