Ukraine
Kremlin flags Hormuz risk, cautious on Magyar victory in Hungarian elections
The Kremlin has warned that a potential US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would deliver a direct shock to global markets, even as Moscow positions itself as both an energy anchor and a diplomatic intermediary in a rapidly widening crisis.
Russia deploys new jet-powered Geran-5 drone, poses problems for Ukraine air defences
Reports circulating on social media and pro-Russian channels claimed that Moscow has deployed a new jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle, Geran-5, in strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure that can overcome western-supplied air defence systems.
Zelenskiy proposes a new European version of Nato
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed the creation of a new European-centred security bloc that would include Ukraine, the EU, the UK, Turkey and Norway, as concerns mount over the future of US support for Nato.
EU paid €2.88bn for Russian Arctic LNG in first quarter
The EU paid an estimated €2.88bn ($3.33bn) to Russia for liquefied natural gas from the Yamal Arctic LNG project, majority owned by Novatek (NVTK.MM), in the first quarter of 2026.
Oil price spike: How does the Kremlin tax its oil industry?
Oil prices have spiked and that should produce a huge windfall for the Kremlin which has been desperately short of cash to fund its war machine in Ukraine since the start of this year.
Ukraine’s hope for a peace deal with Russia rekindled by Iran ceasefire
Ukraine’s hopes for restarting peace talks with Russia have been rekindled after a two-week ceasefire deal in Iran was agreed on April 7.
Ukraine’s drone strikes surpass Russia’s as production ramps up despite bottlenecks
Ukraine launched more cross-border drone strikes than Russia in March for the first time since the war began in 2022, as both sides expand unmanned capabilities.
Hungary's Orban says friendship elevated to new level in leaked talk with Putin
Leaked conversation reinforced narratives that Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, long seen as Russia’s strongest ally within the EU, often aligns with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests.
Hungarian election outcome may do little to ease EU funding deadlock for Ukraine
Ukraine’s access to tens of billions of euros in European Union support may remain uncertain regardless of the outcome of Hungary’s closely contested election this month.
Hungary urges end to Russian energy sanctions as energy crisis builds
Hungary has called for the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports, as Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that Europe faces a potential energy crisis and ordered military protection for a key pipeline.
Slovak PM Fico to visit Moscow for Victory Day
Robert Fico was the only EU leader to attend the Moscow parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII last year.
Ukraine continues drone attack on Russian oil infrastructure
Ukraine launched overnight drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, damaging an oil pipeline near the Baltic port of Primorsk in Leningrad Oblast and striking facilities deeper inside the country,
Explosives found near Serbia gas pipeline ahead of Hungary vote
Powerful explosives were discovered near a key gas pipeline in northern Serbia that supplies Russian gas to Hungary, raising concerns about energy security a week before Hungary’s parliamentary election.
MOSCOW BLOG: Pax Americana exposed as a paper tiger
Superficially the war in Iran has dealt Ukraine a huge blow. The White House is now completely distracted, and the Trump administration seems to have abandoned, or at least paused, the ceasefire negotiations with Russia.
Ukraine misses IMF reform targets, putting next tranche at risk
Ukraine has failed to meet key reform commitments under its programme with the International Monetary Fund, raising uncertainty over future disbursements despite continued external support.
Gulf interest, market jitters and EU delays shape Ukraine’s defence industry outlook
Ukraine’s defence sector is drawing growing interest from Gulf states but the push to attract investment comes against a backdrop of deteriorating sentiment.
Gazprom Export sues former German trading subsidiary SEFE in Russian court
Gazprom Export filed a lawsuit in St Petersburg against its former German trading subsidiary SEFE, the latest in a series of Russian court actions against European energy firms since Western sanctions severed gas ties.
Wiretaps reveal Hungary colluded with Russia to delist oligarchs from sanctions list
Secretly recorded calls between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjarto and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov also show diplomats' shared criticism of the European Union.
Iranian missile debris damages buildings near Ukrainian embassy in Tel Aviv
Iranian missile debris landed near the Ukrainian embassy in Tel Aviv on March 31, injuring six and damaging vehicles and buildings as Iran maintains daily strikes on Israeli territory a month into the war.
Frontline Big Macs signal fragile recovery in southern Ukraine
Reopening of Mykolaiv restaurant just kilometres from the frontline hailed by officials and business leaders as a small but potent symbol of economic resilience.