Russia – European Neighbourhood Monitor

Legal Dispute Over Crimea’s Energy Assets Reaches Svalbard

A long-running legal dispute over Russian expropriation of Ukrainian energy assets in Crimea has taken on a new Arctic dimension following the reported detention of a Russian vessel in Svalbard. Norwegian authorities reportedly seized the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov after Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz pursued enforcement of a multibillion-dollar arbitration award against Russia. The […]

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Kazakhstan’s President Warns about Regional Consequences of the Ukraine Conflict

Central Asia / ENM

When Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently addressed the consequences of the war in Ukraine in carefully chosen public remarks, the message was widely interpreted as a diplomatic signal directed toward Moscow. Yet the substance of his comments pointed to concerns that extended well beyond the battlefield. The economic pressures generated by the conflict have complicated

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Zelensky’s Dismissal of His Defence Minister Has Become a Political Gamble

Eastern Europe / ENM

Analysis by Karsten Frank President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to remove Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after barely six months in office has become one of the most unexpected political developments in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion. The move has surprised observers both inside and outside the country, not least because Fedorov had built a reputation

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Strait of Hormuz closure troubles the China-Russia relationship

Middle East / ENM

Despite public displays of solidarity between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during recent meetings in Beijing, shifting global energy dynamics are placing new strains on the Sino-Russian relationship. Analysts say the ongoing crisis around the Strait of Hormuz is reshaping energy markets and forcing both countries to reconsider long-standing assumptions about their strategic partnership. For

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Concerns Rise Over Stability of Kazakhstan Oil Transit to Germany

Eastern Europe / ENM

Reportedly, Russia may be exerting additional pressure on European energy infrastructure, particularly through the Druzhba pipeline, one of the continent’s major oil supply routes. According to these claims, oil deliveries originating in Kazakhstan and transiting through Russian infrastructure toward Germany could face disruptions or rerouting beginning in early May. While such flows are technically non-Russian

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Debate on EU Russian Gas Ban and EU Energy Mix Intensifies

Eastern Europe / ENM

Claudio Descalzi, chief executive of Eni, has publicly suggested that the European Union may need to reconsider its planned ban on Russian gas imports if current energy market pressures persist. Speaking at a public event in Italy, Descalzi described the present energy situation as one of the most significant in recent decades. He indicated that

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EU Reassesses Russian Oil Ban Timeline

Eastern Europe / ENM

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are increasing concerns about global energy supply, particularly following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Industry leaders, including Wael Sawan, have warned that Europe could face shortages of key fuels such as diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline in the near term. These developments have contributed to heightened

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Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Pause on Attacks on Kyiv and Other Cities

Eastern Europe / ENM

US President Donald Trump said on January 29 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a request to refrain from attacking Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and villages for a period of one week. Speaking at a press conference, Trump stated that he had personally asked Putin not to carry out attacks during the

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A Belgian EU Summit win

Eastern Europe / ENM

By Pieter Cleppe The EU summit that blocked the Ukraine loan plan championed by Ursula von der Leyen and Friedrich Merz was widely framed as a setback for European unity. In reality, it was something else entirely: a rare moment where escalation was paused before doing lasting damage. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (picture)

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Putin Takes Responsibility for Huge Truck Queues on Russia-Kazakhstan Border

Central Asia / ENM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly acknowledged that he personally ordered the intensified customs controls that have caused weeks-long traffic jams involving tens of thousands of trucks at the Russian-Kazakhstan border. Speaking at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 27, Putin told reporters that the measures were necessary to stop massive illegal imports

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