A round-up of recent public finance stories from Europe you might have missed.

Russia offers cash infusion for Ukraine

In a sharp rebuff to the West in the diplomatic wrangle over Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia would come to the rescue of its financially troubled neighbour, providing $15bn in loans and a steep discount on natural gas prices. (New York Times)

EU needs international climate finance roadmap, say auditors

The European Union needs to establish a roadmap to outline how it plans to increase climate finance for the world’s poorest countries to as much as €29bn by 2020, auditors have said. (eco-business.com)

Italy moves to end state financing of parties

Italy's cabinet passed an emergency decree on Friday to phase out state financing of political parties in response to public anger over the cost of the country's electoral apparatus. (Reuters)

Greece leaving the euro could be the spring surprise

OPINION: What is the biggest shock that could hit the markets in the coming year? The Federal Reserve not just tapering, but deciding to hike interest rates back to normal levels? Violent protests in China aimed at toppling the government? Any of these would come as a surprise. But the most likely shock is something the markets have stopped worrying about — a sudden and dramatic Greek exit from the euro. (Marketwatch)

European Union provides €4.8m to Armenia to support its neighbourhood policy action plan

The government of Armenia was given a €4.8m loan by the European Union to support its implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, including improvements to public financial management and public sector transparency. (ARKA news agency)