Eastern Europe / News
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Turkey delivers hundreds of heavy machine guns to Ukraine
Ankara continues to quietly permit defence sales to Kyiv despite attempting to serve as a neutral mediator in the conflict with Russia.
Ukraine would be entitled to a massive €186bn of subsidies over seven years if it joins the EU
As Kyiv would be entitled to approximately €186bn of EU subsidies over seven years, that would cause a revolution in how Brussels’ budget is generated and force a deep reform on the way the EU works before Ukraine can be admitted.
EU passes €50bn support for Ukraine in new budget, but US only has six months of funding left
The European Union has voted through a new multi-year budget for 2021-2027 that locks in €50bn of funds for Ukraine, but new US spending bill excludes Ukraine.
Ghanaian supporters of Russian mercenary group Wagner arrested for allegedly plotting coup
At least five Ghanaians linked to Russia-backed mercenary group Wagner have been arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
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France could join India as new arms supplier of choice for Armenia
France is emerging as a potential new defence ally and arms supplier for Armenia, as Yerevan’s relations with Russia continue to deteriorate.
Armenia ratifies Rome Statute despite Russian threats
Kremlin had said it would see the ratification as an “extremely hostile” move towards Russia.
NBU abandons fixed exchange rate
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has officially declared the end of the 18-month-long fixed-exchange-rate regime and introduced a "managed flexible" exchange-rate system, effective from October 3.
Ukraine bows to Hungarian demands and removes OTP bank from 'international sponsors of war' list
Budapest has used OTP being on the sponsors of war list as a pretext to block EU aid to Kyiv.
Ukraine to become “a military production hub” as counter-offensive stalls
Ukraine hosted an international defence industry conference in Kyiv on September 30. The country hopes to attract international arms manufacturers and make Ukraine a “large military production hub" to break the stalemate on the battlefield.
Russian diesel export ban hits an already tight market
In a move to stabilise domestic fuel prices, Russia announced a snap ban on diesel and gasoline exports on September 21, amplifying the strain on an already tight global fuel market and remaking the global supply chains.
EU ministers discuss multi-speed Europe to prepare for enlargement
To enable enlargement of the bloc from the current 27 members, changes to decision-making processes, agricultural policies and regional aid budgets are being considered.
Lavrov confirms Ukraine war peace deal reached last April, but then abandoned
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed a peace deal was reached with Ukraine last April, saying all the points were initialled before the deal was abandoned under Western pressure in his “Empire of Lies” speech at the UN on September 23.
Moscow warns Armenia making ‘big mistake’ in choosing ‘Western direction’
PM Pashinyan accused of “unacceptable outbursts” in describing security arrangement with Russia as “not effective” for national interests in wake of defeat of Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic-Armenians by Azerbaijan.
Ukrainian world war vet invited to Canadian parliament fought in Nazi unit
In a major embarrassment for Canada, it was revealed that a Ukrainian veteran, invited to Canada’s parliament on the occasion of a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the weekend, had served in the Waffen SS during WWII.
Migration issues ratchet up tension between Poland and Germany
The row threatens to worsen already rocky relations between Warsaw and Berlin, with the ruling Law and Justice party accusing the opposition Civic Platform party of taking orders from Germany.
Serbia seeks Russia's support after deadly Kosovo monastery siege
Serbian President Vucic met Russian ambassador after Kosovan officials accused Belgrade of backing armed gang that shot police officer dead.
Aliyev and Erdogan look set to insist on land bridge across Armenia linking Azerbaijan and Turkey
Two presidents pointedly meet in key Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan as they look to press home advantage won by quick success of Baku’s Karabakh offensive.
Missiles strikes on Crimea kill nine, as Ukraine breaks through Russia’s last line of defence in Zaporizhia
The Russian Defence Ministry reported on September 22 that a missile strike originating from Ukraine hit the Russian Crimean city of Sevastopol as Ukraine increasingly targets the disputed peninsula.
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Nagorno-Karabakh residents await their fate
Negotiations in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh are focused on security guarantees for the withdrawal of the Nagorno-Karabakh forces to Armenia and amnesties for its soldiers and leaders.
Russia approves first full wartime budget for 2024 with 1.7-fold increase in military spending
The Russian government has approved its first full wartime budget that will significantly increase military spending in 2024 as well as boost social spending to shelter the population from the effects of war and sanctions.