Liam Nolan

Eastern Europe Reporter

Conscripts from The Royal Life Guards walk through a body of water.

Ukraine war sparks European march towards conscription

A number of European countries have reintroduced conscription or a form of incentivised military service for their young citizens since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But what systems exist across the continent?

Analysis and Comment • 14 Dec

Finance minister Simon Harris arrives for a Eurogroup meeting in Brussels

Tánaiste supports long-term freezing of Russian assets

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has said that the European Union is working on measures to immobilise Russian assets on "a longer-term basis".

Europe • 12 Dec

Lithuania in state of emergency over weather balloons

Lithuania's government has declared a state of emergency over disruptions caused to its airspace by weather balloons, sent from Belarus.

Europe • 09 Dec

No compromise - Russia sticks to its demands over Ukraine

Talks earlier week between US envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not lead to a breakthrough to end the war in Ukraine. Moscow's hardline demands remain an obstacle to peace

Analysis and Comment • 06 Dec

A flag of Poland with rainbow colors flutters among Poland's national flags during the ''Patriots march'' organized by presidential candidate and Warsaw's Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski in Warsaw

How significant was an EU ruling on same-sex marriage?

This week, the European Union's top court ordered Poland to recognise the marriage of a same-sex couple who had wed in Germany. Will the verdict deliver marriage equality for couples whose marital status was previously not recognised in their home countries, asks Liam Nolan.

Analysis and Comment • 30 Nov

Ukraine dials down US peace plan but core issues remain

After last week's US ultimatum to accept an unfavourable peace deal, Ukrainian officials have strengthened Kyiv's hand after intense discussions with US officials in Geneva last Sunday. But the core issues of territory, NATO membership and security guarantees remain undecided

Analysis and Comment • 25 Nov

A panoramic view of Kyiv's right bank shows buildings and streets without lights during massive power outages caused by recent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Ukraine, on November 10, 2025. Throughout most regions of the countr

A turbulent week for Ukraine's energy sector

An investigation by Ukrainian state anti-corruption agencies into an alleged $100m kickback scheme in the country's energy sector led to the resignation of two senior Ukrainian ministers this week. The scandal comes at a time when Ukraine's energy grid is under sustained Russian attack

Analysis and Comment • 15 Nov

Participants carry national flags during the Independence March commemorating the 107th anniversary of Poland’s return to sovereignty

Thousands take part in Independence Day march in Warsaw

Thousands of people have taken part in a nationalist march in Warsaw to mark Polish Independence Day.

Europe • 11 Nov

Climate clash: why some EU countries opposed 2040 target

The European Commission's 2040 climate target just about got over the line this week. But four central and eastern European countries did not sign up to the agreed text over concerns that the changes could be too costly to implement and threaten industry competitiveness.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Nov

Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old nurse from the US, had been visiting Budapest and went missing on 4 November 2024

Irish man charged over death of US tourist in Budapest

Budapest's Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office has filed a charge of homicide against a 38-year-old Irish man for the alleged murder of a female American tourist in the Hungarian capital in November 2024.

Europe • 03 Nov