Eastern Europe / News
Ukrainian troops in Kursk region face encirclement as Russia steps up attacks ahead of crucial talks with US
Ukraine’s position in Kursk deteriorated rapidly as Russian forces recaptured territory in a counteroffensive that has nearly split the Ukrainian contingent in two and severed key supply lines.
Vucic and Putin discuss US sanctions on NIS, new gas contact
Serbia, which maintains strong historical ties with Russia, has walked a delicate line between its allegiance to Moscow and its aspirations to join the EU.
Turkey backs call for Ukraine War air, sea truce
Poland’s Donald Tusk, meanwhile, speaks of diplomatic offensive to find new security format in Europe that would include involving Turkish forces in a closer role.
Trump-Zelenskiy meeting shows "humiliation" awaits US allies, says Iran prayer leader
Tehran's interim Friday prayer leader said that Trump's treatment of President Zelenskiy demonstrated the humiliating fate that awaits those who submit to American influence.
Slovakia’s PM Fico backs EU resolution on Ukraine defence despite veto threat
Robert Fico had threatened to block the EU summit unless the conclusions contained a provision about the renewal of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
Lukashenko jumps on the exploration of rare earth metals bandwagon
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has jumped on the rare earth metal bandwagon and called for intensified efforts to explore and develop deposits within the country.
EU leaders back defence spending boost, pledge support for Ukraine
EU leaders unanimously agree to ramp up defence spending at emergency summit, but Hungary refuses to endorse statement on support for Ukraine.
Ukraine faces mounting challenges as US halts military aid, prospect of security guarantees dims
Following a disastrous meeting with President Trump in the White House on February 28 and the subsequent halting of US military aid to Ukraine, the country’s leadership has dug in its heels about prioritising security guarantees from the West.
Russian anti-war rapper Oxxxymiron accused of grooming and sexual assault
Russian rapper Oxxxymiron (real name Miron Fyodorov), known for his opposition to the Kremlin and the war in Ukraine, has been accused of grooming and sexually assaulting underage girls.
EU Council president says leaders “here to take decisions” as he arrives at Brussels summit
EU leaders to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthening of Europe’s defence capabilities in response to the sudden change in the geopolitical situation.
Fears Russia-friendly EU members to undermine ‘five to midnight’ summit
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban indicated ahead of the crucial summit that he might veto additional support for Ukraine.
Trump halts all military aid to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has halted all military aid to Ukraine including that already in transit, while the White House assesses whether Kyiv is demonstrating a “good-faith commitment to peace.”
Myanmar junta's chief visits Russia, set to meet Putin
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is in Russia for what is only his second meeting with President Vladimir Putin, according to an announcement by the Kremlin.
Moscow has created a database to track anti-war Russians, court case reveals
Russia has confirmed the existence of a database tracking citizens who have expressed opposition to the war in Ukraine, raising concerns over intensified state surveillance and repression.
Kremlin-backed candidate wins Abkhazia presidency in runoff vote
Badra Gunba claimed victory over his opponent Adgur Ardzinba in the second round of the presidential election in the Russia-backed Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia.
Hungary blocks EU Ukraine security proposal
Hungary has blocked a proposed EU security assurances and military assistance proposal for Ukraine ahead of a key summit due on March 6.
US drops rare earths deal with Ukraine amid tensions over peace talks
The United States is no longer considering signing a rare earths and minerals agreement with Ukraine, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, as Washington shifts its focus toward pushing for a peace deal.
Latin American leaders blast Trump-Zelensky diplomatic fallout
The diplomatic rift between the United States and Ukraine has drawn sharp criticism from Latin American leaders, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro lambasting the Trump-Zelensky meeting.
Turkey invited to top table as Europe scrambles to rearm
With European powers facing sobering reality of possible future with little or no US defence support, attention has turned to Ankara's big defence manufacturing capacity and 800,000-strong army.
Emerging Europe’s Ukraine critics unleashed by Trump’s attack on Zelenskiy
Leaders of Bulgaria, Georgia and Hungary back Trump in row with Ukrainian president and slam Europe's handling of the war.