Liam Nolan

Eastern Europe Reporter

Taoiseach Simon Harris made the remarks after meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk today

Harris to discuss Irish commissioner with von der Leyen

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that he expects to speak with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the coming days about the Government's nomination of Michael McGrath as commissioner.

Politics • 05 Sep 24

Simon Harris and Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands after signing the joint memorandum

Zelensky tells Taoiseach Ukraine 'grateful' for support

Taoiseach Simon Harris has held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv where the two leaders signed a joint memorandum on areas of co-operation.

Ukraine • 04 Sep 24

Poland's President Andrzej Duda lays a wreath at the monument of a former hospital in Wieluń, the first Polish town bombed by Nazi Germany in September 1939

Poland marks 85 years since Nazi Germany's invasion

Nazi Germany invaded Poland 85 years ago today on 1 September 1939, leading to the outbreak of World War II. Poland's President Andrzej Duda attended a commemorative ceremony this morning in Wieluń, the first Polish city to be bombed by the Luftwaffe that day.

Europe • 01 Sep 24

The Hungarian Parliament building as seen from the Fisherman's Bastion on Buda Castle Hill in Budapest

Why Hungary is not hosting EU foreign ministers today

EU foreign affairs ministers and diplomats are back in Brussels today for an informal meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine, Gaza and wider tensions in the Middle East.

Europe • 29 Aug 24

Štefan Kuffa (standing, wearing hat) disrupting the performance in northern Slovakia on Sunday (Pics: Lukáš Marhefka)

Slovak politician disrupts performance of Irish play

A far-right Slovak politician disrupted a performance of Irish playwright Elaine Murphy's 'Little Gem' on Sunday, labelling it as "perverted". The incident takes place against a backdrop of criticism by Slovakia's government against, what it describes as, "progressive" ideology.

Europe • 20 Aug 24

Journalist Evan Gershkovich was one of 16 prisoners handed over by Russia as part of the exchange

Why did the West and Russia prisoner swap happen now?

The exchange of 24 prisoners between the United States and Russia on Thursday was the largest of its kind since 2010. Why did it happen now and what does it mean for the West, Russia and Ukraine?

Europe • 03 Aug 24

Polish President Andrzej Duda delivers a speech during commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising

Warsaw to come to standstill in memory of WWII uprising

At 5pm in central Warsaw, traffic came to a halt and pedestrians stopped for a minute's silence to remember insurgents and civilians who died in an uprising to liberate their city 80 years ago.

Europe • 02 Aug 24

A tanker chartered by a Russian company, detained off the Moroccan coast last March, as it transferred Russian oil bound for Asia

Which countries rely on Russian oil?

This week, Hungary and Slovakia challenged Ukraine's sanctions against Russia's largest oil company on the basis that it will cause fuel shortages in their countries. But their import levels of Russian oil pale in comparison to big Asian economies, 18 months after Western sanctions and price caps.

Analysis and Comment • 31 Jul 24

Dmytro Kuleba is the highest ranking Ukrainian official to travel to China since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Why Ukraine has finally sent a representative to China

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba held talks in Guangzhou yesterday with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to discuss ways to end the war.

Ukraine • 25 Jul 24

Viktor Orbán met the former US president at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach

Why Viktor Orbán riles the EU but is an ally of Trump

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was criticised by senior EU officials for arranging meetings in Moscow and Beijing to discuss the war in Ukraine, just as Hungary began its presidency of the EU. But a second Donald Trump presidency could mean that Mr Orbán is not sidelined altogether.

Europe • 20 Jul 24