Aug 7, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that foreign deliveries of air defense interceptor missiles have dropped to one-third of last year's levels. Zelensky raised the critical shortage with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during discussions on securing additional interceptor stockpiles to counter frequent Russian drone and missile strikes targeting major cities and infrastructure.

Alongside defense challenges, Kyiv reported progress on European integration, with Zelensky confirming that Ukraine has fulfilled all required criteria to open four additional negotiation clusters for European Union accession. Additionally, the European Union transferred a fifth financial tranche of €1.4 billion to Ukraine, sourced from interest generated by frozen Russian central bank assets to help fund military needs and national budget stability.

Sources: Digi24, Economedia, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

Moldovan authorities have expanded draft fiscal measures to include raising the bank profit tax from 12% to 18%. While the government presents the increase as a temporary solidarity initiative, economic experts warn it may restrict lending to households and businesses. The proposal accompanies earlier measures applying a 20% value-added tax and a 12 MDL fee on foreign e-commerce purchases under €150.

In Romania, the European Commission cautioned that non-compliance with recovery plan commitments following decarbonisation legislation could carry financial penalties. Meanwhile, major Romanian retail chains have initiated voluntary reductions in lighting and air conditioning to alleviate pressure on the national power grid. Separately, Chinese authorities have launched a global tax audit campaign targeting high-net-worth individuals for back taxes dating to 2000.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

A severe heatwave continues to grip Southern and Southeastern Europe, prompting maximum weather alerts and placing heavy demands on regional energy grids. Red warnings have been issued across much of Serbia and neighboring Balkan regions, with temperatures climbing toward 39 degrees Celsius. In Serbia, municipal weather stations registered peak afternoon values of 38.6 degrees Celsius in Sombor, alongside elevated temperatures in other urban centers. High electricity consumption from cooling systems, combined with low water levels on the Danube River, has heightened strain on regional power networks.

Across the continent, conditions remain extreme. Italian health officials placed all 27 monitored cities under top-level health warnings, reporting ground surface temperatures near 75 degrees Celsius. Austria also recorded unseasonably high temperatures. Researchers and authorities warn that these weather events pose growing risks to public health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Sources: Beta, Danas, Klix, N1, Tanjug

European Union ministers expressed solidarity with Spain following an emergency meeting in Brussels, attributing the recent migration surge into Ceuta to human smugglers and external influences. The support follows earlier European criticism of Madrid's border management, which had prompted Italy to temporarily suspend travel connections with Spain.

In Ceuta, thousands of migrants remain in a heavily guarded beach encampment. Spanish authorities report returning approximately 95 percent of illegal entrants to Morocco. Reported casualty figures from drownings and stampedes near border structures range between 72 and 88, though Moroccan officials dispute these estimates. Meanwhile, emergency services rescued two survivors near Mallorca after a 15-day sea crossing in which 17 migrants reportedly perished.

Sources: CDM, HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix, Poslovni dnevnik.

Moldovan authorities have delayed planned public sector salary increases previously set for September 1, as officials align the wage framework with broader fiscal reforms. President Maia Sandu stated that implementing the raises by the initial deadline is unlikely, noting that the government must first finalize its budget policy and confirm that projected revenues can cover costs.

Concurrently, severe storms caused significant power outages across parts of the country after damaging high-voltage electricity lines connecting Bălți and Dnestrovsk, knocking down approximately ten transmission towers.

In economic policy developments, Moldova launched a domestic holiday voucher program allowing employers to offer workers certificates worth up to 8,700 lei for local tourism. Officials have also initiated public debates on revising national holidays to align more closely with European Union standards.

Sources: Adevărul, Moldova1, Newsmaker, Point, Ziarul de Gardă.