Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Person
Kremlin spokesman, Kremlin
Former president's Progressive Bulgaria party takes roughly 130 of 240 seats, ending years of fragmented coalitions but raising questions over Sofia's foreign policy direction.
Russian president warns any foreign forces would be legitimate targets while Macron says 26 allies have committed to a reassurance force, but US rules out ground troops and ceasefire remains distant.
With voting set for 28 September, Moldovan authorities detail vote-buying apps, AI disinformation and oligarch networks directed from Moscow as the Kremlin seeks to reverse the country's European trajectory.
Kaja Kallas tells foreign ministers the bloc lacks mechanisms to fill the void left by US Agency for Global Media grant termination, as Czech Republic leads push for partial support.
President-elect signals direct talks with Moscow within days of taking office, while demanding NATO allies raise defence spending to five percent of GDP.
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