Special tribunal for Putin, Russia’s high-ranking officials in 2025. Obstacles and how to overcome them
- Category: National Policy Reports
Russia committed the first crime of aggression against Ukraine back in 2014 by occupying Crimea, but holding Russia’s high-ranking officials accountable became one of the major priorities for Ukraine’s international policy after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Written by Yana Sliemzina| Gwara Media
Czech aid to Ukraine faces uncertain future as elections loom
- Category: National Policy Reports
Last year, the Czech Republic donated to Ukraine over 1.5 million rounds of ammunition, Czechs contributed millions to humanitarian collections, and approximately €5.9 million from the state budget went to support Ukrainian refugees. But this level of aid may come to an end in the autumn as the country heads into elections, with polls predicting a victory for the opposition, which is less inclined to continue assistance to Ukraine.
Written by Dávid Pásztor | EURACTIV.cz
V4 countries: yes to EU enlargement, but criteria must be met
- Category: Articles
Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia are generally supportive of EU enlargement, both eastward and southward toward the Western Balkans. However, politicians emphasise the importance of candidate countries meeting the necessary criteria. Ukraine acknowledges the long road ahead but asserts that every step toward EU membership is a step further from Russia’s sphere of influence.
By Aleksandra Krzysztoszek (EURACTIV.pl), Ondřej Plevák (EURACTIV.cz), Natália Silenská (EURACTIV.sk) and Yana Sliemzina (Gwara Media)
Poland debates cutting benefits for Ukrainians as public support grows
- Category: National Policy Reports
A proposal by presidential candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, to limit the number of beneficiaries of benefits for Polish residents has split the ruling coalition, although most Poles support it.
Written by Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.pl
Czechia helps Ukraine on its way to the EU, but experts say more could be done
- Category: National Policy Reports
The Czechs are working to ensure that Ukraine can become a member of the European Union as soon as possible. They are sending money, weapons and providing know-how. However, the question mark hangs over whether they can persuade other countries to do the same, or at least not to throw sticks under Kyiv's feet.
Written by Ondřej Plevák | Euractiv.cz
21 European Parliament posts for V4 countries, half for Poles
- Category: National Policy Reports
No representatives of the Visegrad Group were assigned for the EU top jobs for the next term. The situation looks a bit better with regards to the European Parliament posts.
Written by Krzysztof Ryncarz | Euractiv.pl
Poland’s Sikorski denies ambitions to become defence commissioner, Warsaw eyes strong portfolio
- Category: National Policy Reports
Poland’s Radosław Sikorski, who is almost certain to win a nomination to the next Commission, claims he is uninterested in the defence portfolio. Some sources suggest he is more interested in the EU diplomatic chief’s post he already ran for in 2014.
Written by Aleksandra Krzysztoszek, Krzysztof Ryncarz | Euractiv.pl
Visegrad politicians diverge on support for Von der Leyen’s second term
- Category: Articles
Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia express varied levels of support and opposition towards Ursula von der Leyen’s potential second term as the President of the European Commission. While Hungary and Slovakia voice strong criticism and unlikely backing, Poland shows a split stance within its political parties, and Czechia remains ambivalent but focused on securing influential portfolios within the EU.
Written by Richárd Demény (Political Capital), Barbara Zmušková (Euractiv.sk), Aleksandra Krzysztoszek and Krzysztof Ryncarz (Euractiv.pl), Kateřina Horáková (Euractiv Czechia)
The Evolving Interests of the Visegrad Four in the Next European Union Mandate
- Category: Articles
The Visegrad Four (V4), comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, have long been united by geographical proximity and shared historical experiences. However, the panel discussion featuring experts and politicians from the V4 countries reveals a complex and evolving landscape of interests as the European Union (EU) enters its next mandate.
Is Hungary really a champion in fighting climate change? Not really
- Category: National Policy Reports
According to the government's self-assessment, Hungary is doing well in the fight against climate change, and there is no overt denial of climate change in the government's rhetoric. However, the positive self-assessment of the government's actions is in striking contrast to the assessment of experts and the relevant statistical data. In a comprehensive study of climate change skepticism, Political Capital looked at public opinion data, media articles and a small number of expert interviews, and coined the term climate relativism, which does not deny climate change or human responsibility, but questions and trivializes the seriousness of the problems associated with it. Climate relativism dominates both discourse and government action.
Written by Ráchel Surányi, Political Capital
Fico’s government reopening ties with Russia leaves Slovakia vulnerable to hybrid threats, joining Orbán’s Hungary
- Category: Articles
As NATO warns of rising numbers of Russia's hybrid acts and EU sanctions pro-Kremlin websites, two out of four Visegrad countries seem to be loosening their caution towards foreign threats, creating more space for them in the process.
Fidesz could make or break the ECR's move towards the European mainstream
- Category: Articles
As the populist radical right-wing parties of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament gain momentum before the June elections, their efforts to move towards the center and cooperate with the mainstream could be disrupted by Fidesz's effort to join the group. At the same time, the parties in the Visegrad countries could make or break Fidesz's bid to join the ECR, as they see Russia's war against Ukraine very differently from Fidesz.
