Steven Lacey’s Post

Funding of UK MPs by the Israel Lobby . It is an eye opener. If you think that other foreign states (Russia, China) are influencing our country politics . Well have a look at this document attached. https://lnkd.in/eGUaX5td

In a paper published in the East European Politics, Petr Kaniok and I discuss foreign policy priorities of the Czech political parties in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine: https://lnkd.in/eUTG5NEB

❝Especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one would think that the EU would have learned its lesson about the disastrous effects of appeasing autocrats.❞ 💡 In this new Critical Thinking article, Tineke Strik, Member of the European Parliament and Greens/EFA spokesperson on Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, argues that after almost two years without significant progress, it we can conclude that the EU still fails to break with the trend of the past and evoke true progress and democratisation in the Western Balkans. 📆 Indeed, ever since the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine, which propelled enlargement back onto the top of the EU agenda, hopes have been high in the Western Balkans that the decade-long accession impetus could finally be broken and EU membership could become a genuine outlook again in the near future. ⏩ So, if EU leaders are serious about their renewed commitment towards enlargement, a serious policy shift is needed. ⬇️ Find out more in the full article below. #CriticalThinking #WesternBalkans #EnlargementPolicy

How does #Ukraine spending compare to other budget priorities? Explore our latest newsletter insights and debater editorials. Ukraine's Future in Peril. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eHHEQ-BS #opentodebate #congress #ukrainewar #militarybudget Council on Foreign Relations

''Europe will be forged in crisis, and will be the sum of the solutions adopted to those crises.'' Every cent spent on appeasing Orban was a cent too many, but nothing can take away the joy of this revolutionary moment for Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Europe. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and end this. Mobilise our economy so that Ukraine can win this war. Provide them everything they need to become a vibrant EU member state. Empower the rule of law to break blackmailers and protect democracy. Let this be the day when Europe woke up. #ukraine #moldova #georgia #europeanunion #democracy

Ārlietu ministrija/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia warned media March 7 not to be tempted to cover so-called elections being staged by Russia on occupied #Ukrainian territory. "Russian presidential 'elections' due to be held between 15 and 17 March 2024 will also be organised illegitimately in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied and annexed by Russia. Russia will specifically attempt to attract foreign observers and media by seeking, through their participation, to legitimize both this 'election' and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories," the Ministry said in a release. "Latvia neither recognizes, nor will it recognize the illegal occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories by the aggressor. Latvia will also not recognise the organisation and results of Russia's “elections” in the temporarily occupied and annexed territories of Ukraine. Russia has no legitimate basis for such action in the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine," is added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly urges Latvian nationals to avoid all travel to Russia as well as the territories of Ukraine currently under illegal occupation. https://lnkd.in/deaNcGqg

🔹The EU_Council adopted the general EU positions, incl. negotiating frameworks, for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. 🔵This opens the way for launching the negotiations on Tuesday 25 June in Luxembourg: · 15:30 - IGC with Ukraine · 18:00 - IGC with Moldova

#Georgia's pro-Russian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who called #Ukraine a “fallen country,” will participate in the International Conference on Reconstruction in #Berlin on June 11-12, Georgia Online reported on June 10. #Kobakhidze will travel to Berlin with a delegation that includes Foreign Minister Ilya Darchiashvili and Chief of Staff Levan Giorgoliani. It is noted that the conference will focus on four areas: - mobilizing the private sector for recovery and economic growth - social recovery and human capital for the future of #Ukraine - restoration of municipalities and regions - accession to the European Union and related reforms Kobakhidze on May 30 once again played along with Russian propaganda and drew a “parallel” between the Revolution of Dignity and the protests in Georgia, calling Ukraine a “collapsed country.” Pro-Kremlin prime minister on April 17 said that the “Russian” draft law on “foreign agents” in the country was supposed to protect the country from “Ukrainization,” noting that “#Ukrainization” could thwart country's membership in the EU. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry then stated that the real threat to Georgia is #Russification, not “mystical Ukrainization.” They noted that using Ukraine in such a derogatory context “causes additional damage to Ukrainian-Georgian relations.” https://lnkd.in/gaTmVcn5

This week will remain engraved in the history of our Union.      EU leaders have just decided to: ✔ open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, ✔ grant candidate status to Georgia, ✔ open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached.    How familiar are you with the enlargement process?  Let's walk you through the 9 steps towards EU accession ↓    #EUenlargement    

Today marks a significant milestone for Ukraine and the European Union - the commencement of open accession negotiations between Ukraine and the EU. This step reflects the immense progress the country has made in implementing reforms and democratic values, which are pivotal for EU membership. It signifies an important stride in Ukraine's journey towards deepening cooperation and integration with a community of nations sharing common values and principles. May this stage of negotiations yield fruitful outcomes for both parties, fostering peaceful and stable development in our region. #peace #EU #Ukraine #future #community_of_nations