Oct 3, 2026, 06:30 AM UTC

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged parliament to draft electoral legislation to enable national elections immediately after martial law is lifted. Fedorov, who was removed from his post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that early planning is crucial for maintaining democratic continuity.

Ukrainian law prohibits holding elections during martial law. However, proponents argue that advance legal preparations are necessary to overcome complex logistical obstacles. Millions of Ukrainian refugees currently reside across Europe, requiring international voting frameworks, while troops serving on active front lines need secure polling arrangements. Preparing guidelines now aims to safeguard institutional stability and ensure a seamless democratic transition once fighting ceases.

Sources: Le Monde.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her sixth State of the Union address in Brussels, urging EU member states to construct a new security architecture and reduce strategic economic reliance on powers like China and the United States. Characterizing the bloc as both stronger and more vulnerable, she called for greater self-reliance amid geopolitical conflicts, high energy costs, and climate shocks.

Von der Leyen highlighted economic competitiveness, stating that the EU must ensure it is "easy to do business, easy to invest and easy to scale up." She outlined priorities spanning defense expansion, migration reform, critical raw material supply chains, and climate resilience, referencing recent Croatian wildfires. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the session as part of efforts to reinforce strategic alliances.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik

US Central Command has conducted military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz following escalating maritime confrontations. The operations came after Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles at two US warships and attempted to lay naval mines in the international shipping corridor, which American military officials confirmed have since been cleared.

The retaliatory actions included strikes on three Iranian oil tankers, marking a direct expansion of direct hostilities into commercial energy shipping. The military response follows warnings from US President Donald Trump, who threatened severe strikes against Iranian energy and civilian infrastructure should attacks on maritime transport persist. Media analyses characterize the confrontation as part of an evolving model of fifth-generation warfare, wherein state actors increasingly target energy grids and commercial fleets alongside traditional military assets.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

US President Donald Trump’s administration faces growing scrutiny as international evaluations and domestic data detail significant policy shifts and systemic challenges during his second term.

An annual report by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance revealed that key indicators of American democracy fell to a 50-year low, citing executive actions as a major factor. Concurrently, data compiled by research groups indicates the administration has frozen or cancelled $177 billion in federal grants, primarily affecting public health, disaster assistance, and environmental programs.

Media commentaries further suggest that despite substantial executive power, the administration faces diminished diplomatic influence and domestic cohesion compared to its initial goals.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

Direct military friction between the United States and Iran has escalated following American strikes targeting sites near Bandar Abbas and Sirik. US President Donald Trump warned of additional military action if Tehran decides to retaliate, claiming that Iranian officials are "begging" for a diplomatic agreement.

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran does not seek an expanded war, but pledged a decisive response against any aggression. Iranian military officials separately denied reports of severe naval damage, asserting that their maritime forces remain operational despite the strikes. The exchange marks a significant escalation in Middle Eastern security after a period of relative calm, with both nations maintaining firm official stances.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).