Olha Pashchenko

writer at EUReflect

Contributing writer at EUReflect.

Articles by Olha Pashchenko

  • Exclusive Interview with U.S. Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder

    Exclusive Interview with U.S. Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder

    Brussels, Belgium, by Olha Pashchenko — As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Brussels Liberty Network Summer Reception brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and business leaders to discuss the future of transatlantic cooperation. On the occasion of the event, EUReflect Media interviewed U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder, who shared his perspective on the evolving U.S.–EU partnership and the strategic priorities shaping relations across the Atlantic.

    interview
  • Brussels Welcomes the Taste of Bangladesh: A Mango Tasting Festival Celebrates Culture and Diplomacy

    Brussels Welcomes the Taste of Bangladesh: A Mango Tasting Festival Celebrates Culture and Diplomacy

    Brussels, 16 June 2026 – The Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in Brussels opened its doors last night for a unique cultural and diplomatic event: the Mango Tasting Festival of Bangladesh. Held at the Embassy on Rue Jacques Jordaens, the reception transformed the diplomatic venue into a vibrant showcase of one of the country's most prized agricultural treasures, bringing together diplomats, international visitors, fruit enthusiasts, and members of the press.

    conferences events festivals
  • Clean Energy Transition Investment Forum 2026 Highlights Financing Solutions for Europe’s Green Transition

    Clean Energy Transition Investment Forum 2026 Highlights Financing Solutions for Europe’s Green Transition

    The brought together policymakers, financial institutions, municipalities, businesses, and energy stakeholders in Brussels on 6 May 2026 to advance practical solutions for financing Europe’s clean energy transition. Hosted at the Radisson Collection Hotel in Brussels, the forum focused on scalable investment models, public-private cooperation, and the implementation of sustainable energy projects across the European Union.

    conferences events festivals
  • European Parliament hosts debate on strengthening academic cooperation in the digital age

    European Parliament hosts debate on strengthening academic cooperation in the digital age

    On 14 April 2026, policymakers, academics and innovation stakeholders gathered at the European Parliament in Brussels for a high-level discussion on the future of academic cooperation in Europe. The event, titled “Innovating together: Strengthening EU academic cooperation in the era of technological advancement,” was hosted by Ilhan Kyuchyuk and supported by Renew Europe. Held in the Spinelli building, the discussion focused on how the European Union can adapt its academic and research frameworks to keep pace with rapid technological change.

    conferences events festivals
  • Brussels debate highlights growing pressure on EU to align climate ambition with economic reality

    Brussels debate highlights growing pressure on EU to align climate ambition with economic reality

    Brussels once again became a focal point for Europe’s energy debate this week, as policymakers, industry figures and analysts gathered for a discussion hosted by Euractiv in partnership with EDF. The event, titled “EDF’s Net Zero scenario – A pathway to a competitive, sovereign and decarbonized Europe,” brought together a cross-section of voices at a moment when the European Union is under increasing pressure to reconcile its climate targets with economic competitiveness and geopolitical realities.

    energy
  • Global Energy Crisis Deepens as Oil Supply Losses Set to Double, IEA Warns

    Global Energy Crisis Deepens as Oil Supply Losses Set to Double, IEA Warns

    The international energy system is facing its most severe disruption in decades, with oil supply losses expected to double in April, according to new analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA), as the cascading effects of armed conflict strain global markets and expose the fragility of existing supply chains.

    economy
  • EU Council Summit in Brussels Concludes with Strategic Decisions on Ukraine, Middle East, Economy and Security

    EU Council Summit in Brussels Concludes with Strategic Decisions on Ukraine, Middle East, Economy and Security

    Brussels, Belgium — EU heads of state and government convened in Brussels on 19–20 March 2026 for a meeting of the European Council, chaired by its President Charles Michel. The summit brought together key European leaders alongside Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, with participation from Volodymyr Zelenskyy via videoconference.The meeting also included an exchange with António Guterres, underscoring the EU’s engagement with multilateral institutions amid rising global instability.

    politics
  • EUReflect Attends Vernissage of Uruguayan Artist Karina Yacoubian in Brussels

    EUReflect Attends Vernissage of Uruguayan Artist Karina Yacoubian in Brussels

    Brussels, 19 March 2026 — EUReflect was honored to attend the vernissage of Uruguayan artist Karina Yacoubian, held at the Press Club Brussels Europe on Thursday evening. The event, hosted under the patronage of Ambassador Pablo Sader, brought together members of the diplomatic community, cultural actors, and media representatives for an evening dedicated to artistic dialogue and cultural exchange.

    general
  • EUReflect Attended the Mongolia–European Union Investors’ Roundtable in Brussels

    EUReflect Attended the Mongolia–European Union Investors’ Roundtable in Brussels

    Brussels, 13 March 2026 — EUReflect attended the Mongolia–European Union Investors’ Roundtable held in Brussels, a high-level meeting that brought together government representatives, financial institutions, investors, and policymakers to discuss strengthening economic cooperation and investment between Mongolia and the European Union

    energy
  • EUReflect Attended Academic Conference and Iftar Program in Leuven

    EUReflect Attended Academic Conference and Iftar Program in Leuven

    Leuven, 5 March 2026 — EUReflect attended an academic conference followed by an Iftar gathering held in Leuven, bringing together scholars, community representatives, and invited guests for an evening of discussion and cultural exchange.

    conferences events festivals
  • Mapping U.S. and Israeli Attacks on Iran and Tehran’s Retaliatory Strikes

    Mapping U.S. and Israeli Attacks on Iran and Tehran’s Retaliatory Strikes

    Dateline: Washington / Tehran / Middle East, Feb. 28, 2026.A coordinated series of military operations by the United States and Israel struck multiple locations across Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, with Tehran responding within hours by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and several U.S. military bases in the broader Middle East. Maps compiled from official statements and open sources show the geographic scope of the strikes and retaliatory actions, illustrating an unprecedented escalation in regional hostilities

    defense
  • Missing Epstein Records Prompt Justice Department Review of Allegations Referencing Trump — NYT

    Missing Epstein Records Prompt Justice Department Review of Allegations Referencing Trump — NYT

    Several documents related to a woman’s allegations of sexual assault involving U.S. President Donald Trump are missing from files released by the U.S. Department of Justice concerning convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to reporting by The New York Times. The absence of these materials has raised new questions about the completeness of the federal disclosure and prompted calls for further scrutiny.

    general
  • Iranians Take to the Streets Following Death of Supreme Leader Khamenei

    Iranians Take to the Streets Following Death of Supreme Leader Khamenei

    Dateline: Tehran, Feb. 28, 2026.Iranians took to the streets in several cities following reports of the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing a range of reactions that ranged from jubilation to private mourning, according to social media posts and open-source reporting.

    defense
  • Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes Across Middle East After U.S.‑Israel Attacks

    Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes Across Middle East After U.S.‑Israel Attacks

    Dateline: Gulf Region / Tehran, Feb. 28, 2026.Iran launched a broad campaign of missile and drone strikes across the Middle East on Saturday, responding to earlier coordinated military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory. The retaliatory assault affected several countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and beyond, with explosions reported in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Israel as air defences engaged incoming projectiles.

    defense
  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Reportedly Killed in U.S.–Israeli Strikes

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Reportedly Killed in U.S.–Israeli Strikes

    Dateline: Tehran, Feb. 28, 2026. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been killed following a major military offensive against Iran executed by the United States and Israel, according to statements from senior Israeli officials and confirmation by Iranian state media. President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged the death on social media, describing it as a pivotal moment in the joint campaign. The reported death marks the first time in more than three decades that the Islamic Republic has lost its highest authority, a development that could have profound implications for regional stability and for Iran’s internal political order.

    defense
  • U.S. Authorizes Embassy Staff to Depart Israel Amid Fears of Potential Iran Strike

    U.S. Authorizes Embassy Staff to Depart Israel Amid Fears of Potential Iran Strike

    Dateline: Washington / Jerusalem, Feb. 27, 2026 The United States has authorized its diplomatic personnel and their families to leave Israel, signaling heightened concern in Washington over the possibility of a military confrontation with Iran, according to official communications reviewed by U.S. media.

    defense
  • EUReflect Attended Policy Dialogue Marking Four Years of Russia’s War on Ukraine

    EUReflect Attended Policy Dialogue Marking Four Years of Russia’s War on Ukraine

    Brussels, 24 February 2026 — EUReflect attended a policy dialogue in Brussels marking four years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The discussion, titled “Four Years of Russia's War on Ukraine: Reinforcing European Support for Ukraine's Victory,” gathered policymakers, analysts, diplomats, and representatives of civil society to reflect on the ongoing conflict and the future of European support for Ukraine.

    conferences events festivals
  • Belgium House at Davos 2026: Navigating Geopolitical and Economic Complexity

    Belgium House at Davos 2026: Navigating Geopolitical and Economic Complexity

    From 19 to 22 January 2026, Belgium House in Davos hosted a series of high-level discussions bringing together government leaders, CEOs, and experts to explore strategic responses to growing global uncertainty. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rapid technological change, the event provided a platform for Belgium to showcase its policy vision, industry leadership, and international engagement.

    politics
  • Belgium Summons U.S. Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Dispute Over Antisemitism Accusations

    Belgium Summons U.S. Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Dispute Over Antisemitism Accusations

    Brussels, Belgium — Belgian authorities have formally summoned U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White following a series of statements in which he publicly accused Belgium of antisemitism in connection with a domestic judicial investigation. The move reflects growing diplomatic tensions between the two close allies over issues of judicial independence and religious freedom.

    politics
  • NATO and EU Diplomacy Enters a Critical Phase as Allies Address Security and Economic Challenges

    NATO and EU Diplomacy Enters a Critical Phase as Allies Address Security and Economic Challenges

    Transatlantic diplomacy entered a delicate phase this week as the United States and its European allies moved simultaneously to reassure one another on collective security while confronting renewed tests to the international rules-based order. Political messaging from Washington and Brussels underscored continuity in NATO commitments, even as broader geopolitical and economic pressures sharpened debates over burden-sharing, strategic autonomy, and the defense of democratic values beyond Europe’s borders.

    defense
  • Armenia and United States Conclude Civil Nuclear Cooperation Talks, Announce $9 Billion Energy Initiative

    Armenia and United States Conclude Civil Nuclear Cooperation Talks, Announce $9 Billion Energy Initiative

    Yerevan, 9 February 2026. Armenia and the United States have formally concluded negotiations on a bilateral agreement covering cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, marking a significant development in the two countries’ expanding strategic partnership. The joint statement was signed in Yerevan by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.

    energy
  • Canada and the EU Reassert Their Strategic Ambitions at the 2025 Business Summit

    Canada and the EU Reassert Their Strategic Ambitions at the 2025 Business Summit

    Brussels hosted the sixth edition of the EU-Canada Business Summit on 27 November, drawing political representatives, industry leaders and policy specialists to the Mission of Canada to the European Union. The annual gathering once again served as a meeting point for discussions on shared economic priorities and a venue for targeted business engagement.

    defense
  • Armenia Sets the Pace for Global Biodiversity Action at Brussels Pre-COP17 Gathering

    Armenia Sets the Pace for Global Biodiversity Action at Brussels Pre-COP17 Gathering

    A high-level meeting in Brussels on 28 November placed Armenia firmly at the centre of preparations for next year’s COP17, setting the tone for what is expected to be a pivotal moment in global biodiversity governance. Co-organised by the Embassy and Mission of Armenia to the European Union together with the UN Development Programme, the event gathered EU institutions, UN agencies, civil society, and financial actors to assess implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and to align expectations for the Yerevan COP in 2026.

    conferences events festivals
  • Armenia. Wildfires Rage Across Northeastern Side— Massive Response Underway

    Armenia. Wildfires Rage Across Northeastern Side— Massive Response Underway

    YEREVAN / CAUCASUS — A large-scale wildfire has swept through the northeastern Tavush Province of Armenia, prompting one of the country’s biggest coordinated firefighting operations in recent years. The fire — first reported on 21 November 2025 between the villages of Chambarak and Ttujur — has since spread across steep, drought-parched hillsides and threatened forested zones and nearby communities.

    general
  • Tuya Sar & Mongolian Green Labels Debut in Europe: Sustainable Cashmere Takes Brussels

    Tuya Sar & Mongolian Green Labels Debut in Europe: Sustainable Cashmere Takes Brussels

    EU Reflect – Event Coverage Brussels, 23 November 2025 — Sustainable cashmere, nomadic traditions, and modern eco-conscious fashion converged in the heart of Brussels as Tuya Sar hosted the long-anticipated launch of Mongolian Green Labels (MGL) at La Monnaie. The event, supported by the European Union and Mongolian partners, marked one of the most notable introductions of Mongolian-made ethical fashion to the European market. The gathering brought together diplomats, designers, journalists, and sustainability advocates, offering guests an intimate look into Mongolia’s rich textile heritage — from herder families to finished knitwear.

    conferences events festivals
  • Civil Society Takes Centre Stage in Brussels Talks on Ukraine’s Security and Recovery

    Civil Society Takes Centre Stage in Brussels Talks on Ukraine’s Security and Recovery

    At the European Parliament on November 19th, lawmakers, civil-society leaders, and humanitarian actors gathered for the Renew Europe Reconstruction Talks, hosted by Renew Europe MEP Petras Auštrevičius, sending a clear political message: Ukraine’s resilience is no longer defined solely by its army, but by the strength of its civil society.

    conferences events festivals
  • Ukraine and France Sign Defense Agreement Enabling Transfer of Rafale Jets and SAMP/T Air-Defense Systems

    Ukraine and France Sign Defense Agreement Enabling Transfer of Rafale Jets and SAMP/T Air-Defense Systems

    Ukraine and France signed a new bilateral defense agreement in Paris to boost Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities ahead of anticipated Russian attacks this winter. The deal includes future supplies of Rafale fighter jets and SAMP/T air-defense systems, as well as cooperation on maintenance and training. France is working to speed up delivery timelines by using its own reserves. This agreement builds on earlier security cooperation between the two countries and reinforces France’s role as a key partner in Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

    defense
  • Belgium to Restructure Global Diplomatic Network Amid Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

    Belgium to Restructure Global Diplomatic Network Amid Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

    Belgium will reorganise its diplomatic presence worldwide between 2026 and 2027, strengthening key missions and opening new posts while closing several others. The plan, announced by foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés), is intended to adapt the country’s external representation to rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic conditions.

    politics
  • Leaders Gather in Brussels for a Defining Moment in Europe’s Enlargement Path

    Leaders Gather in Brussels for a Defining Moment in Europe’s Enlargement Path

    The Euronews Enlargement Summit in Brussels brought together leaders from Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia with top EU officials. The meeting marked a turning point, framing enlargement not as a procedural step but as a strategic priority for Europe’s future. Ukraine and Moldova have advanced reforms at historic speed, while Western Balkan countries reiterated their goal of joining the EU by 2030. Held ahead of the European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Report, the summit emphasized that enlargement is a strategic investment in Europe’s geopolitical resilience, democratic credibility, and long-term integration.

    politics
  • Turkmenistan’s Avaza Becomes Central Asia’s Innovation Hub with CIET 2025

    Turkmenistan’s Avaza Becomes Central Asia’s Innovation Hub with CIET 2025

    Turkmenistan is positioning itself as a regional innovation hub with the launch of CIET 2025 — the International Conference & EXPO on the Development of the Construction, Industrial, Chemical and Energy Sectors — held in Avaza, the country’s Caspian coastal zone. The event brings together delegates from 55 countries, including major firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Çalık Holding, ROSATOM, POSCO International, and DAMAC Properties, to discuss technology, investment, and sustainable development. Analysts say CIET 2025 marks Turkmenistan’s effort to integrate into global innovation networks and attract renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and transport investments, reinforcing its role as a strategic link in Central Asia’s economic transformation.

    technology
  • Dutch Centrist Rob Jetten Claims He Won a Close Election Race

    Dutch Centrist Rob Jetten Claims He Won a Close Election Race

    Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten and his party D66 claimed victory in a tight election, positioning him to become the youngest prime minister in the Netherlands. The result marks a shift away from the far-right dominance of recent years, as Geert Wilders’ PVV lost ground to smaller parties. Despite D66’s win, analysts warn that forming a coalition will be difficult in the country’s increasingly fragmented political landscape. Jetten called for cooperation on key issues such as economy, migration, climate change, and housing, while experts stress that the far right remains influential and public trust in politics is still very low.

    politics
  • Drones Spotted Over Belgian Military Bases for Third Night in a Row

    Drones Spotted Over Belgian Military Bases for Third Night in a Row

    For the third night in a row, unidentified drones were spotted over Belgium’s Kleine-Brogel military base, raising security concerns across Europe. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed that interception attempts failed as the drones disappeared toward the Netherlands. Similar incidents have occurred at other Belgian bases and airports, prompting an investigation and government discussions. The events come amid wider European efforts to strengthen air defenses and develop a “drone wall” in response to suspected Russian incursions.

    defense
  • Uzbekistan in Global Social Development Summit in Qatar

    Uzbekistan in Global Social Development Summit in Qatar

    Uzbekistan will participate in the Second World Summit of Social Development in Doha, Qatar, on 3–4 November 2025, under the auspices of the United Nations. The Uzbek delegation, led by senior officials from the Ministry of Social Development, will highlight national achievements in promoting social inclusion, youth employment, and support for vulnerable groups. The summit aims to coordinate efforts aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Analysts view Uzbekistan’s participation as a sign of its deepening engagement in global development diplomacy and its transition from regional to international cooperation.

    general