Section: The Centre for Eastern Studies (Poland)
Russia against Trump – Moscow’s tough game
Moscow has reacted to the inauguration and the initial decisions of President Donald Trump with restraint. On the one hand, Russia has sent positive signals, including congratulations and declarations of readiness for dialogue. On the other, it has drawn attention to the uncertainties and risks associated with the new administration’s...
US military support for Ukraine: what to expect after Biden?
On 9 January, the United States approved its 74th package of military aid for Ukraine, valued at $500 million, under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). This marked the final transfer authorised by Joe Biden’s administration, which utilised a total of $19.35 billion from the support package approved by the US Congress on 23 April...
Britain pledges a century of support for Ukraine. Day 1063 of the war
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A new Russian-Iranian treaty: closing ranks ahead of Trump’s presidency
On 17 January, the leaders of Russia and Iran, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian, signed an interstate treaty in Moscow, replacing an agreement from 2001. The document is primarily intended to reflect the evolving nature of relations between the two countries, which have drawn significantly closer over the past decade, particularly following...
Three years of war in Ukraine: the Chinese-Russian alliance passes the test
China’s support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine and the West equates to it investing in Putin’s Russia. Beijing cannot afford for Putin to fail, as this would threaten the stability of the anti-Western regime in Russia. The war in Ukraine ties up a portion of US resources and those of its European allies. For this reason,...
The Biden administration is solidifying sanctions against Russia
On 15 January, the outgoing US administration amended the legal basis for sanctioning nearly 100 Russian entities. The new package of restrictions subjects all these companies to sanctions under Executive Order 13662 (2014), which addresses involvement in the war in Ukraine. Previously, these sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 14024...
Moldova: Russia’s gas crisis game in Transnistria
On 1 January, Gazprom ceased its gas supplies to Transnistria, a separatist territory within Moldova, following Ukraine’s decision not to extend the gas transit agreement. Furthermore, Russia refused to deliver gas via an alternative route utilising the TurkStream and Trans-Balkan pipelines, stating that it might agree to supply gas in this...
Another Russian strike on Ukraine’s energy sector. Day 1041 of the war
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Sweden: reinventing total defence and a proactive stance in NATO
On 17 December, the Swedish parliament adopted the country’s defence resolution for 2025–2030. This is the first document to outline the primary directions for military cooperation and the development of Sweden’s defence capabilities in both military and civilian spheres following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Sweden’s...
Slovakia’s actions in preparation for the expiry of the Ukrainian-Russian transit agreement
On 4 and 17 December, Slovakia’s Minister of Economy, Denisa Saková, travelled to St. Petersburg for talks with Gazprom’s leadership. The minister was accompanied by Vojtech Ferencz, the CEO of Slovenský plynárenský priemysel (SPP), Slovakia’s main gas company. The Ministry of Economy and SPP have declined to disclose the...
