Series:PISM Spotlight

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Seventh Summit of the Three Seas Initiative, in Riga

Seventh Summit of the Three Seas Initiative, in Riga

Author(s): Kinga Dudzińska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Three Seas Initiative; Riga; Summit; TSI; region; competitiveness; Ukraine; war;

On 20-21 June, the 7th Summit of the Three Seas Initiative (TSI) was held in Riga, attended by representatives of all countries involved in this format. They focused on actions to increase the effectiveness of the TSI and the competitiveness of the region, but also discussed security issues and a commitment to Ukraine, which has been granted participating partner status in the initiative. The importance of TSI cooperation with the U.S. and Germany is also growing. During the summit, the Polish-Latvian Chamber of Commerce was unveiled.

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2022 NATO Summit in Madrid - Collective Defence as a Priority

2022 NATO Summit in Madrid - Collective Defence as a Priority

Author(s): Wojciech Lorenz / Language(s): English

Keywords: NATO; summit; Madrid; defence; strategy;

The leaders of NATO have approved a new strategy that should help the Alliance adapt to the threats posed by Russia and the increasing rivalry with China. They also made concrete decisions to strengthen defence and deterrence that largely correspond to the appeals of the Eastern Flank countries, including Poland.

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G7 Summit in Germany - Support for Ukraine and Combating the Global Effects of Russia’s Aggression

G7 Summit in Germany - Support for Ukraine and Combating the Global Effects of Russia’s Aggression

Author(s): Damian Wnukowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Russia; aggression; G7; Germany; global effects; Ukraine; war;

On 26-28 June, a meeting of the leaders of the G7 countries took place at Elmau Castle in Bavaria. The key topics were the war in Ukraine and the resulting energy and food crisis. The summit showed the group’s consistency with regard to Russia’s aggression and global challenges, although some of the decisions made are not very ambitious. It will be important for the long-term effectiveness of the G7 to involve partners from other parts of the world, including developing countries, which is one reason for the guest participation in the meeting of the leaders of Argentina, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Senegal.

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Russia’s Reaction to the NATO Summit in Madrid

Russia’s Reaction to the NATO Summit in Madrid

Author(s): Anna Maria Dyner / Language(s): English

Keywords: NATO; Madrid; Summit; Russia; reaction; security; defense;

The NATO Madrid summit decisions were described by the Russian authorities as confirmation of the Alliance’s hostile policy towards Russia. At the same time, their reaction was subdued, which does not mean, however, that they are disregarding the decisions made by the Alliance. In response to NATO increasing deterrence and defence capabilities on the Eastern Flank, Russia is likely to further strengthen the Western Military District and deepen its military integration with Belarus. The dislocation of more Russian troops to Belarusian territory will create new challenges for regional security.

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The Military Situation in Ukraine as of the Beginning of July

The Military Situation in Ukraine as of the Beginning of July

Author(s): Anna Maria Dyner / Language(s): English

Keywords: Ukraine; July; military situation; 2022;

On 4 July, Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russian troops had taken full control of Luhansk Oblast, achieving one of Russia’s main initial goals of the military operation in Ukraine. In the near future, its forces will concentrate on capturing the entire Donetsk region and will continue shelling the Kharkiv and Odesa regions and conducting operations in the south of Ukraine. Given the difficult situation of the Ukrainian troops, it is necessary to maintain or even increase the amount and speed of deliveries of Western weapons, including artillery systems, along with training of crews and assistance in the treatment of the wounded.

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Fighting for Johnson’s Heritage - The Election of a New Tory Leader

Fighting for Johnson’s Heritage - The Election of a New Tory Leader

Author(s): Przemysław Biskup / Language(s): English

Keywords: UK; elections; Boris Johnson; foreign policy;

On 11 July, the Conservative Party announced the rules for electing a new leader. This is a consequence of Boris Johnson’s resignation from the leadership of the party (7 July). The new leader will be announced on 5 September and then appointed British prime minister by the queen. The election will affect, among others, the model of EU-UK relations after Brexit and British policy towards the war in Ukraine. The new prime minister will announce their government’s agenda at the 2022 Conservative Party Conference one month later.

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The Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka

The Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel / Language(s): English

Keywords: Sri Lanka; politics; economy; crisis; Rajapaksa clan;

After months of mass protests over the drastic deterioration of living conditions in Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on 13 July and resigned. This marks the end of almost two decades of rule by the Rajapaksa clan, but it does not end the political crisis that will complicate the way to economic recovery. The change of power on the island will limit China’s influence and open up opportunities for India and Western countries.

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Biden’s First Visit to the Middle East

Biden’s First Visit to the Middle East

Author(s): Sara Nowacka,Michał Wojnarowicz / Language(s): English

Keywords: Joe Biden; Middle East; foreign policy; security;

On 13-16 July, U.S. President Joe Biden visited Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Saudi Arabia. The main aim of his visit was to assure U.S. allies that it will continue to engage in security issues in the Middle East and to encourage them to give greater support for U.S. policy towards regional and global challenges.

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Winter is Coming - Gas Demand Regulation in the EU in Preparation for a Crisis

Winter is Coming - Gas Demand Regulation in the EU in Preparation for a Crisis

Author(s): Zuzanna Nowak,Maciej Zaniewicz / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU; gas; energy; winter; preparation; policy;

The Communication from the European Commission (EC) published on 20 July calls for a reduction in EU consumption of natural gas. The call is prompted by the ongoing energy crisis, pressure from Gazprom, and the risk of gas shortages in winter. Member States are encouraged to implement mechanisms to save energy and gas and cooperate in a spirit of solidarity. However, ensuring sufficient supplies through winter will require not only the commitment of governments but also of businesses and societies.

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Who will be the Next UK Prime Minister?

Who will be the Next UK Prime Minister?

Author(s): Przemysław Biskup / Language(s): English

Keywords: UK; elections; prime minister;

On 20 July, Conservative MPs selected Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak as candidates for the party’s new leader and, consequently, the next British prime minister. This opens the second phase of the election of the successor to Boris Johnson, when all party members vote for one candidate, and allows the identification of future challenges for the United Kingdom’s relationship with the EU and Poland.

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Deal Signed to Unblock Ukrainian Grain Exports

Deal Signed to Unblock Ukrainian Grain Exports

Author(s): Daniel Szeligowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Ukraine; grain; export; global economy;

At the initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the countries of Ukraine, Russia, and Türkiye reached an agreement on 22 July to unblock grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. However, the resumption of trade is not a foregone conclusion and will depend primarily on the goodwill of the Russian side, which may sabotage the implementation of the agreement by military means.

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Russian Foreign Minister Completes Africa Tour

Russian Foreign Minister Completes Africa Tour

Author(s): Jędrzej Czerep / Language(s): English

Keywords: Russia; foreign policy; minister; Africa; Tour;

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited four African countries on 23-27 July. The aim of his tour was to break Russia’s international isolation and maintain African states’ positive neutrality towards it, as well as to promote Russia’s narrative of the West’s “responsibility” for triggering the food crisis because of sanctions.

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Russia Adopts More Confrontational Maritime Doctrine

Russia Adopts More Confrontational Maritime Doctrine

Author(s): Anna Maria Dyner / Language(s): English

Keywords: Russia; Maritime doctrine; security; foreign policy;

On 31 July, Vladimir Putin approved Russia’s new maritime doctrine. Compared to the one from 2015, this update is definitely more confrontational with the U.S. and NATO. It identifies the Arctic as the most important region in which Russian interests are to be secured. This means that Russian military activity in the Far North will increase, which, like the declared strengthening of Russia’s naval capabilities in the Baltic Sea, will create tensions with NATO countries.

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Synchronisation of Ukraine’s and Moldova’s Grids with the European Electricity System

Synchronisation of Ukraine’s and Moldova’s Grids with the European Electricity System

Author(s): Maciej Zaniewicz / Language(s): English

Keywords: Ukraine; Moldova; Europe; electricity; energy; system;

Ukraine and Moldova synchronised their electricity grids with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA) on 16 March. This will increase the stability of their power systems and eliminate dependence on Russia. Synchronisation with Ukraine will not affect the operation of the Polish system.

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NATO Missile Defence in the Context of Russia’s War with Ukraine

NATO Missile Defence in the Context of Russia’s War with Ukraine

Author(s): Marcin Andrzej Piotrowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: NATO; Ukraine; Russia; war; missile defence;

Russia is widely using its conventional missile arsenal against Ukraine. The intense use of these weapons against targets in the western part of the country raises the risk of accidental strikes on NATO territory, although the possibility of intentional strikes cannot be excluded. NATO has implemented a few steps to strengthen missile defences on its Eastern Flank, but a much better explanation of its capabilities is needed to reassure Alliance publics, as are augmented capabilities to deter Russia from regional escalation.

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Xi-Biden Meeting: China Maintains Support for Russia

Xi-Biden Meeting: China Maintains Support for Russia

Author(s): Marcin Przychodniak / Language(s): English

Keywords: Joe Biden; Xi Jinping; foreign policy; Russia;

The online meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Chairman Xi Jinping on 18 March confirmed China’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in the context of the war in Ukraine. In response to the U.S. warnings against supporting Russia, Xi claimed the U.S. was responsible for the outbreak of the war and called on it to negotiate with Russia. He also expressed concerns about the stability of the situation in the Taiwan Strait, accusing the U.S. of supporting groups backing Taiwan’s independence.

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Special NATO Summit in Brussels

Special NATO Summit in Brussels

Author(s): Wojciech Lorenz / Language(s): English

Keywords: Brussels; NATO; Summit; Ukraine; military support;

An extraordinary NATO leaders summit on the war in Ukraine was held on 24 March in Brussels. The allies decided, among others, to strengthen the NATO military presence on the Eastern Flank and to increase military support for Ukraine. The Alliance is also working on long-term adaptation to the threat posed by Russia, but decisions on this issue are to be approved at the June summit in Madrid.

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Biden Meets with NATO, EU, and G7 Partners

Biden Meets with NATO, EU, and G7 Partners

Author(s): Mateusz Piotrowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Joe Biden; NATO; EU; G7; foreign policy;

On 24 and 25 March, U.S. President Joe Biden met in Brussels with his counterparts from NATO, the G7, and EU countries and with the heads of these institutions. Biden is trying to persuade European countries to impose further sanctions on Russia and cut off its energy resources. The U.S. pledged to help with the transition by strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and taking joint initiatives to prevent a global food crisis.

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President Joe Biden’s Visit to Poland

President Joe Biden’s Visit to Poland

Author(s): Andrzej Dąbrowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: USA; Poland; Joe Biden; Visit; foreign policy; security; economy;

On 25-26 March, U.S. President Joe Biden paid a working visit to Poland. The key element of his trip was a speech he delivered in Warsaw in which he emphasised the U.S. readiness to fulfil its allied obligations and recalled the concept of American leadership in defence of the international rules-based order. The U.S. focus on the security situation on NATO’s Eastern Flank, in particular the strengthening of the Alliance military presence and rearming Ukraine, does not change the main thrust of American foreign policy, which is the competition with China.

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The Economic Impact of the Russian Invasion on Ukraine

The Economic Impact of the Russian Invasion on Ukraine

Author(s): Daniel Szeligowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Russia; Ukraine; Invasion; Economy; Impact;

Ukrainian losses resulting from the Russian invasion have already been estimated at hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars. Taking into account the costs incurred by Ukraine in previous years as a result of the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the total losses have likely exceeded $1 trillion. Ukraine will not be able to rebuild on its own and will need foreign assistance. Collecting war reparations from Russia will be crucial in this respect.

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