‘In its LGBTIQ+ strategy, the Commission proposes to include hate speech in the…list of serious crimes—all to “better protect” the LGBTIQ community. This would not only mean that the 27 Member States would need a common approach to defining what constitutes “hate speech” but also that all EU countries would be required to fight against such crimes collectively.’

‘The debate on the motions took place on Monday, followed by the vote on Thursday. The Patriots criticized the Commission’s trade deals: not only the EU–US deal, which introduced high tariffs on European exports, but also the Mercosur agreement, which opens European markets to cheap agricultural products from Latin America.’

‘This is precisely the power of diplomacy. Minsk’s example demonstrates that authoritarian regimes respond to smart diplomacy. The leaders of such countries also react to incentives—be it better trade deals or a bit of international spotlight.’

Hungary is urging the EU to classify Antifa as a terrorist organization following the assassination of free speech activist Charlie Kirk. With past violent attacks in Budapest and controversial EP immunity for suspect Ilaria Salis, officials argue that Antifa poses a serious threat to public safety and that Brussels must align with US counterterrorism measures.

The Patriots for Europe face growing scrutiny over alleged ties to €4.3 million in misused EU funds linked to the dissolved ID group. As legal pressure mounts, critics argue the investigation reflects political bias and double standards within EU institutions, raising concerns about the impartiality of oversight bodies in Brussels.

At the SCO summit in Tianjin, leaders from Russia, China, India and beyond gathered to deepen trade ties, challenge Western influence, and promote a new Eurasian vision. With Europe largely absent, and figures like Modi, Putin and Xi taking centre stage, the summit signalled a significant shift in global power dynamics.

The European Commission’s failure to appeal the Court’s ruling in the Pfizergate case highlights ongoing transparency issues in the EU. Missing texts between von der Leyen and Pfizer’s CEO raise questions about accountability in vaccine negotiations—questions the Commission’s vague explanations have yet to answer.

‘Critics of the deal highlighted that—although some ridiculed the UK in May for agreeing to 10 per cent tariffs with Washington—the post-Brexit United Kingdom managed to strike a more favourable deal with the US administration than the economically more powerful 27-member European Union.’

‘The EU accession of a country financially subjugated to Brussels would have far-reaching implications for the functioning of the Union. If Ukraine were to join the EU as a Member State, it would gain veto power in the Council, a Commissioner in the European Commission, and dozens of MEPs in the European Parliament—amounting to significant voting influence within EU institutions.’

The Council of Europe has raised alarm over widespread abuse by Ukrainian military recruiters. Days later, a Hungarian man allegedly died after violent conscription. With Brussels silent, Hungary is demanding answers—and questioning Ukraine’s readiness for EU membership.

Ukraine’s decision to strip the leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of his citizenship sends a disturbing message to Orthodox communities living in the EU, where Kyiv seeks to join.

Protests in Serbia have continued since November, sparked by a deadly infrastructure collapse and growing anger at President Vučić’s government. As the EU backs protesters and withholds aid, Hungary defends Vučić, denouncing the movement as a foreign-backed attempt to destabilize the region.

‘As a historian, much of Karol Nawrocki’s career—especially as President of the Institute of National Remembrance—was dedicated to studying the crimes committed against Poles during World War II. During his campaign and since, President Nawrocki emphasized multiple times that Ukraine must make concessions with regards to its memory politics.’

‘During the Leaders’ Summit in Fontainebleau on 8 June 2025, PfE heads issued a joint statement in which they “reaffirmed their desire to work together to make Europe a continent of power, peace and freedom once again.” Leaders expressed their concerns that the “failed policies” of Brussels harm the European economy and competitiveness, and as a result, Europe risks losing its global influence.’

Karol Nawrocki’s presidential victory marks a conservative shift in Poland, raising tensions with Brussels and Kyiv. Backed by Law and Justice, Nawrocki is critical of EU influence and Ukraine’s NATO bid, while calling for historical accountability in Polish–Ukrainian relations.

‘Since March of this year, Belgian authorities have been investigating certain members of the European Parliament for their possible complicity in Huawei’s schemes to influence the EU’s co-legislator. News first broke about the scandal when the police conducted 21 searches in Belgium and Portugal.’

‘While already several rounds of negotiations took place between Washington, Kyiv and Moscow, no agreement has yet been reached on a ceasefire. With the Trump administration’s frustration growing with Moscow, Zelenskyy also accused the Kremlin of prolonging the war.’

‘Many accused the court’s ruling of depriving the electorate the chance of deciding who is fit to hold political office in France. Rather than disqualifying Le Pen from the presidential race, it could have been decided to merely fine the party for the misappropriated funds. The ban on running for office is widely seen as a disproportionate intervention into the political affairs of the country…’

‘A right-wing candidate who was allowed to enter the race is George Simion from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR)…While back in November polls failed to predict Georgescu’s victory, currently George Simion seems to be among the electorate’s favourites for the presidential role.’

‘Along with its growing prominence as a religious place, Jasna Góra also became known as a site of Poland’s struggle for its freedom and sovereignty. As Poland was fighting for its independence on multiple fronts, the monastery was one of few fortresses that stood against the Swedish invasion in the 17th century.’

Last weekend the world was shocked by news of a fire that took the lives of 59 people in a North Macedonian nightclub and injured an additional 156. The blaze broke out after 2am at Club Pulse, most probably due to the pyrotechnics used during a concert. Arguably the nightclub fire is the worst tragedy that has happened in North Macedonia in recent memory.

‘Now, that the new US administration is very clearly pursuing a different policy on Ukraine compared to its predecessor’s, Europe’s attitude should adapt too. The fact that European leaders’ messages after Friday do not signal any change in the EU’s policy demonstrates that Europe is unable or unwilling to realize that…the only way forward is to end the war on the Eastern front as soon as possible.’

‘…an attempt to invest into alternative suppliers…can be understood as an effort to diversify supply chains amid rising competition between Washington and Beijing. The United State’s quest to secure its supply of critical minerals is especially timely given the fact that a couple of months ago, in December 2024 China imposed restrictions on the export of several minerals and metals to the US.’

‘As of now most critical minerals originate from China, which controls about one third of the world’s total rare earth metal reserves. The attempt to invest into the Ukrainian mine industry is widely seen as an effort to diversify supply chains amid rising competition between Washington and Beijing.’

Earlier this week Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigned from his post following mounting pressure from the parliament pursuing an impeachment process against him. The controversy was sparked by the Romanian constitutional court’s decision last year to cancel the Romanian presidential elections and—as no new president was elected—lengthen Klaus Iohannis’ term in office.

Albeit much smaller than the one dedicated to the Soviet Red Army, and much more hidden than Ronald Reagan’s statue, Liberty Square is also home to the bronze sculpture of a little known but extraordinary figure: US General Harry Hill Bandholtz.

Over the past three years Milanović earned himself the reputation of being ‘the Croatian Donald Trump’. He became internationally well-known for his opposition to and critique of the West’s military support to Kyiv. The re-elected president condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while he was also a vocal critic of Europe’s attitude towards the conflict.

The restaurant, established in the 1860s, was taken over In 1910 by János Gundel, a German immigrant from Bavaria, who gave the restaurant the name it is known by today.

Ilona Zrínyi, a noblewoman hailing from a Croatian–Hungarian aristocratic family, is one of the most defining female figures in Hungarian history. An uncompromising patriot and fearless leader, the Countess defended the castle of Munkács (Mukachevo) for three years against the Habsburg forces. Although she died in exile in Turkey in 1703, she was reburied alongside her freedom fighter son, Ferenc II Rákóczi in Kassa (Košice, Slovakia) in 1906.

Zsuzsanna Kossuth was Lajos Kossuth’s youngest sister, who, similarly to her revolutionary leader brother, was a devoted and selfless patriot. In April 1848 she set out to establish field hospitals to provide medical aid to soldiers wounded during the freedom fight, and she also created a large network of voluntary nurses.