Liam Nolan

Eastern Europe Reporter, in Ukraine

Estonian soldiers chatting with a local during a training exercise last year in Kadrina, northern Estonia

Conscripts and allies: Estonia's approach to defence

Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine put Estonia's defence forces into a state of heightened alert. Since then, the government has increased spending on defence and required more young men to complete conscription each year. But the defence of the state rests on NATO's plan to stay and fight too.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Oct 24

A man enters into the Morawka river to clean his boots after the flood left debris and damaged houses in Stronie Slaskie, Poland

How Poland and neighbouring countries faced the floods

The provision of €10bn in cohesion funding central and eastern European countries devastated by floods this week will help their regions rebuild and recover. But climate activists say that the real answer to avoiding such extreme weather lies in tackling climate change.

Europe • 22 Sep 24

A view of the drought-affected Vistula River in Warsaw earlier this week.

The European river that fell to a record low level

The central section of Poland's Vistula River had a recorded water level of just 20 centimetres on Wednesday this week, the lowest in the river's history. Experts say the drought is a result of hotter summers and the effect of climate change.

Poland • 16 Sep 24

Simon Harris was shown the destruction caused by the Russian invasion in the town of Borodyanka

Taoiseach's visit to Kyiv against backdrop of attacks

Taoiseach Simon Harris visited Kyiv on Wednesday against the backdrop of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and a major reshuffle of Ukraine's cabinet.

Ukraine • 07 Sep 24

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