IES Commentaries | Institute of Central Europe

Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1669

23 July 2026

Michał Paszkowski - Eastern Team

The Neptun Deep Project and the Changing Architecture of the Natural Gas Market in South-Eastern Europe

Neptun Deep is one of the most important energy projects currently under development in the European part of the Black Sea. Its launch, planned for 2027, could significantly alter Romania’s position in the natural gas market. The project, implemented by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, is expected to increase domestic production, strengthen Romania’s energy security, and create new...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1668

22 July 2026

Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

The Green Shield – Natural Infrastructure for Security. Part 2 – Poland and the Baltic States

In recent years, the countries on NATO’s eastern flank have increasingly come to view the natural environment not only as an ecological resource but also as an element of security infrastructure. Peatlands, wetlands, and forest complexes play a particularly important role in Poland and the Baltic states, as they can support defence capabilities by limiting the mobility of a...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1666

17 July 2026

Jakub Bornio - Baltic Team

NATO after the Ankara Summit: Deepening the Europeanisation of the Alliance amid Persistent Instability

The NATO Summit in Ankara, held on 7–8 July 2026, should be regarded as a moderate success. The principal directions of NATO’s evolution were maintained, with the gradual Europeanisation of the Alliance remaining the central element of this process. At the same time, the meeting confirmed that NATO continues to face structural challenges – both internal and external – that...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1664

15 July 2026

Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

Green Shield – Natural Infrastructure for Security. Part 1 – Ukraine

The concept of the green border envisages the use of natural ecosystems as an element of a state’s security infrastructure. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated by both historical experience and the ongoing war in Ukraine, showing that wetlands, forests, and rivers can significantly constrain an adversary’s mobility, support defensive operations, and also serve as...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1656

8 July 2026

Michał Paszkowski - Eastern Team

Effectiveness of Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil and fuel infrastructure

Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil and fuel infrastructure are no longer limited to isolated sabotage or military operations; they are now producing measurable economic and organisational effects. A series of attacks on refineries, fuel depots, transhipment terminals, and elements of transmission infrastructure have led to reduced operations at some facilities, disruptions in...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1652

2 July 2026

Michał Paszkowski - Eastern Team

European Union Sanctions on Russian Natural Gas Supplies in the Context of the Security of Central European Countries

The entry into force of successive EU restrictions on imports of Russian natural gas is intended to complete the process of phasing out supplies from Russia and to permanently reshape the structure of the European market for this commodity. The REPowerEU regulation, adopted in early 2026, provides for a gradual phase-out of imports: from a ban on concluding new contracts, through...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1651

1 July 2026

Agata Tatarenko | Jakub Bornio - Eastern Team

V4 Summit in Gödöllő

After a hiatus of more than two years, the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary met in Gödöllő (Hungary) on 23 June 2026 for a Visegrád Group summit. The resumption of high-level meetings is itself symbolically significant, as it marks the end of a period of political freeze in cooperation resulting from differences over policy towards...

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1647

24 June 2026

Jakub Olchowski - Eastern Team

Ukraine’s Growing Importance as a “Security Provider”

The war with Russia has transformed not only the Ukrainian armed forces but also Ukraine’s position in the European security system. Thanks to the dynamic development of its defence industry, military technologies, and unique experience gained on the battlefield, Ukraine is increasingly positioning itself not as a recipient of Western aid, but as a partner capable of...

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Public History and Memory Politics Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1645

19 June 2026

Agata Tatarenko - Public History and Memory Politics Team

Why Are We Still Talking About the Visegrad Group? Hungary’s Proposal for Expanding Central European Cooperation

The Visegrad Group summit scheduled for 23 June 2026 in Budapest may mark the beginning of a new debate on the future of regional cooperation in Central Europe. While Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced plans to revive cooperation within V4, he has simultaneously proposed expanding the framework to include Austria, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia and possibly Germany....

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Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1640

16 June 2026

Bartłomiej Krzysztan - Eastern Team

Armenia after the Elections: A Strategic Pivot and Prospects for Peace

Elections in Armenia are most often portrayed from an international perspective as a contest between the pro-Western government and the pro-Russian opposition. Similarly, the prospects for restructuring the country’s security architecture and its long-term geostrategy are interpreted in this two-dimensional manner. Nevertheless, the outlook for further regional change is far...

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