Frank Elbers

EU approves $1.63bn for Ukraine — railways get the most, shelters the least - Euromaidan Press Railways get €132.5 million, roads €106 million, housing €123 million, and border crossings €68.5 million — that is how the Ukraine Investment Framework's Governing Board has divided the first €466.5 ...

The #EU just approved $1.63bn for #UkraineRecovery, split across eight programmes. Railways get the biggest slice ($144.4m), followed by housing ($134.1m) and roads ($115.5m). Border crossings, shelters, energy decentralisation make up the rest. #ukraine euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/10/e...

‘Poetin stuurt geheime dienst naar Boedapest voor verkiezingshulp aan Orbán’ Dat meldt het Europese onderzoekscollectief VSquare op basis van verschillende bronnen bij Europese inlichtingendiensten.

#Hongarije: De Russische president Vladimir Poetin heeft een team van de militaire inlichtingendienst (GRU) naar Boedapest gestuurd om zich te bemoeien met de parlementsverkiezingen in april.
www.bnr.nl/nieuws/inter...

Caught Between Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest: Vojvodina’s Fractured Minorities As protests continue to shake Serbia, minority Hungarian and Slovak communities in the country’s northern Vojvodina region describe growing political pressure, shrinking autonomy and a quiet exodus of...

As protests continue to shake #Serbia, minority Hungarian and Slovak communities in the country’s northern #Vojvodina region describe growing political pressure, shrinking autonomy and a quiet exodus of youth. balkaninsight.com/2026/03/06/c...

Slovakia to block EU loan to Ukraine if Orban loses Hungarian election, Fico says "The main message will be that Slovakia is ready to take over the baton from Hungary if necessary," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on March 8.

#Slovakia will "take up the baton from Hungary" and block European Union funds to #Ukraine if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán loses the upcoming election, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said yesterday.
kyivindependent.com/slovakia-to-...

Oekraïne registreert dagelijks 140 Russische oorlogsmisdaden Kyiv – Doordat het Openbaar Ministerie op instorten staat, zijn tot nu toe slechts 446 zaken voor de rechter gekomen.

Doordat het Openbaar Ministerie in #Oekraïne op instorten staat, zijn tot nu toe slechts 446 zaken voor de rechter gekomen. Mijn stuk in @groene.nl deze week. #oorlogsmisdaden www.groene.nl/artikel/oekr...

Simina Tănăsescu, the President of the Constitutional Court of Romania, on the decision regarding the magistrates' pension law: The Court did not take any position regarding the judiciary power Simina Tănăsescu, the President of the Constitutional Court of Romania, on the decision regarding the magistrates' pension law: The Court did not take any position regarding the judiciary power

#Romania: After six years and at least four decisions of unconstitutionality on laws aimed at reforming special pensions, a majority of Constitutional Court judges validate law that reduces the amount of magistrates’ pensions, raises the retirement age.
spotmedia.ro/en/news/opin...

Europe looks on in disbelief as US appropriates its weapons for Iran war European allies are looking on in disbelief and growing concern as the US appropriates weapons they've paid for use in the Operation Epic Fury that ...

European allies are increasingly concerned that the US military campaign against Iran is consuming munitions at a pace that could delay or disrupt deliveries of American weapons they have already purchased. www.intellinews.com/europe-looks...

EU states reject proposal for fast-track ‘reverse enlargement’ for Ukraine Most EU member states have rejected a proposal within the European Commission to grant Ukraine an accelerated form of EU membership under a ...

Most EU member states have rejected a proposal within the @ec.europa.eu to grant #Ukraine an accelerated form of EU membership under a controversial “reverse enlargement” model. #EU_accession
www.intellinews.com/eu-states-re...

The EU’s plan to stop new members from becoming Hungary 2.0 Montenegro, the front-runner for EU membership, could join under stricter conditions. Here’s what that means.

When it comes to EU enlargement, the European Commission has one main priority: making sure no hopeful turns into the next Hungary. The plan is to use #Montenegro, which is close to completing its membership negotiations, as a guinea pig. #EU_accession
www.politico.eu/article/eu-p...

Kosovo MPs Fail to Elect President, Sparking New Political Crisis Kosovo has entered uncharted legal territory after parliament failed to elect a new president on the official deadline day, as a boycott by opposition MPs prevented the vote due to the lack of a quoru...

#Kosovo has entered uncharted legal territory after parliament failed to elect a new president on the official deadline day, as a boycott by opposition MPs prevented the vote due to the lack of a quorum.
balkaninsight.com/2026/03/06/k...

Vanmorgen is Panenka 42 bij ons afgeleverd 🎉 Dit weekend gaan we deze verzendklaar maken. Abonnees en losse bestellers treffen P42 eind komende week op de deurmat 📬.

Nog niet besteld, doe het nu! En ontvang hem als eerste.
www.panenka-magazine.com/product-page...

Oekraïne registreert dagelijks 140 Russische oorlogsmisdaden Kyiv – Doordat het Openbaar Ministerie op instorten staat, zijn tot nu toe slechts 446 zaken voor de rechter gekomen.

Doordat het Openbaar Ministerie in #Oekraïne op instorten staat, zijn tot nu toe slechts 446 zaken voor de rechter gekomen. Mijn stuk in @groene.nl deze week. #oorlogsmisdaden www.groene.nl/artikel/oekr...

Hungary abducts Ukrainian state bank employees along with cash-in-transit vehicles amid pressure over Russian oil - Euromaidan Press Kyiv accuses Hungary of holding seven Ukrainian bank couriers and seizing state funds.

On 5 March, seven employees of the state-owned Oschadbank disappeared in #Hungary along with two armored cash-in-transit vehicles that were transporting cash and bank metals between Austria and #Ukraine. euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/06/h...

Laura Codruța Kovesi receives Leipzig’s Robert Blum Award for Democracy and donates the prize money to Ukraine Laura Codruța Kovesi receives Leipzig’s Robert Blum Award for Democracy and donates the prize money to Ukraine

The European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi has been awarded the Leipzig Robert Blum Prize for Democracy, a distinction given for her contribution to defending the rule of law and combating financial crime. #ruleoflaw #anticorruption spotmedia.ro/en/news/news...

EU countries rebuff 'reversed' membership for Ukraine The prospect of revamping the accession rules to grant "reversed" membership for Ukraine has been largely dismissed by member states. #EuropeNews

#Breaking_News: EU member states reject the @ec.europa.eu 's proposal for accelerated accession of #Ukraine in 2027. #EU_accession
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

Thaci Trial Verdict Will Decide Legacy of Kosovo Specialist Chambers The upcoming verdict in the war crimes trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his co-accused will have enormous consequences for the defendants themselves, for the court, for Kosovo and for...

The upcoming verdict in the war crimes trial of former #Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his co-accused will have enormous consequences for the defendants themselves, for the court, for Kosovo and for the future of transitional justice. #TransitionalJustice
balkaninsight.com/2026/03/04/t...

Oekraïne registreert dagelijks 140 Russische oorlogsmisdaden - Frank Elbers | journalist Doordat het Openbaar Ministerie in Oekraïne op instorten staat, zijn tot nu toe slechts 446 zaken van oorlogsmisdaden voor de rechter gekomen.

Doordat het Openbaar Ministerie in #Oekraïne op instorten staat, zijn tot nu toe slechts 446 zaken voor de rechter gekomen. Mijn stuk in @groene.nl deze week. #oorlogsmisdaden frankelbers.info/2026/03/04/o...

TRIK wint Europese Voices-Award🍾
Cartoonist en culthelden-tekenaar TRIK, heeft de Europese Voices-Award gewonnen in de categorie Cartoons. De prijs wordt uitgereikt door het European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom, dat zich inzet voor persvrijheid.

Moldova’s investments rise 17.6% in 2025, surpass pre-pandemic levels Net investments in fixed assets (chart) — both tangible and intangible — in Moldova increased by 17.6% in real terms in 2025, reaching MDL41.4bn ...

Good news from #Moldova. Net #investments in fixed assets increased by 17.6% in real terms in 2025, reaching MDL41.4bn (€2.1bn), according to data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS). www.intellinews.com/moldova-s-in...

Serbia ready to forgo veto rights in push for faster EU entry Serbia is prepared to forgo veto rights and accept a form of second-tier European Union membership if it speeds up accession, officials say, ...

#Serbia is prepared to forgo veto rights and accept a form of second-tier European Union membership if it speeds up accession, officials say, signalling a shift in strategy after years of stalled talks. #EU_accession www.intellinews.com/serbia-ready...

Bedrijven volgen de Oekraïense vluchtelingen naar Roemenië Door de oorlog in Oekraïne zijn inmiddels tweehonderdduizend Oekraïners woonachtig in Roemenië. Oekraïense middenstandsbedrijven verhuizen daarom mee.

Door de oorlog in #Oekraïne zijn inmiddels tweehonderdduizend Oekraïners woonachtig in #Roemenië. Oekraïense middenstandsbedrijven verhuizen daarom mee. Mijn stuk in @groene.nl deze week. #vluchtelingen www.groene.nl/artikel/bedr...

Rising gas prices add to pressure on Transnistria’s fragile economy The recent surge in natural gas prices following the escalation of the Middle East conflict is adding fresh strain to the already fragile economy of ...

Recent surge in natural gas prices following escalation of the Middle East conflict is adding fresh strain to already fragile economy of #Moldova’s 's pro-Russian separatist region, #Transnistria; opens new opportunities to central authorities to integrate region. www.intellinews.com/rising-gas-p...

Middle East crisis to weigh on Romania’s economy via inflation and higher risk aversion The escalating crisis in the Middle East is expected to affect Romania’s economy — and other countries in the region — mainly through two ...

ING analysts point to #Romania 's relative vulnerability to #energy price shocks compared to other CEE countries. www.intellinews.com/middle-east-...

Report Highlights Press Freedom’s Plight in Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria New report says journalists’ safety is under ‘sustained pressure’ in Europe – with Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria listed among the worst offenders.

New report says journalists’ #safety is under ‘sustained pressure’ in Europe – with #Turkey #Serbia and #Bulgaria listed among the worst offenders. #pressfreedom
balkaninsight.com/2026/03/03/r...

Bedrijven volgen de Oekraïense vluchtelingen naar Roemenië Door de oorlog in Oekraïne zijn inmiddels tweehonderdduizend Oekraïners woonachtig in Roemenië. Oekraïense middenstandsbedrijven verhuizen daarom mee.

Door de oorlog in #Oekraïne zijn inmiddels tweehonderdduizend Oekraïners woonachtig in #Roemenië. Oekraïense middenstandsbedrijven verhuizen daarom mee. Mijn stuk in @groene.nl deze week. #vluchtelingen www.groene.nl/artikel/bedr...

Moldova pushes for faster, broader integration of separatist Transnistria Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which holds a parliamentary majority, has tabled a draft law aimed at extending the ...

#Moldova 's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has tabled a draft law aimed at extending the country’s tax regime to companies operating in the separatist region of #Transnistria, in what appears to be a coordinated push for deeper reintegration. www.intellinews.com/moldova-push...

In Podgorica, de hoofdstad van Montenegro 🇲🇪, is voetbal meer dan vrijetijdsbesteding. Voor de ‘Varvari’ (Barbaren), de ultra-supporters van FK Budućnost Podgorica, dienen de gevels uit het Joegoslavische tijdperk als platform voor hun clubliefde.

Albanian Prime Minister Under Pressure Dismisses Deputy Accused of Corruption After months of defending his deputy and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, who faces allegations of manipulating public tenders, Edi Rama finally dismissed her on Thursday night.

#Albania: After months of defending his deputy and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, who faces allegations of manipulating public tenders, Edi Rama finally dismissed her on Thursday night.
balkaninsight.com/2026/02/27/a...

Bedrijven volgen de Oekraïense vluchtelingen naar Roemenië - Frank Elbers | journalist Door de oorlog in Oekraïne zijn inmiddels tweehonderdduizend Oekraïners woonachtig in Roemenië.

Door de oorlog in #Oekraïne zijn inmiddels tweehonderdduizend Oekraïners woonachtig in #Roemenië. Oekraïense middenstandsbedrijven verhuizen daarom mee. Mijn bijdrage in @groene.nl deze week. frankelbers.info/2026/02/26/b...

The @odihr.pl yesterday opened an election observation mission ahead of the 12 April parliamentary elections in #Hungary, following an invitation from the national authorities and based on the findings of a pre-election needs assessment mission. odihr.osce.org/odihr/662464