Ukraine

Tensions in Ukraine have reached a critical juncture as reports emerge of new shelling by Russian forces, exacerbating the already complex situation on the front lines. Despite the onslaught, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Kyiv is formulating plans for a decisive counteroffensive against the aggressors.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's popularity is surprisingly higher in Bulgaria than in his own country or neighboring Slovakia, according to a March survey conducted by the "Ipsos" agency for "Euronews". While only 32% of Hungarians express a positive opinion of Orbán, nearly four out of ten Bulgarians have a favorable view of him.

Bulgaria's newly appointed caretaker Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, has pledged to expedite military aid to Ukraine. Speaking at the ceremony marking his assumption of office from his predecessor Todor Tagarev, Zapryanov underscored the urgency of accelerating the delivery of two military aid packages to Ukraine.

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron met Donald Trump on Monday, British officials said, ahead of talks with senior members of President Joe Biden's administration on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

China's top diplomat emphasized Beijing's commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with Moscow, asserting that the two nations should align themselves with "honesty and justice." Wang Yi made these remarks during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, as reported by AFP.

In Ukraine, a drone attack has rocked the Odesa region in the south. Alongside this targeted strike, reports emerge of casualties from Russian assaults in various parts of the country.

China's top diplomat said on Tuesday that Beijing would strengthen strategic cooperation with Moscow and that the two must stand on the side of "fairness and justice" as he met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov arrived in China for a two-day official visit on Monday, with the two countries looking to strengthen diplomatic ties as Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias met with US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Jessica Lewis, and US Ambassador to Athens, George Tsunis, at the National Defense Ministry in Athens on Monday. 

Buoyed by falling inflation, the European Central Bank is expected to keep borrowing costs on hold one last time on April 11 while laying the ground for a first interest rate cut in June.

The Frankfurt-based institution has left its key rates unchanged since October 2023, following an unprecedented streak of hikes to tame red-hot inflation.

ALDE co-chair Ilhan Kyuchyuk emphasized Bulgaria's imperative for full membership in the Schengen Area during Monday's EU Meets the Balkans Forum in Sofia.

Kyuchyuk asserted that Bulgaria rejects a "quasi-state" status and demands full integration into the Schengen Zone, highlighting the country's potential contributions to EU integration and its added value within the union.