All Europe
- Ukraine: Narrative of war’s atrocities is ‘forging a nation together’
Russia’s wartime atrocities have created a visceral shared experience for Ukraine. That is feeding a grand historical narrative, which some say had been missing.
- First LookEnergy blackmail? Russia cuts gas to Poland, Bulgaria
Russia’s state-owned natural gas company, Gazprom, cut natural gas deliveries to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria Wednesday over their refusal to pay for the gas in Russian rubles. National and European leaders are blasting the move as “blackmail.”
- As they aid Ukrainians, Russians abroad struggle with their own identity
For the Russian diaspora, the Ukraine war has brought a desire to help refugees – and soul-searching about how they think of their identity.
- First LookUkraine empowered by Western arms, derailing Putin’s war strategy
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third month, the steady flow of weapons from the West continues to grow. Ironically, it's exactly the type of close cooperation between Ukraine and NATO countries Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to avoid.
- Macron faces a fractured France. Can he govern for the whole?
Emmanuel Macron managed to overcome a far-right challenge. But the greater one may be coming: finding a way to unify an increasingly fractured France.
- First LookWill EU's new law clean up online hate speech and disinformation?
The European Union reached an agreement on the Digital Services Act – legislation dedicated to policing hate speech, disinformation, and other harmful content online. The law's backers say it will make big tech firms more accountable for content created by users.
- First LookSlovenia opposition ousts Trump-backing prime minister
Slovenian voters picked a liberal political outsider over their incumbent right-wing populist prime minister in parliamentary elections on Sunday. The prime minister of the EU member state had been one of former U.S. President Donald Trump's rare supporters in Europe.
- First LookFrench elections: Why most European leaders cheer Macron's victory
President Emmanuel Macron is the first French president to win reelection in 20 years. Mr. Macron won with 58.5% of the vote to Marine Le Pen's 41.5%, a significantly closer race than when they first faced off in 2017.
- How far right will France's leftist voters be willing to go?
Leftist voters in France are kingmakers in what they see as an unappealing election between a center-right president and a far-right populist.
- Can €20 million save a dying village? Italy is about to find out.
When countries try to save dying villages, is it better to spread resources widely, or to invest heavily in a select few? Italy is trying the latter.
- First LookPutin declares Mariupol victory but Ukrainians hold out
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in the siege of the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Thursday. However, about 2,000 Ukrainian troops remain holed up in a sprawling steel mill complex in the city.
- Russia says it’s fighting Nazis in Ukraine. It doesn’t mean what you think.
Why do Russians seem to believe the Kremlin that Ukraine needs to be “denazified”? It may turn on the post-Soviet understanding of what a “Nazi” is.
- Supplying Ukraine: US and allies face hard choices on hard power
As a decisive battle for eastern Ukraine begins, Kyiv wants more firepower. But there’s disagreement among the U.S. and some allies over how far to go.
- First LookGerman firms, unions say ‘nein’ to Russian energy boycott
Amid calls worldwide to boycott Russian energy exports, which fund Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany’s largest union and industry groups have come out in opposition. They fear a natural gas boycott could throw the country into a recession.
- First LookRussian attacks on Donbas signal new phase of Ukraine war
The Kremlin declared the capture of the Donbas its main goal after its attempt to storm Kyiv failed. “The Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Monday evening.
- First LookWhy Russian missiles are hitting Lviv and other Ukraine cities now
At least seven people were killed Monday by a Russian missile strikes in Lviv, Ukraine. The Russian military said its missiles struck more than 20 military targets in eastern and central Ukraine in the past day.
- First LookUK wants to fly asylum-seekers to Rwanda: Is that humane?
The U.K. government is set to sign an “economic development partnership’’ with Rwanda that will relocate asylum seekers to the East-African country. The deal has drawn outrage from opposition and refugee groups for being inhumane, ineffective, and wasteful.
- First LookIn Russia, protesters risk prison charges to speak out about Ukraine
In Russia, a law was passed last month that outlaws the spread of “false information” about the invasion of Ukraine and disparaging the military. Now, hundreds of Russians are facing charges and possible prison sentences for speaking out against the war.
- First LookRussia's Putin vows to continue war, sets focus on Donbas
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he'll press Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the war neared its seventh week on Wednesday. Ukraine said it was investigating a claim that a poisonous substance had been dropped on its troops.
- First LookPolice fine UK’s Boris Johnson for pandemic party
London police fined British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday for celebrating his birthday party at government offices in violation of COVID-19 measures. The announcement set off a storm of condemnation, but the prime minister says he won’t resign.