Author: Iris East

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that America seeks stronger partnerships and reduced dependency from European allies, during a joint press conference in Bratislava with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, amid ongoing discussions on military cooperation and support for Ukraine.

Hungary’s main opposition leader Péter Magyar accused the government of blackmail using a secretly recorded sex tape to discredit him. He called for respect for privacy and urged voters to mark the upcoming elections, where his Tisza Party leads opinion polls.

Kaja Kallas, Estonia’s Prime Minister, rejected US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s claims of Europe’s civilisational decline at the Munich Security Conference, asserting that the EU remains an attractive political project amid criticism over migration and climate policies.

European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef expressed respect for the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych over his helmet depicting fallen athletes, stating he was saddened the issue could not be amicably resolved ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, declared at the Munich Security Conference that the longstanding global order “no longer exists,” warning the US against isolation in current power politics. He emphasised the urgency for democratic countries to rethink security strategies amid rising threats.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Europe to collaborate with the US in a “civilisational quest” to address the West’s challenges at the Munich Security Conference. He urged shared principles to strengthen historical ties amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, challenged NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Munich Security Conference, urging EU leaders to activate the mutual defence clause amid growing security concerns in Europe, particularly due to the Ukraine conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the absence of European leaders in US-led peace negotiations with Russia, calling it a “big mistake.” He stressed the need for Europe’s security interests to be included as Ukraine prepares for further talks and demands clear security guarantees.

Warsaw is vying to host the new EU Customs Office amid a political battle and significant technological challenges, as officials assess its suitability for this critical role in EU operations.

UK Faces Arctic Blast: Met Office Warns of Snow and Ice Conditions — what we know so far The Met Office has issued severe snow and ice warnings across the UK as a cold Arctic air mass descends, with significant snowfall expected in various regions. Areas particularly at risk include the south-west and parts of northern England, where as much as six inches of snow may blanket the landscape in just a matter of hours. Guidance from the Met Office indicates that these conditions could lead to hazardous travel situations and potential disruption to emergency services. Residents are advised to…