Moscow

"The world is safer and more just" when the European Union and the United States stand together, US President Barack Obama stated.

Obama is on an official trip to Brussels, the first such visit to the EU's political heart since 2005.

Britain urgently needs shale gas to reduce energy dependence from Russia, its PM David Cameron said Wednesday.

The Guardian quotes him as saying that the country has a duty to step up gas production.

Cameron described Ukraine's crisis as a "wake up call" for the possible repercussions that reliance on Russian gas could have on Europe.

World Bank: Capital outflow from Russia could reach 150bn

MOSCOW -- If the crisis over Ukraine escalates capital outflow from Russia could reach USD 150 billion in 2014, the World Bank predicted under its "high-risk scenario."

This figure would be USD 85 billion under the low-risk scenario, the organization said in a new report.

The unusual timing of the round of talks, while Macedonian politicians are focused on the April presidential and general elections and while Greece is gearing up for May local polls, has prompted observers to suspect a link with the crisis in Ukraine.

MOSCOW - The Federation Council of Russia, upper house of the Russian parliament, ratified on Wednesday the agreements on military cemeteries with Serbia and Slovenia, creating the legal foundation for the maintenance of Russian military cemeteries, monuments and memorials in the territory of these two countries.

"EU understands Serbia's complex ties with Russia"

BRUSSELS -- The European Union has some understanding for "complex relations" between Serbia and Russia, the Beta news agenxy quoted its European Commission sources.

Ukraine crisis spurs Balkan countries to co-operate

Regional countries sign agreements and plan joint projects to improve security and mutual trust.

Albania Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati and his Croatia counterpart Vesna Pusic sign a European Partnership agreement in Zagreb on March 21st. [Albania Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Veto is not an instrument in the dialogue between leaders of the European Council, Bulgaria's Prime Minister said.

Plamen Oresharski made this comment on Tuesday, shedding some light on his future stance toward the prospect of introducing European-level measures against Russia, the website Dnevnik.bg has reported.

Oleksandr Muzychko, a Ukrainian ultra-nationalist leader, died after a special forces operation.

Officials announced Tuesday that Muzychko, alsko known as Sashko Bily, was shot dead in a cafe in the town of Rivne, Western Ukraine, the BBC has reported.

Germany could be the EU member state to suffer the most from sanctions imposed on Russia.

Data in an article posted on German newspaper Die Welt's website suggests that economic measures against Russia would be dangerous not only for Germany's energy security, but also for its car industry and its retail.