Europe is partly to blame for the crisis in Ukraine although this is no excuse for Russian behavior towards the former Soviet republic, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's deputy said on Wednesday.

• Date: 14.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 14.05.2014  |  External Relations  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Russia's defense industry should stop relying on foreign components and become self-sufficient following Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine.

• Date: 14.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 14.05.2014  |  Security  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) demanded a $1.66 billion pre-payment from Ukraine for June gas deliveries on Tuesday, saying the neighboring country had only half its requirements in storage to ensure a trouble-free winter

• Date: 13.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 13.05.2014  |  Energy  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

Russia said on Tuesday new European Union sanctions will hinder efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine and urged the West to persuade Kiev to hold discussions on the country's future structure before a May 25 presidential election.

• Date: 13.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 13.05.2014  |  External Relations  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

Russia will be ready to hold more talks with Ukraine on its natural gas supplies only when Kiev pays its gas debt to Moscow, Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky said on Monday.

• Date: 12.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 12.05.2014  |  Energy  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

Ukrainian leader Oleksander Turchinov accused Russia of working to overthrow legitimate state power in Ukraine on Monday after pro-Russian rebels declared a resounding victory in rebel referendums on self-rule in eastern regions.

• Date: 12.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 12.05.2014  |  External Relations  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

Germany and France are ready to agree more extensive sanctions against Russia if a planned presidential election in Ukraine on May 25 is foiled, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande said on Saturday.

• Date: 10.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 10.05.2014  |  Security  |  from http://www.reuters.com/

Acting Ukrainian President Oleksander Turchinov told eastern regions gripped by a pro-Russian uprising that they would be courting catastrophe if they voted "yes" in a separatist referendum on Sunday.

• Date: 10.05.2014  |  Published on EGF: 10.05.2014  |  External Relations  |  from http://www.reuters.com/