Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation

NATO head Jens Stoltenberg confirmed Jan. 28 that the alliance is discussing whether to hold its first formal talks with Russia since 2014 when the Ukraine crisis plunged relations into a deep freeze.

Europe's top human rights body has sent a delegation to Crimea to assess the situation in the strategic peninsula annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, officials said on Jan. 25.

"It is not borders and state territories that matter, but people’s fortunes," Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

In an interview for Germany's Bild newspaper, he reiterated his position that Russia respected international law in the case of the annexation of Crimea.

European Union envoys have agreed to extend the bloc's economic sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine by another six months until 31 July 2016, newswires reported on Friday.

The sanctions, which apply to Russia's oil, military and energy sectors as well as individuals linked to the Ukraine conflict, were to expire on 31 january next year  

Russia's plans to extend its gas link to Germany run counter to European Union interests and risk further destabilizing Ukraine, 10 European governments said in a letter to the European Commission that called for a summit-level debate on the issue.

Russian energy concern Gazprom has stopped supplying UKriane with gas, with CEO Alexey Miller saying Kiev is failing to make the payments needed.

A prepayment system was introduced by Moscow last year, amid a gas pricing dispute that started soon after Crimea was incorporated into Russia.

Interfax quotes Miller as saying Ukraine has issued no new supply requests.

A delegation of two Serbian parties - the DSS and Dveri - that this week visited Crimea has been placed on "a list of criminals," Dveri said in a statement.

According to it, the list is maintained by the Center for Investigation of Crimes against National Security of Ukraine.

Pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko faces a stern test of his unpopular belt-tightening measures and stuttering anti-corruption drive when Ukraine votes in local elections on Oct. 25 that exclude the pro-Russian separatist east.

Norway needs to scale up and modernise its defence as Russia's military buildup in the Arctic is creating a more uncertain security situation, its military chief said on Oct.1.

Russian lawmakers voted unanimously to let President Vladimir Putin send Russian troops to Syria, paving the way for open Russian intervention in Syria.

However, the Kremlin said Russia will only use its air force and not ground troops.