Southeast Europe / News
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US to present a 28-point ceasefire plan to Ukraine as a fait accompli
A new US 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine suddenly burst on to the scene on November 20, as the White House hopes to use the growing pressure on Ukraine to force terms on Kyiv as soon as this week.
Prime minister’s spending cuts plan prompts tensions within Romania’s ruling coalition
PM Ilie Bolojan's proposed 10% cut to the total personnel budget across all ministries was strongly criticised by the Social Democratic Party and public sector unions.
Kosovo headed for early elections after Konjufca fails to secure majority for new government
Kosovo has been in political deadlock since the February general election.
Albanian PM accuses UK home secretary of using “populist far-right rhetoric”
Edi Rama slams Shabana Mahmood for pledge to deport hundreds of Albanian families whose asylum applications have been rejected in latest spat between Tirana and London over migration.
Russia agrees to sell stake in Serbian oil firm NIS
The Russian owners of Serbia’s oil company NIS have agreed to sell their 56.15% stake and are in talks with a potential buyer, as Belgrade races to meet US demands for a full Russian exit from the company.
EU opens final accession negotiation cluster with Albania
Albanian PM Edi Rama says the EU has "no escape from Albania ... we’ll stalk them to the end" as Tirana aims for membership by 2030.
Serbia faces uncertainty over long-term Russian gas deal
Serbia’s plans for a new long-term gas contract with Russia’s Gazprom remain uncertain, with officials now aiming for a short-term extension.
Serbia holds emergency talks on fate of Gazprom-owned NIS
Serbia’s government held an emergency session to decide whether to nationalise oil company NIS after the US rejected a request to extend the firm’s operating licence and demanded a full exit of its Russian owners.
Leaked documents show Belgrade signed secret deal with Kushner to redevelop protected site
Serbia’s government signed a JV with a company owned by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, to redevelop the former General Staff headquarters in central Belgrade, investigative weekly Radar found.
Bulgaria’s parliament overturns president’s veto on Lukoil refinery law
Bulgaria’s parliament overturned President Rumen Radev’s veto on a law that gives the government more control over the local assets of Russia’s oil company Lukoil, less than ten days before new US sanctions take effect.
Rio Tinto postpones Serbia lithium project amid permitting delays
Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has postponed development of its multi-billion dollar Jadar lithium project in western Serbia, after years of delays and public opposition.
Bulgarian president vetoes law on seizure of Lukoil assets
The veto comes just ten days before new US sanctions on Lukoil take effect, which could block the operation of its Bulgarian assets.
Russia signals readiness to give up control of Serbia’s NIS amid US sanctions
Russia is prepared to relinquish control of Serbia’s oil company, NIS, to a third party to resolve US sanctions that threaten the firm’s operations and Serbia’s energy security.
Milan prosecutors probe claims Italians paid to shoot civilians in Bosnian war
Investigators are seeking to identify Italian citizens who allegedly travelled to Bosnia to take part in what witnesses have described as a “human safari”.
Paval Holding, Zabka and Auchan reportedly eye Carrefour’s Romanian operations
Carrefour is understood to have appointed BNP Paribas to explore investor interest in its Romanian operations.
Bulgaria and Romania seek to delay sanctions against Lukoil
Sanctions imposed by US authorities on Lukoil's global operations expected to cause costly disruptions at the Russian group's local refineries.
Serbia’s parliament approves law clearing way for Kushner-backed Belgrade project
Lex specialis enables construction of a $500mn luxury hotel and residential complex backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Serbia plans record spending ahead of Expo 2027
2026 budget prioritises infrastructure investments linked to the government’s Leap into the Future – Serbia 2027 programme.
Bulgaria moves to seize Lukoil refinery to shield it from US sanctions
Bulgaria is preparing to take control of Russian oil company Lukoil’s Burgas refinery, the country’s only oil-processing facility, to protect it from US sanctions.
Nato chief downplays US troop withdrawal, reaffirms commitment to Romania
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte sought to ease concerns over the recent withdrawal of a US infantry brigade from Romania.