The tensions of NATO allies by Russia has been worrisome even after Orban's defeat. Russia is still counting on Trump's indifference regarding the alliance to entertain an advance toward Europe. The uncertainty Trump emulates is causing real concern within the countries closest to the Russian borders.
Credit...
13 May 2026By Tomáš Hrivňák
...The situation illustrates (click here) a schizophrenia in Slovak foreign policy. On the one hand, Fico continues to maintain close ties with Moscow, seeking to normalise trade and political relations with the country that launched a full-scale war against Slovakia’s neighbour Ukraine.
On the other hand, the Slovak defence industry has been exporting record number of artillery shells, helping Ukraine maintain necessary ammunition levels – while making eye-watering profits for the manufacturers with political ties to Fico’s government.
Behind closed doors, the Slovak side is toeing the Nato line, and Bratislava’s military spending even reached two percent of its GDP in 2024, as required by Nato.
Meanwhile, Fico continues with ever stronger criticism of Ukraine, the EU and the West, and boasts about the effectiveness of authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Vietnam and Putin’s Russia.
Fico says war always comes from the West and peace always comes from the East....By Jakub Krupa
The aftermath (click here) of the Russian drone attack in Odesa Oblast on May 13 (Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa Oblast/Handout via REUTERS)
At least six people were killed (click here) in an intense daytime Russian attack on Ukraine, with over 800 drones launched against targets in the country, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said (9:57, 11:47, 16:54).
Neighbouring Slovakia has closed temporarily its border crossings with Ukraine in response to expected further attacks near the border (17:12).
The attack comes as top regional leaders, joined by Zelenskyy, met in Bucharest to discuss the European security, reaffirming their support for Ukraine (16:35, 16:43).
As much as there is a reason for a changing of the guard it is not time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be replaced. Too much uncertainty will only increase unease throughout the alliance. Russia is fond of the unease within NATO.
May 12, 2026
By Brian Melley and Pan Pylas
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer (click here) insisted Tuesday that he has no intention of resigning as calls grew louder within his Labour Party for him to step down and some junior members of his government quit in protest.
A day before the state opening of Parliament when the government will present its legislative program for the coming year, Starmer tried to shore up support within his Cabinet.
Starmer’s future has become a hot topic over the past few feverish days following historic losses for the Labour Party in local elections last week, which if repeated in a national election that has to be held by 2029, would see it overwhelmingly ejected from power....
26.2.2026
According to the Polish Prime Minister and the President of Lithuania, the introduction of severe sanctions is one of the key measures to put pressure on Russia. During a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki argued that the removal of Russian companies from the MSCI index and complete cut-off of access to the SWIFT banking system and financial systems would be the only noticeable sign of protest against further attacks on Ukraine. Extensive measures should also include the discontinuation of the use of Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines and the closure of European airspace to Russian aeroplanes. The head of government issued an appeal for Germany to provide real support in terms of weapons....
...The Russian invasion of Ukraine (click here) is not just an attempt to deprive this country of its sovereignty or the tragic fate of its people. It is a violation of the entire order established after World War II. Russia is attempting to destroy the world we know.
The head of the Polish government appealed to the German public: “We must stop Putin because we can see another threat of genocide on the horizon. Innocent people are dying – children, women, men, soldiers – you see these images every day. What about your consciences? Let's help them together. The sanctions package must be crushing."...It is important Russia receive a clear understanding that the five year old war it is engaged with Ukraine cannot be toleratred any longer. Change in leadership anywhere in NATO with the exception being Trump will only prolong the process of shutting down the war. New faces in leadership will create a learning curve for new leadership that can delay the end of this war. Now is not the time for creating uncertainity. Now is the time to close in around a resolve to this war and end it.
(Click here)
May 13, 2026
...Rep.Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, launched the discharge effort almost a year ago. Now Democrats are planning to force the vote the first week of June, according to three people granted anonymity to describe private plans.
It’s the latest headache for Speaker
Mike Johnson, who has already seen a staggering number of discharge petitions succeed this Congress and is now seeking to unify his conference around a party-line immigration enforcement bill.
A pair of centrist House Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Don Bacon of Nebraska, had already signed the Ukraine petition and had been lobbying GOP colleagues for months to join them....
