Eastern Europe / News
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.
Lavrov in Tehran to discuss Trump sanctions and nuclear programme
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Tehran on February 25, holding a private meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Serbian president says he backed UN resolution on Ukraine by mistake
President Aleksandar Vucic publicly apologised to Serbian citizens, and blamed "personal fatigue" for his vote in favour of a UN resolution calling for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Putin offers Trump joint rare earth metals exploration projects
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed joint exploration of Russia’s rare earth metals deposits and the supply of aluminium to the US market as part of a potential economic agreement, Reuters reported on February 25.
Tokyo appeals for G7 unity over Ukraine
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has urged his fellow leaders from the Group of Seven nations to remain united in their efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.
EU expands oil and gas sanctions in 16th package
The EU has imposed additional measures against Russia’s oil and gas industry as part of its 16th sanctions package, while stopping short of any further restrictions on the bloc’s purchase of Russian LNG.
US sides with Russia in voting against a Ukraine-sponsored UN resolution to condemn the war on its third anniversary
The US voted with Russia and its allies against a resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict on February 24 as the Western unity to support Kyiv in its struggle continues to crumble.