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EU countries still at odds over new Russia sanctions as deadline nears

Brussels wants to have a new package of sanctions approved by Tuesday to punish Russia coinciding with the four-year anniversary of Ukraine's full-scale invasion. Still, a full ban on maritime services is proving an obstacle.

Portugal

Portuguese navy monitors Russian ship over suspicious activity

The SPARTA IV, registered as a merchant ship, entered Portuguese waters at the end of the day on Sunday and was sailing off the coast of Nazaré on Wednesday evening.

Poland

Poland prepares to mine Russian border after exit from Ottawa treaty

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has unveiled the Bluszcz weapons system, saying Warsaw could lay mines along its eastern border with Russia within 48 hours.

Russia

Telegram might be fully blocked in Russia. Question is, when?

Russian authorities are denying media reports of plans to fully block Telegram from 1 April, noting that no decisions have been made on the matter yet. For many Russians, this sounds like an indirect confirmation of further digital isolation and stricter Internet censorship.

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Europe News

EU offers €28 billion loan for eastern border regions

The European Commission has launched a strategy to support nine EU member states bordering Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, mobilising billions of euros to reverse economic and demographic decline.

France

France releases suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker after fine

Oil tanker named the Grinch has left French waters after the company that owns the vessel paid a penalty worth "several million euros".

Europe News

EU won't 'shy away' from new sanctions on Russia if G7 deal fails

Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said a G7 deal is not an "absolute precondition" for a full ban on maritime services for Russian tankers. Brussels wants the new sanctions approved by 24 February.

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2026 Year of the Horse: Dragon dances and lanterns as Moscow celebrates Lunar New Year

Festivities marking the Lunar New Year began in Moscow, featuring decorations, performances and food markets across the city.

Russia

Alexei Navalny dart frog toxin poisoning: What we know

Epibatidine, found in the Ecuadoran dart frog, causes muscle paralysis and eventual asphyxiation. Experts have said the toxin can also be produced synthetically, instead of extracting it directly from the frog itself.

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Russia marks Navalny grave anniversary amid poison test fallout

Relatives and diplomats mark Alexei Navalny’s death in Moscow, as his family demands truth and Europe cites lab tests pointing to rare toxin poisoning.

North Korea

North Korea unveils new housing for troops killed fighting for Russia

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un officially unveiled a new Pyongyang housing district for families of soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, in a boost to Pyongyang's pro-war propaganda.

Ukraine

Ukraine hits Russian oil terminal as Moscow's drone strikes intensify

Ukraine hits Russian oil terminal and air defence in occupied Crimea as Moscow's drone strikes and power cuts intensify ahead of fresh US-brokered peace talks in Geneva.

Germany

Russia poisoned Navalny, according to five European countries' scientific findings

The heads of French, British, German, Dutch and Swedish diplomacy said that 'only the Russian state had the means, the motive and the contempt for international law' to carry out this attack.

Europe News

Zelenskyy says Europe’s absence from peace talks is a 'big mistake'

The Ukrainian leader also called for stronger measures to crack down on Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers which he described as "floating wallets" for Moscow. Zelenskyy said he's open to an election, but needs ceasefire.

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Ukraine: Mass Russian drone strike hits Odesa port and energy sites

Mass Russian drone strikes hit Ukraine’s Odesa region overnight, killing one and injuring six, damaging port and energy sites and disrupting basic city services.

Russia

Russia moves to block WhatsApp after limiting access to Telegram

Critics and rights groups say the measures are a clear attempt by the Kremlin to expand surveillance and tighten control over internet use, amid a broad crackdown on dissent during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Ukraine

Ukraine will only hold elections after ceasefire, Zelenskyy says

Under Ukraine’s constitution, holding national elections while the country is under martial law is illegal. That was declared on 24 February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Denmark

Russia's 'shadow fleet' reported in Danish waters almost daily in 2025

Sailing from the Gulf of Finland and through the Baltic Sea, the ageing and poorly-maintained tankers mainly transport crude oil as well as refined products such as gasoline and diesel.

Ukraine

Study finds Europe has maintained stable aid to Kyiv despite US exit

The US has almost completely withdrawn aid to Kyiv but Europe has stepped up and massively increased support to fill the gap, stabilising the flow of cash. But a new report finds that the majority of aid comes from a small handful of states.

Estonia

Estonian intelligence report says Russia has no plans to attack soon

Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service chief Kaupo Rosin warned that "Russia remains a dangerous country despite its incompetence," as Tallinn published its annual security assessment report on the threat Russia poses to the region and NATO.

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