#EUFridays by JEF Hungary #30
Tamás Hámori
Oct-14-2022
Air strike of Kiev
No signs of de-escalation in the Ukrainian war. The long lasting conflict still takes its toll, as officials announce several deaths and dozens injured, following an air strike of Kyiv. The bombing itself is said to be a “responsive strike” in retaliation for the damaging of the Crimean Bridge (a Russian built strategic facility, connecting annexed Crimea and the Russian mainland). European and Us officials condemned the grandiose attack, and addressed the aggressive rhetoric of President Putin. EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell Fontelles tweeted “additional military support from the EU is on its way, while US President Joe Biden said Monday’s strikes “once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr. Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people.”
Putin himself promises more and bigger measures, calling the alleged Ukrainian attack of the Crimean Bridge, a terrorist attack. In response to Putin’s implied threat of the possibility of nuclear force being used, Borrell made clear that Ukraine’s Western allies would not tolerate something of this magnitude. He addressed the threats made by the Russian President and added the in the unlikely scenario of an actual nuclear strike of Ukraine, the joint force of all of Ukraine’s allies would “simply annihilate” the complete military might of Russia.
The European Political Community
More than 40 European Leaders met in Prague on Friday for the inaugural meeting of a new political organisation. The European Political Community (EPC for short) was called to life as a joint response of the European community for Russia’s war on Ukraine. The idea came from Emmanuel Macron, and is thought to be a way of deepening diplomatic relations in democratic countries of the continent. This is also meant to soothe affairs between the EU and countries waiting to be accepted into the Union. The EPC is not an alternative to acceptance; it is merely a new stage of coordinated work amongst the democratic countries of the continent. This new community brings hope of future coordinated inter-governmental work, in the aftermath of the Pandemic, the escalating Russian aggression and the recession weighing down on Europe.
A unified charger
In the current state of affairs of the European Union, and the daily challenges of the continent, people need something to hold on to. And that might just be a new promise for an amazing new advancement of the not so far future. Members of the European Parliament have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new EU-wide common charger for mobile devices. Unfortunately for Apple users this means that by the end of 2024 all small and medium-sized portable electronic devices must be equipped with a USB-C charging port. This means consumers will no longer have the need for different chargers after purchasing a new device; they will be able to use the same charger for all of their charging needs. This next step is actually a huge benefit for the environment as it banishes the need for more than just one charging-cable per person, reducing waste and saving materials. The legislation just needs to be accepted by the Council of the EU, after which new rules will come to effect.