For a long time, the states of the Western Balkans – Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are considered potential members of the European Union, provided that the criteria appropriate for accession are met. Especially since such Balkan states as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia and Croatia...
Russian diplomacy as a tool of hybrid influence on Poland
In the confrontation between Russia and the West, diplomacy is increasingly seen not simply as a mechanism for official dialogue, but as a form of hybrid instrument combining espionage, sabotage, and disinformation. Poland is one of the clearest examples of Russian diplomacy being used as a cover for actions that...
Crisis of EU diplomacy. Resources go where the word “security” sounds louder
Europe is undergoing what is perhaps the most significant shift in foreign policy priorities in decades. Since the end of 2022–2025, EU countries have been directing more and more resources towards defence and external border management, and not only in those countries that are directly threatened by military action. The...
What is behind the reduction of US presence in Europe
NATO’s 75th anniversary coincided with the US announcement to reduce or transform the presence of US army units in European theatre. What caused this process, which crises it provokes and the possible consequences for Europe.In February 2025, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegeset, at a meeting with NATO Defense Ministers, made...
The German automotive industry is stalling: сauses and consequences of the industrial slowdown
The German automotive industry has long been the backbone of the country's economy and a symbol of European industrial power. But over the past two years, automotive companies have seen a noticeable decline in production and economic performance. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, car exports from Germany to...
Drones over Europe: a new reality of security and politics
Today we have to say that drones are becoming a tool of geopolitics and economic pressure. The repeated appearance of drones over major airports, military bases and infrastructure in northern and eastern Europe has caused not only the military to react, but also politicians to think about taking the necessary...
NATO countries are suffering from an increase in the number of cyber attacks
The US faced serious risks in cyberspace as early as the 1990s, however, many European NATO member states have long clearly underestimated the threats to their own security that come from cyberspace. The situation changed somewhat when on April 27, 2007, the Estonian authorities dismantled the «Bronze Soldier» – monument...
“Frozen money – warm levers”. On the influence of Russian assets on the unity of Europe
Western sanctions, imposed on Russia in late February 2022 after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, affected banks and individual accounts and became the basis for freezing part of the Russian Central Bank’s international reserves. In March 2022, the Finance Minister of the Russian Federation announced that Western countries...
The Gulf of Oman as a transport hub for shadow fleet tankers
The European Union, Great Britain and the United States have strengthened their sanctions against the energy sector of the Russian economy and the activities of the so-called «shadow fleet» of the Russian Federation, which ensures the transportation of Russian crude oil by sea. The focus of attention of Brussels, London...
How the Russian «atomic anchor» turns energy projects into long-term dependence
Russia has long positioned itself as a leader in nuclear technology and energy. It must be recognized that the competition in this field is not so great, and the strategic potential of nuclear energy is huge. Realizing this, Russia has constructed a model in which the construction of nuclear power...