↑ Russia Russia frees French political scholar in a prisoner swap for a basketball player - Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and facing new charges of espionage, has been freed in a prisoner swap with France, a Russian security agency said Thursday. In exchange, Russian basketbaWhy Russia hasn't reacted to Trump's Greenland takeover bid - The Kremlin has not commented on Trump's Greenland ambitions, with analysts saying they serve a bigger purpose for Moscow. Europe Tries to Come to Terms With Trump’s Intervention in Venezuela - Needing U.S. support to fend off Russia in Ukraine, European leaders have been cautious about criticizing President Trump on Greenland, Iran, Venezuela and much else.Why Trump wants Greenland — and what makes it so important for national security - Greenland, a vast and sparsely populated self-governing Danish territory, has been thrust into the geopolitical spotlight once again.U.S. Pressures Venezuela to Expel Advisers From Cuba, China, Russia and Iran - Secretary of State Marco Rubio was said to have listed the Trump administration’s demands to Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, in a classified meeting Monday with senior congressional leaders.Ukraine targets Moscow daily with drones this year, Russia says, in apparent escalation - Jan 5 (Reuters) - Ukraine has targeted Moscow with drones every day of 2026 so far, according to data published by Russia’s Defence Ministry, in what appeared to mark an escalation from earlier, moreTrump’s Foray Into Venezuela Could Embolden Russia’s and China’s Own Aggression - While both countries were allied with Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. attack could give them justification to use force in other spheres, analysts said.Why Russia is treading carefully after the ousting of Kremlin ally Maduro - While Moscow initially condemned U.S. strikes on Venezuela, the Kremlin has not issued an official response on Maduro's ousting, nor has President Putin.‘Might makes right’? Why the U.S. strike on Venezuela won’t push China into a Taiwan gamble - Analysts say China is unlikely to change its Taiwan strategy after the U.S. arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro, despite renewed claims of Washington's double standards.Ukrainians Welcome a U.S. Victory in Venezuela, and Lament a Double Standard - Ukraine’s government supports the removal of a dictator while members of Parliament question the wisdom of endorsing military interventions, even against a Russian ally.