Lesia Dubenko is an alumna of Lund University. Previously published in the Financial Times, New Eastern Europe, Atlantic Council, Kyiv Post. Covering EU/NATO/Ukraine. Co-author of a report on migration for the ICMPD.
Romania's establishment was stunned when TikTok-powered outsider Călin Georgescu leapt from 6% in polls to 22.94% in Sunday's presidential vote, but former foreign ministry counselor Eusebiu Slavitescu sees social media algorithms at work, not shifting allegiances.
Only seven of Europe's NATO members now fall short of minimum defense spending targets, but they include economic powerhouses Italy ($2.0 trillion GDP) and Spain ($1.4 trillion).
Ukraine sees opportunity in Trump's seemingly contradictory cabinet picks: hawks in charge of foreign policy, while controversial anti-Ukraine nominees face Senate blockade.
"We'll not tolerate Russia’s support of genocidal maniacs and will help Ukraine win once we’ve defeated our chief enemies. But you need to be creative too, so if you need nukes, why not eye Belarus?"
The rise of populist parties in Germany's recent elections signals frustration with the federal government, not a demand to end military aid to Ukraine. Dr. Benjamin Tallis argues that Chancellor Scholz’s cautious stance on aid contrasts with public opinion, which strongly supports a Ukrainian victory.