Ukraine–Nord Stream 2: Struggle Over Gas Transit
The Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project is primarily perceived in terms of a political venture that goes against basic EU principles and poses threat to European solidarity.
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Russia’s Novatek Signs Deal With Japan’s Gas Company
Novatek’s development and its income from Arctic LNG projects seem to depend on its regular, rapid and increasing supplies to Asian-Pacific markets. Russia’s largest private-owned gas firm aims at expanding its transport infrastructure on the Northern Sea Route, which explains the company’s plans to build a trans-shipment terminal in the Kamchatka Peninsula and a recent Russian-Japanese deal.
Presidential Campaign. An Oligarch Betting on Two Candidates
The declaration of the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky was the main event of the beginning of the official campaign before the March presidential elections in Ukraine. The popular actor and producer now plays the role of “a person from outside the establishment”. Generally, he occupies the third place in polls and his chances to enter the second round are not high.
Gazprom Diversifies Gas Sales on EU Market
In mid-January, Russia’s state-owned company Gazprom announced the beginning of gas sales to Europe’s biggest gas hub in the Netherlands. Since last autumn Russia’s gas giant has been gradually changing its sales strategy on the EU market and it began to sell its raw material making spot transactions through the electronic trading platform.
Russia Loses Influence in the Balkans
Macedonian parliament’s recent decision to change the country’s name sparked outrage in Moscow while a statement issued by Russian Foreign Ministry is considered as meddling in other country’s domestic affairs. According to Moscow, Macedonia’s name was changed against the will of its citizens while violating Macedonian law.
Anti-Hungarian Provocation: Polish Process, German Clue
A trial of three Polish citizens accused of the arson attack on the Hungarian minority centre in the Ukrainian Zakarpattia has started in Cracow. This provocation was aimed to aggravate relations between Kiev and Budapest. Ukrainian authorities immediately suggested that Russian secret services might be responsible for the attack.
Nord Stream 2: US Warns Germany of Potential Restrictions
The United States may impose further sanctions on Western companies that finance the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and those that are in charge of carrying out pipe-laying operations on the seabed. Both media reports and an open letter sent by the U.S. Ambassador to Germany caused some nervous reactions amid Germany’s decision-makers.
Finland: Army and Banks Versus Putin’s Friend
Finland has decided to move from words to actions regarding the issue of Russian-owned real property located near Finnish strategic points. The Administrative Court in Helsinki agreed with the Finnish Army on the matter and prohibited Boris Rotenberg, a Russian billionaire, from expanding the construction of property in close proximity to an important military training ground.
Nordic Cooperation in the Russian Shadow
Neutrality will not assure security any longer. In the face of the rising threat posed by their eastern neighbour, Finland and Sweden are developing tighter cooperation with a NATO member, Norway. Helsinki proposed joint, Finnish-Swedish-Norwegian military exercises in the territories which are directly endangered by a land Russian invasion.
Russia Monitor Monthly 12/2018
All December Russia Monitor articles, which include reviews of the most important events related to Russian security and its foreign policy, available in one file.
New Warsaw Institute book “Countering Russia’s Disinformation and Propaganda in Georgia”
Warsaw Institute published a bilingual (Polish & Georgian) book by Małgorzata Zawadzka and Zviada Adzinbaia. The publication is a part of a project: Disinformation in Practice – Identifying, Researching and Fighting Harmful Narratives in Georgia.
“Lucjan Skupiewski. Social and Political Biography” – New Warsaw Institute Publication
Warsaw Institute presents a bilingual version of “Lucjan Skupiewski. Social and Political Biography” by dr hab. Andrzej Dubicki, prof. Associate, University of Łódź.
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Special Reports
Ukraine–Nord Stream 2: Struggle Over Gas Transit
The Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project is primarily perceived in terms of a political venture that goes against basic EU principles and poses threat to European solidarity.
Russian Policy Towards the Arctic
From Russia’s perspective, all ongoing climate changes “pave the way” for the development of shipping and profitable exploitation of energy resources in the Arctic region, though, due to the melting permafrost, they may pose a threat to the local land infrastructure.
Development of Defence Policy and Armaments Industry in the European Union
The aim of the following report is to analyze the development of the EU’s common security and defence policy (CSDP) as well as Europe’s armaments industry. The study involves a geo-economic perspective, pointing out how economic instruments may facilitate achieving geopolitical goals.
Hostile propaganda: how it affects Lithuanian society?
State-sponsored propaganda, which in recent years has become a more visible phenomenon, is never spread just for its own reasons. It is either part of a broader foreign policy toolbox or part of the new hybrid warfare, thus pursuing deeper goals.
A post-war war. The years of 1944–1963 in Poland.
Poland was the first country in Europe to experience World War Two, which begun on 1 September 1939. Poland was also the first country to engage in armed combat with the joined forces of Nazi Germany and the USSR in their attempt the change the world order.
Expenditure on cybersecurity of the Visegrad Group countries
Nowadays, cyber threats have become increasingly strategic in nature, covering all activities of the state, including its security and defense system.
V4 countries towards Russian aggression against Ukraine
The establishment of the Visegrad Group was a response to the new challenges that Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary faced after another European spring of nations.
The Balkan Melting Pot
Talks about current border pluralize between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo risk escalating the simmering ethnic conflict between the two. Following its unilateral declaration of independence 10 years ago, Kosovo has been indefatigable in its effort to become a full-fledged member of the international community.
On Democracy in Europe
Democracy constitutes the core of Europe’s political culture . At the same time, it is endangered by the ongoing processes of European integration. As for the European Union, it has no proper legitimacy while such phenomenon is referred to as a democratic deficit.
Why Destroy the Nation State?
Neoliberals, who seem today fully committed to fighting against any manifestations of nationalism, do not know what they are doing. Their victory would be considered tantamount to destroying all foundations of our social life. Deprived of a nation state organism, Western societies are destined to plunge into unimaginable chaos.
The Visegrad Group in the security architecture of Europe
While attempting to understand the role of the Visegrad Four (V4) in the security policy of Central Europe or, more broadly – the North Atlantic Treaty, it should not be forgotten that the Visegrad Group is a strictly political and not defensive project.
V4: “It’s good to be among friends”
The Visegrad Group is proof that it is possible to create friendly ties in international politics. These ties connect Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary – the Visegrád Four (V4). The strong relationships are built on newer and older common history, a shared geographical neighborhood, vivid contacts – both social and sometimes even familial, economic cooperation – but above all, an awareness of our common interests.
The Kresy: Józef Brandt in search of painterly inspiration
The Kresy, its events and genre scenes are perhaps the most defining topics of Józef Brandt’s oeuvre.
Warsaw Institute
