Germany is asking the European Union (EU) to take much stronger steps to punish Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. Thorsten Frei, the chief of staff to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has urged Europe to move “out of our comfort zone” and make decisions that will truly challenge Russia’s economy and leadership.

The 1998 crisis worsened the situation, as a global recession and falling commodity prices led to fiscal imbalances and doubts about Russia’s ability to service its debt and uphold the fixed exchange rate. The central bank raised interest rates to 150% to try and stabilise the rouble, but this failed.

European officials have no idea what President Donald Trump will say next about Russia’s war in Ukraine — or where that may leave them.

The European Union's plan to ban Russian energy imports must be prevented, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday in an interview on state radio.

The West has been applying pressure on Russia to end the war for three years, since Putin’s initial invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

By Jeanna Smialek Reporting from Brussels The European Union approved a new package of sanctions on Russia on Tuesday, targeting covert oil exports, days after the top E.U. official announced ...

Trump is deeply agnostic about the fate of Ukraine, and is ready to recognise a Russian sphere of influence in Eastern Europe – the US-Ukrainian “minerals” deal does not change this fact.

European and U.S. leaders spoke on Monday and welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that Pope Leo XIV was interested in hosting Russia-Ukraine talks at the Vatican, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said,

They are considered one of the world’s most dangerous, and indiscriminate, weapons. Yet five European countries have turned their backs on an international treaty on the use of landmines, citing the growing threat from Moscow.