Gradual democratization of the Soviet Union and the abolition of ... a welfare state with a planned economy. “Western and Eastern Europe will become a federation of autonomous states having ...

The nation became so close to the Soviet Union that it almost joined it. Even as a European Union and NATO member, business with Russia still thrived, not least for oil giant Lukoil PJSC.

Russian forces have captured hundreds of square miles of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region over the past year as part of their advance on the city of Pokrovsk.