Liam Nolan

Eastern Europe Reporter

A banner in the Ukrainian national colours was displayed at Zamkowy Square in Warsaw

Ukrainians and Poles mark Ukrainian independence day

Ukrainians around the world have marked their independence day, 32 years after the country split from the former Soviet Union.

Ukraine • 24 Aug 23

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaking to inhabitants of Olkusz, southern Poland in June

Why Poland's holding a referendum on illegal immigrants

Poland's right-wing government has announced that it will hold a referendum on the question of "illegal immigrants", to be held on the same day as the country's parliamentary election in October. The opposition has labelled the move as "cynical".

Europe • 21 Aug 23

Alexander Lukashenko speaking to foreign journalists in Minsk in July

Is Belarus trying to destabilise its EU neighbours?

Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are bolstering their border security in response to increasing activity along the Belarusian side of NATO's eastern frontier. Is Belarus "playing a game to destabilise" its EU and NATO neighbours?

World • 12 Aug 23

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in April 2023

Why this week's NATO summit may disappoint Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants NATO members to give a firm timeline for when Ukraine can join the military alliance, but that is unlikely to happen at its summit in Vilnius.

World • 09 Jul 23

Russian President Vladimir Putin signs the New Delhi Declaration at today's virtual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

After mutiny, Putin seeks to project strength at summit

More than one week since the Wagner Mercenary Group's brief mutiny against the Kremlin's military leadership, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to reassure Asian leaders of his country's stability.

World • 04 Jul 23

Neighbourly relations: Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (right) in Warsaw, December 2021

How serious are Poland's demands for WWII reparations?

Poland is demanding €1.3 trillion in reparations from Germany for losses inflicted by the Nazis during World War II. Berlin says the case is closed, but the current Polish government is intent on pursuing the matter.

Europe • 01 Jul 23

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (C) inspects a section of Poland's steel fence along its border with Belarus in June, 2022

Why is Poland opposed to the EU's new migration deal?

Poland's Prime Minister yesterday restated his government's opposition to a new EU deal on the relocation of migrants within the bloc. What is behind Poland's position?

Europe • 30 Jun 23

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko meeting in Sochi earlier this month

Why did Belarus' Lukashenko intervene in Wagner coup?

Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner group, who led last weekend's one-day mutiny in Russia, has arrived in Belarus. Why did Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko intervene in the dispute between the Kremlin and the mercenary group?

World • 28 Jun 23

A protestor in Warsaw yesterday holds up a portrait of Dorota Lalik, who died of septic shock in her fifth month of pregnancy

Protests held in Poland after death of pregnant woman

Protests took place in more than 40 Polish cities yesterday to highlight the death of 33-year-old Dorota Lalik, who was five months pregnant and died of sepsis in a hospital in southern Poland in late May.

Poland • 15 Jun 23

The CJEU previously ruled in 2021 that Poland's disciplinary procedure for judges did not abide by EU law

Top EU court rules against Poland's 2019 judicial laws

The Court of Justice of the European Union has today ruled in favour of a European Commission case against Poland over the independence of its judiciary.

Europe • 05 Jun 23