Institute of Central Europe/IES Commentaries

IES Commentaries

Civic Studies Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1481
29 November 2025
Jędrzej Jander - Civic Studies Team

The New Nationalities Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation: Deepening Securitization of Identity Issues

On 25 November 2025, the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, signed Decree No. 858 approving a new nationalities policy strategy for Russia for the years 2026–2036. Compared with previous editions, the document contains provisions that point to an ongoing securitization of nationality issues within the Russian Federation. It may be treated both as a statement of...

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Historical narrative and applied history team

IEŚ Commentaries 1477
27 November 2025
Jędrzej Piekara - Historical narrative and applied history team

Basic Concepts of Russian Geopolitics After 2022: The Global Majority and Minority

To understand the fundamental concepts and assumptions shaping contemporary Russian geopolitics, it is necessary to examine not only official state documents but also quasi-encyclopedic and quasi-academic publications such as The New Diplomatic Dictionary, which outline the key ideological elements underpinning Russia’s vision of the international order.[1] The political...

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European Integration and Conflict Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1473
20 November 2025
Krzysztof Fedorowicz - European Integration and Conflict Team

Amendments to the Acts on Military Security and Defense of the Republic of Belarus

Following a series of legal changes in recent years concerning national defense, the security of the (Russia-Belarus) Union State, and Belarus’s national security concept, the government began amending all laws related to military security and defense at the end of 2025. The new regulations are intended to reflect the current geopolitical environment. They will also enable rapid...

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Collective Memory Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1462
4 November 2025
Agata Tatarenko - Collective Memory Team

Czechs and Independence Day: Between History and Citizenship

The celebrations of the Czechoslovak Independence Day, held in Prague on 28 October 2025 with the participation of President Petr Pavel and the highest state authorities, highlighted the significance of the First Czechoslovak Republic’s traditions for contemporary Czech identity. The ceremonies at Vítkov and Prague Castle, during which state decorations and general appointments...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1461
3 November 2025
Jakub Bornio - Baltic Team

The “Estonianisation” of European Foreign Policy as a Challenge to NATO Cohesion

Recent Russian provocations directed against certain members of the North Atlantic Alliance have generated yet another axis of internal division within NATO. In this context, the Alliance faces a series of challenges in the sphere of strategic communication. The principal objective of NATO member states remains the mitigation of the adverse effects of such divisions on the...

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Baltic Team

Komentarze IEŚ 1422
31 August 2025
Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team

Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States

On 1 July 2025, Poland assumed its fourth annual presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). The Polish chairmanship, which was taken over from Estonia, will last until 30 June 2026 and will be determined by the evolution of the CBSS’s role in addressing fundamental security challenges in the Baltic Sea Region, resulting from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1415
20 August 2025
Jakub Bornio - Baltic Team

Diplomatic Manoeuvring over the Question of ‘Peace’ in Ukraine: The Trump–Putin and Trump–Zelensky Meetings

In August 2025, diplomatic efforts towards achieving a ‘peace agreement’ in Ukraine intensified. In the days following a remote meeting between European leaders and Donald Trump, a summit was held in Alaska between the US and Russian presidents. This was followed by a meeting in Washington between the US and Ukrainian presidents, with the participation of European leaders....

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1414
20 August 2025
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

The Baltic States and the Israeli–Palestinian Issue

France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have announced that they will decide on the recognition of Palestine as an independent state at the next session of the UN General Assembly. The Baltic states do not currently anticipate a similar step. Meanwhile, as the international community intensifies its calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s representatives are actively...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1411
14 August 2025
Jakub Bornio - Baltic Team

Extraordinary Meeting of European Leaders with U.S. President Donald Trump Prior to the Russia–United States Summit in Alaska

The announcement of a meeting between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska led to a further increase in diplomatic activity among European political leaders. The series of talks with Donald Trump on 13 August 2025, organised by the German Chancellor, provided an opportunity to present the position of the so-called European Big Five and Finland on the war in Ukraine and in the...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1375
9 June 2025
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

Women in the Army. Compulsory military service in the Nordic and Baltic states

Presently, only two European countries, Norway and Sweden, have introduced gender-neutral military conscription. Denmark will be joining this group in 2026. Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are also considering the possibility of introducing compulsory military service for women. This is driven by two key factors. Firstly, there is a need to strengthen the country’s...

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