europe
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it dramatically changed the continent. The largest conventional war in Europe since World War II demanded Western leaders move away from their peacetime thinking and step in decisively to help stop the aggression. Despite clear warnings leading up to that moment, many were too slow to heed this call, says Timothy Garton Ash, an Oxford professor, historian, and commentator. In his prize-winning 2023 book "Homelands: A Personal History of Europe," Ash provides an a...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
U.S. and allied intelligence officials have noted a growing number of low-level sabotage operations in Europe that seem to be a part of Russia's effort to undermine assistance for Ukraine, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 26. The news comes only days after Poland arrested at least 12 residents over alleged spying and planning sabotage on behalf of Russia on Polish soil. These operations, spearheaded by the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU), are mostly arsons or attempted arsons targeting non-military targets and aimed at creating the impression of a domestic opposition against...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
The Polish government signed a contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) worth 300 million euros (around $326 million) to construct its part of the pan-European air defense, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk said in April that Poland is interested in joining the European Sky Shield Initiative, which currently includes 21 countries. The initiative aims to create an Iron Dome-style air defense system covering several European NATO member states. On May 20, Tusk announced that "in a few days," he and other European prime ministers would present the project of building an...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
The incoming Dutch government led by Geert Wilders' far-right PVV party has reaffirmed support for Ukraine "politically, militarily, financially, and morally against Russian aggression," it said in a statement on May 16. The Netherlands held an election in November 2023, which saw the PVV emerge as the largest force in parliament with 37 seats. Not enough to take power alone, weeks of negotiations were finally resolved this week with the announcement of an uneasy four-party coalition described as a "business government" arrangement. The four parties – PVV, the center-right VVD and NSC, and the...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
Russia does not seek cooperation with Europe, and if European countries want to ensure peace and prosperity, they must set "clear boundaries" for Moscow, Czech President Petr Pavel said in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Die Presse published on May 11. Tensions between Russia and Europe have been mounting since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022. According to the Czech president, Russia continues to see itself as a superpower with the right to dictate rules. Europe's support for Ukraine is therefore in its own interest, he added. "If we want to maintain se...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
Sweden will allocate 28 million euros to several funds to support Ukraine's defense capabilities, the country's Defense Ministry announced on May 9. According to a statement on the ministry's website, 18 million euros will be given to three coalitions within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and 10 million euros will go to NATO's fund for Ukraine. "The Swedish support will gradually develop towards buying new equipment from the industry for donation to Ukraine," Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said. "Through these payments to funds, we can strengthen Ukraine's defense in ...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
North Macedonia's conservative opposition party won a decisive victory in the country's dual parliamentary and presidential elections on May 8, according to preliminary results. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, a law professor supported by the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, won the presidency by a wide margin, ousting incumbent Social Democrat Stevo Pendarovski. Siljanovska-Davkova is the first woman to be elected president of North Macedonia. A coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE also won the majority of the nation's 120 parliamentary seats, though the exact distribution of seats will be determined in ta...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
Russia is plotting violent acts of sabotage across Europe, with intelligence agencies warning countries on the continent to expect more covert bombings and arson attacks on infrastructure, the Financial Times (FT) reported on May 6. Several high-profile incidents in recent weeks have put a spotlight on cases of attempted sabotage by people accused of working on the Kremlin's behalf. According to assessments from three different European countries shared with the FT, this and other evidence point to a more direct and concerted effort directed by Russia as it commits to a course of permanent con...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
French President Emmanuel Macron on April 25 urged other European Union states to strengthen their defenses and to reconsider their role on the global stage. "There is a risk our Europe could die. We are not equipped to face the risks," Macron said during a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Macron stressed that Europe now "lacks ambition" and operates "too slowly" in a fast-changing world full of challenges such as war, increasing trade competition, and energy scarcity, among others. Europe is now "divided," he said, and needs to become a superpower that can defend its borders with l...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
A second tranche of EU macro-financial assistance totaling 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) has been given to Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on April 24. The EU approved the four-year Ukraine Facility in February, allocating 33 billion euros ($35 billion) in loans and 17 billion euros ($18 billion) in grants. The first tranche of 4.5 billion euros ($4.8 billion) was given to Ukraine on March 20. "Ukraine is carrying a heavy burden on its shoulders for all of us. Today, we disburse an additional (1.5 billion euros), under the (50 billion euros) Ukraine Facility...
Kyiv Independent (UK)
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