Bearded drag queen among favourites to win Eurovision
A bearded drag queen who was initially written off as too provocative for some socially conservative countries is now a favourite to win Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest, tinged as always with regional politics.
Putin takes victory lap to annexed Crimea
President Vladimir Putin took a victory lap Friday in his first visit to Crimea since its annexation by Russia, as fighting in eastern Ukraine left more than 20 dead just days ahead of a separatist vote.
Death toll rises in Ukraine, fresh warnings of civil war
The death toll from a military offensive in a flashpoint town in east Ukraine rose to at least 34, officials said Tuesday, amid fresh warnings of civil war and the shutdown of a major airport in the region.
Europe tries new peace bid for Ukraine as Kiev warns of war
European leaders are desperately pushing a new peace bid for Ukraine as the country slipped towards what its interim president warned Monday was already a "war" in the face of spreading violence.
Dozens die in Odessa blaze as Ukraine violence spreads
More than 30 people were killed in a "criminal" blaze in Ukraine's southern city of Odessa, as violence spread across the country during the bloodiest day since Kiev's Western-backed government took power.
Gazprom warns new sanctions could hit EU gas supplies
Russia's energy giant Gazprom warned on Tuesday that new Western sanctions aimed at punishing the Kremlin for its perceived attempts to destabilise Ukraine could both hurt its stock price and leave Europe without crucial gas supplies.
Ukraine benefits from cooperation with Russia and Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev
In his speech at Moscow State University President Nazarbayev said that Ukraine would benefit from cooperation with Russian and Kazakhstan amid any scenario.
Japan to deny visas to 23 Russians over Ukraine crisis
Japan said Tuesday it would deny visas to 23 Russian nationals as part of its additional sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.
Wounded Kharkiv mayor flown to Israel for treatment
The mayor of Kharkiv, who was left in critical condition after being shot in the back by an unknown assailant, has been flown to Israel for treatment, local officials said.
EU, US in cautious lockstep on Russia sanctions
The United States has been moving cautiously in slapping sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, keen to keep its EU allies on board and avoid exposing fault lines within the European bloc, analysts say.
Parallels between Ukraine and Kazakhstan inappropriate: Lavrov
According to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, drawing parallels between Crimea, which was declared a Russian territory as a result of a referendum, and Kazakhstan is completely inept.
G7 to impose new sanctions on Russia as Kiev warns of 'world war'
The Group of Seven rich countries agreed Saturday to impose new sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, after Kiev accused Moscow of seeking to trigger a "third world war".
Ukraine should solve crisis with no external interventions: Nazarbayev
President Nazarbayev expressed his opinion about Ukraine’s own capability to solve the crisis at the 21st Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.
Obama says Russia not abiding by deal on Ukraine
US President Barack Obama accused Russia on Thursday of failing to respect an agreement to defuse the crisis in Ukraine, the latest salvo in the Cold War-like duel between Washington and Moscow over the future of the ex-Soviet nation.
60% of Kazakhstanis support Russia on Ukrainian crisis
A survey has been conducted in the beginning of this month to assess attitudes of Kazakhstanis to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
Kazakhstan is very concerned over Ukraine: Tokayev
During a working visit to St. Petersburg, the Senate Speaker of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s grave concerns regarding the situation in Ukraine.
US sending 600 troops to Poland, Baltics for drills
The United States is deploying about 600 troops to Poland and the Baltics to underscore its commitment to NATO allies amid tensions with Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, the Pentagon said.
Biden meets Ukraine leaders as Russia, US swap blame on crumbling deal
US Vice President Joe Biden met Ukraine's new pro-Western leaders Tuesday to offer firm American backing as Washington and Moscow traded blame over an unravelling peace deal to defuse the country's deep crisis.
Kazakhstan welcomes Geneva agreement on Ukraine
Astana supports the document that includes steps for stabilizing the situation in Ukraine, which was adopted on April 17 in Geneva.