Brainwashing is not confined to Russia, it’s prevalent in the West too
Brainwashing is not just the preserve of the post-Soviet world, it is flourishing with varying degrees of success the world over, writes writer and satirist Marcin Wolski for portal niezależna.pl

The majority of Hungarians reject a one-sided interpretation of Ukraine conflict
Recent polls suggest that European citizens’ views on the war are not what media headlines might suggest, with a majority opposed to arming Ukraine and a near majority against more sanctions on Russia
US approves WWII-inspired legislation to help Ukraine resist Russian invasion
Joe Biden signed the Lend-Lease Act which enables the export of weapons to Ukraine

Germany’s tragicomic energy policy: Vital natural gas project could be blocked to protect porpoises
The latest dispute suggests that finding a solution to replace Russian gas will not be as simple as German newspaper headlines suggest
Hungary to care for wounded Ukrainian soldiers, offer €37 million in aid
Hungary will care for wounded Ukrainian soldiers and offer millions in aid to the war-torn country
Renault sells Lada factory for 1 Russian ruble
The French automaker suspended production Russia in early April.
Viktor Orbán included on ultra-nationalist ‘enemies of Ukraine’ kill list
There are worries the Ukrainian government may be covertly supporting a kill list that includes Hungary’s prime minister and foreign minister
‘Take shorter showers and air out your clothes instead of washing them!’ EC vice-president tells citizens
Frans Timmermans was responding to a question on plans to regulate heating in the EU
Sweden not planning referendum on NATO membership, PM reveals
The majority of political parties in Sweden, in addition to a majority of the public, are supportive of a move to join the defensive alliance
German parliament approves heavy weaponry to be sent to Ukraine
The first shipment from Germany will include the provision of 50 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks
Number of Ukrainian refugees may reach 8.3 million, prompting UN to call for more aid
The U.N. has called on countries to contribute $1.85 billion to a refugee aid fund
Germany could drop Russian oil ‘in a few days’ despite warnings from US official
Germany may soon cut all Russian oil, but risks lie ahead
Russia closes Baltic state consulates, orders all staff to leave its territory in reciprocal move
The Baltics closed their Russian consulates earlier this month
US will send custom Ghost Phoenix attack drones to Ukraine
The drones are part of an $800 million package approved by President Joe Biden
Europe cannot afford war without end
Unlike the U.S., Europe has no interest in a protracted war, Magyar Hírlap columnist Mariann Őry writes
EU has paid Russia €1 billion a day for energy since the war began
Only a full energy embargo could hit Russia hard enough for it to reconsider its war
Poles prepare for Ukraine war to spread to their country
Poles are preparing for the war to come to their territory, according to one professor
Economic sanctions cannot stop Russia, former US general says
The key to victory in Ukraine is military force, claims U.S. veteran General James Dubik
This is how much it will cost the EU to rebuild Ukraine
Any reconstruction efforts will also have to tackle rampant corruption in the country
Sending heavy weapons to Ukraine does not mean joining war, German justice minister says
Germany is also urging investigations on genocide allegations in Ukraine
US sends Javelin missiles and Switchblade drones to Ukraine in $800 million arms package
The total arms package – including howitzers and helicopters – is worth $800 million

Slovakia’s decision to gift S-300 batteries to Ukraine ends in domestic upheaval
The government of Eduard Heger puts its loyalties towards NATO allies over the security of its own citizens
European Investment Bank approves €4 billion aid for Ukrainian refugees
The fundraiser was organized by the European Commission, Canada and NGO ‘Global Citizen’
Russia appoints former Syrian commander to lead invasion force, but US claims Russia has no chance of winning
Putin is pushing for definitive results before May 9, but the U.S. claims that Putin has already lost and has no chance of conquering Ukraine
Video of Ukrainians executing Russian POWs confirmed authentic by the New York Times
A number of shocking videos have been released by Ukrainian fighters showing alleged executions and torture of Russian POWs
EU parliament demands full ban on Russian energy
The resolution demanding an embargo on Russian oil, gas, coal and nuclear fuel passed with a large majority
Ukraine attacks Hungary’s willingness to pay for Russian gas in rubles
After Ukraine tried to interfere in Hungary’s election results, the country is now accusing Hungary of supporting Russia by buying gas in rubles
Orbán speaks to Putin, offers to host ceasefire talks in Budapest in drive for peace
The Hungarian prime minister said Putin’s response was “positive”
Hungary has ‘no difficulty’ to pay rubles for Russian gas, says PM Orbán
Hungary is not the first EU member state to concede to the Russian demand, with Slovakia already signaling it will pay in rubles
EU pledges €1 billion to Ukraine for defensive weapons
It is likely the move will see the transfer of more anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukrainian defense forces
Just before election, Hungarian government emphasizes its anti-war stance
While the left wants to drag Hungary into war, the ruling conservative government says this would threaten Hungary’s security
Romanians’ fear of nuclear fallout has environment minister attempting to calm nerves
Romanians have been hoarding iodine tablets for weeks in anticipation of nuclear fallout or a radiation leak at one of the country’s many nuclear energy plants
Italy faces migration pressure on two fronts, 800,000 Ukrainian refugees expected
Italy expects up to 800,000 refugees from Ukraine, but the country already features a migrant crisis and struggling economy
Zelensky again lashes out at Hungary just before national elections
This was the second time the Ukrainian president criticized Hungary for its stance just before the country’s April 3 elections
Hungarian fighter jets scrambled again due to bomb threat on commercial flight
Hungarian Gripen fighter jets were alerted to a bomb threat aboard a flight from Belgrade to St. Petersburg
Hungary received over 530,000 refugees from Ukraine
The majority, however, do not stay in Hungary but travel on to other Western European countries.
Ukraine war sparks biggest refugee wave since WWII, according to UN
Over 3.8 million left the county and over 6.5 million are internally displaced
Czechs to be paid to house Ukrainian refugees, government expects EU to cover the cost
“As Czechia, we understand that we are one of the priority countries. Those people seek refuge where it is linguistically and culturally close to them,” states Czech Labor Minister Marian Jurečka
Szijjártó defends Hungarian anti-war stance on Ukraine conflict during UN address
Hungary will not accept any sanctions against Russia that threaten energy supplies, the foreign minister reminded the chamber
Hungary scrambles fighter jets after bomb threat received on Turkish civilian airplane
This was the third time Hungarian jets were called upon since the war in Ukraine began
Zelensky claims any deal with Russia must be confirmed by referendum even as war rages
Ukraine should hold a referendum on any deal with Russia, claims Zelensky, but the question is how a referendum is even possible
‘Born in communism, I will die in communism’ Czech singer’s concert cancelled despite distancing himself from Putin
Despite condemning Putin and speaking out on behalf of Ukraine, the Czech singer still saw his concert canceled

While Ukraine was being sliced up, European arms exports flowed to Russia
French and German arms manufacturers have continued to enrich themselves on trade with Russia even after the annexation of Crimea
We and the tragedy of Ukrainians
At the time when Russians besieged the city from three sides and their rockets and grenades hit Kyiv, the visit of three prime ministers was a gesture of solidarity
Poland PM defends proposal to send NATO mission to Ukraine
The prime minister of Poland also calls on Western European leaders to travel to Kyiv
NATO chief warns Russia could use chemical weapons in Ukraine
Western analysts believe that Russia may use chemical weapons in a false-flag operation
The war in Ukraine is also the war for Poland’s future
Poland must win the war for its own and Europe’s future using Ukrainian hands, writes conservative Polish politician Marian Piłka
Central Europe’s ‘improper romantics’ stood against USSR and now stand with Ukraine
Morawiecki, Kaczyński, Fiala and Janša have experience of fighting communism when it required actual courage, reminds Grzegorz Górny for wPolityce.pl

Zelensky with Czech, Polish and Slovenian leaders in Kyiv: ‘With such friends, we truly will succeed and win’
The arrival of a number of Central European leaders in Kyiv in the middle of a war has been met with glowing praise in Ukraine
So many Canadians have volunteered to defend Ukraine that they have formed their own battalion
Estimates suggest up to 1,000 Canadians have formally applied to help fight for Ukraine, with others traveling to the country via their own means
“Simply extraordinary!” – Poland should receive Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian efforts, Spanish journalist claims
Western journalists are impressed by the great humanitarian effort that Poles and Polish authorities have undertaken to aid the refugees
Polish PM calls for total freeze of all Russian state assets to help rebuild Ukraine
Russia’s assets and those of Russian oligarchs should serve to rebuild Ukraine, PM Mateusz Morawieki stated during the Lublin Triangle summit in Warsaw
A Russian fog hangs over the Vatican
The Vatican refuses to name Russia as the aggressor as it seeks closer relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, writes Jacek Dziedzina for Catholic portal Gosc.pl
‘Putin may decide to use chemical weapons,’ warns Polish President Duda
President Andrzej Duda believes that given the current situation, Vladimir Putin may be capable of anything, including the use of weapons of mass destruction
Polish PM: Russia’s gas blackmail of Europe will be a thing of the past
The Polish prime minister highlighted that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced Europe, and Germany in particular, to reassess its energy policy concerning Russia
Poles won’t run out of food, food prices will rise sharply due to Ukraine war
The rest of the world will feel the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war when it comes to food supply more than Poland, the Polish Economic Institute warns
‘He won’t live to see Christmas!’ – Former Soviet spy predicts sticky end for Putin
Viktor Suvorov believes that Putin will be murdered, pointing to examples of similar cases in Russian history
Poland made the right decision on MiG-29s
The affairs surrounding the MiG-29s is further confirmation that Poland must continue to build an army which will be able to independently defend the country in the case of war, writes Jacek Karnowski
‘Instead of helping Poland, you continue to pay Putin,’ says Polish MEP to European Parliament
“During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland is showing the world the difference between migrants and actual refugees,” Patryk Jaki declared
US slams door on MiG fighter jets for Ukraine
Earlier, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki stressed that decision on MIG-29s had to be unanimous and made by ell NATO members
Czechia prepares for 250,000 refugees
Refugees from Ukraine, who have a so-called toleration visa, could soon work in Czechia without a work permit
Majority of Poles back ban on Russian energy supplies and higher taxes for defense budget; 4 in 10 fearful of a Russian invasion
A slight majority of Poles also support higher taxes for military spending and back abandoning Russian energy supplies, even if such a move would result in a further hike in energy prices
Poland must forge its moral capital into political capital, says Polish expert
Sociology Professor Arkadiusz Jabłoński believes that Poland should use the fact that its neighbors aren’t as open to Ukrainian refugees as Poles are to increase its political capital

Who says the war in Ukraine has no winners?
Beijing is well positioned to come out stronger via Russian, U.S. and European economic pains
Has the period of globalization come to an end?
The future of the “one world” which solidified itself by the end of the Cold War currently hangs in the balance in Ukraine, writes Marek A. Cichocki
‘Europe’s moral strength is being tested!’ Polish PM wants greater EU assistance for Ukraine
Mateusz Morawiecki called for European leaders to offer greater assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russia
Lithuanian president urges NATO to stop Putin ‘now to avoid World War III’
Gitanas Nauseda also assured U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken of Lithuania’s readiness to accept the permanent deployment of U.S. soldiers following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Viktor Orbán walks his own path on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
PM Orbán explains Hungary’s position on the war in Ukraine, his country’s energy security policy, and how China will play a key role in his country’s future
Blinken: US considering supplying Poland with F-16s in exchange for Poland giving Ukraine MiG-29s
According to American sources, talks are being held between Washington and Warsaw about an agreement to replace Polish planes if they are given over to Ukrainian pilots
Israeli PM Bennett attempts peace mediation with Russia
Following Bennett’s face-to-face talks with Putin over the weekend, the Israeli foreign minister will meet U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday
Polish government plans to pay Poles who take in Ukrainian refugees
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that his government will introduce an “anti-Putin shield”
Amazing: Poles take 800,000 Ukrainian refugees into their homes, which means no new refugee camps are needed
Ambassador Marek Magierowski emphasized the humanitarian aid both the Polish state and Polish people are giving to Ukrainians fleeing the war
Outpouring of solidarity in Poland
In the face of the humanitarian crisis caused by a Russian aggression on Ukraine, Poles are living a miracle of the sort of unity they have not experienced since the days of Solidarity in the 1980s, writes Jerzy Jachowicz for portal wPolityce.pl

Fortress Slovakia: A small country prepares to become a massive NATO base
Slovakia’s liberal leaders want to place NATO’s frontline with Russia on their territory, yet most citizens not only reject NATO troops in their country but also support neutrality or even back Russia’s actions in Ukraine
95% of Poles support providing refuge to fleeing Ukrainians
The latest polling reveals that 60 percent of Poles believe “all fleeing people must be admitted,” while another 35 percent back supporting those most in need
One piece of good news as energy prices explode in European markets
The price of CO2 emission certificates has fallen from €95 to €62 per ton in reaction to the war in Ukraine, thereby putting the EU’s energy transformation to renewables under serious question
400 Indian students fleeing Russia-Ukraine war flown home from Poland
Over 400 students from India who crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border fleeing war have left Poland in two planes which left for Delhi on Tuesday from the southeastern city of Rzeszów
Putin’s end will not be one to be envied
Putin now undedrstands that his end may be more like that of Stalin, Ceausescu, or at best Milosevic, writes Stanisław Janecki for portal wPolityce.pl
Poland expects 1 million refugees from Ukraine, but many of them are originally from other countries
While the majority crossing into Poland are Ukrainians, already people from 125 different countries have entered Poland due to the conflict
Germany’s ambassador to Warsaw: Poles may have got Russia right
Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven acknowledges that Germany, unlike Poland, took too long in understanding what Putin was about and says he can easily imagine German troops being involved in protecting Poland’s borders
Stoltenberg: NATO will not send forces to Ukraine
Claims that Ukraine would also get fighter jets have also been refuted
Putin will keep winning until Western liberals start acknowledging their crucial role in his success
Ukraine: where Western and Eastern lies meet
Putin isn’t Hitler and Poland should avoid disputes between outside powers, says Polish philosopher from Warsaw University
Polish philosopher Prof. Jacek Hołówka appeals to Poles to stay united, to avoid being used by outside powers, and to not fall prey to false comparisons between the Polish and Ukrainian situation
Czechs to join Ukrainian foreign legion, President Zeman is supportive
Other countries like the U.K. and Denmark are giving the nod for volunteers to join the fight in Ukraine; the question is now how Russia will respond
Is Poland being racist to Blacks fleeing Ukraine? Polish journalists dispute BBC smear as ‘fake news’
The BBC has published claims by a Nigerian student that he was treated heartlessly and like an “animal,” but has since deleted the Tweet
War in Ukraine will hit Polish growth
Economists are estimating that the war in Ukraine will hit Polish growth by over 1-percentage point, bringing growth forecasts all the way down to only 1.5 to 2.5 percent
Being like Volodymir Zelensky
President Volodymir Zelensky is becoming the symbol of Ukrainian resistance with his refusal to flee and determination to lead, writes Artur Bartkiewicz in Rzeczpospolita daily
Lewandowski and Polish FA lead opposition to Russia’s participation in World Cup
The captain of the Polish national football team and Polish Football Association declared that Poland will not play Russia in the 2022 World Cup playoffs
Poles recognize the difference between Putin’s hybrid migration warfare and a genuine refugee crisis
Poles have been proven right on the issue of migration, writes Michał Karnowski in wPolityce.pl
Polish President Duda: Ukrainians are defending not only their own freedom, but that of all Europeans
During his address to the nation, Andrzej Duda assured of Poland’s willingness to accept Ukrainian refugees and of the Polish army’s readiness to defend the country’s borders
Russia has crossed the most red of red lines
In the face of Russian military invasion on Ukraine, Poland must arm itself and do away with its immaturity and infantilism when it comes to historic affairs, warns Jacek Karnowski, the editor-in-chief of conservative weekly magazine Sieci,
Czech politicians condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine: ‘Barbaric act of aggression, Putin is a bandit’
“A madman must be isolated,” commented President Miloš Zeman on Russia’s actions
Polish PM Morawiecki calls for immediate response ‘to Russia’s criminal aggression against Ukraine’
A Polish Committee for National Security and Defense Affairs was convened to discuss the ongoing war beyond Poland’s eastern border
Russian money laundered in European capitals fuels Ukraine crisis
Systemic greed and corruption within Western financial institutions are costing lives
Is this how Russia will conquer Ukraine?
Polish Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak explains how Russia will continue its conquest of Ukraine
Putin takes a huge step towards war
Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and ordering Russian troops into separatist-held regions significantly increases the risk of a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, writes Jędrzej Bielecki for Rzeczpospolita daily
Assurances from Russia should not be taken seriously, warns Polish military expert
Former deputy defense minister and military expert Romuald Szeremietiew claims Russia wants to manufacture a situation in which it can declare Ukraine the aggressor
War between Russia and Ukraine is likely imminent
There are growing signs that Russia could invade this week, but Putin is also exploring other options, writes Jerzy Haszczyński for Rzeczpospolita