Russia
Lula presses Putin to attend Ukraine peace talks as Russian leader sends deputies instead
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of voices piling pressure on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to personally attend proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but to no avail.
Eurasia a significant source of methane emissions – report
Russia and Turkmenistan are primary offenders.
China's SWM to launch auto plant in Turkey
BYD's sales of zero-tariff Chinese EVs on Turkish market are, meanwhile, booming.
EBRD2025: France pledges €10mn to repair Chernobyl shelter after drone strike
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has secured a €10mn ($10.8mn) contribution from France to help fund emergency repairs to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the Chernobyl (Chornobyl) nuclear power plant.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
Russia eyes deeper coal partnership with India amid long-term supply plans
Russia’s coal reserves are sufficient to meet domestic demand for over 500 years, and the country sees significant scope for deepening cooperation with India in the coal sector.
Iran, Russia launch second phase of banking payment system integration
Iran and Russia rolled out the second phase of their Shetab-Mir payment network integration, strengthening financial ties between the two nations
Russian tycoon Usmanov wins lawsuit against Luxembourg media giant
A German court has banned Mediahuis Luxembourg S.A., the most important media holding in Luxembourg, from referring to Uzbek-born Russian metals and media tycoon Alisher Usmanov as the owner of the luxury superyacht Dilbar.
Zelenskiy to travel to Istanbul after Trump backs Putin’s offer of talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to hold face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.
EU leaders demand Putin end hostilities or face crushing sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a rare midnight press conference on May 10 and called for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Istanbul format, as the key EU members of the coalition of the willing met Ukrainian President Zelinskiy.
Brazil courts Moscow with nuclear and defence pacts as Europe rallies behind Ukraine
Brazil and Russia are pursuing extensive cooperation on nuclear technology, military hardware and space exploration, as President Lula da Silva dismissed European criticism of his attendance at Vladimir Putin's Victory Day celebrations.
COMMENT: Lessons from Ukraine suggest India will not go to war with Pakistan
The vast economic and demographic imbalance between India and Pakistan strongly favours New Delhi in any theoretical war between the two rivals. Yet, lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine suggest that India cannot win a total war.
MOSCOW BLOG: A muted V-day parade on Red Square
I have just been watching the Victory Day parade on Red Square. A few observations.
Lithuanian activists hand out condoms on Victory Day to prevent 'another Putin' from being born
Activists gave out condoms at the entrance to the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius, where the city’s Russian community were marking Victory over Fascism Day.
Serbia’s Vucic trolls EU with Moscow visit
Vucic seemed to be goading EU leaders on social media, posting daily updates of all the persona non gratas he'd met on the sidelines of Putin's Victory Day parade.
Turkey and China could mediate Ukraine peace talks if US withdraws, Polish foreign minister says
Turkey and China could act as potential mediators in future Ukraine peace negotiations if the United States reduces its involvement, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.
Russia backs Beijing's 'One China' claims over Taiwan
Taiwan is a self-governed island democracy that has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party regardless of claims to the contrary by Beijing. Despite this, China views the island as a breakaway province.
Serbia’s Vucic to discuss new gas deal with Putin in Moscow
Aleksandar Vucic visited Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day parade shortly before Serbia’s gas supply agreement with Russian energy giant Gazprom is due to expire.
Iran pips Saudi Arabia and Russia as having world's cheapest gasoline
READ MORE: Iran's petrol now world's cheapest at just $0.018/litre, undercutting Saudi Arabia's $0.62 rate amid growing pressure for subsidy reforms.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico forced to fly around the houses on his way to Moscow
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was forced to take the long way round on his trip to Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Parade on Red Square on May 9.