Liam Nolan

Eastern Europe Reporter

O'Flaherty warns against ending protection for Ukrainians

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty has said that he is increasingly concerned about "growing fatigue and intensifying discussions" in the EU and across Europe over ending emergency protection measures for Ukrainian refugees.

Europe • 12 May

Russian President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting

How Putin's regime is throttling the internet in Russia

Russian authorities have restricted internet access in parts of the country over the past year and last month blocked access to Telegram, Russia's most popular messenger app. The Kremlin says the measures are needed to stop drone attacks, but a wider strategy to control information is at play.

Analysis and Comment • 09 May

Members of Parliament observe and record the voting procedure in Parliament in Bucharest on May 5, 2026 following a motion of no confidence against pro-EU Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan

Romanian government collapses after no-confidence vote

Romania's pro-EU government has collapsed after losing a vote of no-confidence in the country's parliament.

Europe • 05 May

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (L) greets Andrzej Poczobut (R) after his release following a prisoner exchange at Poland-Belarus border in Poland on April 28, 2026.

Who is Andrzej Poczobut and why did Belarus release him?

Last Tuesday the Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut was released by Belarus as part of a prisoner exchange with Poland. A fierce critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, Mr Poczobut was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony in 2023. So why was he released now?

Analysis and Comment • 03 May

A 23-year-old Polish social media influencer has raised more than 251m Polish zloty (€59m) for children's cancer treatment costs during a nine-day non-stop livestream on YouTube and Tiktok.

Polish influencer raises €59m for cancer charity

A 23-year-old Polish social media influencer has raised more than 250m Polish zloty (€59m) for children's cancer treatment costs during a nine-day non-stop livestream. Coldplay's Chris Martin and footballer Robert Lewandowski were among those who joined the record-breaking fundraising event.

Europe • 29 Apr

Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of Defence Helen McEntee (L) and Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (R) attend a joint press conference after their meeting in Ministry building in

Maritime strategy 'to the fore' of EU presidency

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Helen McEntee has said that she wants to bring Ireland's new maritime strategy "to the fore" during Ireland's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 July.

Europe • 27 Apr

CHERNOBYL, UKRAINE- APRIL 29: View of the Chernobyl Nuclear power plant three days after the explosion on April 29, 1986 in Chernobyl:,Ukraine. (Photo by SHONE/GAMMA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

40 years after the disaster, Chornobyl remains at risk

It is 40 years ago today since an explosion ripped through Reactor 4 at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, causing the world's worst nuclear disaster. Today, it is Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that threatens nuclear safety at the decommissioned plant.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Apr

Former President and leader of the Progressive Bulgaria movement Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after countrywide polls have closed in Sofia, Bulgaria on 19 April, 2026. PB leader and former President Rumen Radev have received a majority of the votes a

Is Bulgaria's next prime minister Moscow-friendly?

More than 44% of Bulgarian voters backed a centre-left coalition, led by former president Rumen Radev, in their country's election last Sunday. Mr Radev has been widely described as pro-Russian. Does the label stack up?

World • 22 Apr

Mackenzie Michalski was reported missing after she failed to return to her Airbnb accommodation in Budapest in November 2024

Irish man's lawyer requests new expert in Budapest trial

Another trial hearing took place in Budapest yesterday in the case of an Irishman accused of killing a female American tourist in the Hungarian capital in November 2024.

EU • 21 Apr

People walk in front of election poster billboards

The electoral battle for Hungary's future

Hungarian voters go to the polls tomorrow in what has been Hungary's closest election campaign in 16 years. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's nationalist Fidesz party is trailing in the polls to the centre-right Tisza.

Analysis and Comment • 11 Apr