Institute of Central Europe/IES Commentaries

IES Commentaries

Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1362
23 May 2025
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Slovakia and Hungary oppose ban on import of Russian energy resources

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted an unprecedented and multidimensional response from European Union member states, particularly in the field of energy policy. As part of efforts to reduce dependence on energy supplies from the Russian Federation, the European Commission announced the REPowerEU strategy, which sets out the goal of completely phasing out...

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Baltic Team, Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1359
20 May 2025
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik | Andrzej Szabaciuk - Baltic Team, Eastern Team

Orthodoxy in Estonia: Between Autonomy and National Security

The restoration of Estonian independence led to the division of the local Orthodox Church into two: one subordinate to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the other dependent on the Moscow Patriarchate. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Estonia took a harder line on the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. This resulted in administrative...

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Baltic Team, Collective Memory Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1357
19 May 2025
Jakub Bornio | Łukasz Lewkowicz - Baltic Team, Collective Memory Team

The Tenth Three Seas Initiative Summit in Warsaw: Key Decisions and Prospects for Development

The tenth anniversary summit of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), hosted by President Andrzej Duda and traditionally coupled with a Business Forum, was held in Warsaw on 28-29 April 2025. The event was attended by representatives of 23 countries and entities. The primary accomplishments of the summit include the incorporation of new strategic partners, Spain and Turkey, along with...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1356
16 May 2025
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

The Renaissance of Nuclear Technology in Central Europe

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the countries of Central Europe were confronted with an unprecedented challenge of the urgent need to redefine the structure of their electricity supply in a permanent and strategic manner. The region’s prior dependence on energy commodities from the Russian Federation has come to be perceived not merely as an economic...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1323
27 March 2025
Andrzej Szabaciuk - Eastern Team

Decree of Vladimir Putin on Regulating the Status of Ukrainian Citizens in the Russian Federation dated March 20, 2025

The Russian invasion of Ukraine after February 24, 2022, has a distinct biopolitical dimension. Its aim is to achieve total control over the population of the occupied territories through denationalization, forced assimilation, and the elimination of groups deemed undesirable. Consequently, deportations of children from occupied areas are being carried out, along with the issuance...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1306
4 March 2025
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

Drone coalition: Latvia’s ambitions to boost security and international image

The international initiative to provide Ukraine with unmanned aerial systems, known as the Drone Coalition, was established on 14 February 2024 at the initiative of Latvia and currently comprises 18 countries. Its aim is to provide Ukraine with drones and assistance in training personnel in the use of new technologies. From Latvia’s point of view, the coalition is also an...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1275
20 February 2025
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

Estonia: Controversy over changes to local elections law

Local elections will be held in Estonia in October 2025. The Riigikogu (Parliament) is currently considering a draft amendment to the Constitution that would restrict the right to vote in local elections for citizens of Russia, Belarus and/or persons of undetermined citizenship. While the aim of the amendment is to deprive citizens of hostile and aggressive states of the right to...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1246
20 February 2025
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

New dimensions of Polish-Lithuanian cooperation: advanced technologies for security and innovative economy

The new Lithuanian government announces the continuation of the strategic partnership with Poland to ensure regional security. In the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war and the US presidential elections, this relationship could become even closer. In the coming years, the areas of Polish-Lithuanian cooperation will be expanded to include the innovative defence industry...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries Brief 1289
14 February 2025
Jakub Olchowski - Eastern Team

Russia’s Triumph

Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin was in fact a success for Russia. There are many indications that the Trump administration’s policy will lead to rejecting all of Ukraine’s expectations while taking into account Russia’s demands. Such actions by Washington weaken the cohesion of the West and deepen transatlantic tensions, while Russia gains legitimacy for...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1277
29 January 2025
Jakub Olchowski - Eastern Team

Donald Trump, the 47th President of the USA – Ukraine’s fears and hopes

Donald Trump, as the 47th president of the United States, raises both fears and hopes in Ukraine. Although Kyiv was skeptical about Trump’s previous term, disappointment with Joe Biden’s policies has led to greater openness towards the new US leadership. Ukrainians expect that Trump, attached to his image as a strong leader, will take more decisive action against Russia. At...

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