A collection of 78 posts
As political landscapes shift across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), governments are recalibrating their approaches to Ukraine, European security, and internal governance. The region remains split between pro-European integration and nationalist, often pro-Kremlin, forces: Czechia and Poland reinforce their commitments to Ukraine, while Hungary and Slovakia align with Moscow. Meanwhile,
Crowds flooded the streets of the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Saturday, 15 March, in the largest demonstration of the recent anger towards the government to date, and possibly the biggest protest in the Balkan country’s history. The students leading the protests are demanding government accountability regarding the collapse
The dramatic breakdown of relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, 28 February, is prompting Central and Eastern European (CEE) nations to urgently reassess regional defence strategies. The meeting, streamed from the Oval Office, was ostensibly held to formalise
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European leaders to step up their efforts towards peace in Ukraine during a string of high-level phone calls on Friday, 21 February, including several with premiers of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. Zelenskyy stressed that Europe must act more decisively, in a televised
As Bulgaria edges closer to the Eurozone, some 1,000 protestors gathered outside the National Bank headquarters waving banners and placards proclaiming “No to the euro” and “Yes to the Bulgarian lev” in a demonstration organised by the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane (Revival) Party on Saturday, 22 February. The demonstrators later proceeded
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on European leaders to increase their defence spending while maintaining close ties with the US, before an emergency summit of European leaders in Paris on Tuesday, 18 February. US President Donald Trump’s decision to attempt to negotiate a peace deal on Ukraine with
The Munich Security Conference ended on a cautiously positive note for EU candidate countries Albania and Montenegro on Sunday, 16 February. After a tumultuous 3 days, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos namechecked Albania and Montenegro as “front-runners” for EU accession during a roundtable discussion, adding that their negotiations could be
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stressed the necessity of European involvement in any peace talks involving Russia and Ukraine, at a meeting in Paris on 12 February, arguing that a fair deal with strong security guarantees is essential for lasting peace. Poland inks open letter with other major EU powers
The European Commission (EC) unveiled its flagship “Competitiveness Compass” initiative on 29 January, the first major project of its 2024-29 term. The initiative is designed to serve as a strategic roadmap to foster innovation in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, quantum tech and biotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)
The suspension of foreign aid by incoming US President Donald Trump on 24 January is causing major disruption in sectors including independent media and NGOs across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with many institutions now frantically seeking alternative funding sources. The US has traditionally played a key role in funding
The year in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has begun with large-scale protests across the region, including in Serbia, Slovakia, Greece and Montenegro, amid rising geopolitical tensions. While the triggers vary, the demonstrations have the common thread of addressing government incompetence and demanding improved transparency, reforms and alignment with European
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged European countries to increase defence expenditures in alignment with the official 2% of GDP target for NATO members, as frequently cited by US President Donald Trump. Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Tusk emphasised that the EU’s survival depends on its
Hungary’s political landscape is marked by a mix of economic uncertainty increasing opposition momentum and continued tensions with the EU, according to the annual report of independent Budapest-based think tank Policy Solutions. “Fifteen years in power was supposed to be a key milestone when things could have mellowed for
Romania’s government has approved a repeat presidential election in May after institutional chaos and controversy saw the ballot in November annulled. The rerun vote is scheduled for 4 May and – if no candidate secures a simple majority – another will be held on 18 May. Romania’s Constitutional Court on
US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, 20 January, broke with tradition and extended invitations to political leaders. However, footage of former Poland prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki attempting to cross a barricade into the ceremony site by showing US National Guard members his Wikipedia page, which went viral