The United Kingdom has cut funding for countering Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans from £40 million to £24 million for 2025-26. This funding is aimed at combating national security threats and strengthening democratic institutions.
The European Union has agreed on a new law that allows migrant applications to be processed outside the EU and simplifies deportations. This expands the list of "safe third countries" and limits the possibilities of obtaining asylum in the European Union.
Donald Trump is forcing EU leaders to confront a future in which America is no longer their primary security guarantor. Europe must organize its own defense much faster than anyone could have imagined.
Germany is developing and implementing a secret 1,200-page "Operational Plan Germany" (OPLAN DEU) in case of war with Russia, which provides for the transfer of up to 800,000 NATO troops to the front line. The plan details logistics and defense, and also brings back a Cold War mentality, taking into account modern threats and infrastructure problems.
The Ukrainian national team will face Sweden in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers play-offs. If they win, Ukraine will play in the final against the winner of the Poland – Albania match.
Eurostat has published data for the first half of 2025, showing a significant gap in electricity and natural gas prices between European countries. Some countries pay several times more than their neighbors.
The European Commission will publish its annual report on candidate countries for EU membership on November 4. Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania, according to media reports, received mostly positive assessments.
In an interview with CBS News, Donald Trump pulled out a list of 8 "ended wars" that he allegedly completed in 8 months. Critics questioned his claims.
Seven people have been arrested in northern Kosovo in connection with the 2013 murder of Audrius Šenavičius, a member of the EU Rule of Law Mission. After questioning, all were released, with weapons and other evidence seized.
The Swedish Football Association has fired 49-year-old Dane Jon-Dahl Tomasson from his position as head coach of the national team after defeats to Switzerland and Kosovo. The decision was made due to consistently poor results in the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
The United Nations is facing a liquidity crisis that will lead to a quarter reduction of peacekeeping troops in nine operations worldwide. This decision is due to a lack of funds, and future funding from the US remains uncertain.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is discussing the possibility of leading an interim administration in the Gaza Strip to oversee post-conflict reconstruction. This plan is supported by the White House, but Blair's appointment could cause controversy due to his past involvement in the Iraq War.
Oleksandr Usyk received a postponement from the WBO regarding his mandatory title defense against Joseph Parker. This allows Usyk to choose the next step in his career after the grueling fight with Dubois.
August 4, 2025 — MHP, an international food and agritech company, officially closed the agreement to acquire over 92% of the share capital of Grupo UVESA, one of the leaders in poultry and pork production in Spain with a vertically integrated structure.
Foreign ministers of Southeast European countries supported Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Participants of the meeting in Dubrovnik reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.
Donald Trump said that Israel and Iran should conclude a peace agreement, as he reconciled India with Pakistan. According to him, he also prevented a war between Serbia and Kosovo.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, announced the relaunch of the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans. He confirmed the requirement for candidate countries to implement reforms to meet EU standards.
lavrov criticized EU countries for obstructing visits by European leaders to moscow on May 9. He also accused the EU of double standards regarding Ukraine and Serbia.
The government of Montenegro is initiating a review of all honorary citizenships granted to foreigners. The decision was made following the case of a businessman who is implicated in a case involving the embezzlement of more than €2.2 million.
Thousands of people from Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia gathered in Belgrade for a rally in support of Vucic. This is a response to anti-corruption protests that threaten his position.
David Lammy calls on the EU to speed up the accession of the Balkan countries to counter the influence of the Russian Federation. The Kremlin is trying to use tensions to destabilize the region.
Russian pranksters deceived Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti by posing as the President of Latvia. Kurti's office stated that this incident confirms Russia's obsession with Kosovo.
The commander of the Swiss Armed Forces announced his readiness to provide 200 troops for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. This requires a request from the UN and the approval of the Swiss government.
The Self-Determination Party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, won 39. 8% of the vote in the Kosovo parliamentary elections. The party will have to look for coalition partners to form a government.
The Cabinet of Ministers has appointed Yevhen Moysiuk and Valeriy Churkin as deputy ministers of defense. Moisyuk will be responsible for the development of the Defense Forces, while Churkin will be in charge of military technology and innovation.
Seven Balkan countries were hit by heavy snowfalls and storms, leading to a transportation collapse. In Bosnia, 150,000 homes were left without electricity, and the city of Drvar was completely cut off from the world.
The Central Election Commission of Kosovo refused to allow the Serbian List party to participate in the parliamentary elections. The reason was the party's nationalist stance and its close ties to Serbia.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, FIFA showed a map of Ukraine without occupied Crimea. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demands a public apology.
Belgium plans to increase the number of troops in NATO to 1,500 in 2025. The country will also send F-16s to Iceland and return troops to the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
Donald Trump is considering the candidacy of Richard Grenell for the post of special envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Grenell previously served as US Ambassador to Germany and acted as Director of National Intelligence.
