Defence - Central European Times

Swamp defence reimagined – natural tank traps in the Baltics

2 min read Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia, Defence

The Baltic states have increasingly been discussing ways to strengthen the protection of their borders by using natural terrain obstacles.

Romania outlines major military modernisation plans

1 min read National Bank of Romania, army, procurement, Abrams, United States, the Netherlands, F-16, F-35, Bayraktar, V4 & Romania, Romania, Defence

Romania’s Ministry of National Defence has announced plans for a wide-ranging modernisation of the armed forces.

Bulgaria is arming itself – at sea as well

1 min read Balkan countries, Bulgaria, Defence

Bulgaria — for the first time in more than 100 years — has launched a newly built, domestically produced warship.

Romania’s defence minister steps down over false CV claims

1 min read Romania, government, defence minister, resignation, V4 & Romania, Defence

The minister highlighted by resigning he aimed to prevent further distractions from national security concerns.

Destroyed residential buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, after a Russian missile rocket attack

War fatigue in the region: how perceptions of the conflict in Ukraine have changed

3 min read V4 & Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine crisis, war, Defence, Military spending, public support

Public attitudes toward the war in Ukraine vary highly and have shifted significantly across the CEE region.

Nicusor Dan Romanian President meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Romania bolsters NATO security role amid Black Sea tensions

1 min read NATO, Romania, Defence, security, reamarment, Mark Rutte, Nicusor Dan, Ilie Bolojan, president, secretary general, prime minister, V4 & Romania

Romanian and NATO leaders held talks focusing on strengthening Romania’s security amid ongoing regional tensions.

Bolojan: Security Is a shared responsibility of the entire society

2 min read Romania, Ilie Bolojan, prime minister, society, security, hybrid warfare, Defence, V4 & Romania

Romanian PM Ilie Bolojan warned that peace is no longer guaranteed, stressing that ensuring security is a shared responsibility of society.

Soldiers face off across the Polish‑Belarusian frontier

Von der Leyen tours NATO frontline countries

2 min read NATO, Ursula von der Leyen, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, SAFE, Defence, Donald Tusk, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, VMZ, Nicusor Dan, Ilie Bolojan, Readiness 2030

Von der Leyen's visits to frontline NATO states aims to deliver a message of solidarity while boosting Europe’s defence capacity, promoting joint procurement and galvanising industrial support through the EU’s SAFE mechanism.

CEE must better coordinate on defence - Global Peace Index founder Steve Killelea tells CET

5 min read GPI, Killelea, UN, Ukraine, Russia, Italy, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Defence, czechia, Hungary

Global Peace Index (GPI) founder Steve Killelea spoke to the Central European Times on the day of the release of the GPI's 18th annual report. Despite the steep rise in militarisation in CEE, investment-led ambitions are currently limited by fragmentation, Killelea tells CET.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico

Hungary, Slovakia resist EU's energy, budget reforms amid growing east-west schism

2 min read Russia, Orban, von der Leyen, REPowerEU, Jourova, European Union, Centre for Research on Energy, Defence, Energy, EU, Hungary, Slovakia, Politics, V4 & Romania

Hungary and Slovakia have emerged as the most vocal opponents of two of the EU’s most consequential reform proposals: plans to phase out Russian energy imports and to overhaul the bloc’s long-term budget to prioritise defence, climate and digital transition. EU mulls ban of new Russian energy contracts

Ukraine arrests pair for spying for Hungary

6 min read Medvedchuk, Orban, Russia, Sybhia, Defence, Eastern Europe, Hungary, Politics, Ukraine, V4 & Romania

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has arrested two Ukrainian military veterans in Zakarpattia, west Ukraine, on suspicion of high treason, it announced on Friday, 9 May. Ukrainian authorities claim Hungary was collecting sensitive military data with an eye on a possible future incursion into western Ukraine. The SBU said

Polish PM declares national strategy to lead CEE, as nation celebrates 1,000th anniversary

3 min read Boleslaw the Brave, Piast Doctrine, Russia, Tusk, Ukraine, Baltic countries, Defence, Economy, Estonia, EU, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Politics, Slovakia, V4 & Romania

Poland has launched a new national doctrine aimed at establishing the country as the dominant military and economic power in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the "Piast Doctrine" during a speech in Gniezno, central Poland. "Maybe today it is worth announcing

Baltic states ramp up air, missile defences

3 min read Andris Spruds, Eastern Flank, European Defence Fund, Hanno Pevkur, Kusti Slam, Baltic countries, Defence, Estonia, EU, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland

The Baltic states are stepping up their air, missile and drone defence capabilities, as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania invest in new systems to address growing security threats in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The acceleration of defence-related investments in the Baltic region comes amid heightened concerns about Russian military activity

Turkish President Erdogan speaking at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

CEE leaders weigh in on security, expansion, energy at Antalya forum

5 min read Erdogan, Orban, Turkey, Natural gas, Baltic countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Business, Czech Republic, Economy, Eastern Europe, Energy, Defence, EU, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, News by country, Politics, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, V4 & Romania, Balkan countries

Attendees from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) nations including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and others discussed policy priorities at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in south west Turkey on 11-13 April. The forum's theme "Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World" set the tone for

Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Serbian President Aleksander Vucic and Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic

Serbia, Hungary deepen defence, energy ties

3 min read Balkan countries, Business, Croatia, Defence, Economy, Energy, Hungary, Politics, Serbia, crude oil, Druzhba, Gasic, Janaf, NATO, Orban, Szalay-Bodrovniczky, Szijjarto, Vucic, V4 & Romania

When Croatia, Albania and Kosovo recently formed a new military alliance, Serbia and Hungary followed suit, reshaping the security situation in South East Europe. Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky earlier this month signed a bilateral military cooperation agreement in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.