Russia Russia says security talks with US, NATO to start next month Russia in January will start talks with the US and NATO to discuss a number of demands including that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, Russia's top diplomat said. 22/12/2021
Russia Christmas trees from around the world light up Moscow festival People in Moscow are being treated to a spectacular display of Christmas trees themed on cities from around the world, an attempt to cheer up Russians as the COVID pandemic continues to restrict travel this holiday season. 22/12/2021
Netherlands Life sentences demanded for accused in downing of MH17 passenger jet Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 people on board. 22/12/2021
Kazakhstan Astana Peace process: 17th round of talks on Syria begin in Kazakhstan Delegations from Turkey, Russia, and Iran meet in Nur Sultan for the 17th meeting of the Astana Peace process that aims to find a solution to the decade-long crisis in Syria. 21/12/2021
Ukraine Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine want stronger sanctions against Russia US intelligence officials say Russia has amassed 70,000 troops near its border with Ukraine and is preparing for a possible invasion early next year. Moscow has denied any intention to attack. 21/12/2021
Design Ice sculptors transform Russian city into winter wonderland Working in sub-zero temperatures, ice sculptors have turned the Siberian city of Tomsk into a festive paradise through the city's annual design competition. 21/12/2021
Netherlands Prosecutors begin explaining evidence at MH17 plane crash trial On Wednesday, prosecutors will tell judges what punishments they want for the four suspects, with the maximum sentence being life imprisonment. 20/12/2021
Tech News Japanese billionaire returns to Earth after 12 days on space station Maezawa, his assistant and a Russian cosmonaut spent 12 days on the orbiting laboratory where the Japanese tourists documented their daily life aboard the ISS for Maezawa's popular YouTube channel. 20/12/2021
Russia Moscow demands NATO pulls back as tensions mount over Ukraine Moscow wants NATO to pledge that former Soviet states will never join the bloc and that its forces will pull back from Russia's borders. 18/12/2021
Ukraine UK unlikely to send troops to help Ukraine, defence chief says UK defence secretary Ben Wallace stated that sending in troops in case of a Russian invasion is unlikely, but that sanctions could be imposed instead. 18/12/2021
Sport Kramarenko's experimental rhythmic gymnastics triumph In partnership with Divine Grace The first-ever experimental rhythmic gymnastics international tournament “Divine Grace” has reached a triumphant conclusion in Moscow. 18/12/2021
Russia Russia sets out tough demands for security pact with NATO Russia published draft security demands that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and that the alliance roll back military deployments. 17/12/2021
Ukraine Ukrainian soldier killed in fighting with pro-Russian separatists The death brings the total number of Ukrainian soldiers killed on the frontline this year to 65, up from 50 the previous year. 17/12/2021
Sport Divine Grace: Rhythmic gymnastics gets more spectacular contests under new tournament format In partnership with Divine Grace A new tournament is underway in Moscow that it’s hoped will promote a more spectacular style of rhythmic gymnastics. The experimental rhythmic gymnastics international tournament has been entitled “Divine Grace” and is the brainchild of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva. 17/12/2021
Europe News Sanctions needed before any Russian invasion, says Ukrainian president EU leaders hosted leaders from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels on Wednesday. 15/12/2021
Europe News Navalny's daughter accepts EU human rights award on his behalf Daria Navalnaya, daughter of imprisoned anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was presented with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Wednesday at a ceremony in Strasbourg. 15/12/2021
My Europe Series Was Russia behind the killing of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili? Russia has always denied any involvement in the killing, which has escalated tensions between Berlin and Moscow 15/12/2021
Russia European human rights court urges Russia to tackle domestic violence Judges said domestic violence against Russian women is occurring on a “staggering scale”. 14/12/2021
Russia Russia misunderstood WHO demands for Sputnik V approval, says Kremlin Russia was the first country in the world to authorise a coronavirus vaccine last August, but the jab has not yet been approved by the WHO. 14/12/2021
Belgium EU sanctions Russia's Wagner Group over human rights abuse claims It accused those targeted of "serious human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings, or in destabilising activities in some of the countries they operate in." 14/12/2021