IES Commentaries | Institute of Central Europe

Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 288

Jakub Olchowski - Eastern Team

Ukraine: New Security Strategy, Old Problems

The national security strategy of Ukraine that was adopted in September 2020 refers to many levels as well as threats and challenges, and also specifies Poland as a strategic partner. In the military dimension, however, the implementation of the strategy may be difficult. Despite rapid development and modernization, both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the arms sector are...

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Baltic Team

Premier Danii z pingwinem podczas spotkania Rady Państw Morza Bałtyckiego

IEŚ Commentaries 286

Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team

Formats of multilateral cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region: in search of their niche

During the last six months participants of the various regional cooperation formats have started a discussion on the 2030 vision of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). The year 2021 will be a summary period on cooperation effects already achieved (HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan), an interim period (the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region), as well as a new stage of activity (result...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 284

Hanna Bazhenova - Eastern Team

Local Elections Results in Ukraine

Local elections in Ukraine were held on October 25, 2020. They were conducted for the first time in accordance with the new electoral law in conditions of the ongoing decentralization of the country. Over 28 million citizens were eligible to take part in the elections for city mayors, heads of villages and townships, as well as deputies to the local councils. However, only 10.6...

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Balkan Team

IEŚ Commentaries 279

Jan Muś - Balkan Team

Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

Prepared by the European Commission, the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans (WB6) aims to strengthen two parallel integration processes: firstly, harmonization of the WB6's economies with the economy of the European Union, and secondly, creating stronger regional economic and infrastructural ties. It is a continuation of the policy initiated at the Berlin Summit...

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Visegrad Team

Commentaries IEŚ 278

Łukasz Lewkowicz - Visegrad Team

State of emergency and mass testing: the second wave of the pandemic in Slovakia

On October 1, the Slovak authorities introduced a state of emergency for the second time. This step was taken due to the rapid increase in the number of people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Further restrictions were implemented, concerning, inter alia, quarantines, organizing mass events, and a number of restrictions in schools and universities. On October 23, Slovakia began...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 277

Michał Paszkowski - Eastern Team

Belarus and Ukraine: a new market for crude oil from the US?

In 2020, both Belarus and Ukraine purchased US crude oil, albeit for different reasons. The scale of import is small, but the market and international conditions could change it. In particular, if Belarus decides to create a more diversified structure of imports, it could count on the US (export of a similar crude oil grade). Unfortunately, the current political situation is not...

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Eastern Team

[Zdjęcie: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters/Forum]

IEŚ Commentaries 274

Hanna Bazhenova - Eastern Team

The Importance of Local Elections in the Political Life of Ukraine

Local elections in Ukraine will be held on October 25, 2020. The growth in the number of candidates for local government bodies, the transfer of politicians from the central to the local level, the strengthening of the local elites and their self-organization into political parties to fight for power, the involvement of professional political strategists in the election process,...

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Visegrad Team

[Zdjęcie: Rafael Henrique/Zuma Press/Forum]

IEŚ Commentaries 273

Marlena Gołębiowska - Visegrad Team

The impact of COVID-19 on the fiscal policies of the Central European countries

Within six months of the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central European countries spent nearly 10% of GDP on fiscal support. This decisive response by governments is mitigating the effects of the economic crisis, saving companies and preserving jobs. However, an increase in expenditure with lower budgetary revenues inevitably leads to a deterioration in the...

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Eastern Team

[Zdjęcie: Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS/Forum]

Commentaries IEŚ 256

Jakub Olchowski - Eastern Team

Belarus and Russia – a Fraternal Iron Grip

On September 14, 2020 in Sochi, Vladimir Putin met with Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and the meeting, as expected, did not bring about any crucial changes. It was supposed to be a symbolic message – Russia has confirmed that Belarus would remain in the sphere of its influence and in the “Russian world” the West should not interfere. Humiliated and put in a spot, Alyaksandr...

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Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries 253

Agata Tatarenko - Visegrad Team

(Dis)unity of the Visegrad Group countries in the face of the crisis in Belarus

The presidential elections in Belarus and the post-election protests have raised a discussion in Central European countries. The Belarusian issue was debated during the meetings of the Visegrad Group, including the V4 summit organized on September 11, 2020 in Lublin. The Belarusian issue highlighted certain differences within the Visegrad Group. However, there is still no...

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