October 20, 2022 UPDATE

WAR IN UKRAINE - Russia's Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that its forces continued to target military and energy infrastructure objectives in Ukraine. The Ministry also claims its forces repelled a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kherson region in the south, where the local occupation administration is trying to evacuate tens of thousands of residents. The Russian MFA claims weapon deliveries from the EU to Kyiv have turned the community bloc into a belligerent faction in the Ukrainian conflict. MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova referred to countries that delivered weapons to Ukraine as "sponsors of terrorism".

RESIGNATION - British Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced her resignation amidst challenges targeting both herself and her party. The British official admitted she cannot keep the promises made when she submitted her candidacy for the leadership of the Conservative Party after her predecessor, Boris Johnson, stepped down. Liz Truss's economic measures based on reducing taxation have disrupted global markets, resulting in a sharp drop of the Pound and state bonds. Liz Truss steps down after only 45 days in office, thus becoming the shortest-ruling Prime Minister in the history of the UK.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL - Romania's president, Klaus Iohannis, is attending the European Council meeting devoted to the energy crisis and solutions for Europeans to pay their bills. European leaders met to reach consensus regarding a reduction of energy prices in the context of the war in Ukraine. President Iohannis said the European Commission's proposal with regard to the steep price of natural gas is good, and that Romania agrees to the proposal. The president explained gas prices will be capped without causing troubles for distributors while preventing the unwarranted increase of prices. "We have started working on regulations that separate the natural gas market from the electricity market. We have a number of common acquisitions as part of a joint platform for natural gas. We have a series of elements that can help member states cope with the energy crisis", Klaus Iohannis further pointed out.

PROTESTS - Trade unions of the Cartel Alfa trade confederation on Thursday staged a protest action in Bucharest, calling on the authorities to curb impoverishment. Unionists call for a better control of prices and taxing excess profits, an increase of salaries and pensions and starting collective negotiations for the modification of the Law on Social Dialogue. Protesters have warned that, unless their demands are met, they will return in larger numbers to call for the resignation of the government. Earlier this month, Cartel Alfa representatives decided to organize a number of protests at national level in response to what they have described as absurdly high energy costs and the soaring prices for food and other essential goods, which force millions of workers to make painful decisions and bring many of them on the brink of poverty.

SCHENGEN - The Dutch Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution calling on the Government to vote against the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria. Dutch MP Sophia in 't Veld, the coordinator of the Renew Europe group in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in the European Parliament, expressed regret for the decision, arguing that both countries comply with technical accession criteria. We recall that the European Parliament on Tuesday adopted with a large majority a resolution calling on the Council of the European Union to take all the necessary measures to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the visa-free travel area by the end of the year. Schengen enlargement requires a unanimous decision at the level of the EU Council. At present, of all EU Member States, only Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania are not part of the Schengen area, which also includes countries that are not members of the community bloc (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein).

FOOTBALL - Romania's Under-21 team has been drawn in Group B alongside Spain, Ukraine and Croatia at the U21 European Championships in 2023. The competition will be hosted by Romania and Georgia over June 21 - July 8. Romania's matches will take place in Bucharest, whereas the city of Cluj will host matches in Group D. The U21 teams of Norway, Switzerland, France and Italy will play their matches in this city. Romania will also host two matches in the quarterfinals phase. The top three teams will automatically qualify to the Paris Olympics of 2024. For the first time in its history, Romania will be present in the European Championships for the third consecutive time, after securing qualification to the 2019 and 2021 editions. (VP)