# European Union
Trump may withdraw some US troops from Europe
NATO believes that US President Donald Trump may decide to reduce the US military presence in Europe. US military bases in Italy, in particular, are at risk
Viktor Orbán’s 16-year era in Hungary is coming to an end
Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure in Hungary is coming to an end. Almost a month after the general election, Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, will officially take office as the country’s prime minister
The US has delivered the first HIMARS systems to Lithuania
Lithuania has officially taken delivery of its first HIMARS launchers. The handover ceremony took place in Camden, Arkansas, in the US
“The EU’s black sheep”: Fico makes a new statement in Moscow
During a visit to Moscow, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he planned to ask Vladimir Putin “a few questions” and to convey a message to him from certain European politicians
In 2026, work will begin in Europe on developing a replacement for the Tomahawk missiles
The German firm Rheinmetall, which traditionally manufactures tanks, artillery and ammunition, plans to start producing long-range missiles this year in collaboration with Destinus.
The EU will not withdraw its diplomats from Kyiv despite threats from the Kremlin
The European Union has no plans to alter its presence in Kyiv following Moscow’s threats of possible strikes. The European Commission has described Russia’s statements as part of a reckless escalation strategy.
The European Commission is launching the EU–Ukraine Drone Alliance and is seeking founding members
The European Commission has launched a call for applications for those wishing to become founding members of the new EU–Ukraine Drone Alliance. The selection process will run until 25 May, and the successful candidates will form the Alliance’s first board of directors.
France has stated that there will be no “shortcut” to Ukraine’s accession to the EU
France supports Ukraine’s gradual rapprochement with the European Union, but does not see any scope for a simplified procedure for full membership. Benjamin Addad, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, stated that accession to the EU requires reforms, adherence to European values and compliance with the Union’s legislative requirements.
Bulgaria has officially joined the eurozone
On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria officially adopted the euro and became the 21st member of the eurozone. The final decision to introduce the single European currency was taken by the Council of the EU back in July 2025, when it adopted the necessary legal acts and set the fixed exchange rate for the Bulgarian lev.
An unidentified drone has been spotted in Finland
On Sunday, 3 May, a suspected violation of Finnish airspace by an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle was recorded in eastern Finland
200,000 call-up notices: how ‘soft conscription’ works in Germany
A large-scale recruitment campaign for the armed forces is gaining momentum in Germany. Since 15 January, the Bundeswehr has sent out almost 200,000 letters to 18-year-old young men and women, urging them to enlist
An air corridor for Fico: a diplomatic row in the EU
The Czech Republic allowed the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government plane to fly to Moscow, despite the air blockade imposed by Poland and the Baltic states, sparking a diplomatic row within the EU
