Ukraine and Eastern Europe

Opinion: Committing to doing what it takes for Ukraine to achieve victory

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:53:10 +0000

Opinion: Committing to doing what it takes for Ukraine to achieve victory

2024 started with an unprecedented number of Russian drones and ballistic missiles raining down on Ukraine. In this op-ed published this week on various media outlets, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, argues that Ukraine prevailing against the Russian aggression is the best security guarantee for Europe and that a paradigm shift is needed from supporting Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' to committing to 'what it takes' for Ukraine to achieve victory. Borrell argues that we must intensify our efforts to win the race against time with Putin’s Russia. "We cannot allow him to prevail. Our own security is at stake. Should Putin’s strategy prove successful, it would embolden Russia and other autocracies to pursue their imperialist agendas. We must at any cost prevent a world where might makes right, where powerful countries change borders at will, and the weak fall prey to the strong. Allowing such a scenario would cast a long shadow over our future for decades to come. Ukraine prevailing against the Russian aggression is the best security guarantee for Europe. A Russia that learnt to stay within its borders will lessen pressure on its neighbours, ease Ukraine’s path to EU membership and allow Europe and the world to shift attention to the many other challenges that need solving. With our assistance, Ukraine can consign Russia’s imperial ambitions to the pages of history. This must guide our actions and thinking."

dennis2020 Thu, 01/25/2024 - 09:53

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Video Diaries of Dennis Sammut: Episode 6: Central Asia, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine - What does the future hold?

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:20:00 +0000

Video Diaries of Dennis Sammut: Episode 6: Central Asia, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine - What does the future hold? Maximiliaan va… Thu, 01/18/2024 - 16:20

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Video Diaries of Dennis Sammut reflecting on more than three decades of work in countries of the former Soviet Union

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:31:09 +0000

Video Diaries of Dennis Sammut reflecting on more than three decades of work in countries of the former Soviet Union

LINKS Europe is pleased to announce that it is releasing six video diaries, recorded by its Director, Dennis Sammut, in which he reflects on his more than three decades of work in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The six video diaries are available on YouTube:

Episode 1: Russia - The Inelegant end of an empire

Episode 2: Chechnya - A distant war that defined post-Soviet Russia

Maximiliaan va… Thu, 01/18/2024 - 10:31

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Russia confirms damage to one of its Black Sea fleet ships

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 10:23:43 +0000

Russia confirms damage to one of its Black Sea fleet ships

Russia has confirmed one of its warships has been damaged in a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port. The airstrike took place at Feodosiya in Russian-occupied Crimea early on Tuesday morning. Russia's Ministry of Defence said the large landing ship Novocherkassk was struck by Ukrainian aircraft carrying guided missiles. The head of the Ukrainian Air Force said earlier its warplanes had destroyed the ship. One person was killed in the attack, according to the Russian-installed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov. Several others were reportedly hurt. Six buildings were damaged and a small number of people had to be taken to temporary accommodation centres, Mr Aksyonov added. The port's transport operations are said to be functioning as normal after the area was cordoned off, while a fire caused by the attack was contained. Footage purportedly showing a huge explosion in the port was shared by Ukrainian air force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk. The images have not been independently verified. However, satellite imagery from 24 December shows a ship at port in Feodosiya that appears to be the same length as the Novocherkassk - a landing ship designed to transport troops, weapons and cargo to shore. Any significant damage to the ship will be a welcome bit of good news for Ukraine, with waning Western support now affecting its front-line operations. Given that the Novocherkassk was in dock, it is highly likely it was being loaded with soldiers, equipment or both. There was speculation that the ship was carrying Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Russia has been using in its attacks on Ukrainian targets.

dennis2020 Wed, 12/27/2023 - 11:23

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Opinion: A Ukrainian defeat will have serious implications for the South Caucasus

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:59:02 +0000

Opinion: A Ukrainian defeat will have serious implications for the South Caucasus

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has unfolded in ways that were likely not anticipated by either party several months ago. Initial optimism in the West about Russia’s presumed defeat and Ukraine’s victory seems to be fading away. The inability of Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive operations to breach Russia’s defensive lines is leading to growing weariness in countries that had been providing military, financial, and other support to Ukraine.

dennis2020 Wed, 12/13/2023 - 07:59

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Opinion: Is Armenia a logistical hub in Putin's war against Ukraine?

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:10:57 +0000

Opinion: Is Armenia a logistical hub in Putin's war against Ukraine?

According to recent reports, Armenia based entities are using the sea route Batumi-Novorossiysk to re-export sanctioned goods to Russia. Through the Armenian Shipping Company, 600 containers with a total weight of 6 tons are transported to Russia weekly via Georgian ports.

dennis2020 Wed, 11/15/2023 - 15:10

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European Commission recommends opening EU membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and proposes to grant Georgia EU candidate status

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:03:32 +0000

European Commission recommends opening EU membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and proposes to grant Georgia EU candidate status

The European Commission has taken a step towards the enlargement of the European Union by recommending the opening of formal EU membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. The Commission's endorsement is significant as it could lead to Ukraine, currently in conflict with Russia, joining the EU. However, both Ukraine and Moldova will be required to accelerate their internal reforms to meet EU standards. The EU had previously recognised Ukraine as a potential candidate, and this latest development is a continuation of that process. Moldova is on a similar path. The recommendations are part of the EU's routine assessment of potential new members to ensure they are in line with EU rules and values. The final decision on this matter will be taken by EU leaders at a summit in Brussels in December. In the wider context of the enlargement strategy, the Commission has also suggested that Georgia could be granted candidate status if it implements certain reforms. The commission statement says: Georgia has taken steps to strengthen engagement with the EU and increased pace of reforms in the recent months. To address the twelve priorities identified in the Commission Opinion on its membership application, Georgia has adopted legislative acts and policy actions on gender equality, on fighting violence against women and organised crime, as well as on taking into account European Court of Human Rights judgments. A judicial reform has been brought forward although a holistic reform of the High Council of Justice is still needed. Georgia has shared laws as well as its action plan for deoligarchisation with the Venice Commission for an opinion. A strategy on the protection of human rights was adopted and an action plan is being elaborated. A memorandum of cooperation with civil society representatives was concluded. Building a strong cross-party political consensus would contribute to addressing polarisation and accelerate its European path. The Commission has also proposed steps for six Western Balkan countries that want to join the EU, with Bosnia and Herzegovina mentioned as a potential candidate for negotiations "once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved".

Maximiliaan va… Wed, 11/08/2023 - 14:03

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Netherlands and Denmark to give Ukraine advanced F16 aircraft

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:50:43 +0000

Netherlands and Denmark to give Ukraine advanced F16 aircraft

The Netherlands and Denmark announced Sunday they will give F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, a long-awaited announcement that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called an important motivation for his country’s forces, as they continue to repell Russian aggression. After months of entreaties from Zelensky for F-16s to bolster the Ukrainian air force, the US recently gave approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine the American-made jets. Zelensky traveled to both countries Sunday to finalize the delivery deals.’’F-16s will certainly give new energy, confidence, and motivation to fighters and civilians. I’m sure it will deliver new results for Ukraine and the entire Europe,″ the Ukrainian leader said. Ukraine hopes the jets will give it a combat edge, after launching a counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s forces without air cover from Western aircraft, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte welcomed Zelensky to the Netherlands on Sunday. The two leaders inspected two gray F-16s parked in a hangar at a Dutch base in the southern city of Eindhoven. A few hours later, Zelensky and his wife were received by Danish prime minister Frederiksen, other Danish Cabinet ministers and Crown Princess Mary at the Skrydstrup air base in southern Denmark where Ukrainian pilots will receive F-16 training in coming months. The two leaders climbed into a Danish F-16 and tried out the seats.

dennis2020 Mon, 08/21/2023 - 05:50

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Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world, says Defense Minister

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 05:07:48 +0000

Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world, says Defense Minister

The Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has told The Guardian newspaper in an interview on Sunday (13 August) that Ukraine is the "most heavily mined country in the world". He also said that Ukraine is suffering from a serious shortage of personnel and equipment in clearing the frontlines so the country can continue with its counteroffensive against Russia.

patrickn97 Mon, 08/14/2023 - 07:07

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Poland to station 10,000 troops on border with Belarus amid Wagner concern

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:11:38 +0000

Poland to station 10,000 troops on border with Belarus amid Wagner concern

Poland has announced on Thursday (10 August) that it will station some 10,000 troops on its eastern border with Belarus. The decision comes after the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on 29 July that Wagner Group mercenaries could infiltrate Poland from Belarus, where they are currently stationed. The Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that the 10,000 soldiers will be moved to the country's border with Belarus "to scare away the aggressor so that it does not dare attack us", adding "we have to be ready for various scenarios, we do not exclude anything".

patrickn97 Thu, 08/10/2023 - 14:11

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