Russia

A collection of 140 posts

EC unveils EUR 2tn 2028-34 budget draft, tilting funding model towards CEE countries

EC unveils EUR 2tn 2028-34 budget draft, tilting funding model towards CEE countries

The EC is expected to present the proposal formally as part of its mid-term budget review later this year. The plan must be approved unanimously by all 27 member states and endorsed by the European Parliament. Opposition is expected from net contributor countries and regions facing cuts.

Balkan ministers back Ukraine’s NATO bid at Dubrovnik summit

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.

CEE diversifies on gas, as Merz decries Nord Stream 2 'mistake'

CEE diversifies on gas, as Merz decries Nord Stream 2 'mistake'

In late May, Merz said Nord Stream 2 must stay closed to “weaken Moscow's war machine” and also declared that his government would “do everything” to prevent the pipeline from going online.ce

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

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

Hungary proposes law to blacklist foreign-funded NGOs, media

Hungary proposes law to blacklist foreign-funded NGOs, media

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party submitted on Tuesday, 13 May a bill that would allow the government to monitor, penalise and potentially ban organisations receiving foreign funding and categorised as threats to national sovereignty. The draft law would expand the powers of the Sovereignty Protection

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

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

Far-right candidate leads in polls ahead of Romania presidential election rerun

Far-right candidate leads in polls ahead of Romania presidential election rerun

Romania will hold fresh presidential elections on 4 May, after its Constitutional Court annulled November's vote, citing Russian interference. However, the decision to disqualify nationalist frontrunner Calin Georgescu has seemingly propelled far-right leader George Simion into a commanding position, fuelling concerns about the direction of Romanian democracy. Generational

Poland leads CEE's rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO

Poland leads CEE's rearmament charge, as Trump cools on NATO

Poland is set to purchase an additional 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks for approximately USD 6.2bn (EUR 5.7bn), South Korean government officials announced on 9 March. The proposed agreement could be finalised as soon as next month and follows Poland’s earlier USD 12.4bn deal

Romania probes pro-Russian presidential candidate as six arrested for coup plot

Romania probes pro-Russian presidential candidate as six arrested for coup plot

Romanian authorities are investigating far-right, pro-Russian politician Calin Georgescu over allegations of working against the constitutional order, spreading misinformation and supporting extremist organisations. The probe follows the annulment of the 2024 presidential election in which Georgescu secured the most votes in the first round. The vote was invalidated over concerns