Eurotopics.net

On the day before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has vetoed tougher sanctions against Russia at the EU foreign ministers' meeting. Together with Slovakia it accuses Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline. The 20th package of sanctions, which is now on hold, is directed against Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers and energy revenues. A loan already approved by the EU summit is also in limbo.

Moscow's Gulag History Museum, which was initially closed in November 2024 due to alleged fire safety violations, will now be given a new thematic orientation. According to the newly appointed museum director it will be converted into a "memorial museum for the victims of the genocide of the Soviet people" and document Nazi war crimes during WWII.

After five postponements, the Romanian Constitutional Court finally approved the planned reform of pensions for judges and prosecutors last week. The current system provides for pensions of up to 5,000 euros per month and retirement from the age of 48. The implementation of the reform is a condition for the disbursement of EU funds.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on the basis of an emergency law are illegal. Following the decision Trump, invoking a trade law, issued a decree imposing new tariffs of 10 percent and then announced an increase to 15 percent. These tariffs can remain in place for a maximum of 150 days and can only be extended with the approval of Congress.