Romania

Ukraine hits multiple Russian oil refineries, Trump calls for more EU oil sanctions

Ben Aris in Berlin September 15, 2025

Ukraine is expanding its campaign of trying to cut the Kremlin off from its oil export income with a campaign of targeting Russia’s oil refining and pipeline assets, using its new long-range drones and missiles.

COMMENT: Europe’s summer of humiliation

Ben Aris in Berlin September 15, 2025

This summer started with optimism around trade deals and progress in Ukraine, but quickly unravelled. Trade uncertainty is back, the war drags on with rising casualties, and Europe is now grappling with a raft of political crises.

Two thirds of Germans fear a Russian invasion fuelling far-right election gains in western heartland

Ben Aris in Berlin September 15, 2025

Public anxiety over a potential Russian attack on Nato territory has surged in Germany following the recent drone incursion on September 10 into Polish airspace that coincided with sharp gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Poll shows far-right opposition party AUR's support above 40% in Romania

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 12, 2025

Combined score of Romania's ruling coalition parties now only slightly ahead of AUR and fellow far-right parties.

Von der Leyen pledges unwavering support for Ukraine, unveils competitiveness reforms in EC state of the Union speech

Ben Aris in Berlin September 10, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual EU State of the Union address on September 10 to reaffirm the bloc’s commitment to Ukraine, signal a tougher stance on Israeli settler violence, and outline reform

Romania lowers 2025 growth forecast to 0.6% on weaker consumption

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 10, 2025

Revised forecast assumes slower household income growth, leading to reduced private consumption.

India, China, Europe, all face population declines by the end of the century – OWID

Esteban Ortiz-Ospina for Our World in Data September 8, 2025

This chart tracks the UN’s latest demographic projections for four large populations: India, China, Europe, and the United States. Together, they account for about half of today’s world population, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.

KYIV BLOG: Brexit on steroids

Ben Aris in Berlin September 5, 2025

The coalition of the willing Paris summit on September 4 ended in disaster. The European team has been working really hard for several weeks to thrash out a plan to save Ukraine and came together in Paris.

Trump chews coalition of the willing leaders out over Russian oil imports

Ben Aris in Berlin September 5, 2025

US President Donald Trump got into another shouting match over the Ukraine conflict, this time with Europe’s top leaders of the coalition of the willing, in a phone call following the end of the Paris summit on September 4.

Romania’s President Dan says securing stable government his top achievement in first 100 days

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 5, 2025

Nicușor Dan rates his performance at “seven to eight out of ten”, citing government stability and efforts to rein in Romania's deficit.

Romania’s retail sales rise 5.3% y/y in July, ahead of expected slowdown

bne IntelliNews September 5, 2025

Recent VAT and excise duty hikes as well as slower household income growth to weigh on consumption.

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