Europe Watch

10 Ukrainians Humbled Two NATO Battalions. When Will NATO Wake Up?– warontherocks.com

pgnewser March 26, 2026 0

Blurb:

Last May, NATO invited 10 Ukrainians to act as an opposing force during Hedgehog 2025, one of NATO’s largest exercises in the Baltics. The Ukrainians successfully simulated the destruction of 17 armored vehicles and conducted 30 strikes in half a day, effectively neutralizing two NATO battalions before dinner. One observing commander summed up the broader implication in three words: “We are finished.” Ominously, the exercise occurred without American forces.

The Western debate on Ukraine is sometimes framed as an act of generosity, with NATO propping up a beleaguered partner. This perspective is wrong and dangerously blind to a strategic asset for the alliance hiding in plain sight. Ukraine’s expertise has already proven vital, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announcing that Ukrainian experts are deploying to the Middle East to assist in countering Iranian Shahed drones, offering the United States concrete solutions to an otherwise expensive problem. Four years ago, the West answered Ukraine’s call for military aid. Now, Ukraine is ready to answer back.

Fury in Russia as Putin to ban popular app from April | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser March 26, 2026 0

Blurb:

The Russian public is pushing back against the planned ban of a popular app created by two Russians, with even pro-Kremlin voices fearing it could backfire. In a rare public opposition to blocking Telegram, the country’s most popular messaging channel, Vladimir Putin has been warned that the proposed ban could have negative consequences at home and on the battlefield.

But authorities have increasingly portrayed Telegram as contributing to terrorism and criminal activity, restricting the app and targeting its founder. Similar grounds have already been used to restrict other messaging apps, including the February block on WhatsApp.

From April 1, Telegram should be blocked completely too. Instead, the Kremlin is steering users towards its new state-backed messaging app, MAX, which is feared to be used for surveillance. The “national messenger” is similar in functionality to Telegram, but it’s also integrated with Russia‘s government services portal and can serve as a digital ID.

Russia ‘Deeply Outraged’ by Reported Strike on Iran Nuclear Plant Site– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser March 26, 2026 0

Blurb:

Russia said Wednesday it was “deeply outraged” by a reported strike on the grounds of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, which it partially constructed and helps operate.

“We are extremely outraged by this reckless, irresponsible manifestation of a disastrous course,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

A projectile landed inside the plant’s compound late Tuesday but caused no damage, Iran’s atomic energy organization said, accusing the United States and Israel of attacking the facility.

Germany looks to AI for help with combat decisions – army chief — RT World News– www.rt.com

pgnewser March 26, 2026 0

Blurb:

Berlin plans to use Ukraine’s experience to develop an advisory tool, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding has said

The German military is developing an artificial intelligence system to speed up battlefield decision-making by analyzing combat data, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding has said, adding that it will draw on Ukraine’s experience of fighting Russia.

The remarks by Freuding, the commander of the German land forces, come as the country is undertaking a major military buildup. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is seeking to make the German military “the strongest conventional army in Europe.” German officials have set 2029 as the deadline for the armed forces to be “war-ready,” citing the supposed Russian threat. Moscow has dismissed claims that it harbors hostile intentions as “nonsense” aimed at justifying increased military spending.

“I think it’s important that we get something up and running quickly,” Freuding told Reuters on Wednesday. He had previously overseen German arms supplies to Kiev before taking up his current position in October 2025. An advocate of close military cooperation between Berlin and Kiev, Freuding previously unveiled plans for the Ukrainian military to help train German troops for a possible conflict with Russia.

Russia, Ukraine tit-for-tat attacks knock out power for over half a million | Russia-Ukraine war News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser March 25, 2026 0

Blurb:

Russia and Ukraine have targeted each other’s energy facilities in tit-for-tat attacks, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power, officials from both countries said, as the world’s attention has shifted to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Nearly half a ⁠million people were left without electricity in Russia’s Belgorod region, while 150,000 consumers ‌in the city of Chernihiv and surrounding areas were without power on Wednesday.

EU Delays Proposal to Permanently Ban Russian Oil– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser March 25, 2026 0

Blurb:

The European Union on Tuesday postponed the unveiling of a law that would permanently ban Russian oil imports, coming amid supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.

The April 15 unveiling date has reportedly been removed from the European Commission’s REPowerEU roadmap calendar.

EU Commission energy spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said a new date has not yet been determined, but stressed that Brussels remains “committed to making this proposal.”

U.K. police examine possible Iran link after Jewish charity ambulances torched – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser March 25, 2026 0

Blurb:

Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were set on fire early Monday in London in what British police are investigating as an antisemitic hate crime. Detectives are working to determine whether a claim of responsibility from a group with alleged links to Iran is authentic.

Though it has not been classified as a terrorist incident, counterterror officers have been put in charge of the investigation. No one was injured in the nighttime attack, which shattered windows in nearby homes and left the vehicles charred shells.

Ukraine peace talks stall as Russia begins its spring offensive– www.euronews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

After a few rounds of trilateral talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia, the diplomatic process aimed at putting an end to Moscow’s full-scale invasion has largely stalled with no clear progress in sight.

Kyiv’s delegation returned from two days of meetings in Miami with few tangible results, following what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a discussion over “the key points, opportunities and challenges”.

“The most important thing is to work out security guarantees in such a way that they bring us closer to ending the war. Security is the key to peace.”

British House of Lords Votes for Abortions Up to Birth– www.lifenews.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

Baroness Monckton’s amendment (424) to overturn the extreme abortion up to birth clause 208 was rejected by Peers who voted 185 to 148 against it; and Baroness Stroud’s amendment (425) to reinstate in-person consultations with a medical professional prior to an abortion taking place at home was also rejected by Peers who voted 191 to 119 against it.

Amendment to overturn abortion up to birth clause rejected

Earlier this evening, Peers rejected amendment 424, which Baroness Monckton, along with other female Members of the House of Lords, tabled at Report Stage, that would have removed clause 208 from the Crime and Policing Bill.

Russia Sends Oil and Gas Tankers to Crisis-Hit Cuba, Defying U.S. Blockade – FT– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 2

Blurb:

Russia has dispatched two tankers carrying oil and gas to Cuba as the island grapples with a deepening energy crisis exacerbated by a U.S. oil blockade, the Financial Times reported Wednesday.

The ships would be providing the Caribbean island nation with its first energy shipments in three months. Fuel shortages have pushed Cuba into one of its most severe economic crises in decades, with widespread blackouts and disruptions to basic services.

The Hong Kong-flagged tanker Sea Horse, which is believed to be loaded with around 27,000 tons of gas, is expected to arrive in Cuba in the coming days after diverting its course last month, Samir Madani, co-founder of maritime intelligence company TankerTrackers, told the FT.

A second vessel, the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, is carrying between 725,000 and 728,000 barrels of oil and is due to reach Cuba in early April, he said.

European Court Rejects Swedish Christian Parents’ Appeal– www.standingforfreedom.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

The European Court of Human Rights has declined to hear a case brought by a Christian couple seeking the return of their two daughters, who were taken into state custody by Swedish authorities in 2022 following allegations of abuse and concerns about religious extremism.

Daniel and Bianca Samson have spent more than three years attempting to regain custody of their daughters, Sara, then 11, and Tiana, 10. According to the family’s legal representative, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the case was “inadmissible” because the parents had not exhausted all available legal remedies in Sweden. ADF International disputed that conclusion, saying in a statement that “there were no further options for domestic recourse.”

Soaring Russia and Iran threat as UK minister issues chilling ‘danger’ warning– www.mirror.co.uk

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

British Defence Minister Al Carns has warned “we live in very dangerous times” with soaring threats from Russia and the Middle East stretching from the “high north” to Iran. The alarm follows more than two weeks of the US-Israeli war on Iran, during which British troops have fought off drone and missile threats from Iran and its proxies.

Senior western officials have confirmed European militaries are increasingly concerned about the Strait and demands by America for countries such as the UK to become involved. A UK refusal to send ships to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz has caused huge tension from US President Donald Trump towards UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Starmer says ‘we can’t lose focus’ on Ukraine amid Iran war during Zelenskyy visit– www.euronews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Tuesday for talks on peace and sanctions on Russia.

The meeting comes at a time when the Iran war has revived Russia’s ailing economy through increased oil revenue, robbed US-brokered talks to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine of momentum and could soon limit Kyiv’s access to vital Western air defence systems that are needed in the Middle East.

“We can’t lose focus on what’s going on in Ukraine and the need for our support,” Starmer said alongside Zelenskyy for talks at 10 Downing Street, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also attended.

“Putin can’t be the one who benefits from the conflict in Iran, whether that’s oil prices or the dropping of sanctions,” Starmer said. “It is really important we keep our resolve in relation to supporting Ukraine, doing everything we can to weaken the hand of Putin.”

UK ‘will not be drawn into wider war’ over Iran, says Starmer as he announces £53m to help with heating oil costs – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

Blurb:

Keir Starmer is speaking at his press conference.

The war is entering its third week, he says.

He says he has been clear in his objectives.

First, we will protect our people in the region.

Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.

And third, we will keep working towards a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stops the Iranian threat to its neighbours.

CIVILIZATIONAL SUICIDE: UK Scrubbing Winston Churchill and Other Great Britons From Nation’s Money– gellerreport.com

pgnewser March 12, 2026 0

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Cultural Defeat and Surrender.

This is a national disgrace and good example of how the West has come to hate itself and the people who made it great.

Cultural collapse can’t be too far off. What’s next, remove Nelson from atop his column and replace him with a sheep? That shouldn’t cause any divisiveness and it would serve as a reminder of what is in charge of the Bank of England. (Paul Schnee)

If you want something emblematic of cultural and civilizational decline, it would be hard to think of an exhibit more revealing than this. GB News: The Bank of England has confirmed Sir Winston Churchill will be scrapped from banknotes and replaced with images of wildlife. The central bank will soon ask the public which animals they want to appear on the next set of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes – but confirmed the wartime hero Prime Minister would not be staying. The move to replace historical figures with animals was described as “significant” and “overdue” by celebrity bird-watcher Nadeem Perera, who sits on the bank’s panel of wildlife experts who will choose which English species will appear on the next set of banknotes…. While the monarch will remain on the notes’ front, the decision will remove historical figures including Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing (GB News).

Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia chose Tehran over Trump– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser March 11, 2026 0

Blurb:

The leaders of Slovakia, Hungary, and Serbia have long touted their loyalty to President Donald Trump, courting Washington’s conservative wing. But when Trump launched his war with Iran, the mask came off.

Trump has backed Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the hilt as the Hungarian strongman seeks to cling to power in an upcoming election. But that didn’t stop Orban from quickly raising concerns about Trump’s war. Within hours, he raised Hungary’s terrorist threat level, warning that a prolonged Middle East conflict could trigger new waves of migration from Iran through Turkey and the Balkans. “Hungary must prepare and make sure the dam holds,” Orban emphasized.

U.S. Proposed Ukraine-Russia Talks Next Week – Zelensky– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser March 11, 2026 2

Blurb:

The United States has proposed another round of Russia-Ukraine talks next week, mediated by Washington, on ending four years of war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday.

Two rounds of trilateral talks failed to reach a breakthrough to end Europe’s worst conflict since World War II, launched by Moscow in 2022.

Zelensky said in an audio message sent to reporters, including AFP, that talks — initially planned for last week in the United Arab Emirates — had been postponed until next week by the U.S.