• Media: A number of large EU banks will not place Russian Eurobonds

    A number of major European banks have decided not to participate in the placement of Russian Eurobonds in the amount of $3 billion, and Russia is finding it increasingly difficult to enter the foreign holdings market while being subject to sanctions, The Wall Street Journal reported.

    In mid-March, the EU leadership, following the United States' example, advised European banks against attempting to purchase Russian government bonds. Formally, the placement of bonds is not in violation of the …

  • Pope Francis calls for an end to the war in Ukraine during Easter address

    Pope Francis has called for an end to the war in Ukraine and for a release of all prisoners of war in the country. He said this during his Easter message “Urbi et Orbi”, as reported by Krym.Realii with reference to Radio Vatican.

    "May the Lord of life accompany the efforts aimed to reach a final overcoming of the war in Ukraine, inspiring and supporting humanitarian assistance initiatives, among which include the release of prisoners," the Pope said.

    On Sunday, Catholics around the world …

  • Abrahamyan: Russia will provide Armenia with discounted gas

    Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stated that Russia will provide a discount on natural gas for Armenian consumers, reported Radio Azatutyun. He added that the extent of the discount has not yet been determined.

    “This issue was discussed at the meeting between the President of Armenia and the President of Russia in Moscow. The agencies have been entrusted with carrying out a discussion on the issue of price reduction. It will become known to what extent the price can be reduced during …

  • President of Bulgaria calls for Savchenko’s release; says Crimea is Ukraine

    During his visit to Kiev, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev told his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko that Crimea belongs to Ukraine. He also stated that Nadiya Savchenko and other Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia should be released immediately, Poroshenko’s Press Secretary Svyatoslav Tsegolko wrote on Twitter, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

    "The President of Bulgaria: 'In every speech I emphasize that the Crimea is Ukraine. And Ukraine is Europe,'" Tsegolko wrote.

    The …

  • Anti-government rally held in Belarus

    An opposition rally was held in Minsk on Friday on the unofficial national holiday “Freedom Day”, which marks the anniversary of the creation of the Belarusian People’s Republic on that day in 1918, Zaxid reported. Estimates on the number of participants vary from 500 to as many as 2,000.

    The protesters were comprised of representatives of various social groups including pensioners, students, and entrepreneurs. The demonstrators voiced their dissatisfaction with the current Belarusian …