Institute of Central Europe/IES Commentaries

IES Commentaries

Baltic Team, Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1135
Jakub Bornio | Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team, Visegrad Team

Finland’s response to the Russian Federation’s provocations regarding the change of maritime borders in the Baltic Sea

On 22 May 2024, the Russian Federation presented a draft that could lead to the revision of the internal waters boundary in the Baltic Sea. Despite its removal from the agenda of the legislative work of the Russian Duma, the proposal has nevertheless caused considerable concern among neighbouring states due to the potential revision of bilateral and multilateral agreements...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1134
Jakub Olchowski - Eastern Team

The West’s military aid for Ukraine – crisis management in lieu of strategy

Unlocking the aid package for Ukraine by the United States will stabilize the front line and halt Russian advances, but it will not lead to a breakthrough in the war nor to Ukraine regaining the strategic initiative. Western support is scattered, unsystematic and often driven by ad hoc political considerations. Taking into account Russia’s resources and actions, aid for Ukraine...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1133
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Slovakia: prospects for natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan

The Russian-Ukrainian war has initiated a strategic shift in Slovakia, moving away from the reliance on natural gas supplies from the Russian Federation. In this new geopolitical context, Slovakia’s challenge lies in securing alternative sources of this commodity, rather than in developing infrastructure, which has already been established over the years and currently...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1129
Marlena Gołębiowska - Baltic Team

The Blue Economy in Poland and the Baltic States

The blue economy is a concept of sustainable use of marine, ocean, and coastal resources aimed at supporting economic development while caring for the environment. In Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, this part of the economy generates over 5 billion EURof annual value added and employs over 200,000 workers. The blue economy also plays an important role in achieving the...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1124
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Moldova: potential problems with electricity availability in 2025

Moldova finds itself in a unique situation regarding electricity availability, which is sourced almost entirely from its breakaway region of Transnistria (which is not recognised by the majority of the international community). Energy is supplied from the Cuciurgani-Moldavskaya GRES (MGRES) power plant, which does not pay for natural gas from the Russian Federation. The planned...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1113
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Imports of commodities and petroleum products from the US to Poland and the Baltic States

The Russian Federation’s aggression toward Ukraine has led Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to cease the importation of commodities and petroleum products from Russia. This has resulted in a gap that has been filled by imports from other sources, including the United States of America. Collaboration with the US influences energy security and holds political significance...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1107
Piotr Oleksy - Eastern Team

Gagauzia – a Russian destabilisation tool

The authorities of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia display openly pro-Russian attitudes and seek to deepen relations with the Russian Federation. Protests are organised during the visits of representatives of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to the region. Gagauzia, controlled by the Ilan Șor political group, has become the most important Russian tool used...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1105
Marlena Gołębiowska - Baltic Team

The Weimar Triangle: new-old cooperation horizon

The Weimar Triangle, a platform for cooperation between France, Germany, and Poland, is gaining importance as a forum for dialogue on security issues in Europe. The recent meetings of this format show a determination to strengthen trilateral cooperation, including through the extension of activities into new areas such as protection against disinformation or building social ties,...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1103
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

War in Ukraine: Kyiv’s efforts to ensure the availability of petroleum products

The ongoing war that began in 2022 has brought about significant changes in Ukraine’s energy market. In late 2023, the government in Kyiv introduced measures to bolster the country’s energy security by establishing a system of crude oil and petroleum products reserves. While work on the relevant legislation had been underway for years, it was the war and Ukraine’s attainment...

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Baltic Team, Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries Brief 1102
Łukasz Lewkowicz | Marlena Gołębiowska - Baltic Team, Visegrad Team

The Three Seas Initiative after the Vilnius Summit: security first

On 11 April 2024, the 9th summit of The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) occurred in Vilnius. The 3SI is a regional cooperation format initiated in 2016 and developed by the heads of Central European countries. A key objective of the initiative is to stimulate the development of energy, transport, and digital infrastructure. There are currently 13 EU Member States participating in 3SI,...

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