Eastern Europe

Ukraine and Moldova move to disarm Vladimir Putin’s energy weapon

By Aura Sabadus

With the winter heating season now underway, Ukraine and neighboring Moldova both continue to make progress toward reducing dependence on Russian gas and disarming Vladimir Putin's energy weapon.

Vladimir Putin has little reason to celebrate on his seventieth birthday

By Peter Dickinson

Vladimir Putin marks his seventieth birthday on October 7 but the Russian ruler has little reason to celebrate as his disastrous Ukraine invasion continues to unravel leaving Russia increasingly internationally isolated.

Will Putin send mobilized Russians to Belarus for a new Kyiv offensive?

By Alesia Rudnik

Vladimir Putin’s decision to order Russia’s first mobilization since World War II has revived fears in neighboring Belarus that the country could be dragged into the invasion of Ukraine and a new march on Kyiv.

Russia’s war pushes Latvia’s voters to the center

By Lisa Homel

As dramatic government reshuffles across Europe sweep far-right forces into power, Latvians seem to prefer continuity.

Russian War Report: Putin illegally annexes Ukrainian territory

On September 30, Russian President Putin officially annexed four Ukrainian oblasts, incorporating them into Russia. The announcement was met with swift global condemnation.

Putin’s nuclear ultimatum is a desperate bid to freeze a losing war

By Peter Dickinson

Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine is a sign of the Russian dictator's mounting desperation as his invasion continues to unravel and his country's geopolitical isolation deepens.

As Putin escalates his war against Ukraine, the world faces a moment of maximum danger—and maximum opportunity

By Frederick Kempe

The United States and its allies must openly discuss the dangers Putin’s war poses to any sovereign country.