Since 2008, Victory Day celebrations of the defeat over Nazi Germany have become yearly and has turned into what some Russian opposition observers call ‘Victory Madness’ (победобесие). The scale and intensity of World War II’s glorification and of the Kremlin as an eternal defender against ‘Nazism’ have become unprecedented. But that was not always the […]
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More EU cooperation needed to mitigate risks to critical maritime infrastructure
Critical maritime infrastructure is fundamental to the security and economic stability of the European Union. With the majority of global trade and commerce taking place via sea routes, any disruption to maritime infrastructure can have severe consequences. From underwater infrastructures attacks – such as pipelines and undersea cables – to illicit activities like terrorism, piracy, […]
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European Parliament calls for a coordinated EU strategy against foreign interference
Political elites in the EU advancing Gazprom’s agenda and Hungary’s susceptibility to Russian intelligence activities are among many examples named in the new report. The EU needs a coordinated strategy against foreign interference and information manipulation (FIMI), including measures to enforce better existing provisions to fight it, say MEPs in a report adopted on Wednesday. […]
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Geopolitical consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
At a meeting on 24 April, EU foreign affairs ministers focused on military support, restrictive measures, food security, and accountability but also the implementation of the action plan on the geopolitical consequences of this war. The EU aims to strengthen its partnerships around the world to reinforce global stability and growth. Sudan The Foreign Affairs […]
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A new method to help policymakers defend democracy against hybrid threats
Hybrid threats pose a specific danger to the EU and other democracies, because they target core democratic processes and weaken citizens’ trust in their institutions and governments. In recent years, authoritarian regimes and non-state actors use hybrid threats to achieve their hostile, strategic objectives. By combining different types of tools and organised actions, such as […]
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MEPs support establishment of EU rapid reaction force
The EU military instrument for rapid reaction to crises would consist of up to 5000 troops and should reach full operational capability by 2025 at the latest. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 444 votes in favour, 96 against and 86 abstentions, MEPs support the proposal to establish the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU […]
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Ukraine joins EU Civil Protection Mechanism
On 20th April, Ukraine becomes a Participating State of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – the European solidarity framework that helps countries overwhelmed by a disaster. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, is in Kyiv to officially sign an agreement on behalf of the European Union granting Ukraine full membership of the Mechanism. During his visit, he will […]
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Defence in Space: How is EDA providing support to the EU’s wider strategy?
No one can accuse the European Union of a lack of ambition in space. It has one of the largest space budgets in the world. Two of its best-known systems are Copernicus, the EU’s Earth Observation (EO) programme, and Galileo, the EU’s Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS). The development of a new communication constellation, called […]
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Council adds Wagner Group and RIA FAN to EU sanctions list
The Council decided to add the Wagner Group and RIA FAN to the list of those subject to EU restrictive measures for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. This decision completes the ‘Wagner package’ adopted on 25 February and underscores the international dimension and gravity of the group’s activities, […]
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