IEŚ Commentaries | Institute of Central Europe

Collective Memory Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1500

15 January 2026

Agata Tatarenko - Collective Memory Team

From Historical Arguments to Cost Calculations: The Czech Public Debate on Russia’s War with Ukraine

The change of power in the Czech Republic did not lead to a fundamental shift in foreign policy toward Russia and the war in Ukraine; however, it clearly affected the way this policy has been legitimised in public debate. References to the historical experiences of 1938 and 1968 – which, after the annexation of Crimea and especially following Russia’s full-scale invasion of...

More →

Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1492

23 December 2025

Jakub Bornio - Baltic Team

The U.S. National Security Strategy and the Security of Central and Eastern Europe

The U.S. National Security Strategy, published by the administration of Donald Trump, is a fundamental document diagnosing changes in the international security environment and outlining the United States’ efforts to adapt to new geopolitical conditions. The Strategy’s assumptions are of key importance for the security of central and eastern European states, whose...

More →

European Integration and Conflict Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1486

16 December 2025

Spasimir Domaradzki - European Integration and Conflict Team

Bulgaria: The Resignation of Rosen Zhelyazkov’s Government. Society versus the Captured State

On 11 December 2025, the government of Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned. The decision followed the largest wave of social protests since 1989, which spread across the entire country. The immediate trigger for public opposition was the shape of the budget planned for the coming year. Following provocations directed at demonstrators by the leaders of GERB and DPS-NP—Boyko Borisov and...

More →

Civic Studies Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1485

10 December 2025

Szczepan Czarnecki - Civic Studies Team

Czech Republic: Government Formation in Czechia and the Prospect of a Vote of Confidence

The process of forming a new government following ANO’s electoral victory has been marked by both considerable momentum and clear political tensions. According to statements by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura (SPD), the cabinet formed by ANO, SPD, and the Motorists is expected to be appointed a few days after Andrej Babiš is sworn in as prime minister,...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1423

1 September 2025

Hanna Bazhenova - Eastern Team

Changes on Ukraine’s Historical Front: The Law on State Policy of National Memory

Russia’s full-scale invasion prompted the Ukrainian authorities to rethink their national memory politics. The most recent innovation was the adoption on 21 August 2025 of the law on state policy in the field of national memory, which defines, in particular, the purpose, main principles, tasks, and legal foundations of this policy, as well as its subjects and their powers. The...

More →

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...

More →

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....

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

History in the public space

IEŚ Commentaries 1383

24 June 2025

Łukasz Krzyżanowski - History in the public space

Why is the Holocaust part of the history of everyone living in Poland today?

The victims of the Holocaust included more than three million Jews who were citizens of Poland. Nazi persecution – carried out not only by Germans but also by Austrians and local collaborators of various nationalities, including Ukrainians, Lithuanians, and Poles – struck Jews with particular severity. It would be more accurate to say: those whom Nazi law and Nazi perpetrators...

More →

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...

More →

Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1371

2 June 2025

Hanna Bazhenova - Eastern Team

Re-evaluation of World War II Heritage in Ukraine

On 8 May 2025, the 80th anniversary of the signing of the act of unconditional surrender by Germany and its armed forces took place. On this day, Ukraine celebrated for the second time the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II (1939–1945). The new public holiday was intended to combine two earlier traditions: Victory Day over Nazism in World War II, observed...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

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...

More →

Eastern Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1302

28 February 2025

Hanna Bazhenova - Eastern Team

Demographic Crisis in Ukraine

Since 1994, Ukraine’s population has been in steady decline; however, a severe demographic crisis has unfolded over the past three years. Russia’s armed aggression has led to mass internal and international migration, a sharp decline in the birth rate and life expectancy, as well as increased mortality and significant changes in the distribution of the population across the...

More →

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...

More →