Ruginiene in poll position to become Lithuania’s next PM
The 44-year-old former Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation chairwoman now awaits a parliamentary confidence vote to approve her cabinet and programme.
NATO
A collection of 77 posts
Dan gov’t confirms Russian election hacking, citing NATO, EU
Romania’s 2024 presidential elections marked the first instance of a national vote annulled due to foreign interference within the EU, the European Commission noted. The episode has triggered renewed calls in the EU and NATO for enhanced cybersecurity capacity and democratic resilience across CEE.
Austria should consider NATO membership - Meinl‑Reisinger
Finland and Sweden abandoned their long-standing neutrality and joined NATO in 2023 and 2024 respectively, citing heightened security threats from Russia. Austria, bordered by NATO members Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, is increasingly the odd one out in Central Europe’s defence landscape.
Slovenia cancels NATO referendum amid rising defence cost backlash
The Slovenian referendum cancellations should stabilise Golob’s coalition, ahead of national elections in 2026. However, the episode reflects wider unease across CEE, as rising military costs challenge domestic politics and expose diverging visions of NATO’s future.
Balkan ministers back Ukraine’s NATO bid at Dubrovnik summit
Serbia and Bulgaria did not sign the Dubrovnik declaration. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding NATO, while Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has voiced concerns about deepening military support for Ukraine.
Poland invests EUR 565mn in ammo plants
The plan will build a new facility and upgrade two existing ones, investing around EUR 565mn. The project will ramp up Poland's annual production of NATO-standard 155 mm artillery shells from 30,000 to 180,000, and also increase manufacturing capacity for 120mm tank rounds and propellant components.
NATO endorses 5% defence spending framework at The Hague summit
Under the Hague Investment Plan adopted on 25 June, NATO members committed to raise annual defence-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The 5% comprises 3.5% on conventional military capability and 1.5% on infrastructure, cyber-defence and civil preparedness; including support for Ukraine. cet
Protestors to target NATO summit in the Hague
The People for Peace coalition, which includes left-aligned Dutch lawmakers and activists with prior ties to Russian disinformation networks, is expected to stage events near the World Forum venue and at key traffic corridors.
CEE leaders push for more weapons, NATO spending, at Vilnius summit
The summit reflected growing urgency in CEE ahead of the NATO meeting in The Hague scheduled from June 24-26. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the meeting in The Hague would demonstrate the alliance’s commitment to collective defence.c
Lithuania steps up defence as ex-CIA chief cites Russian threat
“If Ukraine falls, Lithuania is next. That’s not speculative. It’s consistent with everything Putin has said and done,” Petraeus said.
Far-right Simion wins first round of Romania's presidential rerun, to face Bucharest mayor in runoff vote
Far-right leader George Simion surged to a clear lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun, taking 40.9% of the vote ahead of the 18 May runoff that could reshape the country’s entire political trajectory. Simion, leader of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of
Serbia, Hungary deepen defence, energy ties
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.
US soldiers die during Lithuania training exercise
A total of three US soldiers were found dead while a fourth remains missing after their armoured recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog during a NATO training exercise near the Belarusian border in Lithuania on 25 March 2025. The incident occurred at the General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area
'We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition' - Estonia defends policy
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur pushed back on Tuesday against criticism of the country’s joint ammunition procurement strategy, defending multilateral arrangements as the most efficient way to ensure quick and cost-effective delivery. Pevkur, a member of the Reform Party, rejected claims that Estonia would have received munitions faster through
Poland, Czechia back 'coalition of the willing', Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump
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,