NATO urging Europe to ramp up air defenses fivefold in face of Russian threat, Bloomberg reports
NATO defense ministers will discuss the air defense boost at a gathering in Brussels on June 5, sources told Bloomberg on the condition of anonymity.
Europe
Who is Nawrocki, Poland's new president, and what could his narrow victory mean for Polish-Ukrainian relations?
In a closely contested presidential runoff, conservative historian Karol Nawrocki has been declared the winner of Poland's 2025 presidential election, securing 50.89% of the vote against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski's 49.11%. The result marks a significant shift in Polish politics, with consequences for both the domestic and
Easing fears of US pullback, Trump to appoint next chief of NATO's European command, Reuters reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to appoint the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure, Reuters reported.
China сuts drone sales to Ukraine, West but continues supplying Russia, Bloomberg reports
President Volodymyr Zelensky said China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine and Western countries while continuing to supply them to Russia, Bloomberg reported on May 29.
Infighting around EU rearmament undermines grand ambitions for European defense
Despite grand plans, the European Union’s hoped-for rearmament remains fully dependent on member nations stepping up their own defenses. In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an 800-million-euro "Rearm Europe" plan to build out a defense architecture that has depended on the U.S. since the
Europe's 'Trump shock' is opportunity to forge 'new West,' Timothy Garton Ash says
A so-called "Trump shock" has plunged Europe into its deepest crisis since 1945, but also presents an opportunity for the continent to forge a "new West," British historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash has said in an interview with the Kyiv Independent. The first months of Trump's presidency dispelled any
Next Ramstein summit to take place on June 4 in Brussels
The Ramstein summit will take place as Washington is trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to end Moscow's full-scale war. In the meantime, Russia is amassing forces for a new offensive against Ukraine while continuing its attacks on civilians across the country.
Latvia urges EU-wide halt to Russian visas over 'security concerns'
While some EU countries have restricted or halted visa issuance to Russian citizens, others have continued processing applications, keeping a legal pathway open for Russian travel to the bloc.
Russia can attack Europe 2-4 years after war's end, faster with lifted sanctions, Ukrainian intel chief warns
"If the sanctions are lifted, the rearmament process will proceed much faster," Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform.
Stripping Hungary's EU voting rights on agenda for May 27 meeting
The Council of the European Union will hold a hearing regarding the potential loss of Hungary's voting rights at a meeting on May 27, marking the eighth hearing regarding Budapest's alleged violations of founding EU principles.
EU officially agrees on 150-billion-euro defense fund
"SAFE is an advantageous, low-interest, multi-year loan guaranteed by the EU budget," the Council of the EU said.
Radio Free Europe to receive $6.2 million in 'emergency funding' from EU amid Trump cuts
The European Union is preparing to provide Radio Free Europe with a contract valued at 5.5 million euros ($6.2 million) in "emergency funding" to support the ongoing work of the media organization amid the Trump administration's funding cuts.
EU to downsize diplomatic service, prioritize Russia sanctions enforcement, POLITICO reports
The European Union is preparing to downsize its diplomatic service – the European External Action Service (EEAS) – and redirect funds toward strategic interests such as enforcing sanctions against Russia, POLITICO reported on May 20.
‘There we go again’ — For war-weary Europe, Trump-Putin call yet another signal to ‘wake up’
After a two-hour call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia reiterated its refusal for a full ceasefire in the war in Ukraine while the U.S. once again failed to respond with any significant pressure. For observers across Europe, watching the way the negotiations
Far-right candidate Simion contests Romanian election loss, alleges foreign interference
"I officially ask the Constitutional Court to annul the Romanian presidential elections for the same reasons the December elections were annulled: external interferences by state and non-state actors," George Simion wrote on X.
Hungary claims it exposed 2 Ukrainian 'spies' amid mutual espionage accusations
Prior, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) claimed that it had exposed a Hungarian espionage network in western Ukraine, detaining two agents. In response, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, a move met with reciprocal expulsions by Kyiv.
Kyiv to receive 400,000 more shells from Czech initiative, Ukraine's PM says
The country's opposition party, ANO, has threatened to suspend the munitions initiative if it wins parliamentary elections in October 2025.
EU members preliminarily agree to launch 150-billion-euro defense fund, source says
The new mechanism, proposed by the European Commission in March, will allow member states to borrow money from the EU to purchase weapons and military equipment.
Nicusor Dan wins Romanian presidential election, defeating anti-Ukraine Simion
In an anxiously watched race, Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan won the presidency against the far-right candidate George Simion, who is banned from entering both Ukraine and Moldova due to his extremist views.
Europe 'far from' discussing foreign troop deployment to Ukraine, Merz says
"There is no reason to talk about (troops) at the moment, we are far from that. We want the weapons to stop, the killing to end," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
Poland, Romania presidential elections held amid Russian interference, far-right surge — what you need to know
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information from Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR). Poland and Romania — key NATO allies bordering Ukraine — are holding presidential elections on May 18, with both votes unfolding under the shadow of Russian interference and rising far-right influence. The simultaneous elections are being
Ukraine takes 9th place in Eurovision 2025
Ukrainian band Ziferblat took ninth place at the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland. Their song "Bird of Pray" received 218 points – 60 from the jury and 158 from the audience.
US to begin talks on troop reductions in Europe later this year, America’s NATO envoy says
"It’s more than 30 years of U.S. desire (to reduce troops in Europe), President Trump just said, enough, this is going to happen and it’s going to happen now," U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said.
'We have to increase the pressure' — Von der Leyen vows new Russia sanctions after Putin skips peace talks
Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Commission is preparing a new sanctions package, which would include sanctions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, additional listings of vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, a lower oil price cap, and sanctions on Russia's financial sector.
'Time to increase the pressure' — Zelensky, European leaders speak with Trump following Istanbul peace talks
The conversation took place shortly after the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, which ended with little progress beyond an agreement on prisoner exchange.
Zelensky arrives in Albania for European Political Community summit
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Albania on May 16 to attend the summit of the European Political Community, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said, according to the state news channel Freedom TV.
US, Europe urge Zelensky to commit to Istanbul peace talks whether or not Putin shows up, WP reports
European and U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly convinced Zelensky that attending the peace talks would reflect positively on Kyiv, diplomats told the Washington Post.
Poland detects foreign-funded election ads amid fears of Russian interference
The disclosure follows a warning from Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, who on May 6 said Moscow was carrying out an "unprecedented" interference campaign.
Council of Europe backs special tribunal for Russian aggression against Ukraine
The Council of Europe on May 14 approved the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russia's top leadership for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian lawmaker Maria Mezentseva reported.
Despite the hype, EU's latest Russia sanctions 'not as strong as they should be'
The European Union’s 17th package of sanctions against Russia, agreed on May 14, is being hailed in Brussels as a symbol of steady resolve. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the move, insisting it would "keep the pressure high on the Kremlin." But outside the EU bubble,
Despite growth claims, Russia’s war economy shows deep risks, Reuters reports
"Contrary to Kremlin narratives, time is not on Russia’s side," reads a new report from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE).
Ukraine's Ziferblat progresses to Eurovision 2025 grand finals
Performing their song "Bird of Pray," Ukrainian band Ziferblat passed the Eurovision semi-finals on May 13, qualifying Ukraine for the grand final on May 17.
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
‘Neither side wasted time' — Ukraine's economy minister on minerals deal negotiations with Trump’s ‘business-oriented’ administration
Russia increasingly targets Ukraine's cities with cluster munitions, raising civilian toll
As US aid to Ukraine dries up, new platform connects American investors with Ukrainian startups
