Latest Articles about Europe's East

Ukrainians Work Toward Options for Post-War Justice
Executive Summary: Ukrainians are working on establishing practical steps toward post-war justice to further any meaningful opportunities for peace. These steps include agreements and funding on a future special tribunal, local initiatives to empower survivors and preserve the memory of victims, and the creation of... MORE

Kozak’s Departure Marks a Reset for Moscow’s Post-Soviet Policy (Part Two)
Executive Summary: President Vladimir Putin has entrusted First Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Kiriyenko with even greater responsibilities after relieving Dmitry Kozak of his duties as deputy head of Russia’s Presidential Administration. In recent years, Kiriyenko has significantly expanded his influence, both in managing domestic... MORE

Moscow Alarmed by Revival and Spread of Promethean Ideas
In memory of Janusz Bugajski, friend, colleague, and promoter of Promethean Ideas Executive Summary: Moscow is increasingly alarmed by the spread of Prometheanism, a set of ideas developed in pre-war Poland that posits that the Muscovite state is an empire, joint efforts can best achieve... MORE

Vilnius Downgrades Tsikhanouskaya’s Protection
Executive Summary: After fleeing Belarus in 2020, opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received unprecedented support from Lithuania and Western partners, including head-of-state-level security and diplomatic privileges. In October, Lithuania downgraded Tsikhanouskaya’s security, citing reduced threats and financial concerns. Public backlash led Lithuania to temporarily reinstate Tsikhanouskaya’s... MORE

Kozak’s Departure Marks a Reset for Moscow’s Post-Soviet Policy (Part One)
Executive Summary: Moldova’s pro-European ruling party retained its majority in the September 24 parliamentary elections despite Moscow’s attempts to influence the elections in favor of pro-Russian parties. A series of setbacks in Russia’s policy toward Moldova undermined the position of Dmitry Kozak, former deputy chief... MORE

Putin–Trump Call Stalls Tomahawks but Reactivates Ceasefire Discussions
Executive Summary: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine during an October 16 phone call that preempted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington. Putin’s phone call yielded a short-term advantage by... MORE

Ukraine Braces for Another Hard Winter
Executive Summary: Ahead of winter, Russia launched another campaign of combined air strikes on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, including energy, gas production, and railway facilities. Russia is continually upgrading its missiles and strike drones, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of its air attacks. Several Ukrainian cities have... MORE

Kyiv Moving Toward More Direct Support of Non-Russian Movements within Russia
Executive Summary: Kyiv is moving toward more openly backing non-Russian national movements within Russia. It is convinced that such efforts will help it defeat Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and that the decolonization of Russia will ensure Ukraine’s future security. Such moves, which have their origins... MORE

Russia Ignores Global Peace Developments to Focus on Putin’s War
Executive Summary: Moscow’s muted response to the October 10 announcement of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize win and the ceasefire in Gaza underline how Russia’s war against Ukraine has come to dominate the Kremlin’s attention. Recent independent polling by the Levada... MORE

Russia Tests NATO’s Eastern Defenses
Executive Summary: In September, a series of Russian drone and military incursions into North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) airspace over Poland and Estonia triggered emergency consultations under Article 4 and revived debate on escalation of deterrence. The Russia–Belarus Zapad-2025 exercise revealed a shift toward precision-strike,... MORE