russia

French Cinema Emerges as Russia’s Cultural Lifeline Amid Western Boycotts

On a cold autumn evening in Moscow, Alexandra was headed to a cinema, hoping to escape reality for a few hours by taking in a new French comedy. With Hollywood boycotting the Russian market over Moscow's offensive on Ukraine, French films are one of the few cultural windows Russians have left to the West. And even as relations between Paris and ...

Russia-Europe: The Gas Shock Shaking the Global Balance

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has disrupted the global energy balance. Europe, seeking independence from Moscow, is diversifying its energy sources – but at a high economic cost. Under sanctions, Russia is redirecting its exports to Asia, a less lucrative market. However, this growing closeness between Moscow and Beijing marks ...

Russia Says Momentum from Putin-Trump meeting 'gone'

Russia said Wednesday that momentum towards reaching a peace deal in Ukraine following Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's presidential summit in Alaska had largely "gone". The two leaders met at an air base in the Alaskan city of Anchorage in August, but failed to reach any kind of agreement on ending the three-and-a-half year war. Diplomatic ...

Ukraine Strikes Put Pressure on Russian Oil

Ukraine is intensifying strikes on Russian refineries and oil infrastructure, with more than 30 attacks since early August, aimed at weakening Moscow's ability to finance war against its neighbor. Current Consequence? Russia is the world's third-largest producer and second-biggest exporter of crude oil. Oil and gas revenues represented about 30 ...

Denmark to Beef Up Checks against Russia's 'Shadow Fleet'

Denmark will step up environmental checks on oil tankers in a key shipping lane linking the Baltic and North Seas to crack down on Russia's "shadow fleet," Copenhagen said on Monday. More than 60,000 ships sail past Skagen in northern Denmark each year, of which dozens are suspected to belong to a flotilla of rickety ships used by Moscow to ...

Swiss Seek Mini-Drone Defense System

Switzerland's military said Friday it plans to acquire a defense system against "mini-drones", after several European countries recently reported incursions into their airspace, pointing the finger at Russia. Following multiple incursions, European leaders are seeking to build an anti-drone "wall" for ...

What Are These Drones Hovering Over Europe?

Munich Airport suspended operations for several hours on Friday after reports of unidentified drones. Seventeen flights were canceled, about 15 were diverted, and nearly 3,000 passengers were affected. Authorities could not determine the size or type of the drones, but the incident disrupted one of Europe’s busiest hubs and reignited concerns ...

Russia-Linked Tanker Stopped by France Resumes Voyage

A tanker from Russia's "shadow fleet" detained by the French navy was heading towards the Suez Canal Friday with its captain back on board, according to data from maritime websites and a source close to the case. The Boracay, blacklisted by the European Union for being part of Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" of ageing oil tankers, has ...

European Military Chiefs to Meet Over Russia Shadow Fleet: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that military chiefs of countries in the European-led "coalition of the willing" supporting Ukraine will hold talks within days on how to disrupt Russia's sanction-busting shadow fleet. "In the coming days, our chiefs of staff, in coordination with NATO, within the framework of the coalition of ...

EU Eyes Building 'Drone Wall': Question is, What is It?

European Union leaders are discussing setting up a "drone wall" of defences after high-profile air incursions by Russia. But the plan appears to mean different things to different countries, and not everyone seems entirely convinced. Here's where we stand: Eastern shield?  The first call for the project came last month from EU chief Ursula ...

Macron Urges Europe to ‘Increase Pressure’ on Russia’s Shadow Fleet

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europe Thursday to take coordinated action against Russia's so-called shadow fleet and follow his country's lead in clamping down on vessels used to bust Western sanctions. France is currently investigating a Benin-flagged ship that is among hundreds of ageing tankers blacklisted by the European ...