The war in Ukraine is a further nail in the coffin of the Pax Americana. Donald Trump began the dismantling of the US-dominated world order and post-WWII security apparatus, and now the job is being completed by Joe Biden. After last year’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Western response – or
On early Friday, Al Jazeera reported that Russian forces had sent missiles into Kyiv and other locations in Ukraine. Stating that Putin “must and will fail”, the European Union has agreed severe sanctions on Russia. Namely, this means the EU will freeze Russian assets within the Union. Also, Russian banks’
Following Russia’s attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all invoked the NATO alliance’s Article 4, which obliges all 30 NATO members to hold a consultation when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened”. Explaining the rationale
Global news organisations are reporting that Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early morning hours of Thursday, 24 February, bombing targets across the country and sending in troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared martial law in his country. Promising that the world will hold Russia accountable,
United Nations Security Council members condemned Russia’s order to deploy troops to Donetsk and Luhansk after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared them independent, on Monday. Speaking on state television, Putin said “I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago – to
As the stand-off between Russia and Ukraine continues, for countries within Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) it has spurred a flurry of activity, including troop movements among members of the NATO alliance to bolster their defenses. The Baltic News Network writes that Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that a
Slovakia’s failure to approve judicial reforms and a “court map” could curtail its access to EU recovery plan funds, writes Euractiv. Out of the four proposals considered by the country’s lawmakers, only one, having to do with district courts’ headquarters, made it to a second reading in the
US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the prospect of Russian forces invading Ukraine remains a real threat, a “very high” one in the coming days. “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine,” said Biden, who warned that Russia could employ a “false flag”
French President Emmanuel Macron’s tenure as EU President is already looking historic for Europe, only two months in. Macron promised that the rule of law mechanism would be introduced during his six-month term, pledging “a presidency that promotes values which define us”, and has been at least partly vindicated
Russian forces did not invade Ukraine today, confounding earlier US intelligence statements this was likely to happen on Wednesday. The Kremlin mocked Western media who had declared today the “invasion date”, France 24 reported. Nevertheless US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed scepticism regarding the Russian Defence Ministry claim that
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has dissolved Parliament and called for a national ballot to be held on 3 April, just 18 months after forming his government on the back of a vote boycotted by the main opposition parties, Euractiv reported. Vucic urged Serbian voters “to take part in the election
The European Union’s top court ruled that it can reduce funds to member states over rule of law concerns, rejecting a legal challenge from Poland and Hungary, on Wednesday. Hungary called the verdict “an example of how Brussels is abusing its power”, while Poland condemned the Court of Justice
Poland Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau met his opposite number in Moscow, Sergei Lavrov, to offer a “new initiative for dialogue” regarding the build up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border. Rau expressed hope that he can offer an “informal platform” to de-escalate the “deep security crisis” that Europe
Hungarian airline Wizz Air’s plan to enter the American market is being opposed by a US pilots’ union, which claims it uses “a toxic culture of reprisal” against its employees. Wizz Air’s lax attitude to issues such as fatigue and illness could also compromise safety, according to the
From next week a new tool may empower the EU to suspend funds to member states over rule of law breaches. That decision, to be made by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), could allow the European Commission (EC) to block EU funds to Budapest and Warsaw, EU Reporter writes.
There were almost 6.6 million female scientists and engineers in the EU in 2020, which represented a year-on-year rise of 254,500, according to a new report by Eurostat. Women now account for 41% of total employment in science and engineering, the EU official statistics office added. Among the
Peter Marki-Zay, the prime ministerial candidate of Hungary’s united opposition, said on Monday that Hungary’s future belongs in NATO, dailynewshungary.com reported. Speaking in his hometown of Hodmezovasarhely, south Hungary, where he is mayor, Marki-Zay added that he sees no reason why defence cannot be something under common
The Latvian Defence Ministry has revealed that 400 US troops, 100 units of military vehicles and 22 US Apache helicopters will arrive to the Baltic country by Wednesday to take part in an international military drill. Large numbers of NATO troops will also arrive into the Central and Eastern Europe
French Trade Minister Franck Riester said the EU will resolutely back Lithuania in its escalating trade war with China, on Sunday, Euractiv reported. Riester underlined that the small Baltic nation was “a victim of coercion from Beijing” after meeting his opposites numbers in Marseille. As the current holder of the
As some countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) relax Coronavirus restrictions, others remain cautious, with Czechia in the first camp, while Estonia is in the second. As Czechia lifts the requirement to show proof of vaccination to enter restaurants and mass gatherings, Estonia has u-turned on a similar plan
Poland is predicted to have the highest level of inflation of 6.8% in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) – and the EU as a whole – this year, according to a new European Commission (EC) forecast. The EC’s prediction for Poland is way over the average predicted rise in the
NATO has sent troops to Lithuania, which the country’s head of state says should be permanently stationed in the Baltic country. A rotating contingent of soldiers “would be the best boost to security and deterrence that NATO could provide – not only to Lithuania, but to the whole region”, President
Estonia has become the digital model for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) due to a digitalisation policy that has seen it close in on the wealth and GDP of EU countries further west. The keystones of Estonia’s ‘CEE dream’ are increasingly recognised as public service digitalization and digital integration.
The European Commission (EC) unveiled legislation designed to double Europe’s share of the semiconductor industry yesterday. The so-called Chips Act addresses supply-chain shortages in the EU’s tech sector. Having assigned EUR 11 billion for the package, the EU aims to raise EUR 43 billion overall and gain a
Riga International Airport will invest more than EUR 247 million in developing the facility by 2027, according to its Runway 2027 strategy, released on Wednesday. The scheme aims to reach nine million serviced passengers and 48,500 tonnes of freight annually within five years,while implementing green goals and reducing