Moscow: Russia Will Defend Donetsk, Lugansk | Farsnews Agency

(FNA)- Moscow will act as a guarantor of the security and integrity of the two breakaway Donbass republics in Donetsk and Lugansk, Russia’s top diplomat said, after the Kremlin affirmed their status as sovereign states amid a worsening standoff with Ukraine.

Russia does not accept 'collective response' to its question on indivisibility of European security

Russia does not accept "a collective response" from NATO and the EU on the question about equal and indivisible security in Europe, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Friday.

Ukraine crisis: US ignored Russia's security concerns, Putin says - BBC News

President Vladimir Putin has told his French counterpart that the West has ignored Russia's security concerns, amid fears Russia could invade Ukraine.

Russia Expresses Disappointment over US Response to Security Proposals | Farsnews Agency

(FNA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Moscow has received a written response from the US to his country's requests for assurances over NATO expansion, expressing disappointment over the lack of concessions.

Russia Says Received False Accusations from US Instead of Response to Security Guarantees | Farsnews Agency

(FNA)- The United States and NATO launched a "toxic" campaign with false accusations against Moscow instead of preparing responses to Russia's proposals on security guarantees, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

UN Security Council postpones vote on Syria draft resolution

The Security Council has postponed a vote on a draft resolution demanding a 30-day ceasefire across Syria, till 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT) on Saturday, said Kuwaiti ambassador to the United Nations Mansour Al-Otaibi.

Russia ready to vote for Syria ceasefire resolution at UN but guarantees needed

Russia is ready to vote at the United Nations Security Council in favor of the resolution on a humanitarian pause in Syria but there are no guarantees that militants will observe the ceasefire, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

This is the ‘moment of truth’ says UN envoy ahead of international conference on Cyprus

Speaking ahead of an international conference on Cyprus, the United Nations Special Adviser on the country stressed that the coming days would be crucial for the resolution of the remaining matters, and said that while the path ahead is “going to be difficult,” a solution is possible.

Putin says Syrian regime, opposition forces have signed nationwide truce

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced that Syrian regime and rebel forces have signed a nationwide ceasefire agreement, with Russia and Turkey as guarantors.

Turkey demands US guarantees on Kurdish fighters' withdrawal

Turkey on Tuesday repeated its demand that the Kurdish-backed Syrian fighters it has targeted in a cross-border offensive return east of the Euphrates, neither confirming or denying reports of a U.S.-brokered truce.

Russia, US Agree on ‘Regime of Silence’ in Syria’s Lattakia, Damascus

A cessation of hostilities has been agreed upon in some parts of Syria, sponsored by Russia, RIA news agency cited a source as saying Friday.

Cypriot party leader returns from historic talks in Turkey

The leader of Cypriot biggest opposition party AKEL, Antros Kyprianou, returned on Sunday from talks with the Turkish government saying it was agreed to continue the dialogue to overcome obstacles to a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Russia signals revival of frozen Turkish Stream project

The Russian energy minister has said Russia might consider working on the Turkish Stream project that was called off after a dispute with Turkey over the downing of a Russian jet in late November.

Ukraine Says Won't Repay Russian Debt Due By Weekend

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says his country won't repay a $3 billion debt Eurobond owed to Russia by this weekend.

Ukraine seeks debt-restructuring talks with Russia

The Ukrainian Finance Ministry said on Thursday it wanted to talk with Russia in a bid to search common ground over the restructuring of Kiev's 3-billion-US-dollar debt, which matures on Sunday.

Ukraine’s sovereign default: Russia to sue Ukraine if debt is not repaid by December 20 — (Russia’s finance ministry)

Russia is set to file a lawsuit against Ukraine if Kiev fails to have repaid the $3-billion debt by December 20, Russia’s Finance Ministry said on Saturday.

Finland urges caution on Greece negotiations

Finland said Tuesday more work needed to be done on a third international bailout deal for Greece worth 85 billion euros ($94 billion).

US to Provide up to $2Bln Loan Guarantee to Ukraine in 2015 (Treasury)

Washington has announced plans to prove up to $2 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine to aid the country, according to the statement by the US Treasury Department released on Tuesday.

Obama promises more aid, loan guarantees to Jordan. Abdullah has absorbed into his country some 1.5 million refugees from Syria's civil war

US President Barack Obama said on Friday that the United States and its allies are making slow but steady progress in the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, and he pledged new aid to Jordan to grapple with Syrian refugees.

Russia, Ukraine agree on gas supplies until March 2015 (sources)

Russia, Ukraine, and the European Commission agreed on gas supply and transit conditions until March 2015 during talks in Brussels, sources confirmed to various news agencies.
"An agreement has been reached, the documents will be signed during a live broadcast from the final press conference," a source told Tass news agency.