Eastern Europe / News
US and Russian officials hold landmark peace talks in Saudi Arabia as Ukraine remains excluded
Senior US and Russian officials have concluded extensive talks at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two powers since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia reportedly considers selling 6% stake in NIS to Serbia after US imposed sanctions
Serbia is considering a range of solutions to ensure NIS’s continued operations, all of which carry economic and geopolitical risks.
Visibly tired and upset Zelenskiy holds Ukraine war press conference with Erdogan in Istanbul
Says Turkey should be among countries with seat at any peace talks table. Turkish president says that table should be in Ankara.
Russia says pipeline drone strike set to wipe out up to third of Kazakhstan’s oil exports
Kremlin mouthpiece Medvedev claims Ukrainian attack was designed to harm US economic interests in deliberate move against Trump.
European leaders clash over peacekeepers in Ukraine at Paris meeting
Argument highlights the lack of consensus on how to respond to US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace talks with Russia, which have kicked off in Riyadh.
Russian foreign minister accuses West of trying to destabilise Serbia
Sergei Lavrov slams sanctions on oil company NIS and claims ongoing protests are a foreign-backed effort to instigate a ‘colour revolution’ in Serbia.
Brazil to host expanded BRICS summit in July amid US dollar tensions
Brazil will host leaders from the BRICS nations and their new members in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, as the burgeoning bloc faces growing pressure from the US over plans to reduce dollar dependence in trade.
Kremlin orders Russian media to downplay importance of Trump after Putin call
Kremlin wants fewer mentions of US President Donald Trump, to emphasise Putin as the primary decision-maker
Ukrainian drone strikes Kazakhstan’s main oil export pipeline route in Russia
Attack comes on same day Hungarian and Kazakh top diplomats back idea of Ukraine conflict talks between Putin and Trump.
US threatens troop deployment to Ukraine if Russia resists peace talks
The United States may impose stricter sanctions and consider deploying troops to Ukraine if Moscow refuses to engage in meaningful negotiations to end the war, US Vice President JD Vance has warned.
Valentine’s Day Is a ‘spiritual venereal disease,' Russian MP Says
Valentine’s Day is a "spiritual venereal disease" and a form of "cultural sabotage" against Russia, according to Vitaly Milonov, a controversial deputy in Russia's State Duma
Poland to play key role in EU Paris meeting to counter Trump’s Ukraine talks exclusion
Poland was the poor second cousin to its EU peers when it first joined the EU two decades ago. But a flourishing economy, its frontline position and growing military might means it’s been promoted to the top table in EU affairs.
Europe out of Ukraine ceasefire talks
When asked if Europe will be at the table in the upcoming US-Russia negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, US special envoy to Ukraine retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg said “no.”
Hamas in Gaza releases American, Russian and Argentine-dual national Israelis in sixth prisoner swap under ceasefire deal
Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in Gaza's southern city of Khan Yunis on February 15 under a continuing ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Brazil drops BRICS currency plan in favour of local payment push
Brazil will not pursue a common BRICS currency during its presidency of the bloc this year, focusing instead on facilitating trade in local currencies despite warnings from US President Donald Trump about challenging dollar dominance.
Iraqi migrants face trial in Russia after EU-border jump to Latvia
Twenty-three men from Iraq's Kurdistan Region are awaiting trial in Russia following their detention at European Union borders, with one illegal migrant reportedly dying in custody.
Bolivia courts controversy with lopsided lithium deals favouring China and Russia
Environmental groups and economic analysts have raised fresh concerns about Bolivia's recent lithium extraction agreements with Chinese and Russian firms, highlighting potential risks to national interests and environmental sustainability.
Belarusian authorities release American citizen from a Minsk jail as part of Russo-US prisoner exchange deal
Prisoner release follows liberation of former US embassy employee Mark Fogel from Russian detention in a PR coup for US President Donald Trump.
Moscow cracks down on Azerbaijani migrants after rift with Baku
Russia-Azerbaijan relations are worsening, exacerbated by the fallout from the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft and subsequent diplomatic disputes.
Trump announces immediate Ukraine peace talks after call with Putin
Negotiations to end the war in Ukraine will begin immediately, US President Donald Trump announced after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.