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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s planned May 9 visit to Moscow has drawn attention to divisions within the EU over relations with Russia, with reports of airspace disputes and conditional forgiveness from Poland. TASS reports Fico's itinerary, including meeting President Putin, and his briefing to Austrian President Van der Bellen.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, discussing intergovernmental consultations and bilateral cooperation. Fico reiterated Slovakia's opposition to military loans for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of oil and gas transit via Ukraine for Slovakia's national interests.
France is under increasing pressure over cadmium contamination, with health warnings, a citizens' petition, and a parliamentary bill targeting cadmium-heavy fertilisers. Nearly half the population is exposed to levels above recommended safety limits, according to France's health agency ANSES, with food as the primary source of exposure.
The 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders shows press freedom at its lowest in 25 years, with more than half of countries rated 'difficult' or 'very serious'. The US has fallen to a historic low, while the report highlights regional declines and specific country trends.
Rosatom's CEO Alexey Likhachev has stated the company is prepared to justify every aspect of the Paks-2 nuclear project to Hungary's new government, emphasizing that cost and parameters are based on professional calculations and international oversight. The statements come as Budapest signals it may revisit the project's financial terms.
The European Union has finalized a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, to be repaid through future reparations from Russia, while keeping frozen Russian central bank assets as a guarantee. Russian officials, including Security Council members and the Foreign Ministry, have condemned the decision, warning of financial strain on European citizens and sovereignty erosion.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claims NATO officers are infiltrating Ukrainian armed forces' command structures, citing a newly established advisory council. Ukraine's General Staff confirms the council's formation, chaired by British General Sir Richard Shirreff, but frames it as a reform initiative. Zakharova also addressed EU sanctions, Armenia, and space policy.
Russian diplomats and officials have condemned the EU's 20th sanctions package over Ukraine, arguing the measures lack UN legitimacy and harm third countries. The EU adopted the package after Slovakia and Hungary dropped opposition, including import quotas on ammonia and new export restrictions.
EU leaders gathered in Cyprus to approve a €90 billion loan to Ukraine and discuss geopolitical challenges, including wars in Iran and Ukraine. The summit also addressed ceasefires in Lebanon and the US-Israel conflict, as well as the EU budget for 2028-2034.
Oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia have resumed after a three-month suspension, according to Slovak officials. The restart follows a complex dispute involving Ukraine, Hungary, and the EU, with Hungary's blocking of a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine cited as a key factor in unlocking the flow.
The European Union has cleared a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their veto, ending a months-long standoff triggered by the disruption of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. The EU also adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, with disbursements expected to begin in the coming months.
The European Union has reached an agreement to release a €90bn loan for Ukraine, ending a months-long dispute with Hungary over oil pipeline repairs. The loan, vital for Ukraine's budget through 2027, was approved alongside a new sanctions package against Russia, with disbursements expected to begin in the second quarter.
Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boka said Russian oil may reach Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline on April 22, after a halt since January 27 due to Ukraine's blocking. Supplies are expected to resume after Ukraine announced transit resumption at noon April 21. Boka credited Hungary's strategy, including blocking an EU loan to Ukraine, for the resumption.
Oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia have restarted after a three-month halt, according to Hungarian energy company MOL and Ukrainian officials. The resumption may unlock a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine that Hungary had blocked over the shutdown.
A new report shows the number of foreign-born residents in the EU reached a record 64.2 million in 2025, up 2.1 million from 2024. Germany remains the top host country with 18 million residents, while Spain saw the fastest growth, adding 700,000 in a year.
The European Union is expected to approve a €90bn loan to Ukraine after Hungary agreed to lift its veto, following Ukraine's promise to restore Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline. The loan, vital for Ukraine's war effort, had been blocked since February over Budapest's demand for resumed oil deliveries. Diplomatic sources and EU officials confirmed the breakthrough ahead of formal approval.
The European Union has adopted its 20th sanctions package against Russia, but dropped a proposed ban on maritime transportation of Russian oil. The package includes export bans on energy equipment, designations of shadow fleet vessels, and restrictions on Russian ports.
EU member states have given preliminary approval to unblock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, with Hungary given 24 hours to finalize its sign-off. The move follows Kyiv's repair of the Druzhba pipeline, which had been damaged and halted oil deliveries to Hungary, prompting Budapest to block the loan. EU officials expect oil to flow within days, and the bloc also plans an additional €2.7 billion allocation for Ukraine.
Ukraine announced the completion of repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries Russian crude to Europe, after months of tension with Hungary and Slovakia. The move is expected to unlock a €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv, though analysts warn of ongoing geopolitical risks.
Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria won the April 19 parliamentary election, securing an absolute majority. His past ties to Moscow and vague policy plans raise questions about Bulgaria's future direction, while his support for anti-corruption protests suggests a potential reformist agenda.