Latest Articles about Western Europe
Russian Media Grossly Exaggerates Level of Support for Islamic State in Europe’s Chechen Diaspora
Russian media coverage of the Islamic State (IS) continues to expand. Earlier, the Russian press primarily covered the Caucasus Emirate, Hizb ut-Tahrir and other Islamic movements. Now, all Islam-related themes are marked with the label “Islamic State.” No reliable data is available on how many... MORE
Political Calculations Behind Italy’s Campaign Against European Sanctions on Russia
From the outset, the Italian government has been among the most tepid enforcers of the European Union’s sanctions against Russia. And as the impact of Western sanctions has reportedly negatively affected the Italian economy, Rome appears increasingly determined to overcome the current regime of penalties... MORE
Minister of Defense of Georgia Continues to ‘Knock at NATO’s Door’
Georgia’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze recently visited the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where he held talks with NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow. The Georgian minister also took part in a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, with the participation... MORE
Berlin, Paris Side With Moscow Against Kyiv In Normandy Group’s Meeting
As anticipated (see EDM, February 26), the “Normandy” meeting on March 3–4, in Paris, cornered Ukraine to extract its acceptance of “elections” in the Russian-occupied territory. German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier did almost all the hectoring; his French counterpart, Jean-Marie Ayrault, provided the... MORE
Turkey-Greece-Italy Interconnector: South Stream’s Latest Avatar? (Part Three)
*To read Part One, please click here. *To read Part Two, please click here. The Interconnector Turkey–Greece–Italy (ITGI-Poseidon) was one of several rival projects competing to launch the European Union–backed Southern Gas Corridor to Europe with Azerbaijani natural gas. The ITGI was the weakest contestant... MORE
Kadyrov at Loggerheads With Chechen Diaspora in Europe
Ramzan Kadyrov has repeatedly voiced discontent with the actions of Chechens who reside in Europe. During the first years of his rule in Chechnya, he managed to convince many of the former leaders of Ichkeria to switch sides and move back to Grozny. This guaranteed... MORE
Gazprom Promotes Greece–Italy Transit Route to Obstruct European Corridor
On February 24, in Rome, the chief executives of Russian Gazprom, Italian Edison (electricity conglomerate, 99 percent owned by Électricité de France) and Greek DEPA (national pipeline operator and gas trader) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a pipeline route from Greece to Italy... MORE
Berlin and Paris Soften up Kyiv Ahead of ‘Decisive’ Normandy Meeting
In Kyiv, on February 22–23, with a working visit, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier portrayed the “Normandy” group’s upcoming March 3 meeting in Paris as a make-or-break event, designed to overcome the diplomatic deadlock over “the Ukraine crisis.” The diplomatic process is stuck... MORE
For Now, Italy’s Relations With Azerbaijan Do Not Upset Russia
The steady build-up of Italy’s long-term economic partnership with Azerbaijan is adding an important geopolitical dimension to Rome’s foreign policy. Sitting on the fence, Russia is monitoring the current trade and infrastructure dynamics between Baku, Rome and the European Union. The Kremlin is always sensitive... MORE
Germany Is Real Target of Italy’s Opposition to Russia’s Planned Nord Stream Two
A unique coalition is taking shape in Europe against German-Russian plans to double the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline. Italy has joined a group of countries, mostly from Central-Eastern Europe, in opposing the implementation of this energy project, which is spearheaded by Russia’s state-run gas... MORE