Expertise
PRC-EU relations, Chinese identity politics
Languages
Polish, English, Mandarin Chinese
Biography
Patryk Szczotka is a graduate of Far Eastern philology with a Chinese specialization at the University of Wrocław and a double degree MSc student at China and International Relations programme at Aalborg Universitet and the University of International Relations (国际 关系 学院) in Beijing. He is a member of the Institute of New Europe and Asia-Pacific Regional Group in the Polish Forum of Young Diplomats. His research interests include political and economic relations between the EU and the PRC and diplomacy.
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Between Political Alliance and Institutional Constraint: Serbia and Croatia in Hungary’s Electoral Context
Hungary’s elections are drawing attention across Europe, yet their significance is particularly pronounced for neighbouring states that are closely intertwined with Budapest within a network of regional political and economic interdependencies. For these countries, the stakes extend beyond the electoral outcome itself, encompassing the future direction of cooperation and the broader configuration of regional relations.
The War in Ukraine: Russia’s Spring False Start
Certain aspects of Russia’s war against Ukraine are predictable. One of them is the launch of new offensive operations in the spring. This is timed early enough for Vladimir Putin to be able to present some form of military success on Red Square on 9 May. This year, however, the situation does not appear promising for the Kremlin – at least for now. That said, this is not yet the beginning of a full-scale spring–summer offensive.
Crossroad between East and West. A retrospective analysis of the 2024/25 Moldavian situation
“The presidential elections and the referendum on the 20th of October will be the most important events after the declaration of independence – they will mark the Moldavians’ destiny for the next decades.” – The Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania, commenting on the 2024 Moldovan Referendum
Serbia under Pressure in the Energy Market: The State as a Crisis Buffer
Rising tensions in the Middle East and sharp increases in oil prices—exceeding $100 per barrel in recent weeks—have quickly translated into Serbia’s domestic policy response. The reaction of the authorities in Belgrade shows that in times of global instability, the state once again steps in as the primary instrument for stabilising both the economy and social conditions.
Western Balkans and the Escalation of Tensions in the Middle East
The escalation of tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran has quickly found political resonance in the Western Balkans. Reactions from governments across the region demonstrate how closely the region remains connected to broader geopolitical rivalries.
The War in the Persian Gulf: More Losses Than Gains for Russia
The scale of the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran caught Moscow off guard. The likelihood of major geopolitical shifts in the Persian Gulf has rarely appeared as high as it does today. While the Kremlin may reap limited short-term benefits from the escalation, the overall strategic balance is likely to be unfavorable for Russia.
The Phenomenon of the Forgotten State: Poland’s Distinct Position Within the Developed World
It has been more than 75 years since the Korean Peninsula was separated. For the last decades, the wish for normalizing the inter-Korean relations and the possibility of reunification have crossed the mind of some South Korean leaders. In the early 2000s, upon the incentive of normalizing their relations with North Korea, South Korea took inspiration from the German Ostpolitik in the development of the Sunshine Policy .
Non-surprise, Yet Wrapped in a Riddle? Results of Czech Parliamentary Elections 2025
At the beginning of October, the 9th general election to the lower house of the Czech Republic’s parliament (the Chamber of Deputies) took place. The election was a record in many respects – it had the highest voter turnout in this century (since 1998) and at the same time, in a nominal sense, the historically largest number of citizens participated.
Polish Innovations in Artificial Intelligence: A New Frontier in Global Technology
In the global landscape of technological advancement, Poland has quietly but decisively become one of the most dynamic centers for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. Once perceived primarily as an outsourcing hub for software development, the country has transformed into a birthplace of original AI research, groundbreaking algorithms, and globally recognized startups.
Moscow’s Creeping Escalation: Hybrid Pressure on Poland and the Alliance
As many Polish, Ukrainian, and European experts warned, Russia would not stop at Ukraine. Give it an inch, and it will take a mile. Combined with Vladimir Putin’s confrontational style of negotiation and statecraft, that appetite has now spilled onto NATO territory. When a wave of Russian drones crossed into Poland from Belarusian airspace on the night of September 9-10, 2025, the Alliance’s eastern flank entered a new phase of the war.
Warsaw Institute
