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Western Balkans Press EU for Relief as Truck Blockades Enter Fourth Day

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Truck drivers across the Western Balkans continued blocking cargo terminals at European Union borders for a fourth straight day, as regional governments urged Brussels to ease new rules they say are crippling trade. Drivers in Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia began protests this week against stricter enforcement of the EU’s entry-exit system, which they say risks detention or deportation for breaching Schengen stay limits.

Despite the EU saying it is working on a new visa strategy for highly mobile professions such as truck drivers, protests persisted on Thursday. At the Batrovci crossing between Serbia and EU member Croatia, long lines of trucks blocked access to cargo terminals, disrupting a key transport corridor linking the EU with Turkey and the Middle East. Truckers said they would continue demonstrations until concrete solutions are offered.

Serbia’s Chamber of Commerce said nearly all exports from the four countries were halted, causing losses of about 92 million euros a day, with EU-based companies also affected. Montenegro’s president has appealed to EU officials to consider the needs of regional transporters, while Serbia is seeking talks with the European Commission on options such as special visas or permits. Some blockades have eased, including at Montenegro’s port of Bar, but pressure remains high for a swift compromise.

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STMicro Sees Clearer 2026 Outlook as Restructuring Costs Persist

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STMicroelectronics forecast first-quarter revenue slightly above market expectations, citing improving visibility and signs of recovery in its key end markets, but warned that restructuring costs will continue to weigh on results through 2026. The Franco-Italian chipmaker said it expects revenue of about $3.04 billion in the first quarter, ahead of analysts’ average estimate of $2.99 billion, lifting its shares in early trade.

The company reported fourth-quarter net income of $125 million, well below both analysts’ expectations and last year’s result, after booking a $141 million impairment linked to restructuring. Excluding the charge, profit would have been $266 million. STMicro said demand in its core automotive, industrial and consumer electronics markets has begun to stabilise as inventory corrections ease after a prolonged post-pandemic slowdown.

However, the group cautioned that the impact of its European manufacturing overhaul will be felt across every quarter of 2026. The restructuring involves shifting production away from older facilities in France and Italy toward newer sites, with finance chief Lorenzo Grandi saying costs will remain elevated even as operational charges gradually decline, supporting margin improvement over time.

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Deutsche Bank Offices Raided in Germany Over Money Laundering Probe

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German authorities have raided Deutsche Bank’s offices in Frankfurt and Berlin as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering, prosecutors said. The Office of the Federal Prosecutor said it is probing “unknown individuals and employees” at Germany’s largest lender, alongside the Federal Criminal Police Office, over past business relationships with foreign companies believed to have been used for illicit financial activities.

Officials declined to provide details on which employees or companies are under investigation, saying no further information could be disclosed about the transactions, their scale, or the entities involved. Deutsche Bank confirmed that searches were conducted at its premises but did not comment further. German media reports suggested potential links to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, claims his lawyers strongly denied.

Abramovich’s legal team said he has no connection to the investigation and is neither a suspect nor under scrutiny, adding that the raids relate solely to Deutsche Bank’s alleged failure to meet reporting obligations under Germany’s anti-money laundering rules. The case recalls a 2018 investigation when Deutsche Bank’s Frankfurt headquarters and other offices were searched over suspected assistance in setting up offshore accounts to move funds linked to criminal activity.

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Six European Economies Push to Advance Stalled EU Projects

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Ministers from six major European economies, including Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, pledged to take the lead in advancing projects stalled by the EU’s slow decision-making processes. The virtual meeting followed criticism from the Trump administration over the EU’s lengthy deliberations, with leaders emphasizing the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and defense capabilities amid geopolitical uncertainty. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil described the group as a flexible coalition, open to additional countries joining in the future.

While no concrete decisions were made, the ministers agreed to focus on key areas such as creating a capital markets union, enhancing the international role of the euro, coordinating defense investments, and securing critical minerals through joint purchasing and trade partnerships. The discussions underscored the growing emphasis on European sovereignty in light of global challenges from the U.S., Russia, and China. Officials stressed that the initiative would allow faster progress on crucial projects without requiring unanimous agreement from all 27 EU members.

The move reflects a broader push within Europe to adopt a “two-speed” approach, enabling smaller groups of countries to act independently on policy areas where consensus is difficult. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French leaders have long advocated for this strategy to accelerate economic and strategic initiatives, including trade deals and energy policies. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański noted that Europe must act faster to respond to ongoing economic and geopolitical changes, signaling a shift toward more agile and pragmatic decision-making within the EU.

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Donetsk Remains Major Hurdle in Ukraine Peace Talks, Rubio Says

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said active efforts are under way to resolve the territorial dispute over Donetsk, calling it the most difficult remaining obstacle in U.S.-mediated talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rubio said negotiators have narrowed the talks to this single core issue, but warned it would be “very difficult” to bridge the gap.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine surrender all of the Donbas region, including the remaining 20% of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control, threatening to seize it by force if it is not handed over in a peace deal. Ukraine has firmly rejected territorial concessions, saying it will not cede land Russia has failed to capture militarily, a stance widely supported by Ukrainian public opinion and most of the international community.

Rubio said the United States may participate in follow-up talks expected in Abu Dhabi, though senior envoys involved in earlier discussions will not attend. Previous talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials ended without an agreement, but both sides signaled willingness to continue dialogue. Rubio also indicated that U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine could come into effect only after the conflict ends, amid reports that Washington is pressing Kyiv to accept a peace deal as a condition for long-term security support.

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Victims Sue German Bank After Vault Heist

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Victims of a high-profile German bank heist have begun filing lawsuits against Sparkasse Gelsenkirchen, after burglars drilled into a vault during the Christmas holidays and stole millions in cash and valuables. A lawyer representing the victims said three cases were filed on Wednesday at a court in Essen, accusing the bank of failing to maintain adequate security.

The theft occurred when masked intruders accessed the bank branch through a parking garage and bored into a vault containing thousands of safe deposit boxes. The incident shocked Germany and drew international attention. While the court declined to comment, the bank said it considered itself a victim and maintained that its premises were secured using state-of-the-art technology.

According to the lawyer, one claimant lost nearly €400,000 in cash stored after selling an apartment, while others lost jewellery, luxury watches, and gold worth tens of thousands of euros. The case has reignited debate over insurance coverage, as the bank has said contents of deposit boxes are typically insured for just €10,300, prompting warnings from regulators about customers understanding coverage limits.

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Storm Kristin Leaves Widespread Power Cuts in Portugal, Hits Spain With Snow and High Winds

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Storm Kristin knocked out electricity to more than 800,000 people across central and northern Portugal on Wednesday, toppling trees and power lines, damaging homes, and disrupting road and rail traffic. Authorities reported around 1,500 weather-related incidents as wind gusts reached up to 150 km/h, accompanied by heavy rain and snowfall. At least one person was killed near Lisbon when a tree fell onto a car.

Portugal’s grid operator E-Redes said crews were working to restore power to about 855,000 customers, though repair efforts were slowed by the severity of the weather. Emergency services remained on high alert as conditions continued to pose risks across affected regions.

The storm then moved into Spain, compounding disruption from an earlier system. Strong winds and snow affected more than 160 roads, including key motorways, while parts of central Madrid saw rooftops blanketed in snow. Spain’s weather agency AEMET warned of potentially hurricane-force gusts in some areas, prompting red alerts, park closures, and the suspension of outdoor activities.

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Germany Pushes ‘Two-Speed’ Europe With Core Group of Six Economies

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Germany is advocating a “two-speed” European Union to overcome decision-making gridlock and strengthen the bloc’s economic and strategic autonomy. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said a core group of countries should move faster on key policies, arguing that the EU needs new momentum to respond to growing geopolitical and economic challenges.

Klingbeil has invited finance ministers from France, Poland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands to form a leading group of six economies, with an initial video meeting planned as a starting point. The proposal aims to boost Europe’s sovereignty, resilience and competitiveness, as EU economies seek to reduce reliance on imported critical raw materials and shield themselves from global trade fragmentation and tariff risks.

According to a letter seen by Reuters, the initiative includes a four-point agenda focusing on advancing the capital markets union, strengthening the international role of the euro, improving coordination on defence investment, and securing supplies of strategic raw materials. Klingbeil said faster progress in these areas is essential to make Europe stronger, more independent and better prepared for an increasingly unpredictable global environment.

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Former French Senator Sentenced for Drugging MP

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Former French senator Joel Guerriau has been found guilty of spiking the drink of MP Sandrine Josso with ecstasy in an attempted sexual assault. Guerriau, 68, was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months to be served behind bars, and ordered to pay €5,000 in damages to Josso for emotional distress. The incident occurred in November 2023 at Guerriau’s Paris apartment, where he admitted giving her a drink containing MDMA, claiming it was accidental.

Josso, 50, recounted how she began feeling unwell after consuming the spiked champagne and managed to leave the apartment with the help of a colleague before receiving medical treatment. Toxicology tests later confirmed her blood contained three times the recreational dose of MDMA. Josso described the ordeal as deeply traumatic, noting that it left her psychologically scarred and more vulnerable to everyday triggers.

Guerriau, a centre-right senator from the Horizons party who resigned last October, expressed remorse for his actions but denied any intention to assault Josso. The MP has since become an advocate against drug-facilitated sexual assault, joining an association founded to combat chemical submission. Guerriau’s lawyers have stated that he plans to appeal the verdict.

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Spain to Grant Legal Status to 500,000 Undocumented Migrants

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Spain’s government has unveiled a draft decree to provide legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, in a bid to accelerate integration and support key economic sectors. The measure targets those who have lived in the country for at least five months by the end of 2025 and have no criminal record, as well as asylum applicants. The permit will initially be valid for one year, extendable up to five years for children, and could lead to citizenship after 10 years—or sooner for Latin American nationals and refugees.

The decree is expected to benefit around 500,000 people, primarily from Latin America, strengthening Spain’s approach to migration based on human rights, social cohesion, and economic growth. Migration Minister Elma Saiz emphasized that Spain’s openness to migrants has helped fuel employment in sectors such as hospitality and care, contributing to lower unemployment and robust economic performance relative to other European nations.

While the decree can be enacted by the cabinet without parliamentary approval, it faces potential political opposition. Conservative leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo has pledged to reverse the policy if his party wins the next election. The initiative follows citizen-backed campaigns supported by hundreds of rights groups and the Catholic Church, aimed at regularizing undocumented migrants who now account for a significant portion of Spain’s non-EU population.

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