EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker to visit Russia one week before EU referendum May 30, 2016 Europe's top official, Jean-Claude Juncker, is set to meet the Russian president Vladimir Putin in June during his first visit to Russia since the Ukraine crisis, it was confirmed today. Juncker, president of the European Commission, is set to attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on 16 June – just one week before the UK's referendum – where he will [...]
Ukraine won’t repay $3bn payment due to Russia this weekend December 18, 2015 Ukrainian president Arseniy Yatsenyuk has announced a "moratorium" on the payment of a $3bn (£2bn) bond due to Russia this weekend, effectively defaulting on the payment. In a televised appearance, Yatsenyuk said the two sides had failed to reach an agreement over restructuring its debt. On Twitter, he added: "From now on payments of debts [...]
Cold war over Russian energy as EU increases pressure on Gazprom April 21, 2015 Tensions between the West and Russia are expected to heighten further today when European Union anti-trust officials ramp up proceedings against state-owned energy giant Gazprom The new EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager is likely to deliver a formal statement of objections to the Russian energy giant. An investigation into the firm’s pricing policies was [...]
The Germans want an EU army, but Britain is against it March 8, 2015 Jean-Claude Junker has called for the creation of an EU army, saying it would help the bloc be taken more seriously across the world. The President of the European Commission believes it will deter threats from Russia, which have escalated since the start of the Ukraine crisis. "With its own army, Europe could react [...]
Is the UK defence secretary right that Russia is a danger to the stability of the Baltic States? February 19, 2015 Andrew Foxall is director of the Russia Studies Centre at The Henry Jackson Society, says Yes This is nothing new – and has little directly to do with events in Ukraine. Russia has been destabilising the Baltic States for much of the last decade. In 2007, it was behind a series of cyber attacks on [...]
Putin’s latest aggression is just smoke and mirrors: We must now call his bluff February 1, 2015 When we last left Vladimir Putin at the end of 2014, he was a cornered animal at bay, turning with teeth bared as the forces of the market relentlessly drew closer to him. But ever the creative tactician, the Russian President is seeking to – not for the first time – dramatically change the facts [...]
Ukraine’s war hurts Germany September 16, 2014 GERMAN investors are increasingly nervous about the damage to its economy from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the influential Zew index showed yesterday. The index dropped for the ninth consecutive month, falling to a two-year low of 6.9. Any reading of below 24.6 indicates confidence is lower than its long-term average.
EU puts new Russia sanctions on hold in hope ceasefire survives September 8, 2014 EUROPEAN leaders last night announced they had agreed new economic sanctions against Russia – but will not put them into force for the time being. Russia threatened to hit back, potentially by closing its airspace to EU airlines’ flights. Brussels’ aim is to punish Russia for its increasingly overt invasion of regions in the east [...]
John McCain calls for US to arm Ukraine against “Russian invasion” September 1, 2014 Senior US senators are calling for America to provide arms and equipment to the Ukrainian government to aid in its fight against "a Russian invasion". Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain told CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday: "Give them the weapons they need, give them the wherewithal they need, give them the ability [...]
Markets wobble as Obama looks to push sanctions against Russia August 28, 2014 US PRESIDENT Barack Obama yesterday said the US would look for ways to expand economic sanctions on Russia, after Kiev accused Moscow of moving troops into south eastern Ukraine. But he stopped short of calling the recent Russian aggression an invasion. US stocks edged lower as growing tensions snapped focus back to the volatile region, [...]