Euobserver.com

The EU and the US have agreed to support buyers to increase LNG imports to replace Russian gas. But experts warn that this may lock in gas use.

The EU and the US have agreed to support buyers to increase LNG imports to replace Russian gas. But experts warn that this may lock in gas use.

Voters will be asked to vote in a referendum that prime minister Viktor Orbán's government originally designed to rally his camp for election day by targeting LGBTI people.

Voters will be asked to vote in a referendum that prime minister Viktor Orbán's government originally designed to rally his camp for election day by targeting LGBTI people.

Voters will be asked to vote in a referendum that prime minister Viktor Orbán's government originally designed to rally his camp for election day by targeting LGBTI people.

Germany will no longer train the Libyan coast guard over its alleged abuse of migrants, AP reported. "The German government cannot currently justify the training of the Libyan coast guard by German soldiers in view of the repeated unacceptable behaviour by individual units of the Libyan coast guard toward refugees and migrants, and also toward non-governmental organisations," German foreign ministry spokeswoman Andrea Sasse said.

Italian prime minister Mario Draghi said Thursday he had received assurances from Russian president Vladimir Putin that Europe would not have to pay for natural gas in roubles — as demanded — and defused fears that Moscow would cut off supplies used for heating and electricity, AP reported. Putin announced last week that Russia will demand "unfriendly" countries pay for natural gas only in Russian currency.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said Russian military forces are not pulling back from Kyiv and other cities, as announced by the Kremlin, Reuters reported. "According to our intelligence, Russian units are not withdrawing but repositioning. Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas region," Stoltenberg said on Thursday. Additional offensive actions are expected and Nato members will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine, he added.

Many, if not most, Western multinationals have pulled out of Russia. But a look at the small print reveals significant differences in approach.

Ukraine's ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova said 141 children have been killed in the war so far. But the true figure is likely much higher, given that many areas remain out of reach.

New EU eco-design rules hope to help wean people off "throw away" smartphones and fashion.

New EU eco-design rules hope to help wean people off "throw away" smartphones and fashion.

China has redoubled political support for Russia's war in Ukraine despite horror stories, auguring badly for EU bid to break their new axis.

Hungary's foreign minister Péter Szijjártó on Wednesday accused Ukraine's leadership of attempting to interfere in the Hungarian election taking place on Sunday. The charge was denied by his Ukrainian counterpart in an episode that put further strain on relations between the two countries, AP reported. Szijjártó claimed that there was "ongoing coordination between the Hungarian left and representatives of the Ukrainian government," without providing evidence.

Estonia's prime minister Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday Nato should boost its military presence in the Baltic states, Reuters reported. She called for combat-ready divisions, air defence, and more ships patrolling the Baltic Sea during a conference with Denmark's prime minister Mette Frederiksen. "In order to have peace we have to prepare for war," Kallas said. Denmark announced earlier this week it will send 800 soldiers to the Baltic region.

Wind and solar produced 10 percent of the world's electricity for the first time in 2021 while clean sources accounted for 38 percent of the total power supply, an analysis said on Wednesday. Overall, the share of wind and solar has doubled since 2015. Ten countries generated more than 25 percent of their electricity from wind and solar last year, led by Denmark at 52 percent.

The UN refugee agency said Wednesday more than 4 million refugees have now fled Ukraine since Russia launched its war in the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the second world war. More than 2.3 million have arrived in Poland, over 608,000 entered Romania, over 387,000 have gone to Moldova, and about 364,000 entered Hungary. An estimated 6.5 million people have also been displaced from their homes within Ukraine.

Germany triggered an emergency plan on Wednesday to manage gas supplies in an unprecedented move that could see the government ration power if there is a disruption or halt in gas supplies from Russia, Reuters reported. It is the clearest sign yet of preparations for a cut in Russian supplies to Europe after president Vladimir Putin demanded that European and US customers pay for gas exports in roubles.

Poland announced steps Wednesday to end all Russian oil imports by the end of 2022, AP reported. Poland has already largely reduced its dependence on Russian oil, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, adding that he expects coal imports from Russia will be ended in May. Poland argues that money from oil and gas exports are fueling Russia's war machine and that that should stop.

This time six opposition parties — spanning from once far-right Jobbik to urban liberal Momentum — have united to take on Orbán's Fidesz party, led by conservative newcomer politician and anti-corruption champion Péter Márki-Zay.