Eastern Europe / News
Babiš says he will axe state military aid for Ukraine if ANO forms next Czech cabinet
After his ANO party won Czechia's general election, Babis told journalists he won’t give Ukraine a single crown for weapons.
Putin arrives in Tajikistan for meetings with Central Asia, CIS leaders
Calls made for Tajiks to arrest Russian leader under international court warrant, but Dushanbe remains strategic ally of Kremlin.
Austria and Slovenia advocate qualified majority voting to unblock EU enlargement
Dropping unanimity requirement could accelerate the accession process for Ukraine, Moldova and potentially Western Balkans, but faces opposition from within the EU.
Poland and Baltic states deride former German chancellor Merkel for Ukraine war comments
Angela Merkel’s comments on Eastern European resistance to her diplomatic overtures towards Moscow before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered strong reactions in Poland and the Baltic states.
Russia struggles to restore gas payments to Moldova’s separatist Transnistria region
Russia is seeking a new intermediary to facilitate payments for natural gas deliveries to Transnistria after European banks reportedly blocked financial transfers routed through Dubai.
Kremlin resists Tomahawk transfers as Ukraine seeks long-range strike capability
Institute for the Study of War says Kremlin is fearful that expanded long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine would erode the sanctuary Russia currently enjoys in its rear.
EU nears decision on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine as divisions persist on new sanctions
Ukraine's allies warn that interest earnings from the frozen funds will not be enough to sustain its economy if the war continues into 2027.
Russia destroys Polish fashion retailer LPP's warehouse in Lviv
Warsaw-listed LPP says cooperation with multiple logistics providers means deliveries to Ukrainian stores will continue without interruption.
Afghanistan tightens control over Russian, Belarusian agents claims Ukrainian Intelligence
Afghanistan's Taliban-led government is intensifying efforts to monitor and restrict the activities of Russian and Belarusian operatives within its borders, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service.
Ukraine general alleges Russia employs 20,000 North Koreans in military production
North Korea has long been among Russia’s more controversial allies in the war against Ukraine, supplying artillery, missiles and troops. In late 2024, Pyongyang reportedly deployed 11,000 to 12,000 troops to aid Russia.
Russia’s oil and gas revenues fall 25% in September, deficit seen rising
Moscow faces fiscal pressures as it grapples with declining energy income and rising spending.
Ukraine warns Poland over President Nawrocki’s bill targeting nationalist symbols
Ukraine will be “forced to take retaliatory measures” if Poland passes a bill equating Ukrainian nationalist movement with Nazism and communism, Ukrainian historians.
Putin accuses Europe of blocking Ukraine peace and calls Nato a ‘paper tiger’
At Valdai Discussion Club, Russian president also accuses Ukraine of endangering the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and threatens retaliation against Ukrainian reactors.
Ukraine cuts ties with Nicaragua over occupied territories recognition
Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with Nicaragua after the Central American nation formally recognised Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories.
US reportedly to share intelligence with Ukraine for long-range strikes on Russian energy sites
US to provide Ukraine with intelligence support for long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as Trump shifts stance, with Tomahawk missiles under consideration.
Russia’s debt service costs swelling due to high interest rates
Russia’s debt servicing costs are swelling, despite the low level of debt, thanks to sky high interest rates, the Ministry of Finance (MinFin) said on September 29.
Orban dismisses Ukraine drone incursion as “it is not a sovereign state”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dismissed allegations that Hungarian drones violated Ukrainian airspace last week as irrelevant even if they had, as “Ukraine is not an independent, sovereign country”, he said in an interview.
Russia could use UN Security Council presidency to destabilise Bosnia, ISW warns
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia will use its United Nations Security Council presidency to “review the implementation of the Dayton Accords”, indicating Kremlin aims to create instability in the Balkans.
Lavrov pushes Russian agenda, networks with the Global South at UNGA
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York to lambaste the West and continue building up the growing Global South community that is aligning with the BRICS-led alternative pole
Serbia arrests two suspected trainers of Moldovan election disrupters
Pair arrested on suspicion of training Moldovan and Romanian citizens to carry out unrest during Moldova’s September 28 general election.