Eastern Europe / News

Putin says the Ukraine war "might not have happened" if Trump was president in 2022, as the two leaders flirt ahead of a mooted meeting

Ben Aris in Berlin January 24, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin the 2022 "crisis in Ukraine" might never have happened had Donald Trump been US president at the time, AFP reported on January 24.

President Pellegrini calls situation in Slovakia “serious” in wake of country-wide protests, PM Fico coup plot claims

Albin Sybera in Prague January 24, 2025

Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini said the situation in the country is “serious” following a security council meeting called after populist Prime Robert Fico claimed a plot to overthrow his government is taking place.

Trump says he wants to meet Putin “as soon as possible”, as Zelenskiy lobbies Davos for support

Ben Aris in Berlin January 24, 2025

US President Donald Trump said that he wants to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "as soon as possible" to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, speaking to delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos by video link on January 23.

Human rights groups urge Zelenskiy to protect North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine

bno - Taipei Bureau January 24, 2025

Human rights organisations advocating for North Korean citizens have called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to refrain from repatriating two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia.

Indian energy supply unaffected by US sanctions on Russia

bno Chennai bureau January 24, 2025

India’s energy security remains steady despite new US sanctions targeting Russia.

Trump sets 100-day deadline for Ukraine peace, Zelenskiy seeks US guarantees

bne IntelliNews January 23, 2025

US President Donald Trump has tasked his special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, with ending the war in Ukraine within 100 days.

Russia arrests Colombian fighter in occupied Kursk as mercenary crackdown widens

bne IntelliNews January 23, 2025

A Colombian citizen has been detained near the village of Alexandria in Russia's Kursk region on charges of terrorism and mercenary activity, as both Moscow and Kyiv grapple with the growing presence of foreign fighters in their ranks.

Putin faces mounting economic challenges amid pressure for Ukraine peace talks

bne IntelliNews January 23, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin is under increasing pressure to address Russia’s deepening economic woes as US President Donald Trump intensifies calls for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.

Trump warns Putin of severe economic measures without swift Ukraine peace deal

bne IntelliNews January 23, 2025

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening severe economic measures unless a peace agreement is reached to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin and Xi reaffirm partnership just hours after Trump’s inauguration

bne IntelliNews January 21, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly reaffirmed their nations’ “no limits” partnership during a phone call on January 20, shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the US.

Russia and Armenia seek to ease strained relations

Ani Avetisyan in Yerevan January 21, 2025

Foreign ministers meet in Moscow after Yerevan announced plans to join EU and signed strategic partnership with the US.

Bali shuts down "Russian Village"

bno - Surabaya bureau January 21, 2025

The Gianyar Regency Government of Bali officially closed PARQ Ubud, also referred to as "The Russian Village," on January 20 for breaching local regulations.

Cocaine smuggling into Russia has risen TENFOLD since invasion of Ukraine

bne IntelliNews January 21, 2025

The volume of cocaine seized by Russian authorities has surged since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reflecting a significant shift in international smuggling routes and techniques.

North Korea rejects Belarus summit proposal, calls for clarity in relations

bno - Taipei Bureau January 21, 2025

In a rare public statement, Kim Yo-jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister and influential political figure, has clarified her country’s stance on a proposed summit with Belarus

Putin congratulates Trump, signals hope for improved US-Russia relations

bne IntelliNews January 20, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States, expressing hope for a more constructive relationship than with the outgoing administration led by Joe Biden.

Antidepressant sales in Russia hit record high amidst growing war stress

bne IntelliNews January 20, 2025

Sales of antidepressants in Russia soared to an unprecedented 16.1mn packages from January to November 2024, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%, according to data from DSM Group.

The Bavarian branch of far-right AfD party calls for all Ukrainian refugees to be expelled from Germany

bne IntelliNews January 19, 2025

The Bavarian branch of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has proposed deporting all 1.2mn Ukrainian war refugees living in Germany, claiming there is “room enough” in Ukraine to accommodate them if they could return.

Iran seeks to expand nuclear power cooperation with Russia's Rosatom

bnm Tehran bureau January 19, 2025

Iran has expressed interest in building a new nuclear power plant in cooperation with Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, the company's CEO Alexei Likhachev said.

Moldovagaz’s head says $709mn debt to Gazprom close to being settled

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest January 19, 2025

Gazprom cited a $709mn outstanding debt when it cut gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, but Chisinau says the debt is only $8.7mn.

War in Ukraine started as punishment for masturbation, says Russian Orthodox Church

bne IntelliNews January 19, 2025

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was caused by societal moral decay, including a widespread indulgence in sinful behaviour such as masturbation, a senior figure in the Russian Orthodox Church has claimed.

Dismiss