Sky-high clash: What’s Elon Musk’s issue with Poland?
The media worldwide has picked up on the sharp exchange between Elon Musk and the Polish Foreign Minister regarding the war in Ukraine.
Defence
A collection of 57 posts
Record budget for defence requested in Romania
Romania’s Ministry of Defence has requested a record budget for 2026, seeking 57 billion lei in direct allocations.
American claims on Greenland: where should Poland stand?
In Poland, many fear the country could be caught between two fires if the United States were to take concrete steps toward acquiring Greenland.
Swamp defence reimagined – natural tank traps in the Baltics
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
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
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
The minister highlighted by resigning he aimed to prevent further distractions from national security concerns.
War fatigue in the region: how perceptions of the conflict in Ukraine have changed
Public attitudes toward the war in Ukraine vary highly and have shifted significantly across the CEE region.
Romania bolsters NATO security role amid Black Sea tensions
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
Romanian PM Ilie Bolojan warned that peace is no longer guaranteed, stressing that ensuring security is a shared responsibility of society.
Von der Leyen tours NATO frontline countries
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
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.
Hungary, Slovakia resist EU's energy, budget reforms amid growing east-west schism
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
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
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