Eastern Europe / News
Poland the biggest winner from EU’s €2 trillion long-term budget, Ukraine to get €100bn
EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin unveiled the largest ever EU long-term €2 trillion budget that covers 2028-2034 in Brussels on July 16.
Svyrydenko appointed as new Ukrainian Prime Minister
Ukraine’s parliament appointed Yuliia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister on July 17, marking the most significant reshuffle of the government since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Four EU countries bail out of paying for Trump’s weapons for Ukraine
At least four countries are already bailing out of commitments to pay the US for weapons supplies for Ukraine, raising a question mark over the level of support Ukraine can expect now that the Trump administration has withdrawn.
COMMENT: Slovakia’ Prime Minister pushes back on EU gas phase-out, demands a delay to the sanctions as EU cracks widen
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is becoming a major embarrassment for the EU plans to phase out all Russian gas imports by 2028.
Hungarian farmers dump manure at EU headquarters in protest at planned cuts in CAP funds
Hungarian farmers dumped piles of manure in front of the EU’s headquarters in central Budapest in protest at the European Commission’s plans to overhaul the Common Agricultural Policy from 2028, leading to cuts in agricultural subsidies.
Kremlin vows to fight on, despite Trump's new sanctions and weapons package for Ukraine
The Kremlin already warned during the last Istanbul meeting that it might take as many as eight new regions if Ukraine does not accept its terms.
Slovak PM Fico delays approval of EU’s sanctions package again, blaming Slovak opposition
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has again delayed approval of the latest 18th round of EU sanctions against Russia, blaming his latest blocking on the opposition parties in Slovakia.
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Russia’s consumer spending motor runs out of fuel
A number of indicators point to the stagnation of consumer spending in Russia, which for years has been the main driver of economic growth.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal quits as Zelenskiy prepares to reshuffle the government
Move follows months of speculation over changes in the top ranks of Ukraine’s political leadership, as Zelenskiy looks to shore up his hold on power.
German Defence Minister Pistorius confirms transfer of two Patriot system to Ukraine, but warns could take “months”
Pistorius’ comments also confirm that new US-supplied military aid will not arrive in Ukraine soon.
Hungary to opt out of financing US weapons for Ukraine, foreign minister says
Péter Szijjarto says Hungary will not contribute to the financing of American weapons deliveries to Ukraine, should such a proposal be officially raised within the European Union.
Trump promises weapons, secondary sanctions on Russia if no deal in 50-days, but lots of questions remain open
US President Donald Trump announced that the US would supply Ukraine with billions of dollars of weapons “very soon”, including badly needed Patriot air defence missiles, and impose 100% secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Russia
Slovak PM Fico expects deal with EU over sanctions against Russia on July 15, and threatens to continue blocking sanctions if none made.
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico expects an agreement between the European Union and Slovakia could be reached on Tuesday, July 15, over Slovakia lifting its veto of the EU’s 18th round of sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine signs €11bn in reconstruction deals at Rome URC2025 conference
Ukraine signed close to 200 agreements and memorandums totalling €11bn during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) held in Rome, according to Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.
EC proposes floating Russian oil cap rate at 15% below global price
The European Commission has proposed a floating price cap on Russian crude oil set at 15% below the average global market price over the previous three months, European Union diplomats said on July 11.
Slovakia seeks EU guarantees on Russian gas phase-out ahead of sanctions deal
Slovakia is pushing for firm guarantees from the European Commission and key EU member states over the future of its energy security, as it links this condition to its support for a fresh round of sanctions on Russian gas imports.
Trump pledges first financial aid to Ukraine since he took over
President Donald Trump may sign off on the first new package of military funding for Ukraine of up to $3.8bn since taking office at the start of this year.
Lavrov visits North Korea to reaffirm security pact
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States, South Korea and Japan against forming a trilateral security alliance that explicitly targets North Korea, cautioning that such a move would inflame regional tensions.
Trump hits EU, Mexico with whopping 30% tariffs
US President Donald Trump escalated his trade war with Mexico and Europe by slapping whopping 30% tariffs on both, after neither of them managed to cut a new trade deal before the July 9 deadline.
A stray drone and the shadow of war: How fear and mistrust are pushing Nato and Belarus to the brink
In today’s Europe, even a foam-and-plywood drone can trigger fighter jets, send heads of state scurrying for shelter and deepen fears of war.