A close look at Russia’s “hybrid attack” seeking to undermine Western democracies in the region, MOldovan elections, and protests in Georgia.

Despite lofty declarations of support, Ukraine’s main backers are increasingly focused on laying the groundwork for Kyiv’s negotiations with Moscow. Instead of ensuring sustainable security in Europe, the compromises under discussion would embolden Russia and China.

Kyiv needs a hearts-and-minds policy to win over Russophone Ukrainians in these places who feel no loyalty to Putin but have been acculturated in Russian and will still feel insecure about what the government has in mind for their language and cultural choices. 

Amid escalating international crises, Europe appears ill-equipped to offer effective diplomatic solutions. To regain influence as a global player, the EU should adopt an interagency mechanism involving its institutions and member states to develop policy options on foreign issues of strategic importance.

With its foreign policy maneuvering space increasingly constrained, Turkey’s hedging between its NATO allies and Russia will be harder to maintain.

Elections in East Germany reveal how Russia’s war on Ukraine can be exploited for political gain. Rising domestic pressures fueled by societal discontent are becoming a risk for collective Western support for Kyiv.