EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Hungary-Ukraine: deadlock

Brussels 24.02.2024 The European Union failed to agree on a 20th sanctions package targeting the ‌Russian authorities more broadly and ‌a €90bn ($106bn) loan for Ukraine. (Ukraine drone attack, Feb.23,2026) Hungary, the long-standing client for Russian oil, vetoed the measures – which required unanimous approval within the EU bloc, following their claims that Kyiv is…

EU-RF: eight new individual sanctions

Brussels 24.02.2026 The Council of the European Union expanded sanctions against Russia under its sanctions regime for human rights violations. On Monday, February 23, eight more Russians were blacklisted for serious human rights violations, the suppression of civil society and the democratic opposition, and the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in Russia,…

Bulgaria: U.S. military jets ready for Iran

Photos on Facebook show that several U.S. military planes are stationed at Sofia Airport. Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Milen Keremedchiev wrote in Facebook: “Currently, there are 7 US military tanker planes at the airport for refuelling fighter jets in the air, 3 cargo C-17s and C-130s, as well as several Boeing 747s for…

Rubio disguised as Europe’s “child”

Brussels 14.02.2026 The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has addressed European leaders at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in a speech seen as disguised as a conciliatory than in previous years. “In a time of headlines heralding the end of the transatlantic era, let it be known and clear to all that this…

NATO: Arctic Sentry announcement

12.02.2026 Today at NATO meeting in Brussels, US Secretary of State Pete Hegseth was absent, highlighting concerns about America stepping back from the alliance. European allies announced Arctic Sentry, a new mission to strengthen Arctic security amid Russian and Chinese activity. While analysts see it largely as a rebranding of existing drills, NATO hopes it…

Telegram restricted in Russia

Brussels 11.02.2026 The Founder, and CEO at the @telegram social media and instant messaging service since 2013 Pavel Durov (pictured) responded to Russia’s phased restrictions imposed on the platform. Russia is restricting access to Telegram to force its citizens onto a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship. This authoritarian move won’t change our…

EU-Russia sanctions XX: Greece & Malta in doubts

10.02.2026 Greece and Malta have spoken out against the European Union’s (EU) proposal to replace the price cap on Russian oil with a ban on services necessary for its transportation, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions. Greece and Malta hesitate over EU’s Russia oil services ban — Bloomberg https://t.co/G3CNhberAN — The Edge Singapore…

Will U.S. Congress reprimand EU censors?

Brussels 07.02.2026 The EU executive on strongly rejected accusations made in a US congressional report that it had forced social media platforms to censor American content. (Image above: EU Parliament, Strasbourg, France) The House Judiciary Committee released a interim staff report titled “The Foreign Censorship Threat, Part II: Europe’s Decade-Long Campaign to Censor the Global…

Kallas demands more funds for defence

Brussels 28.01.2026 The European Union must improve its defence and make Nato “more European to maintain its strength”, because the U.S. has changed the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, the EU’s top diplomat has said. We want strong trans-Atlantic ties.But Europe needs to adapt to new realities. It is no longer Washington’s primary centre of…

BRAFA 2026: optimistic outlook

Brussels 26.01.2026 As a barometer for the art market, the opening days of the 71st edition of BRAFA indicate an utmost promising start to 2026. The atmosphere among the 147 exhibitors is exceptionally positive and, during the first three days – by invitation only and reserved for the fair’s most loyal collectors – several major…