Ukraine

The French elections, seen from Ukraine

Ahead of France's presidential election, Ukraine's experience shows that opinion polls may be skewed by underlying hatred of the ruling classes and institutions. Vadym Omelchenko warns that ultra-conservatism stands to gain in the end.

Ukraine accuses Russia of ‘state terrorism’ after former MP shot in Kyiv

Ukraine accused Russia of "state terrorism" after a former Russian lawmaker and key witness in a treason case against former leader Viktor Yanukovich was shot dead in broad daylight outside a hotel in central Kyiv today (23 March).

Ukraine-Russia conflict engulfs Eurovision song contest

The host of this year's Eurovision song contest, Ukraine, has banned Russia's entry from the country after it emerged that she performed in Crimea back in 2015.

Austrian bank helps Russia provide passports to Donetsk, Lugansk inhabitants

The Russian arm of Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International is preparing to offer services to people holding passports from two self-proclaimed republics in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, the head of the bank said yesterday (16 March).

Crimea annexation anniversary triggers reactions in US, EU

The US yesterday (16 March) condemned once again Russia's Crimea annexation, vowing to maintain sanctions until Moscow returns the Black Sea peninsula to Ukraine. The EU prolonged personal sanctions and the European Parliament passed a resolution supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Romania and Croatia declare support for more EU enlargement

Croatia and Romania share a similar vision on most European issues, including enlargement and the eastern partnership, according to the countries’ foreign ministers, who met in Bucharest yesterday (14 March). EURACTIV Romania reports.

Chizhov: Don’t ask me if Russia plans to have an ambassador in Edinburgh

In a wide-ranging interview, Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian ambassador to the EU, spoke to EURACTIV.com about energy relations, sanctions and eastern Ukraine, multi-speed Europe, elections, referendums, covert action, and Donald Trump.

Vice-versa: European defence and German interests

Germany and the EU: How do they cooperate? Where do their approaches conflict and where are their interests aligned? EURACTIV Germany’s Vice-Versa series takes a look at the issue from both a European and federal government perspective.

Russia ready to open up Ukraine talks to Trump

Russia has indicated it is ready to open the so-called ‘Normandy’ negotiation format over the crisis in eastern Ukraine to the United States, which appears to be a major shift in relations between Moscow and Washington after the election of Donald Trump.

Ukraine hopes to join Poland in challenging EU pipeline decision

Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz is seeking to join Polish gas firm PGNiG in a court case challenging the European Union's decision to give Russia's Gazprom more access to the Opal gas pipeline in Germany.

Transnistria’s economic woes present Moldova with opportunity

Moldovan media reports that the country could take advantage of Transnistria’s uncertain future and bring the disputed territory back under its control. But Chișinău insists that it would rather remain neutral. EURACTIV Romania reports.

NATO, the Middle East and Eastern Europe

Interests within NATO diverge, particularly between the United States and many European countries. George Friedman takes a closer look.

Austrian extradition could spell trouble for Trump

An Austrian court on Tuesday (22 February) approved the extradition of Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash to the United States in a bribery case, overturning an earlier ruling that had said the US request was politically motivated.

EU and Russia at loggerheads over Ukraine separatist passports

Russia said yesterday (20 February) that President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise passports issued by separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine complied with international law, after the move drew criticism from France, Germany and the European Union.

Fleckenstein: Europe needs clarity on US foreign policy

The unpredictability offered by the Trump presidency has created a dangerous situation the likes of which has not been seen since the turmoil of the early 1990s, MEP Knut Fleckenstein told Euractiv Germany.

Tatar leader: ‘Crimea will be free’

It is only through repression and fear that occupying regimes can stay in power, Crimean Tatar leader, and former Soviet dissident Mustafa Dzhemilew, told Euractiv Poland.

EU shells out €600m in Ukraine aid

The EU will give Ukraine €600 million to bolster government finances, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said today (10 February), as Kiev faces an upsurge in fighting with pro-Russian rebels.

Trump agrees to meet NATO leaders in Europe in May

US President Donald Trump agreed to meet alliance leaders in Europe in May in a phone call yesterday (5 February) with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that also touched on the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine, the White House said.

EU’s Orban and ally Putin cement closer ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cemented closer ties at talks yesterday (2 February), amid growing EU rifts over sanctions against Moscow because of its meddling in Ukraine.

Ukraine appeals for help against Russia as fighting flares

Ukraine's president appealed for more global pressure against Russia yesterday (2 February) as Moscow-backed rebels and government forces clashed around a frontline town in an upsurge of fighting that has claimed a reported 25 lives.

NATO calls on Russia to help stop spike in violence in eastern Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia yesterday (1 February) to use its "considerable influence" with rebels in eastern Ukraine to end what he described as "the most serious spike in violations" of a shaky truce there in a long time.

Military situation in eastern Ukraine worsens

The foreign ministry of Ukraine expressed deep concern Monday night (30 January) over the “intensification of the Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas”. Other reports, however, speak of a “creeping offensive” of Ukrainian forces in an attempt to create “new facts on the ground”.

Sefcovic says Opal pipeline controversy ‘very technical and complex’

European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič warned today (30 January) against over-simplifying how much capacity Gazprom could use of the Opal pipeline, which carries gas via Nord Stream under the Baltic Sea to Germany and the Czech Republic.

Putin and Trump agree to try to rebuild US-Russia ties, cooperate in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump agreed to try to rebuild US Russia ties and to cooperate in Syria, the Kremlin said on Saturday (28 January), after the two men spoke for the first time since Trump's inauguration.