Moscow rewards loyal Orthodox leader in Moldova

Putin awarded the the head of the Moldovan church, Metropolitan Vladimir, with Russia’s Order of Friendship, rewarding him for his loyalty to Moscow, Balkan Insight reports. The award closely follows the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to...

Italy dangles veto threat on EU’s Russia sanctions

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte met with Putin in Moscow this week, invited the Russian leader to visit Italy and floated the possibility of Rome vetoing EU sanctions on Moscow, EU Observer reports. When asked if Italy would veto the sanctions when they come up for renewal...