Eastern Europe / News
Pressure to seize Russian frozen funds builds, but no consensus yet
The pressure on EU leaders to seize Russia’s $300bn in frozen Central Bank of Russia funds is building as the US threatens to withdraw its support for Ukraine completely, but there is no consensus on the move yet.
Viktor Orban urges EU to start direct talks with Russia on Ukraine
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to begin direct talks with Russia on ending the conflict in Ukraine, a move that highlights growing divisions within the bloc over its approach to the war.
Indian markets likely to face volatility after Trump-Zelenskiy meeting
Indian financial markets are grappling with renewed uncertainty following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which concluded with a near altercation.
Europe at a "crossroads" as EU leaders gather in London to respond to growing defence crisis
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged European leaders to “step up” to a “once-in-a-generation moment” for the continent’s security at an emergency summit called in London on March 2.
North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine were told they were fighting against South Koreans
North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia in Ukraine were deceived into thinking they were battling South Korean forces.
Iranian parliament approves free trade zone with EEU
After years of negotiations, Iran's parliament has ratified an agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to create a free trade zone.
Stop praising Trump, Kremlin tells Russian state media
The Kremlin has advised Russian state-aligned media outlets to avoid excessive praise of US President Donald Trump, instead directing attention towards President Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic skills.
Europe will need Turkey in world with less or no Nato says foreign minister
Ankara has second largest land forces in military bloc. Turkish officials leverage the point in effort at obtaining long-sought EU membership.
Colombian president blasts Ukraine-US minerals deal as "stupidity"
Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego has criticised Ukraine's intention to finalise an agreement granting the United States access to its rare earth minerals, slamming the move as "stupidity."
Argentina breaks with Ukraine support at UN, echoing Trump's pro-Russia shift
Argentina’s decision to abstain from a United Nations vote on an EU-sponsored resolution urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine has sparked widespread criticism.
Russian official admits that rural Russian schools are in a worse state than war-damaged Ukraine
A Russian official has admitted that rural schools in Tatarstan are in worse condition than those in war-damaged, Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.
Trump lays out harsh terms for US support for Ukraine at his first Cabinet meeting
Some more clarity emerged on the US plans for Ukraine as US President Donald Trump held his first cabinet meeting. The terms are harsh, shifting the bulk of the burden to Europe.
Brazil hosts first BRICS Sherpas meeting with expanded membership
Brasilia hosted the first BRICS Sherpas meeting under the Brazilian Presidency on February 24-25, bringing together representatives from all 11 member countries at the Itamaraty Palace.
Hungary seeks to remove three Russian oligarchs from EU sanctions list, reports RFE/RL
The Russian investigative unit of Radio Free Europe, Systema, has published the names of Russian individuals Hungary seeks to remove from the EU sanctions list.
Bosnia’s Serb entity rejects authority of state-level institutions
Republika Srpska's parliament takes steps towards secession after the conviction of its president, Milorad Dodik.
Invasion of Ukraine has made life worse, Russians admit
More than half of Russians believe the ongoing war in Ukraine has negatively affected their daily lives, according to a new survey by the independent research project Chronicles.
Ukraine agrees to a revised US mineral deal offer
Ukraine has agreed to sign off on a third version of a minerals deal with the US after Washington softened the terms, the Financial Times reported on February 25.
Is Iran being offered as a bargaining chip in Russia-US negotiations?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov conducted a swift but significant six-hour visit to Tehran on February 25, meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Rosneft overtakes ExxonMobil to take fourth slot in global energy ranking
Russia’s biggest state-owned oil major Rosneft has overtaken ExxonMobil to take the fourth slot in the Energy Intelligence Top 100: Global NOC and IOC Rankings.
Renault must pay $1.3bn if it wants to re-enter Russian market
French carmaker Renault must repay at least RUB112.5bn ($1.3bn) of the money invested by its Russian partner AvtoVAZ in the joint venture during its absence, AvtoVAZ president Maxim Sokolov said on February 25.