The Munich Security Conference, held on 17-18 February, contrasted with the one in September 1938, when the UK and France allowed Hitler to conquer the Sudetenland, notes Jean-Dominique Giuliani. Today, the West has understood that only a hard line can avoid bellicose escalation provoked by Putin's Russia.

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' Reform Party is the favourite in the Estonian parliamentary elections on 5 March. It is expected to win 31.9% of the vote. The Conservative People's Party is expected to come next with 22.8% and the Centre Party 18.1%. Eesti 200, the Social Democratic Party and Isamaa are running neck and neck with 8.4%, 7.1% and 7% respectively.

On 14 February the Commission proposed new emission reduction targets for lorries and buses. In 2030, their CO2 emission levels will have to be 45% lower than in 2019, 65% in 2035 and 90% in 2040. City buses will have to achieve zero emissions by 2030.

In response to the economic and social fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Union has established a €672.5 billion recovery fund. On 17 February, the Commission gave a positive preliminary assessment of Spain's third payment claim for €6 billion. The Foundation offers you an interactive map of the plans country by country, to check the amounts and timeframes.

On 15 February, the Commission President presented a draft of new sanctions against Russia that will ban the export of technological and industrial goods worth €11 billion. It includes an extension of the sanctions regime to seven Iranian entities for the sale of goods for civilian and military use, including drones.

On 14 February, MEPs adopted two proposals to simplify participation in European and local elections for EU citizens living in another Member State.

Euro area finance ministers discussed developments in the energy markets on 13 February and committed to continuing efforts to diversify sources and reduce consumption. They reviewed labour market developments and exchanged views on the macroeconomic and financial outlook and policy coordination.

On 17 February, the Commission sent to the Council the draft decisions on the signature and conclusion of a trade agreement between the European Union and New Zealand. It will remove tariffs on most EU exports to New Zealand and protect over 2,000 sensitive EU agricultural products.

MEPs adopted their annual recommendations to the ECB on 16 February, calling on it to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies more closely to combat inflation and stressing the need to integrate climate change objectives into monetary policy. ECB President Christine Lagarde confirmed that the institution will raise its key interest rates by another 50 basis points in March in light of price pressures.

The European Investment Bank, together with Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Belgium, pledged on 13 February to mobilise €3.75 billion in a new European fund to provide European high-tech start-ups with the capital they need.

The 59th Munich Security Conference took place from 17 to 19 February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for an acceleration of military support to his country. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recalled that Germany's support was designed to last and called on countries that could deliver tanks to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said that this is not the time for dialogue with Moscow and that France is ready for a prolonged conflict. Polish President Andrzej Duda called for stronger transatlantic ties. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed the need to strengthen Ukraine's long-term defences and recalled that the security of the European continent was a priority for his country.

On 14 February, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Zeebrugge for a bilateral energy summit. The two countries plan to interconnect their hydrogen networks by 2028, double the transit of gas to Germany and launch a study for the construction of a second electricity interconnection.

On 16 February, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchez, began his series of meetings to prepare for the Spanish Presidency of the Council, which begins on 1 July. He visited the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, and the Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob. Discussions focused on enlargement, energy transition and migration

On 16 February, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne was hosted by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-Presidents Frans Timmermans and Valdis Dombrovskis. Discussions focused on the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, climate change, energy and electricity market reform, as well as the industrial plan proposed by the Commission.

On 15 February, MEPs approved an agreement between North Macedonia and Frontex that will provide operational support to national authorities in managing migration flows at the borders.

On 15 February, the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation after eight years in office. She said she would remain as head of government until her successor is elected as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in March.

On 16 February, the new Moldovan government, headed by Dorin Recean and comprising 15 ministers, including 6 women, was sworn in after the parliament gave it a vote of confidence. The reshuffle comes after the resignation of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita on 11 February.

On 16 February, the Council of Europe launched a new Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 which aims to improve the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, respect for the rule of law and democracy in the country. It also aims to strengthen the protection of the rights of displaced persons and to ensure freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Armenia.

On 14 and 15 February, NATO Defence Ministers agreed to intensify support to Ukraine, strengthen deterrence and increase the Alliance's stockpile of weapons and ammunition. They discussed the protection of critical submarine infrastructure, with the establishment of a coordination cell for this purpose.

Until 4 June, the Altinate San Gaetano cultural centre in Padua is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. About twenty works by Frida Kahlo, including some of her most famous self-portraits, a dozen works by Diego Rivera and photographs of the couple taken by some of the most renowned photographers are on display.