On 21 February, Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, nominated his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, for the newly created position of first vice-president. 

Under a decree signed by President, the Russian Federation recognised the documents issued by the governments of the ‘people’s republics’.

On 10th and 11th February Slovenia’s president Borut Pahor met President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during a visit to Moscow. 

On 15th February the Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency in the energy sector. The main reason behind the decision is the shortage of anthracite.

Three polls conducted since Martin Schulz was chosen as the SPD’s candidate for chancellor suggest that this choice has significantly boosted support for this party.

Germany’s Federal Assembly will elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) as president on 12 February. He will replace Joachim Gauck.

For the first time in its independent history, Ukraine did not buy any gas directly from Russia, thus reducing its imports by about 32%.

On 7 February, an order from the head of the Russian Federal Security Service came into force, establishing a border security zone along the border with Belarus.

On 27 January, deputy chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who had up till then served as the minister for the economy, was nominated minister of foreign affairs.

On 28 January, during British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Ankara, an agreement was reached on the establishment of a joint working group responsible for the negotiation of a bilateral free-trade agreement.