EU leaders on Saturday (30 August) agreed to appoint Polish PM Donald Tusk as the next EU Council president and Italian minister Federica Mogherini as the bloc's new foreign affairs chief.

Boost for David Cameron as Polish PM Donald Tusk is named new European Council President.

Both Sweden and Finland are to sign 'host nation support agreements' allowing assistance from NATO in emergency situations, officials said earlier this week.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said Ukraine is free to pursue membership of the Western alliance despite Russian opposition.

NATO released new satellite images that show Russian combat forces engaged in military operations inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

At least 100 Russian soldiers have been killed in battle inside Ukraine, it was claimed on Thursday, as NATO accuses the Kremlin of pouring more than 1,000 troops into the east of the country.

A deal is shaping up for Italian foreign minister Federica Mogherini to become the EU's next foreign affairs chief, provided the prime minister of Poland or a Baltic leader takes up the EU Council presidency.

French president Francois Hollande has called for a summit on eurozone growth, warning that “Europe is threatened by a long and possibly interminable stagnation if we do nothing.”

Lightning capture of Novoazovsk puts new area of border in separatist hands and suggests help from Moscow.

“The point is any potential aggressor should know if they were to even think of an attack against a NATO ally they will meet not only soldiers from that country but they will meet NATO troops”,Rasmussen said.

Ahead of Saturday’s summit of EU leaders to discuss the remaining EU ‘top jobs’, David Cameron has backed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to take over from Herman van Rompuy as the President of the European Council.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on September 1 in Brussels to agree a framework for renewed nuclear talks, Iran said on Sunday.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is preparing to step up its attempts to breathe life into the eurozone’s stagnant economy.

Policymakers will have no choice but to continue buying gas from Russia until at least the mid-2020s and "potentially much longer", according to Fitch.

Tehran pledges to "accelerate" arming Palestinians in West Bank after airing footage of 'Israeli drone' it claims to have shot down over Iran.

Kiev claims Ukrainian border guards in clash with "several dozen" vehicles from Russia including tanks.

Eurozone government borrowing costs fell to historic lows yesterday, with yields on Spanish 10-year bonds, which move inversely to prices, falling to 2.37% while Italy’s were at 2.59%.

After weeks under siege the Tabqa air field fell to jihadist onslaught including child suicide bombers.

'If you come after Americans, we’re going to come after you,' says White House adviser as preparations begin to target Isil fighters.

Hours after a convoy of Russian military trucks crossed the border without approval from Ukrainian authorities, the move was slammed by key international organizations.

At least 10 dead in Israeli strikes on Gaza, including assassination attempt on Mohammad Deif, head of Hamas's military wing.

Four people arrested on vandalism charges after dangerous stunt at top of 577ft city landmark.

Assault on Saddam Hussein's hometown reported amid Peshmerga gains in Iraq's north-east under US air strike support.

Benjamin Netanyahu orders military to attack 'terror sites' in Gaza Strip in response to rockets fired from the enclave into Israel.

Kiev says fighting taking place in centre of Luhansk, the second largest rebel-held city.

EU farmers will get financial help of up to ?125 million to help them cope with the impact of Russia's ban on most Western food imports,the European Commission said on Monday (18 August).

Philip Breedlove, NATO’s top military commander, has said that if Russia does what it did in Crimea to a NATO state, it would be considered an act of war against the alliance.

President Barack Obama calls recapture of dam a "major step forward" in the battle against the Islamic State.

RAF Tornados and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft are flying missions over northern Iraq to track Islamic State militants as Britain joins fight to stop advance of extremists.

Government says state flag raised over police station in separatist-held city, as foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany meet in Berlin to discuss crisis.

France has all but abandoned a target to shrink its deficit, as the eurozone endured a turbulent day that raised the prospect of a triple-dip recession.

Next month’s NATO Summit in Wales will focus on the Alliance’s readiness to deal with the full range of threats, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on a visit to Copenhagen on Friday (15 August).

Agents listened in on calls by US secretary of state and predecessor, sources claim, in embarrassing reversal of US-Germany spying scandal.

A fragile ceasefire extension between Hamas and Israel enters its second day Friday, as thousands of Israelis call on government and army to end Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza once and for all.

Foreign secretary warns of "very serious" consequences following The Telegraph's reports of at least 23 Russian military vehicles moving into Ukraine on Thursday night.

EU producers of cauliflowers, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes are likely to be next in line for European Commission help in response to the Russia food ban.

The Secretary General discussed preparations for the forthcoming NATO summit in Wales (4-5 September) with the prime minister, Foreign Minister Bшrge Brende and Defence Minister Marie Eriksen Sшreide.

The fundamentalist militia continues its advance as the UN declares its highest level of emergency and fighting erupts west of the capital.

NATO has proposed pre-positioning supplies and equipment at bases in the east in readiness for sending troops if needed. One option under consideration is to augment an existing NATO regional headquarters in north-western Poland.

It stashes weapons, vehicle and armor in several locations across the world, including Norway, which first signed an agreement with the United States to do so in 1981, Marine officials said.

The Secretary General discussed preparations for the forthcoming NATO Summit in Wales (4-5 September) with Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson and Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson.

David Cameron has suggested that British helicopters could be used within days as US forces deploy to herald start of rescue operation,

The EU’s sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis will hurt Russian consumers but have little effect on Estonian food producers, says Taavi Rхivas, the Estonian prime minister.

EU countries have moved a step closer to sending arms to Iraqi Kurds to help them fight the Islamic State.

Iran has received the last installment of its $4.2-billion frozen assets released under the Geneva interim deal in November 2013, the Central Bank of Iran said.

Ukraine threatens to close border to an aid convoy.

Ancient civilisations will be extinguished unless Britain acts, warns Col Tim Collins, who famed for his inspirational speech on the eve of the 2003 Iraq War.

Forming such an inclusive government is essential in defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which represents a threat to the security and stability of the region as a whole.

EU officials will this week draw up a plan to compensate farmers if they are hit by Russia’s ban on food exports.

France and Italy have urged the EU foreign service to call an emergency meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the situation in Iraq.

Describing the fundamentalist group as a “bunch of terrorists”, he said that NATO members would take all steps necessary to defend Turkey from any Islamic State attack.

Former Secretary of State and potential 2016 presidential candidate describes decision not to intervene early in Syria as a failure.

Turkish strongman cements role as the nation's leader for the next five years.

Kurdish forces sweep forward in northern Iraq in the wake of air strikes by US fighter jets and drones.

France could push the eurozone to "breaking point" if politicians do not follow through on reforms, says Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Senior official says group will not be extending 72-hour truce, as Israel accuses it of violating ceasefire by firing rockets.

President authorises airstrikes to blunt onslaught of Islamic militants as US began military airdrops of aid to religious minorities driven to mountain refuge.

The permanent, or at least continuous, presence of US forces would provide essential underpinning to Mr Obama's short-term reassurance.

Moscow is slapping a ban on EU-imported fruit and vegetables and food from the US in retaliation for western economic sanctions.

Russia may restrict or impose a ban on Asian-bound European airlines from flying over its Siberian territory as part of a retaliatory move against western-imposed sanctions.

Maj Gen Harold Greene the most senior US officer killed since Vietnam War.

Five-year accord will see Russia help Iran organise oil sales, but government denies it has violated international obligations.

A low-cost airline said on Sunday (3 August) it will suspend all flights after its plane lease agreement was cancelled when the European Union slapped sanctions on Moscow over its role in the Ukraine crisis.

The meeting is in preparation for the Wales Summit on September 4-5.

EU leaders attending a commemoration of World War One on Monday (4 August) evoked the fragility of peace and importance of learning the lessons of a hundred years ago.

Three ships from the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) arrived in the port of Halifax, Canada for a scheduled port visit ahead of exercises with US and Canadian navies.

New military exercises involving bombers and fighter jets to take place, an air force spokesman was quoted.

The United States has briefed the North Atlantic Council on its determination that the Russian Federation is in violation of its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

Country threatens to take US to The Hague after defaulting on its debts for the second time in 12 years.

A new agreement critical to Britain's Trident nuclear weapons system, was signed the other day by British and US officials.

Russia's largest and second largest banks from Friday (1 August) will no longer be able to raise money on EU markets, as economic sanctions enter into force.

Caught off guard by the crisis in Ukraine, NATO plans to create a “spearhead” rapid deployment force and a “more visible” presence in Eastern Europe to assuage concerns about Russian intentions.

France’s finance minister sends tremors through European capitals with a defiant warning that his country would no longer try to meet deficit targets.

It is an incontrovertible fact that Italy’s 14-year disaster coincides with EMU membership.

As is all too common in today's Middle East, however, the best option is ultimately the least bad option and filled with risks.

One hundred years on from the World War One the aim of NATO must not be to fight Russia but to deter it. For deterrence to work will, capability and above all unity of effort and purpose of all the Allies is and will be vital.

Germany, France, and Italy have indicated they are willing to impose extra sanctions on Russia due to its overt “invasion” of Ukraine.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has said Russian forces have invaded his country, with Kiev calling for an emergency EU and UN meeting.

The French president is forced to order a reshuffle after two dissident cabinet ministers launch an open rebellion against his economic policy.

Ukraine charged that Russian forces crossed into eastern Ukraine early Monday with tanks and other military vehicles, as Russia vowed to send in a second humanitarian aid convoy.

US military leaders said Isil has a 'long-term vision' to take over Lebanon, Israel and Kuwait.

NATO-Ukraine Civic League urges you to take a decision on a final adoption of the Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014 and Security Guarantees for Ukraine Act to give Ukraine a status of the United States strategic ally.

The world is exploding all over. And so is the USA going to continue to have the resources, the capabilities, the leadership, the bandwidth to continue with the rebalance toward the Asia Pacific? And the answer is yes.

Stockpile creates extra layer of protection against any possible supply shock from Russia and Iraq.

“NATO’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is unwavering. Our partnership is long-standing,” Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said the transatlantic military alliance will draw up new defence plans following Russia's "aggression" in Ukraine.