Central Europe / News
War of words escalates between Budapest Brussels and Kyiv following the latest Druzhba oil pipeline attacks
US President Donald Trump is very angry with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over the attacks on Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline that lead to an exchange of irate letters over the weekend.
Russian oil deliveries to Hungary off again after third attack on Druzhba pipeline as Ukraine ups attacks on Russian oil assets
Russian crude deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary were suspended on August 21 after a third attack on the Druzhba pipeline system in less than two weeks, officials confirmed. Flows are expected to remain offline for at least five days.
Ukraine hits Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline again with drones
Ukraine has carried out another strike on the Druzhba oil pipeline, hitting the Unecha oil pumping station in the latest of a series of incidents targeting the Soviet-era pipeline.
Czech ANO party ejects candidate who schemed to kill ex-husband’s dog
For dog-loving Czechs, the scandal is the biggest setback so far for populist ANO, which is a heavy favourite to win the October parliamentary elections.
Peace turns on possible new Western security deals for Ukraine
Mixed results for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy following the historic meeting with US President Donald Trump and seven European leaders on August 18 in the White House.
High stake talks in Washington between Trump, Zelenskiy and EU leaders
Following the underwhelming Alaska summit, US president Donald Trump has invited five European leaders, NATO, and the EU to the Oval Office as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to close a deal that could end the war on August 18.
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Romania and Slovenia rival NASDAQ 100 returns over the past decade
InterCapital's Divo Pulitika says Romania and Slovenia have delivered some of the highest equity returns globally over the past decade.
European beekeepers oppose higher duty-free honey imports from Ukraine
The European Beekeeping Association (EBA) has called on the European Commission to delay a planned increase in duty-free honey imports from Ukraine, warning that the move risks worsening pressure on the EU’s honey market.
Ukraine slams Slovak strongman Fico, saying he does not understand causes of war in Ukraine
PM Robert Fico and his nominally leftist Smer party have moved deep into national conservative waters and adopted pro-Kremlin propaganda talking points about Russia being “provoked” into invading Ukraine.
Slovak ruling party lawmakers criticised for meeting far-right influencer Andrew Tate
Smer politicians have become increasingly radical since the slump in the Slovak ruling party's popularity.
Slovenia bans imports from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories
Ban needed in response to humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, says Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, one of the most vocal EU critics of Israel’s actions in Palestine.
Lithuania faces government reshuffle as ruling Social Democrats tap Ruginiene for PM
Party hopes for a fresh start with young female candidate after damage caused by revelations of ex-PM Gintautas Paluckas' shady business dealings.
Nawrocki sworn in as Poland's president, setting up showdown with Tusk government
Nawrocki, a historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party and a newbie in top politics, used his inaugural address to deliver a scathing critique of the government.
Latvia declares nationwide 'state of emergency' over extreme farming conditions
Latvia's government has decided to implement an agricultural emergency across the country, lasting until November 2025, in response to climate change.
Czech president says Ukraine unlikely to reclaim occupied territories
Czech President Petr Pavel has said Ukraine will not be able to liberate its Russian-occupied territories in the near future, and that it is unfair to pressure Kyiv to give them up, Interfax reported on August 5.
China’s BYD entry to Slovak market boosts EV sales
The entry of China’s BYD on the Slovak market is boosting the sale of electric vehicles (EVs), according to industry experts.
Polish manufacturing downturn eases in July but remains steep
Business conditions in Poland’s manufacturing sector continued to deteriorate in July, though at a slower pace than the month before.
Slovenia announces imposition of arms embargo on Israel
Slovenia imposed an embargo on exports, imports and transit of arms to Israel, becoming the first European country to take such action, Prime Minister Robert Golob announced following a government session.
Lithuanian PM Paluckas to step down amid allegations of shady business dealings
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda confirmed on the morning of July 31 that the Social Democratic Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas is stepping down, following a series of controversies and possible law infringements.
Hungary U-turns on EU defence loan scheme as it joins €150bn defence financing initiative
Hungary has reversed its earlier opposition and joined 17 other EU member states in applying for loans under the European Union’s €150bn defence financing initiative, the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme.