Romania
EU delays Russian oil sanctions
The European Commission has removed a proposal to fully phase out Russian oil imports from its near-term agenda, delaying a key element of its RePowerEU strategy aimed at ending reliance on Moscow’s energy supplies.
The death of coal power in the UK - OWID
The United Kingdom was the birthplace of coal. It has now, effectively, died there, Our World in Data reprots.
Which countries in Europe and Asia have the most reserve coal-fired generating capacity in reserve?
Natural gas prices have already doubled since the start of the war in the Middle East and are expected to rise higher as the last of Qatar’s LNG exports arrive at their destinations. Now everyone is switching to coal.
The West has split – Stubb
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has warned that relations between the US and Europe are fracturing under Donald Trump’s policies, urging allies to “salvage what you can” of the transatlantic alliance.
EU-Mercosur trade deal to take effect provisionally from May 1
The European Commission has announced that its trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc will provisionally enter into force on May 1, marking a crucial milestone for a long-negotiated pact.
The West has split – Stubb
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has warned that relations between the US and Europe are fracturing under Donald Trump’s policies, urging allies to “salvage what you can” of the transatlantic alliance.
Renewables supply nearly half of EU electricity in 2025
Almost half (47%) of the European Union’s electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2025, according to new data from Eurostat, which will provide a significant buffer at a time when the fossil fuel markets have been plunged into chaos.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb adds his voice to EU calls for Russian reengagement
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has added his voice to the growing number of calls from EU members to reengage with Russia.
Deadlock in Romanian parliament delays vote on 2026 budget
Impasse after Social Democratic Party fails to secure support for €220mn “solidarity package” for low-income pensioners and other vulnerable groups.
RAGOZIN: EU’s Conflict of Conflicts
Europe’s quiet revolt: how Trump’s Iran war is forcing the EU to choose between Washington’s conflicts and its own interests
Democratic decline deepens in Eastern Europe as global slide to autocracy accelerates
Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding, says V-Dem Institute Democracy Report.
Europe buys Russia’s entire share of Yamal LNG exports in February
Europe bought every single shipment of LNG produced by Russia’s Yamal LNG plant in February -- first time since April 2018 that the EU accounted for 100% of exports from the Arctic facility.
Wages in Romania post deep 5.5% y/y real contraction in January
Drop follows a period of strong wage expansion, with real net wages having surged by 11.1% over the two years leading up to January 2025 — a pace widely seen as unsustainable.
Tensions within Romania’s ruling coalition escalate over 2026 budget
Both main parties have signalled they could withdraw from the government after disagreements over the budget.
Belgium’s De Wever calls for EU to reengage with Russia on Ukraine peace talks
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has called for the EU to restart talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, calling it “the only option.”
Romania’s industrial activity hits lowest level since lockdown in January
Outlook for February indicates further deterioration as manufacturing PMI index declines.