EU issues new alert for planes flying in Russian airspace
The move comes after the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane last month.
Europe
Moscow closely monitoring Trump's Greenland ambitions, Kremlin claims
"We are interested in preserving the atmosphere of peace and stability in the Arctic zone. We are watching the rather dramatic development of the situation very closely," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's comments about taking over Greenland.
Russia’s gas sector is running out of options after end of transit deal
Ukraine’s decision to end the gas transit deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom has been hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as one of Moscow’s biggest defeats. "When (Russian President) Vladimir Putin was handed power in Russia over 25 years ago, the annual gas pumping through Ukraine to Europe
Europe might soon feel ‘intense pressure’ to strike a deal with Moscow, Polish FM warns
"But what kind of deal would a sensible Europe accept? Certainly not an ordinary deal that would allow Moscow to regain its strength," Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.
EU chief von der Leyen ill with 'severe' pneumonia, cancels engagements
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has canceled engagements for the first half of January due to a case of "severe pneumonia," a commission spokesperson said.
'We are not Russia' — Thousands protest Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda in Bratislava
Approximately 4,000 people assembled in Bratislava on Jan. 3 to protest Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian policies, according to local media.
Slovakia may cut aid to Ukrainian refugees over Russian gas transit halt, PM Fico says
The announcement follows Robert Fico's earlier threats to cut off electricity exports to Ukraine.
Russia loses key leverage over Europe after Ukraine halts gas transit, FM Sybiha says
Ukraine terminated Russian natural gas transit through its territory on Jan. 1.
Citing Orban’s 'corruption,' Hungarian opposition leader calls for early elections in video address
Peter Magyar accused Prime Minister Viktor Orban of turning Hungary into "the EU's poorest, most corrupt nation."
Polish farmers to protest Ukrainian imports, EU policies, in Warsaw on Jan. 3
The protest follows a series of demonstrations by Polish farmers against Ukrainian agricultural imports since the start of the full-scale war.
Ukraine’s electricity imports increased more than fivefold in 2024
Ukraine’s electricity import increased more than fivefold in 2024 to 4.4 million megawatt-hours (MWh), ExPro consulting company’s electricity monitoring data showed on Jan. 2.
European gas prices rise after Russian gas transit through Ukraine halts
The rise in gas prices to 51 euros per megawatt-hour is the highest since October 2023.
Pro-Russian hackers launch cyberattack against Italy's Foreign Ministry, Milan airports
The websites had to shut down temporarily, Italy's cybersecurity agency said, but no flights were disrupted. A pro-Russian hacker group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Willingness to support Ukraine 'until it wins' drops significantly in Western Europe, poll says
Public willingness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has dropped significantly across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the U.K., according to a YouGov poll reported by The Guardian on Dec. 26.
Russia ready to export gas to EU via routes bypassing Ukraine, official claims
The declaration comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a press conference on Dec. 19 that Ukraine would not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.
'If Putin attacks, we need to be able to wage war,' German Defense Minister says
Boris Pistorius has come out in favor of a reform of the debt brake in order to increase funding for military defense.
Zelensky to meet NATO chief Rutte, EU allies during talks in Brussels
Ukraine's allies have doubled down on economic and military support for Kyiv in attempts to strengthen the war-torn nation's hand before any potential peace talks.
German CDU party highlights support for Ukraine in election program, European Pravda reports
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), one of Germany’s leading political parties, has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine as part of its platform in the upcoming German parliament elections, European Pravda reported on Dec. 14.
NATO members mull raising defense spending benchmark to 3% GDP, FT reports
European NATO foreign ministers began discussing a plan to gradually increase the alliance’s defense spending target from 2% of their GDP to 3% by 2030, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 12, citing undisclosed sources.
China curbs sale of drone parts to US, Europe, hindering Ukraine’s war effort, Bloomberg reports
Chinese manufacturers began limiting their sales of vital drone components to their U.S. and European customers, preluding a broader ban on exports by officials, Bloomberg wrote, citing undisclosed sources on Dec. 9.
EU Defense Commissioner proposes $105 billion defense budget allocation, Politico reports
European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for defense in the next seven-year EU budget, Politico reported on Dec. 8.
Why the West misunderstood Russia’s initial assault on Ukraine
On July 17, 2014, the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17, a commercial plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, shocked the world. The crash claimed the lives of all 298 passengers and crew, including 80 children. It marked a significant escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine that had
CERN ends cooperation with Russian institutes
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on Nov. 30 officially cut ties with research institutes in Russia, following a decision to allow the cooperation agreement to expire in light of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
West provided enough aid for 2.5 brigades out of requested 10, Zelensky says
"They speak about mobilization, but the real problem [is] with 10 brigades which our partners didn't equip," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Sky News published on Nov. 29.
Europe in 'actual war' with Russia, former UK intelligence chief says
"I think we have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they're in a state of war with us," Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, told Sky News on Nov. 27.
Georgescu’s rise exposes the fragility of Romania’s pro-European consensus
The meteoric rise of hardcore nationalist Călin Georgescu in Romania’s first-round presidential election over the weekend is nothing short of remarkable. Georgescu surged from just a few percentage points in polls weeks before the vote to claim over 23% of the electorate, defeating candidates from the country’s two
Opinion: Europe’s 2% defense benchmark is an illusion, not a solution
With Donald Trump back in office, Europe faces a new era of uncertainty. The once-reliable comfort of American support — a cornerstone of European security — is now more in question than ever. For decades, Europe has assumed the U.S. would always be there to pick up the slack. But those
Poland signs deal with domestic companies to kickstart ammunition production
Poland has signed a letter of intent with domestic companies to begin producing nitrocellulose and multi-base powders essential for ammunition manufacturing, according to a Polish government report published on Nov. 18.
EU pushing Biden for last-minute measures to support Ukraine, Bloomberg reports
Some EU officials are urging the U.S. to provide more weapons and artillery to Ukraine, as well as permissions to carry out long-range strikes on Russia, sources told Bloomberg.
Opinion: How EU nations can prevent the worst-case outcome for Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly hopes to exploit any effort by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to enforce a de facto capitulation of Ukraine. How might this plan unfold, and what should EU countries do now? This is how an ideal scenario might look for Russia: Step 1: Trump wants
Opinion: Trump could actually be good for Europe
Before the U.S. presidential election, it seemed like no one but Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters believed he could win. After all, the man is a convicted felon, a putschist-provocateur, an agent of chaos, and a walking scandal who has been disowned by almost all his former advisors, some
Trump's plan for Russia's war in Ukraine needs to be taken seriously, Finnish president says
After a call with Trump on Nov. 11, Alexander Stubb said his intentions after taking office in January 2025 are clear.
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