Russia will retaliate against a new round of Western sanctions over Ukraine and may block flights through its airspace, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published today.

Ukraine accused pro-Russian rebels of waging fresh attacks in the restive east today, further imperilling a fragile truce as EU leaders prepared to approve punishing new sanctions on Moscow. Russia warned it would retaliate against the new measures, which the EU has nevertheless said could be suspended if Moscow observes …

Blaming Russian behaviour and actions in Ukraine, France on Wednesday decided to stop the delivery of the first of two Mistral heavy transport ships to Russia, President Francois Hollande’s office announced Wednesday. The move is certain to spark bitter controversy with Moscow.