Author:

Arrested during a protest against the war in Ukraine in March 2022, Yana, a 35-year-old Russian executive, decided to flee her home town of Moscow. Since her arrival in Paris in June, she has been trying to deal with the administration involved in moving country, while sharing the message of critics of Vladimir Putin’s regime.

FRANCE 24 spoke to Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as Kosovo celebrates 15 years of independence. Kurti is due to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels on February 27 and said he was “very optimistic” that an agreement leading to full normalisation between the two countries could happen “this year”. He regretted that relations between Kosovo and Serbia “are not normal” and claimed Belgrade isolated itself by “not delinking (…) from the Kremlin”.

ILGA-Europe warns that hateful rhetoric from politicians and religious leaders creates an environment of insecurity for LGBTI people.

Washington strongly supports Sweden and Finland’s quick NATO accession given steps they have already taken, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, even as his Turkish counterpart stressed the need for more concrete action.

Several thousand protesters rallied in Moldova’s capital Sunday to demand that the country’s new pro-Western government fully cover citizens’ winter heating bills amid a cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing inflation.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto spoke with FRANCE 24’s Marc Perelman during the Munich Security Conference. The president discussed Finland’s plans to join NATO, whether Western leaders misjudged Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and whether there is a risk that Russian military action will expand further into Europe.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that China was considering providing weapons including ammunition to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Earlier on Sunday, France said it will begin delivering the armoured vehicles it has promised Ukraine by next weekend. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference that the West must provide more military aid to Ukraine and speed up its delivery. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).

A seaside resort with a rich multicultural past, Odesa was one of the early targets of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022. But the port city mounted its defenses and the mayor, who once had a reputation for being pro-Russian, transformed himself into an uncompromising Ukrainian patriot. With its vital port again functioning – albeit in slow motion – the city keeps up its resistance as it awaits better days.

The French government’s plans to raise the retirement age to 64 from 62, which has led to widespread protests, moved on to the Senate after a tense parliamentary debate ended on Saturday.

Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby sat down with FRANCE 24’s Washington correspondent Kethevane Gorjestani to talk about the war in Ukraine, the United States’ diplomatic relations with China after the latter sent a spy balloon over its territory, and why the Iran nuclear deal is currently off the table.

Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv put up a fierce resistance when Moscow’s forces launched their full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Russian troops eventually withdrew back to their side of the border, 40 kilometres north of Ukraine’s second largest city. But one year on, the people of Kharkiv are still living under the constant threat of Russian missile strikes.

Europe is becoming more aware of itself as an economic and trading power – that’s the message from France’s secretary of state for European affairs, Laurence Boone. She talks about the new tools the EU has given itself to take on unfair competition, especially from Chinese companies, but she also downplays the warnings of a possible conflict with the United States over subsidies. Boone also outlines the latest moves when it comes to sanctions on Russia and EU support for Ukraine and Moldova.

Is Iceland the best place to be a woman? Our reporter visits the island nation which prides itself on being a champion of feminism, to see if it is a gender equality paradise. Also an end to sexism in toy advertisements in Spain after its government introduces a code of ethics which prevents ads from declaring a toy is for a particular gender. Plus we meet the South African visual activist who’s determined to record the country’s queer history through art and photography.

UK and EU chief negotiators met on Friday for what they described as “constructive” talks.

Ammunition stockpiles, fresh Russian sanctions, EU economy on the up and more jail time for the MEPs involved in corruption case were hot topics. #StateOfTheUnion

French President Emmanuel Macron said Kyiv’s Western allies were “ready for a prolonged conflict” in Ukraine as world leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference on Friday to renew their vow to back Kyiv against Russian forces ahead of the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion. Follow FRANCE 24 for the latest updates. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).

Eva Kaili has been charged with participation in criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering.

Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been acquitted on charges of witness tampering. The 86-year old right-wing politician and media magnate had been accused of bribing young showgirls to lie about their participation in the notorious “bunga-bunga” parties hosted by Berlusconi during his time in office. FRANCE 24’s Bryan Quinn explains.

In Spain, women are due to benefit from a first here in Europe menstrual leave paid for by the state. Spanish women who suffer from painful periods are set to be given the right to get 100 percent paid leave from work for period pain. FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Madrid Sarah Morris reports.

An Italian court on Wednesday acquitted Silvio Berlusconi over allegations of bribing witnesses in a underage prostitution case that has dogged the former prime minister for more than a decade.

Nicola Sturgeon quit as Scottish first minister on Wednesday, saying her dominance over her party and the country was no longer the asset it once was in the fight for an independent Scotland.

The EU wants to approve the 10th package of sanctions by the time the Ukraine war marks its one-year anniversary on 24 February.

Oliv?r V?rhelyi was heard asking “how many idiots are still left?” during a Q&A session with lawmakers.

A major French mental health study has found a huge rise in the number of young people reporting depression, with the most likely cause seen as Covid-19 and restrictions to control the disease.