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Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia

Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia

A Russia-appointed official in Ukraine’s occupied Luhansk region was quoted by AP on Monday saying that Moscow’s forces have overrun all of it, one of four regions Russia annexed from Ukraine in September 2022. If confirmed, it would make Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia after more than three years of war with international peace efforts led by the US failing to make progress on halting the fighting. Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and hasn’t budged from his demands, which include Moscow’s control over the four illegally annexed regions. 
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Denmark takes over EU Presidency with a focus on Security, Migration and Enlargement

Denmark takes over EU Presidency with a focus on Security, Migration and Enlargement

On July 1, Denmark takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time. Under the motto ‘A Strong Europe in a Changing World’, the Danish Presidency said its programme of work will ensure that the EU takes responsibility for its own security, while also strengthening its competitiveness. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that priority will be given to boosting defence capabilities in Europe amid Russia's war in Ukraine and US threats to Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. Pushing countries to keep promises to boost defence spending and bolstering Europe's "dangerous" security will top Denmark’s agenda as it takes over the rotating presidency on Tuesday, according to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

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Borrell and Lavrov try to find common ground

Borrell and Lavrov try to find common ground

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, and EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, met in Moscow on Friday (5 February). In a press conference after the first part of their talks the two senior diplomats appeared to be struggling to identify common ground for future co-operation whilst wanting to sound tough on their respective positions, especially on the ongoing controversies surrounding Alexei Navalny and Russian clampdown on his supporters.
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Hariri in Egypt to seek support for a solution to the Lebanese crisis

Hariri in Egypt to seek support for a solution to the Lebanese crisis

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al Hariri arrived in Egypt in a bid to help form a new government and end Lebanon's multifaceted crisis. In Cairo, Al Hariri met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and General Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel.
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EU condemns Navalny's imprisonment as High Representative prepares to travel to Moscow

EU condemns Navalny's imprisonment as High Representative prepares to travel to Moscow

Borrell on Thursday (4 February) travels to Moscow where he is expected to meet with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Whilst Borrell had initially wanted to keep the focus of the discussions on the extensive and complicated EU-Russia agenda, recent events in Moscow have forced him to put the Navalny case at the centre of the visit. 
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GCC highlights its support for Iraq

GCC highlights its support for Iraq

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf arrived in Baghdad on Monday where he iterated the GCC's support for Iraq in various fields. Al- Hajraf met with President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein to discuss bolstering relations. 
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Ann Linde holds talks with Lavrov on European Security

Ann Linde holds talks with Lavrov on European Security

Sweden is trying to use its one year chairmanship of the OSCE to bring back focus to the organisation after a difficult period last year, and a growing sense that the organisation was drifting away from its original mandate on European security. Russia is central to this process, since it is seen as being at odds with the Helsinki Final Act - the OSCE's milestone document - in both its internal policies, as well as in its relations with its neighbours.
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Blinken: "China poses the most significant challenge to us of any other country, but it’s a complicated one"

Blinken: "China poses the most significant challenge to us of any other country, but it’s a complicated one"

Only days in office as US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has set up his stall of future US foreign policy positions in a long interview with Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC. In the interview, Blinken addressed core challenges facing US foreign policy, including China, Russia and Iran.
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Borrell sailing straight into a Russian storm

Borrell sailing straight into a Russian storm

The visit of the EU High Representative to Russia on Thursday will provide an opportunity to have wide-ranging discussions with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other Russian interlocutors ahead of the European Council’s strategic discussion on EU-Russia relations scheduled for March.
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Iranian foreign minister concludes regional tour with a meeting with the Turkish president

Iranian foreign minister concludes regional tour with a meeting with the Turkish president

Zarif is trying to carve a role for Iran in the region following the changed circumstances following the 44 day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The war ended with a victory for Azerbaijan and with the west, particularly the EU and the US appearing excluded and marginalised by the processes that have ensued since. For Iran the new situation offers both risks and opportunities, and the trip was meant to ensure that it has a role in the region in the future