Section: Research Organizations & Think Tanks about Ukraine
Russia Watches and Puts Own Spin on Moldova’s Crisis (Part Two)
*To read Part One, please click here. Western officials and commentators seem, on the whole, to overestimate Russia’s capacity and intentions to recapture Moldova by exploiting that country‘s current crisis. This overestimation partly explains the recent decisions in Washington, Brussels and Bucharest to accept billionaire Vladimir...
Pay attention, America: Russia is upgrading its military
Russia is in the midst of a major modernization of its armed forces. This has been driven by Vladimir Putin’s ambition to restore Russia’s hard power and supported by the revenues that flowed into the Kremlin’s coffers between 2004 and 2014, when the price of oil was high. The modernization programs encompass all parts of the...
Russia’s Pivot to Asia: Myths and Realities
This paper identifies the reasons behind Russia’s pivot towards Asia and explains how Moscow is “selling” the move. The immediate reasons for the shift are 1) Russia’s adventurism in Ukraine; 2) Moscow’s recent and proactive interest in the former Soviet space; 3) the economic pinch being created by Western economic...
Gontareva explained swings in hryvnia exchange rate
The hryvnia exchange rate has decreased due to political instability along with the seasonal factors, the fall in business activity in November and the settling of a large payment from the treasury account, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Valeriya Gontareva has said. “In recent days, unfortunately, another situation factor was...
Putin Corners Himself in Ukraine. We Would Be Crazy to Placate Him Now
The recent backroom bilateral talks between the United States and Russia about Ukraine have caused anxiety in the region, raised hopes that sanctions could be lifted, and elevated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s status to super power level.All are counterproductive.Since the bilateral talks and optimistic statements by US Secretary of...
Ukraine’s political suicide
Ukraine’s fledgling democracy edged closer to dismembering itself this week, as one of the most reform-minded members of the government stepped down. In his resignation letter, Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavičius accused old political elites of systematically blocking much-needed reforms and paralyzing the fight against rampant...
Ukrainian Corruption Could Endanger IMF Loan
Sudden resignation of economy minister over high-level corruption could influence lender’s decision on the latest tranche of its bailout program. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Limits of German Power
In the last two years, Germany has adopted leadership roles regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the civil war in Syria, and the refugee crisis. While this is a welcome development, German leaders must bear in mind that their country’s EU membership remains its most potent source of power. …read more Source: Project Syndicate (Czech...
The Potential for Polish-Lithuanian Cooperation in Security
Poland and Lithuania, regardless of tensions related to the situation of the Polish minority, are intensifying security sector cooperation. The main reason is the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which changed the geopolitical conditions in the region. A notable example of such cooperation is the creation of the Poland-Lithuania-Ukraine brigade, which...
Turkey Rejects Russia’s Claim of Syria Invasion as Smokescreen
Ankara says the Kremlin is trying to divert attention from its own ‘crimes’ including ‘starving’ cities into submission. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
