The United States called on China on Thursday to end "business as usual" with its ally North Korea after Pyongyang defied world powers by announcing it had tested a hydrogen bomb.

• January 7, 2016

The Russian currency has dropped to 74.58 per dollar, the weakest ever on a closing basis.

• January 6, 2016

Kyiv says it will approve a ban on the import of some Russian goods in response to similar actions by Moscow.

• December 30, 2015

Taiwan's opposition leader and presidential frontrunner on Sunday called on China to respect the island's democratic process and said she believes Beijing will have a "rational attitude" when dealing with her independence-leaning party.

• December 27, 2015

Ukraine's parliament has approved a bill that allows the government to impose a trade embargo against Russia, a week after Russia announced a food embargo against Ukraine.

• December 24, 2015

The European Union failed to allay Russia's concerns about Ukraine's free-trade accord with the 28-nation bloc on Monday, leaving Kiev to face Russian retaliation through tighter bilateral trade rules from 2016.

• December 21, 2015

Swiss commodities trader Trafigura is expanding its ties with Russia's Rosneft (ROSN.MM) and is set to become the biggest buyer from the sanctions-hit Kremlin oil major when it adds refined products to its already huge purchases of crude oil.

• December 21, 2015

India's prime minister is expected to promote deals for Russian nuclear reactors and military helicopters worth billions of dollars on a trip to Moscow next week, attracted by promises to transfer technology that Western nations have been slow to make.

• December 18, 2015