Institute of Central Europe/IES Commentaries

IES Commentaries

Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1162
12 July 2024
Aleksandra Poznar - Visegrad Team

The Sovereignty Protection Office in Hungary – a threat to media freedom?

The Hungarian government has been systematically taking steps to tighten control over the media and limit funding for opposition parties for over a dozen years. An example of such measures is the adoption of the Law on the Protection of National Sovereignty by the Hungarian National Assembly in December 2023. Under this act, a new state administration body, the Office for the...

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Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries Brief 1160
11 July 2024
Jakub Bornio | Aleksandra Poznar - Visegrad Team

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s official visit to Russia

On 5 July 2024 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and representatives of the Hungarian government made an official visit to Russia, where they met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the official part of the meeting, they discussed both Hungarian-Russian bilateral relations and the international situation. V. Orbán, although not delegated to represent the entire...

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Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1159
8 July 2024
Jakub Bornio | Aleksandra Poznar - Visegrad Team

Hungarian Prime Minister’s first visit to Kyiv since the outbreak of war

On 2 July 2024, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán paid an official visit to Kyiv for the first time in 12 years. It was also the first time since the outbreak of the full-scale war with Russia, where high-level government talks were held. The visit also included a meeting between V. Orbán and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They primarily discussed the issues of...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1149
20 June 2024
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Lithuania: a new vision for national energy security by 2050

In Lithuania, the government has adopted a new energy security strategy with a vision extending to 2050. The document, known as the National Energy Independence Strategy, is currently awaiting parliamentary approval. This new strategy is expected to enhance energy independence and enable the export of surplus electricity. The energy transition process is anticipated to accelerate...

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Baltic Team, Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1135
5 June 2024
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
31 May 2024
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
29 May 2024
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
27 May 2024
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
16 May 2024
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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Visegrad Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1117
30 April 2024
Jakub Bornio - Visegrad Team

Nuclear deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank

Since 2014, the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have concentrated their efforts on securing the so-called eastern flank. These efforts have thus far lacked elements of nuclear deterrence. However, the inability to effectively influence NATO has led to an increase in the use of ‘nuclear blackmail’ by Russia. Considering these circumstances, it is...

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