Russia and the EU

Latest business news about Russia and the European Union

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Russia urges EU not to impose sanctions — 28 August 2008, 18:52 CET

Russia's envoy to the European Union urged the bloc Thursday to refrain from imposing sanctions on Moscow, warning that such a move, to be discussed at a summit next week, would hurt the EU.

White House: 'Premature' to discuss US sanctions on Russia — 28 August 2008, 18:58 CET

The White House said Thursday it was reviewing the US-Russia relationship given the Georgia crisis but that it was "premature" to say whether it would impose sanctions on Moscow.

EU-Russia talks still on despite tensions — 28 August 2008, 14:11 CET

The next round of EU-Russia negotiations on a new strategic partnership pact are still due to take place in mid-September despite flaring tensions, the European Commission said Thursday.

Russia missile test heightens stand-off with West — 28 August 2008, 18:57 CET

Russia on Thursday tested an inter-continental missile, heightening tensions with the West as France said the European Union could impose sanctions on Moscow over the Georgia conflict.

Russia dismisses EU sanctions threat: Lavrov — 28 August 2008, 14:09 CET

An EU threat to impose sanctions on Russia is only an emotional response by the West to negative developments in its "little pet" Georgia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here Thursday.

Russia wins backing from China, Central Asia over Georgia — 28 August 2008, 14:09 CET

Russia won support Thursday from China and Central Asian states in its standoff with the West over the Georgia conflict as the European Union said it was weighing sanctions against Moscow.

EU 'considering sanctions' against Russia — 28 August 2008, 15:18 CET

Some EU states are considering imposing sanctions on Russia when they hold an emergency summit next week on the Georgian crisis, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Thursday.

Serbia blames Georgia crisis on Kosovo 'domino effect' — 28 August 2008, 14:08 CET

The crisis in Georgia is the result of a "domino effect" following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Belgrade, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said in an interview published on Thursday.

Sarkozy on the phone with Georgia, Russia leaders — 28 August 2008, 00:13 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke by telephone Wednesday with his Georgian and Russian counterparts, pursuing diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis in the Caucasus.

Russia will lose if it seeks confrontation with West: Polish FM — 27 August 2008, 11:21 CET

Russia will lose if it seeks confrontation with the West, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview published Wednesday.

'We fear war': French foreign minister — 26 August 2008, 23:42 CET

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told French television on Tuesday: "We fear a war and we don't want one."

Russian move complicates EU summit: analysts — 26 August 2008, 23:45 CET

Russia's recognition of two breakaway Georgian regions Tuesday apes Europe's support for Kosovo's independence and further complicates an emergency EU summit on Georgia next week, analysts said.

EU condemns Russian recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia — 26 August 2008, 23:45 CET

The European Union heavily criticised Russia's recognition of the rebel Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, the EU's French presidency said on Tuesday.

France seeks EU condemnation of Moscow move — 26 August 2008, 23:40 CET

France, which holds the EU presidency, is consulting its European partners to seek EU condemnation of Russia's recognition of rebel Georgian provinces, officials said Tuesday.

EU urges Russia to step up WTO accession efforts — 26 August 2008, 23:51 CET

The European Commission urged Russia on Tuesday to step up efforts to join the WTO after Moscow announced plans to back out of trade commitments during the long running negotiations.

Poland seeks hard EU line on Russia — 25 August 2008, 21:35 CET

Poland hopes to convince the European Union to take a hard line on Russia's Russia military intervention in Georgia at a special summit on September 1, its prime minister said Monday.

Germany warns Russia West has other energy options — 25 August 2008, 14:13 CET

Germany on Monday warned Russia to respect its pledge to pull its troops out of Georgia, stressing that the West also had leverage in its dealings with Moscow as an energy partner.

France 'concerned' about looting and intimidation in South Ossetia — 25 August 2008, 14:12 CET

France, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said Monday it was worried about reports of looting, intimidation and destruction of homes in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia.

Italy's Frattini urges Russian 'prudence' on Abkhazia, Ossetia — 25 August 2008, 14:11 CET

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on Monday urged Moscow to be "particularly prudent" while deciding whether to formally recognise Georgia's separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Russian parliament backs independence for Georgia separatists — 25 August 2008, 11:49 CET

Russian lawmakers voted Monday to recognise the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions as the European Union signalled its mounting opposition to Russia's actions by calling a special summit on the conflict.

Merkel calls for Caucasus summit after Russian intervention — 24 August 2008, 00:35 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling for a summit of Georgia's neighbours in the volatile Caucasus region following the recent conflict with Russia.

Russian troops begin to withdraw from Georgia — 22 August 2008, 21:29 CET

Russian troops are leaving strategic sites near Georgia's de facto borders with its breakaway regions.

Solana hopes Russian pullout from Georgia within a day — 19 August 2008, 23:14 CET

The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana says Russian troops "are beginning to move" from Georgia and expressed hope they would speed up the pullout within the day.

No EU ultimatum yet to Russia: Kouchner — 18 August 2008, 22:15 CET

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says European governments are not ready yet to issue an ultimatum to Russia over demands for a troop pullback from Georgia.

German FM warns against knee-jerk reaction in Russian relations — 18 August 2008, 11:35 CET

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned on Sunday against any knee-jerk reaction to the Caucasus conflict in relations with Russia.