When it comes to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the major focus of masses is understandably on the immediate atrocities against civilians and war crimes, it is exceptionally essential to throw light and bring the issue of environmental degradation and climate change associated with the military to the mainstream discourse.
The rogue three EU member states are back in the news. This time it is in regard to protests closing border crossings with Ukraine.
While people have been focusing on the potential changes in Poland due to the election, Hungary will be impacted as well. The two member states have rebelled against the EU together for years yet Hungary may now find itself alone.
Far-left Robert Fico and SMER-SSD win the Slovak national election. He is pro-Putin and is against assistance to Ukraine.
The European Union’s perspective on China has undergone a notable transformation in recent years. This change can be attributed to the escalating tensions between the United States and China, mounting concerns over human rights violations, and the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Chinese stance. The EU must reassess its China strategy amid these shifting dynamics.
Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have taken it upon themselves to unilaterally ban grain and agricultural products from Ukraine. Ukraine has filed a complaint with the WTO and the EU may defend them while simultaneously start an infringement procedure against them.
Ukrainians who fled the war went to a large number of EU member states including Czechia. While many have found jobs others continue to struggle due to the language barrier and the national government continues to cut financial assistance for Ukrainians who temporarily relocated to Czechia.
Romania is debating how to prioritize exports from Romanian farmers over those from Ukrainian farmers at the Constanta Port. Some EU member states have been getting heated about the impact Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU have had on their own farmers.
The Russo-Ukraine conflict has strengthened the EU’s will to seek strategic autonomy. However, the EU’s reliance on the US and NATO for security may halt further plans for strategic autonomy.
On the 14th of September, Ursula Von der Leyen spoke in front of the European Parliament to deliver 2022’s State of the Union speech. The President of the Commission was accompanied by the guest of honour for the evening, Mrs. Olona Zelenska. It has been 8 months since the beginning of the Ukrainian war, which has prompted an energy crisis, stark inflation and interruptions in supply-chains across Europe as a spillover effect, among other consequences.
