Russia Monitor Monthly 7/23
Content
The demographic future of Eastern Europe
The demographic outlook for Eastern Europe has a bittersweet taste. The region may suffer considerably from low fertility rates, but it may manage to get around the biggest changes associated with migration.
Are Czechs Russophiles?
In the public domain, Czechs are considered one of the more pro-Russian nations in Europe. Upon closer inspection, however, this portrait is not so black and white.
On Democracy in Poland
This autumn’s parliamentary election in Poland was, above all, a success of democracy. Evidence of this success can be seen in the mobilization of the electorate, the high turnout, as well as the fact that voters feel that government decision-makers listen to them and that their vote can influence the course of national events.
The Polish capital market one year after its promotion to Developed Markets status
On September 22, 2018, the FTSE Russell and STOXX index agencies reclassified the Polish capital market to Developed Market Status – a capital market ‘Champions League’.
Postal crisis in Finland. A minister deposed, Prime Minister in danger
After two weeks of strikes which severely handicapped connection and transport in Finland, it is time for the political settlement.
Zelensky’s Problem with Kolomoyskyi
So far, Ihor Kolomoyskyi has been disappointed with Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency.
A gas battle between Ukraine and Russia will end in Paris
All signs indicate that the issues of the Russian gas transit through Ukraine, as well as court disputes between Naftohaz and Gazprom, will be dealt with – at least initially – during the Normandy Format summit in Paris on December 9.
Reserved reaction to the Turkish blackmail
Just before the NATO summit in London, Turkey threatened to block the acceptance of the defence plans for the Baltic states and Poland if NATO does not help Ankara in the battle with Syrian Kurds.
Moldova Again Sails Toward Russia
The February 2019 Moldovan parliamentary elections have brought a political deadlock in the country, with neither party appearing to secure a parliamentary majority.
Conference Summary: NATO Eastern Flank Security. Baltic States and Poland
An international conference on Poland’s partnership with the Baltic States was held on November 28 in Warsaw, Poland as a forum to discuss vital issues pertaining to defense and energy sector. At the event, representatives for five think tanks from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia signed a joint declaration on the establishment of the Baltic Fund.
Russia Monitor article in Carnegie Europe publication
In the Carnige Europe think tank report by Tomáš Valášek, titled “New perspectives on shared security: NATO’s next 70 years”.
Russia Complies with OPEC Deal, But There Is a Problem
There is no doubt that the OPEC+ format will continue to exist, with OPEC and its allies being likely to extend oil output cuts, albeit oil production calculations may be subject to change.
Lukoil Makes Further Investments in Africa
A report by Russia’s biggest privately held oil company has revealed that it had finally bought stakes in an oilfield in the Republic of Congo.
Baltic Fund
The Baltic Fund is an initiative aimed at strengthening Poland’s cooperation with the Baltic States in terms of security, energy, economy and civil society.
Russia Catches Heat over Bloody Air Raids in Syria’s Idlib
In the shadow of Turkey’s incursion against the Kurds in northeastern Syria, forces loyal to al-Assad and their Russian allies are pursuing a military offensive in Idlib Province. Located in northwestern Syria, the last remaining rebel enclave is still struggling against government forces. Syrian government army and its Russian allies keep their criminal assaults against civilians, seeking to crush their morale and force Idlib defenders to surrender.
Russia’s Gazprom Sold $3 Billion in Stocks to Mystery Buyer
Russia’s gas monopolist Gazprom sold 3.59 percent of its stocks in what it turned out to be a single buyer transaction, with the deal carried out via the trading platform of the Moscow Exchange. Also, the mystery bidder got a considerable discount. This is the second time that Gazprom has traded shares in recent months, with a total of 6.52 percent of the company’s voting stakes being sold. The firm has not informed whether the same buyer bought shares both in July and November.
Unwanted Success: Russia’s GRU Suffers Setback in Serbia
A disclosed fact that in the Serbian army there are many people holding ties to Russian military intelligence has dealt a blow to the authorities in Belgrade. Recent time has seen Serbia making extra efforts to tighten cooperation with Russia, chiefly in the area of security. A spying incident involving an officer of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence, erupted right before President Aleksandar Vucic’s trip to Moscow. This might not have been incidental, especially that files showing links between Russian intelligence and the Serbian military were cooked up by Western services, as admitted by the country’s leader.
GRU Spies Accused of Destabilizing Situation in Catalonia
Spain is yet another European country where Russian military intelligence has engaged in a campaign to destabilize the internal situation. Spanish services and judiciary are investigating into a group within Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) known as Unit 29155, infamous for their subversive and terrorist actions across the European Union, including the United Kingdom and Bulgaria. Signs are that Russia has long been fuelled Catalonia’s pro-secession drive, not only through its information-related operations.
Russia’s New Strategy: Putin Ignites Tensions in the East
The post-Soviet zone has found itself in a shaky position for the first time in five years, or since Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and a hot phase of the Donbas war.
Three Warsaw Institute articles quoted in the US Army magazine
In the US Army magazine „Military Review” in the November / December 2019 issue, three Warsaw Institute articles about Russian mercenaries and private military companies were quoted.
Warsaw Institute
