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Serbia’s Passport Loophole: The Backdoor to Europe for Russian Elites
The Russian investigative outlet Vazhnye Istorii has uncovered a citizenship scheme that allows Russian nationals—many with ties to the Kremlin or defense sector—to travel freely across Europe despite sanctions. Since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, including travel bans targeting hundreds of government officials, military personnel, and…
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Georgian Authorities Raid Protest-Linked NGOs and Activists
On April 29, Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office conducted coordinated home searches targeting civil society figures and organisations accused of financially supporting anti-government, pro-European Union protests. The searches, based on court-issued warrants, were carried out at the homes of prominent figures involved in civil society and activism, including journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani and human rights defender Aleko…
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Trump and Zelensky Meet at Vatican During Pope’s Funeral
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met briefly inside St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26, during the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. It was their first meeting since their tense encounter at the White House earlier this year. Both leaders described the exchange as positive and productive, and agreed to pursue…
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Ex-Kursk Governor Detained Over Military Funds Fraud
Alexey Smirnov has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months by the Meshchansky District Court of Moscow. He is accused of large-scale fraud in connection with misappropriation of state funds meant for military fortifications, allegedly committed by an organized group using official positions. Smirnov’s former deputy, Alexey Dedov, faces the same charges. Smirnov is…
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Zelensky: 150+ Chinese Citizens Fighting for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that more than 150 Chinese nationals are participating in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia, with Ukrainian authorities having identified 155 individuals by name and passport number. On April 8, Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting in Donetsk. The individuals are currently held by Ukraine’s…
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The Gromyko Method: How Putin Channels Soviet Diplomacy
Andrei Gromyko (1909-1989) was a Soviet diplomat and politician who served as the USSR’s Foreign Minister from 1957 to 1985 and as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1985 to 1988. Renowned for his firm négociation style, he earned the nickname “Mr. No” in the West, and the method he gave his…
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Kursk Recaptured: Russian Forces Push Toward Sumy
Russian retook most of the Kursk Oblast and advances toward Sumy, amid continued strikes on energy infrastructures.Amid escalating hostilities in northeastern Ukraine, Russian forces have regained control of most of the Kursk region and are pushing toward Sumy. Intensified drone warfare, North Korean troop involvement, and strikes on critical infrastructure mark a volatile phase in the conflict. Territorial Gains and Military Operations Russian forces have retaken nearly all of the Kursk…
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Partial Ceasefire Reached Without Ukraine at the Table
Combats continue in Donbas despite a brokered partial ceasefire. CREDIT: Ukrainian Presidency.A two-hour phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18 resulted in a series of preliminary agreements concerning the ongoing conflict in Donbas. Notably, Ukraine was not included in these negotiations. This call marked the first direct contact between the two leaders in a month and came amid…
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UN Leads Cyprus Peace Talks in Switzerland
Switzerland is hosting UN-backed informal Cyprus peace talks. The discussions aim to explore potential steps toward resolving the island’s division between the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has remained separated since 1974. In addition to its partition, significant areas of the island remain under the…
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Georgia’s Protests: A Local’s Perspective on a Political Crisis
To better understand the developing crisis in Georgia, we spoke with a protester for firsthand, on-the-ground insight.Through the past 2 years, Tbilisi has been at the heart of lasting waves of protests, with thousands of Georgians taking to the streets in opposition to the government’s actions. While international observers debate the implications, the perspective of those on the ground provides crucial insight into the movement’s evolution. Nino*, a young protester in…
