Cold War II is inevitable, gloomy Putin foe warns Europe
Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky tells POLITICO why Russia will take decades to get over the “imperialist-military narrative” that Moscow pushes.
Putin
Gunvor pulls offer for Russia’s Lukoil as US brands firm ‘Kremlin puppet’
The Swiss-based trading house, which had offered to buy the Russian oil giant’s international assets, called the accusation “fundamentally misinformed.”
Czechia to slash military aid to Ukraine, says likely next FM
A pivot away from Kyiv would be a “Christmas gift” to Putin, outgoing government said in response to the comments.
Putin’s award for German conductor sparks fury in Berlin
Pianist Justus Frantz is under fire for accepting the prize from Russia’s president.
Putin says Russia is considering resuming nuclear tests following Trump’s remarks
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that Russia would consider resuming nuclear tests for the first time since 1990 if the United States did so. US President Donald Trump said on social media last week that he had instructed the Pentago…
Putin’s repressive machinery turns inward to target pro-war figures
Analysts say a purge of the Russian regime’s own supporters is under way as rival factions turn on each other A pro-Kremlin pundit who for years has hailed Vladimir Putin as one of history’s great men in appearances on foreign media. A military blogger…
Ukraine war briefing: Bulgaria moves to seize Russian refinery while Poland seeks to be US gas conduit
Lukoil’s Burgas plant is Bulgaria’s only refinery; Slovakia running out of reasons to buy Russian gas as US import deal takes shape. What we know on day 1,352Bulgaria is preparing to seize control of Lukoil’s Burgas oil refinery and sell it to a new ow…
Putin says Russia may start nuclear weapons tests in response to Trump
Russian president asks officials to draft proposals amid fears of a new atomic arms race
Trump can bring Putin to the table, says UK minister
Healey also provided an update on the coalition of the willing’s work to secure lasting peace once in Ukraine once the fighting is over.
Putin considers nuclear tests after Trump threat
The Russian president has asked for a feasibility study on resuming nuclear testing following a surprise announcement by his American counterpart.
Inside the UK’s most controversial power plant
Politicians rely on the Drax biomass plant to meet U.K. energy supplies. Bosses want even more government backing to guarantee its future ― but Drax’s many critics have had enough.
EU tells skeptical Bulgarians the euro is their guardian angel in a dangerous world
European leaders want to dispel anti-euro sentiment in Bulgaria two months before it joins the single currency.
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy visits troops near embattled Pokrovsk
Deep Ukrainian drone strikes hit petrochemical plant 1,300km inside Russia and Lukoil refinery east of Moscow. What we know on day 1,351 Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited troops in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk oblast on Tuesday. “I met with our warriors at t…
Orbán’s veto on Ukraine’s EU bid provides ‘specific support’ to Putin, Zelenskyy says
Speaking at the Euronews’ Enlargement Summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Hungarian Premier Viktor Orbán to lift his veto on Ukraine’s accession.
Putin wants Russia to muscle in on rare earths race
Moscow is getting into the fight for mineral supremacy.
As freezing winter blackouts loom, Zelenskyy faces criticism over energy supply
A former power boss accuses Ukraine’s leadership of a politically motivated vendetta against him — and ignoring a plan to guard the sector against Russian attacks.
As the Netherlands moves to the center, Brussels is watching
It seems the Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation and reform.
Russia’s new nuclear weapons – real threat or Putin bluster?
This week alone, the Russian president unveiled two nuclear-capable weapons – but their value may be more symbolic than military.
Russia’s new nuclear weapons – real threat or Putin bluster?
This week alone, the Russian president unveiled two nuclear-capable weapons – but their value may be more symbolic than military.
Trump-Putin summit cancelled after Moscow sent memo to Washington
Russian foreign ministry’s maximalist demands for ending Ukraine war led US to scrap planned meeting in Budapest
How Putin overplayed his hand, and sank Lukoil
Putin’s courtiers have been feeding him half-truths for years. Any idea of compromise is treachery to the Russian dictator – unless he says so himself
Hungary’s foot-dragging on Russian oil crashes into reality
Budapest claims alternative supplies from Croatia are expensive and incapable of meeting its needs — which experts and Zagreb dispute.
Putin haunts Paris courtroom in red hands trial
Intelligence notes seen by POLITICO point to organized nature of stunt targeting Holocaust memorial.
The US and Russia can lead the way in banning nuclear-armed drones
Putin’s surprising call to extend the New Start treaty is a chance for atomic powers to make the world safer
Lukoil sells foreign assets to Swiss-based firm after punishing US sanctions
The buyer, energy trading firm Gunvor, was co-founded by Russian billionaire and Putin ally Gennady Timchenko.
Lukoil agrees sale of international assets to Gunvor after US sanctions
Buyer has close ties to Russia and was co-founded by one of Vladimir Putin’s closest associates
Jetten nears Dutch flag as Wilders slips
In today’s edition: Rob Jetten, the likely next Dutch prime minister, calls for Europe to ‘defeat Putin’, Ireland’s Leo Varadkar admits avoiding a clash with Viktor Orbán on LGBTQI rights, and EU ambassadors push to delay the bloc’s anti-deforestation …
Germany’s far right is at war over its own defense policy
The AfD’s internal fights over defense policy show just how far it is from acting like a governing force.
Trump says he is restarting US nuclear testing
The announcement came moments before his meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Ukraine war briefing: Putin boasts of nuclear-driven torpedo that would swamp cities with radioactive tsunami
Russian president proclaims test of Poseidon which would launch from submarine and carry nuclear engine and warhead. What we know on day 1,345 Continue reading…
Rob Jetten, likely next Dutch PM, says Europe must ‘defeat Putin’
The leader of the progressive-centrist D66 party told Euractiv the Netherlands must back Ukraine “no matter what”
US lifts sanctions on Putin ally and Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik
The sanctions on Milorad Dodik, an ultranationalist Serbian politician, had attracted criticism from MAGA firebrands.
Dutch election dark horse Rob Jetten wants the Netherlands to get closer to the EU
The underdog-turned-front-runner tells POLITICO the Netherlands must embrace a more central role in Europe.
Facing War review – cool customer of a Nato secretary general marshals world on the brink
Gripping documentary follows Jens Stoltenberg through his final year as Nato chief – balancing diplomacy, egos and all-out war with unnerving calmJens Stoltenberg is the Norwegian politician and international diplomat whose destiny it was to be secreta…
Red hands and pig heads: Russia’s plan to destabilize France goes on trial
Paris has emerged as a top target of Moscow’s hybrid war.
South Korea is less interested in its European allies
As Seoul concentrates on greeting relations with the U.S. on surer footing, it seems it has little time for the bloc or NATO.
Ukraine war briefing: Moscow under drone siege for third night running
EU edges towards using ‘reparations loan’ using Russian frozen assets; Kremlin pressing ahead with year-round conscription. What we know on day 1,344Ukraine sent drones towards Moscow for the third consecutive night, closing airports, Russian authoriti…
What’s on Vladimir Putin’s reading list?
The Russian leader is obsessed with history, but there’s a reason he doesn’t like to cite his sources
Zelenskyy vows harder, better, faster, stronger strikes on Russian oil facilities
Ukraine’s president also wants the EU to step up by unlocking Moscow’s frozen assets to help Kyiv.
Lukashenko bites back at Lithuania over balloons-induced border closure
Vilnius is just being “petty,” Belarusian leader says.
Forget diplomatic niceties: it’s beyond time Europe denounced Trump’s trashing of democracy in the US | Paul Taylor
The convention to stay out of allies’ internal affairs does not apply. What happens in America does not stay in AmericaWhat do you do when you discover your best friend is abusive to their partner at home? That question, or something similar, should be…
EU plays hardball: If you won’t seize Russia’s cash, open your wallets
The idea of joint European borrowing is rejected by most of the bloc’s governments. That’s why the Commission is using it as leverage to get them to approve the use of Moscow’s assets.
‘China is watching’: Finland warns defeating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine key to stability in Indo-Pacific
Defence minister says Xi Jinping should note resolve to stay the course by global democratic alliance, including AustraliaDefeating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is critical to restraining China in the Indo-Pacific, Finland’s defence minister has said, …
‘Truth is not optional’: Italy’s Calenda describes viral moment he stuffed Ukraine critic in a locker
American economist Jeffrey Sachs, a trenchant critic of Western policy toward Russia, met his match in a TV studio last week. Carlo Calenda told POLITICO about the clash heard round the world.
Russia’s Lukoil to sell off foreign assets as US sanctions bite
Restrictions imposed by Washington will force the company to end its exports to European countries.
Trump describes Russia’s new cruise missile test as ‘not appropriate’
US president says Vladimir Putin should focus on ending war with Ukraine rather than testing missilesEurope live – latest updatesDonald Trump has described Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a nuclear-powered cruise missile test as “not appropriate” amid…
Russia pierces Ukraine’s defenses in key stronghold
The Kremlin has accelerated its offensive as it seeks to maximize leverage ahead of potential ceasefire negotiations.
Ukraine war briefing: Russia claims test of nuclear-powered missile condemned as ‘flying Chornobyl’
Burevestnik stayed in air for 15 hours, defence minister tells Vladimir Putin; Ukrainian drones close Moscow airports. What we know on day 1,342See all our Ukraine war coverageVladimir Putin claimed Russia had successfully tested its Burevestnik cruise…
Tusk warns against pressure to restore Nord Stream 2
Calls to rebuild economic ties with Russia are “an alarm bell,” Polish prime minister says in Sunday Times interview.
Ukraine war briefing: US reportedly mulling further sanctions on Russia that could hit banking sector
Trump said he would not schedule any talks with Putin unless it was clear that the Russian leader was serious about ending the war. What we know on day 1,341See all our Ukraine war coverageThe Trump administration has prepared additional sanctions it c…
‘Diplomatic solution’ to end Ukraine war in sight, Russian envoy says
Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s special presidential representative, is set to meet with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday in Florida.
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy urges US to expand Russia oil sanctions
At a meeting with European leaders, the Ukrainian president also discusses the supply of long-range missiles. What we know on day 1,340See all our Ukraine war coverageUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US to expand sanctions on Russian o…
Russian envoy to meet with Steve Witkoff in Miami after Trump sanctioned Moscow
Witkoff has been the leader in executing Trump’s agenda with Russia.
Europeans vow to choke Russian oil sector after Trump sanctions
Ukraine’s leader capped a week of dramatic escalation by solidifying Europe’s unified front.
Senior Russian envoy arrives in US days after oil sanctions imposed
Kirill Dmitriev, a close Putin ally, says trip was scheduled before Treasury slapped restrictions on Rosneft and Lukoil
Zelenskyy arrives in London for meeting with European leaders
Ukraine’s president joins Coalition of the Willing to discuss how to ramp up pressure on RussiaUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to London on Friday for a meeting with more than 20 European leaders at a time when military and financial …
EU ‘not ready’ to raid Russian assets for Ukraine loan, Belgian commissioner says
Hadja Lahbib defends Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s blockade of a disputed plan to help Kyiv fight Vladimir Putin.
Surprise sanctions look to have ended Trump and Putin’s Groundhog Day | Pjotr Sauer
His patience exhausted, the US president has taken action that could bite, but is unlikely to alter Moscow’s course in UkraineFor once, a phone call with Vladimir Putin did not lead to a thaw.By imposing sanctions on Russia this week, Donald Trump brok…
Hungary’s Orbán vows to ‘circumvent’ US sanctions on Russian oil titans
“The battle is not over yet,” Hungarian prime minister says, teeing up a possible fight with the White House.
Diplomatic bombshell as German foreign minister postpones China trip
Berlin-Beijing relations are becoming increasingly fragile.
Trump does what Brussels couldn’t: Kill Russian oil in Europe
New U.S. sanctions will be “catastrophic” for Lukoil’s operations across the continent, warns former company executive.
UK defence secretary warns Putin: ‘We’re watching you’
John Healey says the UK is hunting Russian submarines as BBC News joins him on board a new RAF aircraft.
EU leaders miss their chance to strengthen Ukraine — just as Trump finally shows up
Von der Leyen and Costa lost some credibility when they failed to get a deal to fund Ukraine using Russian assets. Zelenskyy could lose a lot more.
How about them assets — making Russia pay for Ukraine
The EU wants to lend €140 billion in cash from frozen Russian funds to Ukraine; Belgium is afraid it will be the one on the hook for paying it back. That’s just one of the tough topics EU leaders discussed as they gathered in Brussels at a meeting devoted to fighting the external threat from […]
Trump is ‘sick and tired of being lied to’ by Putin, analyst says
Speaking on FRANCE 24, Melinda Haring, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Centre, says that sanctions hurt the Russian war effort and the EU and US ‘need to continue to squeeze’. She adds that ‘Donald Trump knows that he put his neck out …
When does Putin feel the pinch?
It’s been a long seven days, even by Russia-Ukraine standards.
Last week at this time, the talk was of Tomahawks. But instead of delivering missiles, Donald Trump instead gave a closed-door earful at the White House to Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Then came…
Rosenberg: Trump abandons carrot and wields stick over Putin in Ukraine talks
The BBC’s Russia editor says Trump’s decision to call off his Putin talks and impose oil sanctions will not go down well in Moscow.
Zelenskyy presses for EU decision on using frozen Russia assets to defend Ukraine
Ukrainian president says ‘time to act is now’ as Belgium seeks guarantees from other member states over loan planVolodymyr Zelenskyy has urged EU leaders to use Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s defence “as soon as possible”, as summit talks on …
Putin says Russian response to Ukrainian use of Tomahawks would be ‘overwhelming’
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that if Ukraine gets and uses US Tomahawk missiles the response from Russia would be “very serious, if not overwhelming”. At the same time the Russian president pledged to continue dialogue with the US…
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant reconnected to external power from Ukraine
Move ends month-long reliance on backup generators after power line was cut in SeptemberRussian engineers have reconnected the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to external electrical power from Ukraine, ending a month-long emergency that had p…
Rosenberg: Trump abandons carrot and wields stick over Putin in Ukraine talks
The BBC’s Russia editor says Trump’s decision to call of his Putin talks and impose oil sanctions will not go down well in Moscow.
New sanctions and weapons will not stop Russia. It’s time for Ukraine’s allies to change their flawed strategy | Christopher S Chivvis
A negotiated settlement would be unfair and frustrating. But after nearly four years of fighting, it may be the best optionOn Wednesday, President Trump imposed substantial new sanctions on Russia’s giant oil and gas companies, and lifted restrictions …
Can Trump stop India and China from buying Russian oil?
US president’s measures are intended to bring Putin to the table but also risk stoking oil prices
Trump says Putin talks ‘don’t go anywhere’ as he imposes new sanctions
The US has announced new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies, over continued fighting in Ukraine.
Russia on Trump’s oil sanctions: Denial, anger, bargaining …
Moscow digests the U.S. decision to target its oil giants.
Ukraine and EU cheer Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil
“The beauty of this decision is its comprehensiveness,” says Ukraine’s sanctions envoy.
Putin calls new US sanctions an ‘unfriendly act’ but claims they won’t affect Russian economy – as it happened
Russian president says Moscow will deliver ‘overwhelming’ response to strikes inside RussiaPutin says he will never bow to US but concedes sanctions may cause ‘some losses’The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged European Union leaders on Th…
Oil price jumps and FTSE 100 hits new high after Trump puts sanctions on Russian firms
Assets in US belonging to Rosneft and Lukoil frozen as shares in Shell and BP rise by 3%Business live – latest updatesOil prices jumped and energy companies helped the FTSE 100 to a record high after Donald Trump announced new sanctions on Russia’s two…
Trump’s Russian oil sanctions hit India and China’s imports
Largest refineries look at curbing purchases after US measures aim to impede Putin’s war machine
Will US sanctions on Russian oil companies be effective, and why is Trump imposing them now?
The measures taken against Rosneft and Lukoil mark the first time the US has sanctioned Russia since Donald Trump’s return to office in JanuaryUS imposes sanctions on Russian oil over Putin’s ‘refusal’ to end war in UkraineThe US has announced new sanc…
Trump says Putin talks ‘don’t go anywhere’ as he imposes new sanctions
The US has announced new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies, over continued fighting in Ukraine.
Now let Zelenskyy hit Russia with Tomahawks, Finland tells Trump
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo tells POLITICO Ukraine must be equipped to match or exceed Russia’s capabilities because Vladimir Putin only responds to strength.
Trump slaps sanctions on Russia’s top oil firms, says talks with Putin ‘don’t go anywhere’
US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions Wednesday on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, expressing frustration over stalled peace talks with Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, as the EU unveiled its own new measures targeting M…
Trump drops Ukraine missile restrictions (or not) and hits ‘dishonest’ Putin with oil sanctions
“President Putin has not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as we’d hoped,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
US imposes sanctions on Russian oil over Putin’s ‘refusal’ to end war in Ukraine
Trump administration hardens stance against the Kremlin day after cancelling a planned summit with Russian leaderThe US has sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies, as the Trump administration increased pressure on the Kremlin…
US announces ‘tremendous’ Russia sanctions, says Putin wasn’t ‘honest’
Trump has held off on new sanctions for months, saying he hoped to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to make peace despite growing frustration with the Kremlin leader.
Putin wasn’t ‘honest’ with Trump, treasury chief says as US imposes massive sanctions
The United States is to impose one of its largest-ever sanctions packages against Russia because Vladimir Putin was not “honest” in talks with Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday. “President Putin has not come to the table in…
Treasury secretary says Russia sanctions announcement imminent
In a potentially significant reversal, Bessent says the U.S. will announce a “substantial pickup” in Russia sanctions.
Children among victims in Russian strikes, hours after Trump-Putin talks shelved
The drone and missile attacks on Ukraine came as the US president put on hold his plans for an imminent summit in Budapest.
Ukraine’s allies work up ceasefire options to offer Trump and Putin
Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomes ideas from Europeans about the terms of a truce but says no final proposal has been agreed yet.
Zelenskyy calls Trump’s proposal to freeze war at current frontlines ‘good compromise’
US president’s remark seen as modest win for Ukrainian president, even as Russia says it will not accept arrangementEurope live – latest updatesVolodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced support for Donald Trump’s proposal for Ukraine and Russia to freeze the war …
Ukrainians describe deadly Russian drone attack on ten regions
Following the deadly Russian drone attack in Ukraine, including on Kyiv, Ukrainians remember the overnight strike. At least six people were killed in the capital, including two children. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this is proof that V…
As the US flip-flops on the path to peace, Europe’s ‘coalition of the willing’ rallies round Ukraine
From unanimity on a reparations loan to the unpredictability of Trump, EU leaders will gather this week with agreement on ending the war still fraught with hurdles• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereAnother week, another fli…
US and Russian leaders are on ‘different wavelengths’, stalling talks on Ukraine
The cancellation of the Trump-Putin summit shows that the US president has limited influence on his Russian counterpart, with both leaders being on ‘different wavelengths’ leading to stalled talks. It comes as a relief for many in the EU who wanted to…
War in Ukraine: Trump’s wavering puts Europe under pressure
EU member states are meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, aiming to extend their support for Kyiv. This has become imperative as Donald Trump now seems to be getting closer to Moscow once again, even though his meeting with Vladimir Putin was i…
Russia targets Kyiv in latest drone attack amidst stalling talks with US
The latest deadly Russian drone attack on Ukraine has caused power outages. The attack comes after the United States has abruptly announced that the Trump-Putin summit will not be happening in Budapest. According to reports, the US leader urged his Uk…
Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war marked by indecisiveness
While Donald Trump said he didn’t want his meeting with Putin to be a ‘waste of time’, the Kremlin assures preparations for the summit are still in place. The indecision raises questions over whether progress will be made, and over which side of the c…
Mosquitoes appear in Iceland as country warms at record pace
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, October 22: Papers discuss the cancellation of the Trump-Putin summit. The Moscow Times looks at the current state of the Russian army. Next, an investigation reveals that NATO is involved in a million-dollar corruption scand…
Plans for Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest regarding war in Ukraine fall through
President Donald Trump said on October 21, 2025, his plan for a swift meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin was on hold because he doesn’t want it to be a ‘waste of time.’ It is the latest twist in Trump’s stop-and-go effort to resolve the war in…
Trump’s call to freeze Ukraine conflict at current frontlines is ‘good compromise’, says Zelenskyy – as it happened
Ukrainian president’s comments come amid suspension of planned US-Russian summit and fresh attacks on Kyiv and KharkivChildren among six killed in Russian attack on KyivRussia said on Wednesday that preparation for a presidential summit between Vladimi…