Claudia Ciobanu

By Claudia Ciobanu Foreign ministers of the five biggest powers in Europe together with the incoming top EU diplomat and host Poland held

Elsewhere, Hungary's controversial commissioner gets another 4 years, this time in charge of animal welfare; Russia sabre-rattles over opening of first US permanent base in Poland; and Czechs approve purchase of 14 Leopard battle tanks from Germany.

Elsewhere in the region, Fidesz looks to rehabilitate disgraced politicians, past and present; Czech cabinet rejects idea of appointing a ‘euro czar'; and Slovak coalition endures turbulent times.

Elsewhere, allegations of boozing in Slovak parliament as coalition passes 2025 budget; Polish farmers take their tractors onto the streets (again); and reports of gunshots at the University of West Bohemia (ZCU) deemed a hoax.

Expectations that Polish-German relations would reach new heights once Donald Tusk's government came to power never materialised. But a visit to Warsaw this week by Germany's likely next chancellor is raising hopes again.

Elsewhere, Hungarian PM continues his ‘peace mission' with visits to US and Turkey, and a call with Putin; Slovakia passes law critics call a “whip on doctors”; and Czechs urged to remove all legal obstacles to properly compensate victims of forced sterilisation.

The first Queer Museum in Central and Eastern Europe opened this December in the centre of Warsaw.

Angry at a corrupt, coercive system of military conscription, or simply unwilling to fight, many Ukrainian men are paying their way past a ban on leaving their homeland, slipping into Moldova, Romania, Poland and Hungary.

Elsewhere, former treasurer of Slovakia's ruling Smer party investigated in Norway over allegations of money laundering; Polish government approves legislative changes to restrict right to asylum; and Czech movie ‘Waves' makes Oscars shortlist.

The Polish government threatens to request the EU Commission initiate proceedings against Hungary if Orban's government fails to comply with its obligations under the European arrest warrant system.