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Also in this newsletter: Giorgia Meloni’s awkward phone prank
Impasse in talks to normalise relations between Balkan neighbours raises fears of another conflict
Also in this newsletter: EU wants to kick-start investments to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Sofia has imposed punitive taxes on gas transiting from Russia and on Lukoil refinery profits
Edi Rama calls on western leaders to solve ‘never-ending madness’ among Balkan countries
Puzzle: can you do better than Carlsen?
Belgrade denies US claims of ‘unprecedented’ build-up of troops and arms on border
Exploring the quieter corners of this Balkan jewel
Unidentified fighters had barricaded themselves inside complex in latest sign of deteriorating ethnic tensions
UK public prosecutor authorises charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women
Also in this newsletter: an audacious criminal heist shakes Montenegro
Brussels has handled Kyiv’s accession bid with record speed since Russia’s full-scale invasion last year
Also in this newsletter: Romania’s prime minister pleads for budget wriggle-room from Brussels
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni takes ferry to Albanian coast on private visit
Politicians and public opinion in parts of central and eastern Europe have doubts about Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the war
Ukrainian president says Sofia’s new government is supportive of accelerating arms shipments
Political stand-off increases Balkans security risks as relations between Pristina and Belgrade deteriorate
Rare move by Brussels mirrors steps taken by Washington in May
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has finally convinced officials to offer Balkan membership applicants more than honeyed words
Belgrade has long been a Moscow ally, resisting western pressure on sanctions after Russia’s full-scale invasion
European Commission president offers to increase funding for countries waiting to join the bloc
Washington retaliates against Pristina’s lack of de-escalatory measures
Serb protesters and international peacekeepers injured as ethnic tensions flare up, sparking security concerns
New leadership seeks to pass reforms and capitalise on fresh focus on Balkan region amid Ukraine war
Author Georgi Gospodinov and translator Angela Rodel on ‘Time Shelter’, the first Bulgarian book to win the prize
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