Deutsche Welle: DW.com - Europe

Who are the Ukrainian 'volunteers' under Russian command? Russia has announced a battalion consisting of Ukrainian "volunteers." But veterans and former prisoners of war share very different accounts. Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agreed to 'energy ceasefire' US President Donald Trump says both sides have agreed to stop targeting oil refineries, power plants and other energy infrastructure immediately. Surrogacy in Georgia is booming, but at what cost? Georgia became a hub for surrogate pregnancies after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. DW spoke with parents, and those who wanted to become parents, about the hidden costs of a booming industry. Schools crisis in France: Investment fails to inspire confidence For weeks, schoolchildren in France have been protesting the failing education system. Compared to many other countries, France invests heavily in education but critics say that the funds are not distributed fairly. Macron and Steinmeier struggle to revive Franco-German ties Presidents Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Emmanuel Macron are about to step down from their offices. Their meeting in France made it clear how urgently the Franco-German partnership needs new momentum. Poland: Lifeline for Ukrainian refugees confronts donor fatigue and online abuse as anti-Ukrainian sentiment grows A Ukrainian woman who fled the war in her country built a lifeline for refugees in Poland. Now her organization faces donor fatigue, funding cuts and rising hostility as support for Ukrainians in Poland wanes. Bosnia-Herzegovina will soon have a new grand mufti The new leader of the Islamic Community in Bosnia-Herzegovina will be elected on October 10. The reis-ul-ulema's role is not only important for Muslims in the country itself, but could inspire Muslims across Europe. Finland, the world's happiest nation, faces a glum winter Finns have many reasons to feel content, but the country's pile of debt is not one of them. Russia's war in Ukraine has added to the fiscal burden. Can the Nordic nation absorb another shock? EU pulls sponsorship from Disinfo2026 event in Lithuania The EU's diplomatic service, Canada and host nation Lithuania all pulled support from a disinformation event in Vilnius. Amid reports of US pressure, the EU said it was "uncomfortable with the framing" of some panels. Security in the Black Sea region: is Bulgaria the weak link in Europe's defense against threats from Russia? Two ships have sunk off the coast of Bulgaria and Romania after drone attacks in recent days. Bulgaria has held back on pointing the finger at Russia. What does that mean for security in the Black Sea and the region?