Armed men took control of two airports in the Crimea region on Friday in what Ukraine's government described as an invasion and occupation by Russian forces, raising tension between Moscow and the West.

• February 28, 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his government to continue talks with Ukraine on economic and trade relations and to consult foreign partners including the IMF and the G8 on financial aid, a statement on the Kremlin's website said.

• February 28, 2014

Waving the Russian flag and chanting "Russia! Russia!", protesters in Crimea have become the last major bastion of resistance to Ukraine's new rulers.

• February 27, 2014

China and Japan must ease tension in the disputed East China Sea to avoid severe "unintended consequences", U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke said on Thursday, days before he steps down as Washington's first Chinese-American envoy in Beijing.

• February 27, 2014

Russia must be transparent about military exercises along Ukraine's border and not take any steps that could be misinterpreted or "lead to miscalculation during a delicate time," U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday.

• February 27, 2014

A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy Politics at the European University of St Petersburg

Key points:

• The calm before the storm: Gazprom fails to assuage EU concerns over pricing as EU continues preparing statement of objections in antitrust investigation
• Gazprom set to extend contract with Greece
• Gazprom agrees to withdraw from management of Amber Grid, and offers Lithuania lower gas price
• Russian loan to Ukraine strongly tied to Naftogaz’s debt to Gazprom
• Nord Stream AG completes feasibility study for expansion, with UK as target market
• South Stream consortium signs pipe supply contract for offshore section as Gazprom presses ahead with the project, despite uncertainties
• Gazprom and Shell sign roadmap for third LNG train at Sakhalin-II
• Gazprom HQ could relocate from Moscow to St. Petersburg by 2015

• February 27, 2014

Credit Suisse's chief executive will hit back at allegations the Swiss bank was a willing accomplice in U.S. tax evasion on Wednesday, blaming instead a small group of its private bankers for helping Americans conceal their wealth.

• February 26, 2014

Britain will pay attention to Russian military activities and opposes outside interference in Ukraine, the British defense secretary said on Wednesday after Moscow ordered an urgent drill to test its armed forces across western Russia.

• February 26, 2014