Central and Eastern Europe

As the polls open across the European Union on 23–26 May, volatile voters appear set to produce an unpredictable European parliament.

A new study reveals six political tribes across Europe with different views about the EU and its future. Which tribe do you belong to?

Focusing on three fundamental priorities to help safeguard European security will put NATO in a better position to tackle the many other challenges it faces.

Moscow’s agents are trying to destabilize Ukraine’s supporters – but while the Baltic states and Finland are boldly countering Russian espionage, others are more reticent, reports Helen Fitzwilliam.

Reconciling its transatlantic approach with EU defence initiatives could make Poland a leader on European defence.

The summit is not only a chance for the new UK government to build relationships with European leaders, but a key opportunity for European countries to make progress on shared political and security challenges.

A shrinking army risks the UK’s ability to fulfil its roles within the alliance. Boosting spending on recruitment, retention and upgrading capabilities is essential to maintaining a leadership role.

Less than two weeks into Hungary’s EU Council presidency, Viktor Orbán has clearly shown he will not play by the rules. The EU must come up with a response.

The award acknowledges the prime minister’s commitment to restoring democracy in Poland.

During his trip to Europe Xi could find it hard to address the damage wrought by COVID-19 and Beijing’s stance on Ukraine. But he may exploit existing tensions with Washington.

The case of Britons allegedly working for Russian intelligence is just one example of how Moscow is actively disrupting normal life in Europe and the Baltic region.

Alliance countries need better understanding of the risks to their undersea infrastructure, and improved signalling to deter Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks.

Containing Russia requires a holistic view of Black Sea security that considers how this is interlinked with the security of adjacent regions.

Donald Trump’s threats to NATO allies must unite European leaders in the defence of Europe.

Poland will regain influence in EU affairs but the future government will not be an easy partner and face fierce opposition from PiS when reforming the rule of law.

The Vilnius gathering failed to advance a convincing pathway to membership, but Ukraine is determined to bring relations with NATO to the next level.

Episode 34 of our weekly podcast discusses the fallout from the NATO summit in Vilnius.

This report makes the case for dramatically increased Western military assistance to Ukraine, and counsels against concessions to Russia.

Episode 31 of our weekly podcast explores the UK’s role in the defence of the Nordic region.

In Poland and other eastern European countries, Ukraine’s queer refugees face political intolerance and social exclusion, writes Joanna Jaworska.

There are significant challenges to member states of the European Union (EU) working together, and a growing gap between EU capabilities and expectations.

Despite claims that Finland would bring little military capability to NATO and would need to invest in its defence capacity, its accession is highly significant.

The Czech writer’s 40-year-old essay on the roots of Russia’s empire-building, ‘A Kidnapped West’, reads all too presciently, writes Stefan Auer.

Europe’s great song competition may strive for continental harmony, but bitter conflicts and voting blocs often drag it off key, writes Saskia Postema.

Episode 21 of our weekly podcast examines the latest developments relating to Sweden and Finland’s proposed accession to NATO.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has galvanized the bloc, but doubt remains about how it can capitalize on this moment, writes Catherine Fieschi.

Hard choices are needed but it is crucial the UK provides security and leadership to its European partners given the wider context of the war in Ukraine.

The attitude of Russia’s elite – and wider population – to the states which used to constitute the USSR needs to change in order to solve the Russia challenge.

From nuclear proliferation to African debt, here are the issues six of our expert contributors expect to make the news in the year ahead.

The recent withdrawal of the Baltic countries from the ‘17+1’ format displays changing perceptions of China due to its ambiguity towards the war in Ukraine.

The last major figure with a decisive Cold War role, Mikhail Gorbachev was not as bad as Putin’s Russia portrays him, but also not as heroic as the West thinks.

In the final part of a series on the impact of the Roe v Wade ruling, Nina van der Mark assesses the global impact of America’s reverse on reproductive rights.