Germany

By Ben Sills and Eleni Chrepa

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reached out to Greece?s creditors, saying he?ll iron out the kinks in relations with the rest of the euro area days after his government lodged a complaint about the German finance minister.

BELGRADE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met with Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin on Friday, and extended congratulations to Russia's officials and people on the successful outcome of the talks held in Minsk.

President to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow

MOSCOW -- Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic will attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow this spring, the Serbian ambassador to the Russian Federation has confirmed.

Russia will on May 9 mark the 70th anniversary of victory over fascism - marking the day in 1945 when Germany capitulated in the Second World War.

By Roxana Zega

US stock-index futures rose, with the Standard & Poor?s 500 Index 3 points away from a record, as German growth data signaled a strengthening in Europe?s recovery and optimism increased about Greek debt talks.

European stock-index futures rose, signaling equities will complete a second week of gains, on speculation the region?s leaders will reach a compromise with Greece on its bailout terms.

At least 15 people have been killed in east Ukraine in new shelling despite the signing of a peace deal to end the 10-month conflict.
     

European powers warned Russia it risked fresh sanctions if a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the 10-month war between Ukraine troops and pro-Moscow rebels was not implemented.
       

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has expressed 'moderate optimism' about the Ukraine ceasefire.

Speaking during Thursday's EU summit in Brussels, he expressed appreciation for the huge efforts of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in the marathon 17-hour talks preceding the Minsk agreement.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras meetings in Brussels proved encouraging and investors took note with Greece's main stock market closing around 5.5% higher. His meeting with German Chancellor Angela Austerity appeared warm if body language is anything to judge by.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, attending his first EU summit as the head of Greece, met with Eurogroup Chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem.