Regional Summary
The Fortress That Cannot Agree on Its Own Front Door Across central and eastern Europe, the states most exposed to Russian aggression are arming faster than they are governing well. The gap between military readiness and political chaos is now a strategic liability. Ukraine shows the paradox clearly. Volodymyr Zelensky’s government prepares territorial concessions in Donetsk while pledging to kill 50,000 Russian soldiers a month — negotiating peace terms while fighting an industrialised war. Corps reform, expanded drone battalions and 74% air-defence effectiveness show a military machine that has learned hard lessons. But Ukraine improvises its diplomacy: courting Beijing with trade statistics, haggling with Washington over Tomahawks, and discussing withdrawal lines no politician dares announce. A country cannot credibly negotiate from strength if its patron shouts “get moving” from the sidelines, nor can it sustain mobilisation when draft evasion is so widespread that government politicians admit the system fails. Poland shows what happens when deterrence outpaces governance. A Polish four-star general will command NATO’s Joint Forces Command Brunssum. The Sejm approved a €200 billion EU defence programme. The armed forces will grow to half a million. Yet Donald Tusk, the prime minister, walked out of a national-security meeting because he refused to sit in a room run by the president’s allies, and the intelligence services are investigating whether the head of the National Security Bureau holds valid clearances. The prime minister brands his opponents “enemies of Polish independence,” but the real enemy of Polish readiness is coordination between politicians and generals that collapses whenever the two camps share a table. The right-wing opposition is no healthier: Jarosław Kaczyński threatens to purge dissent from Law and Justice (PiS) while Confederation’s Sławomir Mentzen offers coalition — on condition that Mr Kaczyński goes. The Baltic states, smallest and most vulnerable, draw the sharpest conclusions about American reliability — and the most divergent ones about what to do next. Ingrida Šimonytė, Lithuania’s prime minister, speaks openly of planning for NATO’s collapse and proposes renaming the Taiwanese office in Vilnius to mend fences with Beijing, a reversal that amounts to admitting a diplomatic miscalculation. Evika Siliņa, Latvia’s prime minister, declares that “business as usual” with Washington is over, then joins an Arctic NATO mission prompted by the very American president she rebukes. Estonia recalls its ambassador from Georgia to punish Georgia’s slide from democracy, yet faces embarrassment when its foreign minister leaves a tablet on a commercial flight. Each Baltic capital takes defence seriously — Latvia spends 4.9% of GDP on its military, Lithuania has sent more than a billion dollars to Ukraine — but each improvises its foreign policy week by week, reacting to Washington’s moods rather than shaping them. Further south and west, the pattern holds in noisier form. The Czech Republic saw its largest demonstrations since 1989, not over war or economy but over text messages a foreign minister sent to the president — a domestic spat that forced the two to travel separately to Munich and divided a country whose ammunition initiative for Ukraine is already billions short. Marcel Ciolacu, Romania’s prime minister, attacks his own statistics agency and threatens to collapse the coalition, even as Hanwha Aerospace breaks ground on a howitzer factory and NATO runs live-fire exercises across multiple Romanian sites. Defence investment rolls forward on institutional autopilot; political leadership lurches from crisis to crisis. From Kyiv to Bucharest, the states on NATO’s eastern flank convert threats into hardware and doctrine with impressive speed — but their political systems consume energy in factional warfare, institutional mistrust and diplomatic improvisation that erodes the credibility their militaries work to build. Armies do not deter on their own; alliances do, and alliances rest on political cohesion. Eastern Europe is building the wall while quarrelling over who holds the keys.Country Summaries
Ukraine
Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky to “get moving” on peace talks at the Munich Security Conference, but Ukraine is preparing for negotiations while building up its army for a war that may soon end.
The American president publicly pressed his Ukrainian counterpart to speed up peace talks. Mr Zelensky fought back, calling for more pressure on Russia and requesting Patriot missiles and Tomahawks. He tried to reframe the confrontation, telling Mr Trump that ending the war could be his “legacy achievement and political victory.” The exchange showed Ukraine’s bind: Washington wants quick talks, but Kyiv wants to shape any deal on its own terms.
Even as he resisted American pressure, Mr Zelensky reached out elsewhere. Andrii Sybiha, the foreign minister, held meetings at Munich with Chinese, EU and Canadian counterparts, discussing peace efforts, security guarantees and sanctions. Most notably, he invited Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, to visit Ukraine, noting that China had become Ukraine’s biggest trading partner with $21 billion in trade. The outreach showed Ukraine’s effort to involve Beijing, which has sway with Russia, in any peace process.
Meanwhile, Ukraine appears to be preparing for hard talks. Reports suggest that Kyrylo Budanov, head of the president’s office, has discussed with Mr Zelensky’s aides the legal and practical conditions under which Ukraine could withdraw from parts of Donetsk region while preventing Russian troops from entering. Mr Budanov is described as “a skilled negotiator and proponent of peace,” pointing to his likely role in any talks.
Yet even as it plans for peace, Ukraine is building up its military. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief, announced the “second stage” of corps reform, with each corps now getting its own artillery brigades and expanded drone battalions. He reported 74% air defence effectiveness and said the reforms had increased enemy losses. Mykhailo Fedorov, the defence minister, went further, saying one goal was “to kill 50,000 Russians a month,” more than the roughly 30,000-35,000 new troops Russia recruits monthly. His aim, he said, was to “make the cost of war for Russia unbearable.”
Ukraine’s economy continues to function. Yuliia Svyrydenko, the prime minister, announced that the IMF had agreed to ease conditions for a new $8.2 billion loan, while the National Bank reported that foreign reserves had grown 6.4% to $43.3 billion in December. The government also hinted at changes to draft policy, with ruling party politicians acknowledging widespread draft evasion and suggesting that procedures might change to make life “more difficult for those avoiding recruitment.”
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- Zelensky faces pressure from Trump at Munich Conference, calls for more US support against Russia — Mr Zelensky attended the Munich Security Conference where he urged Mr Trump to intensify pressure on Russia and criticised being asked to make too many concessions. Mr Trump publicly told Mr Zelensky to ‘get moving’ on peace negotiations, while Mr Zelensky pushed for more military aid including Patriot missiles and Tomahawks. (politico.com)
- Foreign Minister Sybiha conducts extensive diplomatic meetings at Munich Security Conference — Mr Sybiha held multiple bilateral meetings at the Munich Security Conference with counterparts from China, EU, Canada, and other countries. He discussed peace efforts, security guarantees, sanctions on Russia, and Ukraine’s EU membership path. Mr Sybiha also opened Ukraine House at the conference alongside German officials. (ukrinform.net)
- Ukraine and IMF agree to ease conditions on $8.2 billion loan program — Ms Svyrydenko announced that Ukraine and the IMF have agreed to simplify conditions for a new $8.2 billion lending program, including easing sensitive tax increases. The agreement follows discussions where structural benchmarks were revised, and the program will be considered at the next IMF Executive Board meeting. (reuters.com)
- Head of Presidential Office Budanov addresses Ukrainian youth and discusses peace negotiations — Mr Budanov held an online meeting with representatives of Ukrainian youth organisations abroad from around 150 organisations across all continents. Reports suggest Mr Budanov has been involved in discussions about legal and practical conditions for potential territorial withdrawals in the Donetsk region as part of peace negotiations. (president.gov.ua)
- Prime Minister Svyrydenko announces US-Ukraine reconstruction fund progress and other initiatives — Ms Svyrydenko announced that the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF) received more than 60 project proposals in its first month. She also reported allocating UAH 231 million to complete school shelter construction in 11 regions and discussed consequences of Russian strikes on customs and tax revenues. (interfax.com.ua)
- Ukrainian parliament discusses mobilization policy and military service changes — Ukrainian parliament members, particularly from the Servant of the People party, discussed mobilisation policy changes. Member of Parliament Fedyr Venyslavskyi indicated mobilisation procedures may change soon and suggested making life more difficult for those avoiding recruitment. The discussions touched on demobilisation possibilities and mobilisation resources. (novyny.live)
- National Bank of Ukraine reports increase in international reserves — The National Bank of Ukraine reported that net international reserves increased by 6.4% to $43.3 billion in December compared to the previous month. Official reserve assets increased by 4.6% to $57.292 billion, with annual growth of 30.8% from the previous year. (ukranews.com)
- NATO discussions and European security architecture developments — Multiple reports discuss NATO developments including the concept of ‘NATO 3.0’ based on partnership rather than dependency, tensions with the US over European security burden-sharing, and NATO’s assessment that Ukrainian defence is unlikely to collapse in the near term. Discussions also covered NATO exercises revealing vulnerabilities and potential Arctic missions. (unian.ua)
- Servant of the People party political developments and analysis — Coverage of the Servant of the People party included historical analysis of its evolution from a 2016 party to the current ruling party, discussions about its role in current mobilisation policies, and various parliamentary activities. The coverage examined the party’s transformation from a TV series-inspired political movement to Ukraine’s governing party. (kokl.ua)
Notes
Notes
Zelensky faces pressure from Trump at Munich Conference, calls for more US support against Russia
February 08-15, 2026
Foreign Minister Sybiha conducts extensive diplomatic meetings at Munich Security Conference
February 08-15, 2026
Ukrainian military command announces corps reform progress and air defense effectiveness
February 10-14, 2026
Ukrainian intelligence operations and security service activities against Russia
February 09-13, 2026
Defense Minister Fedorov outlines new Ukrainian defense strategy and aid requests
February 11-12, 2026
Head of Presidential Office Budanov addresses Ukrainian youth and discusses peace negotiations
February 12-13, 2026
Prime Minister Svyrydenko announces US-Ukraine reconstruction fund progress and other initiatives
February 09-13, 2026
Ukrainian parliament discusses mobilization policy and military service changes
February 09-15, 2026
Other
Poland
Donald Tusk, the prime minister, walked out of a national security meeting rather than take part in discussions led by Karol Nawrocki, the president. Poland’s governing coalition and presidency are now so at odds that such scenes have become routine.
Mr Tusk’s February 11th walkout from the Presidential Palace came after nearly four hours of heated debates over defence spending. He refused to discuss Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty’s “eastern contacts” before leaving. The feuding now affects basic security coordination: the Agency for Internal Security is investigating whether Sławomir Cenckiewicz, who runs the National Security Bureau, has proper clearances to attend classified meetings. Mr Cenckiewicz denies the claims.
Poland advances abroad while politics splinters at home. For the first time, a Polish four-star general will command NATO’s Joint Forces Command Brunssum in the Netherlands, replacing General Ingo Gerhartz. Wiesław Kukuła, the chief of general staff, called this “important proof of trust” in Polish defence efforts. The Sejm voted 236-199 to approve the EU SAFE defence programme worth 200 billion zloty, despite opposition from Law and Justice (PiS) and Confederation (Konfederacja). Mr Tusk accused opponents of being “enemies of Polish independence.” Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the defence minister, announced plans to expand Poland’s military to 500,000 troops by 2039 through a new volunteer reserve system.
The right-wing opposition faces its own troubles. Jarosław Kaczyński, the PiS leader, threatened to suspend party members engaged in “harmful public discussions,” following infighting between Ryszard Terlecki and Sebastian Kaleta. Sławomir Mentzen, who leads Confederation, signalled his party could consider a coalition with PiS—but only without Mr Kaczyński. Mr Mentzen said politicians like Mateusz Morawiecki or Przemysław Czarnek would be acceptable partners. This opens the door to a right-wing realignment that could force change at the top of PiS.
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- Tusk establishes Future Council to accelerate economic development — Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the creation of Rada Przyszłości (Future Council) on February 10, led by Mr Domański. The council aims to accelerate economic, business, and research decisions to make Poland a European leader. (polsatnews.pl)
- President Nawrocki vetoes cryptocurrency and Silesian language laws — President Karol Nawrocki vetoed two bills on February 12: a cryptocurrency market regulation law and legislation granting regional language status to Silesian. He argued the crypto law was excessive and that scientific facts about language classification shouldn’t be decided by parliamentary vote. (businessinsider.com.pl)
- Tusk celebrates Olympic successes and shares Fat Thursday treats — Prime Minister Donald Tusk made several lighter public appearances, including celebrating Polish Olympic medals with social media posts, serving donuts to staff on Fat Thursday aboard a government plane, and fulfilling a promise to bring pizza to young footballers in Gdansk. (plejada.pl)
- Orlen reports major business developments and corruption case return — State energy company PKN Orlen announced gas price reductions for 7 million customers effective February 25, while a former executive in a 1.5 billion zloty corruption case returned to Poland and was charged. The company also reported record LNG imports and new international partnerships. (bankier.pl)
- Constitutional Tribunal appointment procedures challenged by PiS — PiS lawmakers filed a complaint to the Constitutional Tribunal challenging current procedures for selecting constitutional judges, arguing the process should be regulated by law rather than parliamentary rules. The coalition plans alternative arrangements to bypass potential presidential refusal to swear in new judges. (onet.pl)
- Heated parliamentary debate over civil union legislation — The Sejm held a contentious first reading on February 12-13 of legislation establishing legal status for ‘closest persons’ in informal relationships. PiS opposed the bill as undermining traditional marriage, while the coalition defended it as protecting rights of 2.5 million Poles in such arrangements. (onet.pl)
Notes
Notes
President Nawrocki faces controversy over 'Nowrocky' clothing brand linked to sister
February 09-15, 2026
Other
Finland
Finland offered a direct view of its most important ally while building closer military ties and looking at new economic partnerships with Washington.
At the Munich Security Conference, Alexander Stubb, the country’s president, described American foreign policy as combining ideology and hierarchy, stating that “American foreign policy has changed.” The comment, delivered while he took part in panels on transatlantic relations, showed Finland’s growing diplomatic confidence rather than any shift away from working together — Mr Stubb also met privately with Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, and other officials during the conference.
The military work is getting closer. NATO approved Finland’s proposal to host a Deployable Communication and Information System (CIS) Module, staffed with 60 Finnish personnel. Antti Häkkänen, the defence minister, described the approval as Finland’s “fourth NATO objective achieved,” marking another milestone in the country’s entry into the alliance.
The Trump administration has asked for information on Finnish mineral reserves and shown interest in investment deals, particularly in nickel, chromium, cobalt, and uranium. The interest follows Mr Stubb’s presentation on Finland’s critical mineral resources at the G20. Finland holds 90% of the EU’s critical mineral reserves.
At home, the governing coalition faces strain. Kaisa Juuso, the social affairs minister from the Finns Party, resigned, citing heavy workload and difficult decisions before immediately going on sick leave. Riikka Purra, the party leader, said the resignation “was not surprising.” The Finns Party has lost several ministers since joining government, but this has not threatened the coalition’s parliamentary stability.
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- Mr Stubb participates in Munich Security Conference, meets international leaders — Mr Stubb attended the Munich Security Conference, meeting with Mr Rubio, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other leaders. Discussed transatlantic relations, Ukraine situation, and Greenland crisis aftermath. (presidentti.fi)
- Mr Orpo confirms continuation as National Coalition Party leader without challengers — Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced his intention to continue as National Coalition Party chairman, with party officials confirming he will likely face no challengers at the summer party conference. Mr Häkkänen and other potential rivals have declined to run. (iltalehti.fi)
- Mr Orpo travels to India for artificial intelligence summit, meets with Prime Minister Modi — Mr Orpo announced a visit to New Delhi February 17-20 to attend the India Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit includes bilateral meetings and discussions on technology cooperation and global AI governance. (valtioneuvosto.fi)
- Mr Stubb visits Kouvola, meets with students and military personnel — Mr Stubb made an official visit to Kouvola, inspecting the Karelia Brigade and meeting with high school students. The visit included discussions about current affairs and regional concerns. (presidentti.fi)
- Finnish Defence Forces conduct multiple exercises across country — Defence Forces announced several regional exercises involving about 3,500 personnel across Finland, including Northern Stone 26, Mighty Stone 26, and other local defence training. Exercises focus on multi-agency cooperation and local defence capabilities. (puolustusvoimat.fi)
Notes
Notes
Häkkänen participates in NATO defense ministers meeting, discusses command changes
February 11-13, 2026
Other
Estonia
Estonia withdrew its ambassador from Georgia this week, the clearest sign yet of how Russia’s war has hardened the Baltic state’s approach to countries that drift from democratic norms.
Margus Tsahkna, the foreign minister, announced that Ambassador Marge Mardisalu-Kahar would be relocated from Tbilisi to Armenia, ending her Georgian posting on March 10. The ministry cited cooling relations after Georgia’s ruling party halted EU membership talks, introduced Russian-inspired laws, and crushed protests. Estonia has already sanctioned Georgian officials and cut funding for Georgian development projects. The move reflects a diplomacy that brooks no fence-sitting between Moscow and the West.
At home, Mr Tsahkna faced scrutiny after leaving his tablet on an Air Baltic flight to Madrid. The incident sparked criticism about security and diplomatic conduct, though the ministry insisted the device contained no classified information and that protocols were followed. Parliament agreed to hold the next presidential election on September 2-3, 2026. Opposition parties EKRE and the Centre Party have voiced support for current President Alar Karis, while the ruling Reform Party says it would not oppose discussing his re-election — though experts suggest the government is unlikely to endorse him.
The Estonian Defence League artillery battery conducted training at Tapa, while the Defence Forces signed a three-year contract worth €108,000 with University of Tartu semioticians to study the Russia-China partnership and AI use in information warfare. In banking, Coop Pank reported customer growth but falling profits due to declining interest rates, while E-Piim Tootmine, Estonia’s largest cheese producer, filed for bankruptcy despite €15 million in state support.
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- Vanilla Ninja wins Eurovision 2026 selection for Estonia — The Estonian band Vanilla Ninja won the Estonian Song (Eesti Laul) competition and will represent Estonia at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. NOËP came second and Ollie third in the national selection. (ohtuleht.ee)
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Lithuania
Lithuania is openly preparing for NATO’s collapse. Ingrida Ruginienė, the prime minister, told international media that Lithuania needs contingency plans if the alliance falls apart, emphasising that Europe must prepare for scenarios without American military support and calling for a “Plan B” with faster EU decision-making.
This hedging extends beyond military planning to diplomacy. Ms Ruginienė acknowledged that Lithuania moved too fast with Taiwan relations and proposed renaming the Taiwanese Representative Office to the “Taipei Office” — a step toward reversing the confrontational China policy that has strained relations with Beijing for years. Gitanas Nausėda, the president, supported the move, saying diplomatic restoration would help communication while maintaining One China policy commitments. China responded that it remains open to dialogue.
The shift comes as NATO itself is restructuring. The United States announced it would transfer regional command positions in Naples and Norfolk to Italian and British officers respectively, as European allies assume greater responsibility for regional defence. Lithuania is adapting to a NATO where Europeans lead more and Americans less.
Even so, Lithuania continues its support for Ukraine. The defence minister announced €223 million in additional military assistance for 2026, focusing on air defence, drones and long-range artillery ammunition. Lithuania’s total military support has now exceeded $1 billion. Ms Ruginienė also promised government support for dairy farmers facing rising input costs.
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- NATO wargame simulates rapid Russian conquest of Lithuania — A German military simulation showed Russia could potentially overrun parts of Lithuania with 15,000 troops, exploiting weak US leadership and European hesitation. Lithuanian military officials dismissed the exercise as ‘nonsense’ and criticised its assumptions. (standard.co.uk)
- Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats appoints Skaistė to lead municipal election campaign — Opposition party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) appointed former finance minister Gintarė Skaistė to head their municipal election campaign headquarters. She expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, citing gradually improving poll numbers. (lrt.lt)
- Mr Nausėda’s approval ratings continue six-month decline — New polling shows Mr Nausėda’s approval ratings have been declining for six consecutive months, with the steepest drop among all politicians surveyed, falling 25 percentage points over the past year. (lrt.lt)
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Latvia
Latvia declared it will not do “business as usual” with the United States, even as it expanded its NATO role and dealt with fresh domestic political troubles.
The blunt words came at the Munich Security Conference, where Evika Siliņa, the prime minister, told POLITICO that Europe must speak “direct and clear” to the US in resetting transatlantic ties. Her comments followed Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, which rattled European allies. “I don’t think we will be doing business as usual,” Ms Siliņa said. Edgars Rinkēvičs, Latvia’s president, separately called for increased pressure on Russia, including stronger sanctions and action against Moscow’s shadow fleet. Both leaders also condemned the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify a Ukrainian skeleton athlete for honouring fallen soldiers on his helmet. Mr Rinkēvičs said athletes cannot be silenced for showing “what modern Russia is.”
Even as Latvia voiced frustrations with Washington, it expanded its NATO role beyond the Baltic region. Andris Sprūds, the defence minister, announced the country would join Arctic Sentry, NATO’s new northern mission that gained urgency after Mr Trump’s Greenland remarks. Latvia is still clarifying the extent of its involvement with allies. Mr Sprūds also announced the arrival of the first Hunter infantry fighting vehicles and signed agreements for an anti-tank mine production facility. Both represent the steady execution of Latvia’s defence industrial strategy, which has pushed military spending above 4.9% of GDP.
At home, Ms Siliņa survived her sixth parliamentary no-confidence vote, with 48 members of parliament voting against dismissal and 39 supporting it. The motion, initiated by Latvia First over migration policies and economic indicators, followed the usual pattern of opposition attacks that fail because the government has the numbers. More serious was the investigation into Armands Krauze, the agriculture minister, over controversial contracts that cut state timber prices for private processors. Ms Siliņa indicated she may seek Mr Krauze’s dismissal after inspectors found agreements were added to support lists without justification. The prosecutor’s office and State Audit Office are reviewing the matter.
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- Latvian government officials attend Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina — Ms Siliņa and Mr Rinkēvičs attended Winter Olympics events, visiting Latvian athletes and making public appearances. Siliņa was seen trying Olympic ice and attending hockey training sessions. (sportazinas.com)
- Former SAB employee sentenced, Latvian citizen convicted of espionage for Russia — Former Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) employee Aigars Sparāns had his three-year prison sentence upheld for illegal gathering of state secrets. Separately, a Latvian citizen was sentenced to six years for espionage for Russia. (tvnet.lv)
- Eurovision 2026: Atvara to represent Latvia with song ‘Ēnā’ — Singer Atvara won the ‘Supernova’ competition final on February 14 and will represent Latvia at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Ēnā’ (In the Shadow). (lsm.lv)
Notes
Notes
Wood processing contracts investigation sparks ministerial dismissal speculation
February 09-15, 2026
Defense Minister Sprūds participates in NATO meetings, announces military cooperation initiatives
February 09-13, 2026
Former SAB employee sentenced, Latvian citizen convicted of espionage for Russia
February 11-13, 2026
Other
Czech Republic
Czech democracy saw its biggest protests since 1989 this week, with demonstrations across 400 municipalities supporting Petr Pavel, the president, against the governing coalition.
Million Moments for Democracy organised the protests after text messages that Petr Macinka, the foreign minister, sent to Mr Pavel — messages described as blackmail. Over 766,000 people signed a petition supporting the president and demanding respect for democratic rules. The scale of the protests signals that Czech civil society views the clash between Mr Pavel and the coalition as a crucial test of democracy.
The crisis is complicating Czech diplomacy but not paralysing it. Mr Pavel and Mr Macinka both attended the Munich Security Conference but travelled separately with no planned joint meetings. Mr Pavel used his panel discussion on populism to suggest that populists often moderate when they gain power — a pointed observation given his domestic situation. Despite the dysfunction, international commitments continue. The Czech-led ammunition programme for Ukraine raised only €1.4 billion of the needed €5 billion for 2026. But the programme continues and has found more shells than expected.
Mr Pavel’s position in this standoff is strengthened by popular support. He remains the most trusted politician in the country with 62% public confidence — a rating that has held steady despite coalition pressure. Czech soldiers from the 43rd Airborne Regiment are participating in NATO’s largest exercise of 2026, showing that Alliance commitments continue despite the political tensions in Prague. The coalition’s response to this unprecedented civil society mobilisation will determine whether the crisis stabilises through compromise or escalates further.
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- Mass demonstrations across Czech Republic support President Pavel in dispute with government — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in hundreds of Czech towns and cities to voice support for Mr Pavel in his ongoing dispute with the foreign minister over Cabinet appointments. Organisers claim the protests exceeded all gatherings since 1989. (denik.cz)
- President Pavel and Foreign Minister Macinka attend Munich Security Conference separately amid tensions — Mr Pavel and Mr Macinka both attended the Munich Security Conference but traveled separately and had no planned joint meetings. Mr Pavel spoke on a panel about populism and European defence responsibility. (aktualne.cz)
- Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine faces significant funding shortfall — The Czech-led program to source artillery shells for Ukraine has raised only €1.4 billion of the needed €5 billion for 2026. Despite funding challenges, the program continues and has found more shells than initially expected. (czechia.news-pravda.com)
- Czech Army units deploy to major NATO exercise in Germany — Czech soldiers from the 43rd Airborne Regiment in Chrudim are participating in NATO’s largest exercise of 2026. The exercise aims to demonstrate Alliance readiness and deterrent capabilities. (irozhlas.cz)
- President Pavel makes social media dig at Motoristé party after meeting racing driver — Mr Pavel posted on social media about meeting racing legend Jacky Ickx, praising the driver’s ‘humility and respect for rules’ as ‘great inspiration for all other motorists’ - seen as a subtle jab at the Motoristé party he’s been feuding with. (novinky.cz)
- Czech musician and jazz pioneer Pavel Klikar dies at 72 — Pavel Klikar, a prominent Czech musicologist, conductor and founder of the Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra, died at age 72. He was known for authentic interpretation of baroque music and early American jazz. (vltava.rozhlas.cz)
Notes
Notes
Mass demonstrations across Czech Republic support President Pavel in dispute with government
February 15, 2026
President Pavel and Foreign Minister Macinka attend Munich Security Conference separately amid tensions
February 09-13, 2026
President Pavel plans March visit to parliament as tensions with Speaker Okamura continue
February 13-15, 2026
President Pavel makes social media dig at Motoristé party after meeting racing driver
February 10, 2026
Other
Romania
Romania’s governing coalition faces its worst crisis as Marcel Ciolacu, the former prime minister, attacks state institutions and threatens to bring down the government.
Mr Ciolacu has accused the National Statistics Institute of “grossly manipulating” 2024 economic data to show Romania was in technical recession during his tenure. Institute officials rejected the accusations and defended their EU-standard methodology for seasonal adjustments. Mr Ciolacu then declared that if his Social Democratic Party quits the coalition, Romania should hold early elections rather than have a minority government. He suggested political instability might be preferable to current policies and said he would vote to quit if talks fail. The threats mark an escalation from policy disagreements to undermining institutions by the coalition’s largest party.
Romania maintains its Western alignment even as domestic politics deteriorate. Oana Țoiu, the foreign minister, advocated for using EU funding for NATO defence needs and stronger transatlantic coordination at international forums. The country’s commitment remains firm despite allegations that George Simion, an opposition leader, lobbied in Washington to remove Romania from the Visa Waiver programme for electoral gain. Businessman Dragoș Sprînceană accused Mr Simion’s Alliance for Romanian Unity of paying $100,000 for high-level meetings that mostly failed, though the party disputed the timeline and allegations.
Romania’s defence projects advance regardless of the political turmoil. South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace broke ground on its first European armoured vehicle facility in Petrești, Dâmbovița County, to manufacture K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition vehicles with 80% of the work done by Romanian firms. NATO conducted Dynamic Front 26 exercises across multiple Romanian locations, with US Army soldiers and eight allied nations training in distributed battlefield scenarios. The projects show that the more than $20 billion military upgrade continues despite the coalition’s feuding.
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- Court case against Klaus Iohannis over property income moved from Sibiu to Hunedoara — The National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) court case against former President Klaus Iohannis over approximately 1 million euros in unpaid taxes from property rental was transferred from Sibiu to Hunedoara tribunal. The case involves alleged unpaid taxes on rental income from a Sibiu property. (antena3.ro)
- NATO Dynamic Front 26 exercises conducted in Romania with multinational forces — NATO conducted the Dynamic Front 26 exercises across multiple Romanian locations including Cincu and Capu Midia, featuring US Army soldiers and eight allied nations training in distributed battlefield scenarios and air defence operations. (army.mil)
- Hanwha Aerospace breaks ground on K9 howitzer production facility in Romania — South Korean defence company Hanwha Aerospace began construction of its first European armoured vehicle production facility in Petrești, Dâmbovița County, to manufacture K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition vehicles for Romanian and European markets. (turdef.com)
- NATO strategic discussions on European pillar and alliance rebalancing — NATO defence ministers discussed increased European responsibility within the alliance, with the US signalling limited military pullback while maintaining nuclear umbrella. Debates emerged over creating stronger European defence capabilities and burden-sharing arrangements. (antena3.ro)
- NATO exercises reveal tactical vulnerabilities to drone warfare — NATO exercises in Estonia demonstrated that alliance forces are unprepared for modern drone warfare, with Ukrainian advisers showing how small drone units could devastate conventional NATO formations, highlighting critical training and tactical gaps. (ziare.com)
- Ciolacu’s activities as Buzău County Council President — Marcel Ciolacu, now serving as president of Buzău County Council, promoted local tourism initiatives, met with the Saudi ambassador to discuss investments, and addressed tensions with local mayor Constantin Toma over their political relationship. (ziare.com)
Notes
Notes
Ciolacu accuses statistics institute of manipulating 2024 economic data to hide recession
February 11-15, 2026
George Simion accused of lobby efforts in US to remove Romania from Visa Waiver program
February 08-12, 2026
Romanian foreign minister promotes EU-NATO coordination at Munich Security Conference
February 11-15, 2026
Other