Kosovo Election Results Show Incumbent Party Leading but Short of Majority

Kosovo's incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party received 43 percent of the vote in the country's snap election, according to near-complete results. The social democratic, pro-EU party Vetëvendosje will need to form a coalition to govern. It remains unclear whether the outcome will resolve a political impasse for the country seeking closer ties to the European Union and NATO.

and Armenia Votes European Council

President António Costa visited the Western Balkans last week and urged Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations to support both countries' bids to join the 27-member bloc. Russia had applied import restrictions on Armenian products and threatened to suspend a gas deal ahead of the vote.

Ukraine applied to join the European Union in 2022. Hungary's new leader instructed the country's ambassador to drop a veto in Brussels, allowing the expected opening of Ukraine's first accession cluster. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Monday.

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said at an informal defense meeting in Cyprus on Monday that European Peace Facility funds should be dispersed to support Ukraine. The meeting also covers measures against Russia's shadow fleet and the European Security Strategy, including Article 42.7.

Last month European ambassadors examined scenarios for triggering the mutual defense clause.

President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a speech more than three years ago introducing a strategy of de-risking relations with China. Governments largely set aside her warnings on export controls at the time. The European Union now faces a large trade deficit with China.