Eastern Europe / News
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.
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.