Eastern Europe – European Neighbourhood Monitor

Russia Moves Forward with Major Uranium Development in Eastern Siberia

Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has officially begun development of the Shirondukuyskoye uranium deposit in Eastern Siberia, situated near the city of Krasnokamensk — commonly known as Russia’s “uranium capital” — close to the borders of China and Mongolia. The project is expected to yield its first uranium by 2028, according to the company’s mining […]

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Azerbaijan and Ukraine Launch First Gas Shipment via Trans-Balkan Route

Eastern Europe / ENM

In a move seen as a potential step toward diversifying regional energy flows, Azerbaijan and Ukraine have agreed to initiate their first natural gas shipment between the two countries. The shipment will avoid Russian territory, instead using the Trans-Balkan route that passes through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. The announcement was jointly promoted by Naftogaz, Ukraine’s

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“Russia’s Influence in Post-Soviet States Declines Amid Shifting Regional Dynamics”

Eastern Europe / ENM

Russia is facing a notable decline in its influence over several post-Soviet states, as countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia pursue greater independence, forge new alliances, and reduce Moscow’s military and economic presence, experts say. Jeffrey Mankoff, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted these developments in a recent

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Trump, Putin, and the Vatican: Global Players Circle Ukraine Peace Effort

Eastern Europe / ENM

Amid renewed hopes for peace in Eastern Europe, a flurry of high-level diplomacy has begun to reshape the conversation around the war in Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, back in the Oval Office, is making his most high-profile foreign policy push yet—staking his legacy on resolving a conflict that has outlasted multiple diplomatic overtures

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Tensions Escalate as Russia Attempts to Establish Buffer Zone in Ukraine’s Sumy Region

Eastern Europe / ENM

Sumy, Ukraine – Russian forces are attempting to establish a strategic buffer zone in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, according to local authorities. Oleh Hryhorov, Governor of Sumy, reported via Telegram that four villages near the border are currently in a “grey zone” due to ongoing hostilities. Despite repeated efforts, Russia has so far failed to

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Geologists caution research is needed to value Ukraine’s mineral wealth

Eastern Europe / ENM

Ukraine’s subsoil holds an abundance of valuable raw materials, including lithium, graphite, and cobalt, positioning the country as a potential economic powerhouse. The United States, under US President Donald Trump, saw an opportunity to access these resources through a strategic deal with Ukraine. Trump estimated the potential worth of these minerals to be around $500

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Italy may support Slovakia in its quest to resume Russian gas transit through Ukraine

Eastern Europe, Energy / ENM

The Italian government of Giorgia Meloni could be ready to support Slovak PM Robert Fico in his plan to resume Russian gas transit through Ukraine. This is what Italian academic Fransceco Sassi reports. Energy has been at the center of the Slovak diplomatic mission to Rome, and the visit appears to have been successful. According

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Zelensky repeats call for Western troops in Ukraine

Eastern Europe / ENM

Ukraine’s allies convened for the 25th time at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as part of the “Ukraine Defense Contact Group.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally attended the meeting, marking one of his last discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before Donald Trump and his administration assume power in 11 days. Also present were

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Putin pitches Slovak PM Fico as Potential Mediator Between Russia and Ukraine

Eastern Europe / ENM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico acting as a mediator for potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that Fico had offered Slovakia as a platform for negotiations, a proposal the Russian leader described as “acceptable.” He also

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EU pledges to “help Ukraine keep the lights on”

Eastern Europe / ENM

On a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Kiev, she has promised extra help to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian attacks and get through the winter. Money that Ukraine will be able to put to good use as next winter promises to be even tougher than the 2 previous ones,

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