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How too much talk about peace talks is harming Ukraine

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:02:56 GMT

Anastasiia Kudlenko argues that US president Donald Trump's promotion of peace talks has not only failed to bring peace to Ukraine, it has in fact undermined Ukraine's defence in several ways. Trump's goal is not so much peace as the normalisation of US relations with Russia, she says, and points to policies that will help to strengthen Ukraine's resilience.

Ukraine negotiations: Has Trump revealed his hand?

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:44:28 GMT

This was always going to be a busy week for discussions about Ukraine, with senior political figures gathering for the Munich Security Conference which begins on Friday (14 February). Yet the pace picked up markedly on 12 February following a 90-minute phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, the two leaders have agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. He also stated that the pair have agreed ‘to visit each other’s nations.’ One might argue that the Trump administration is really carrying on different negotiations from the ones reported.

How to steal an election

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:08:00 GMT

Belarus’s dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been in power for more than 30 years: on Sunday he will claim a seventh term as president; the outcome is barely in doubt. He has held on to power for so long through a combination of Machiavellian talent, a degree of support and a run of luck. It looked as if his instincts had failed him and his luck run out in 2020 as huge street protests nearly swept him from power. Since then his regime has silenced dissent inside the country and very little stands in his way this weekend.

Three reasons why Trump may not abandon Ukraine

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:00:00 GMT

At the weekend, the European Union’s Josep Borrell visited Kyiv and sought to assure Ukrainians of the bloc’s ‘unwavering’ support. The statement, of course, came on the heels of Donald Trump’s election victory which has provoked concerns that the US will cut military and financial aid to Ukraine. But a political mess in Germany and a stymied government in France ensure that ‘Europe’ has been missing in action on Ukraine over the past week.

Peace between Ukraine and Russia: When, how and what kind of peace?

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:59:00 GMT

With its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2024, Russia brought war back to Europe. Many hoped the madness would end in a few hours, days or, at most, weeks. Yet after two and half years peace is not in sight. Alina Nychyk asks when peace might come and what it could look like.

The political cleansing of Belarusian academia

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:18:18 GMT

A researcher was distraught to hear that a professor that she knows in Belarus had been sacked for their political views. In this guest blog, she draws on her interview with the professor to throw light on the situation for scholars still working in Belarus, and the implications it has for the country’s future.

What does the UK election mean for Ukraine and Belarus?

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:02:03 GMT

The United Kingdom goes to the polls this week (4 July). What does the election mean for the UK’s foreign and security policy? Does the result matter at all for Ukrainians and Belarusians?

Why the Ukrainian diaspora must be involved in Ukraine's recovery

Fri, 03 May 2024 09:30:00 GMT

Millions of people have fled Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Maria Koinova argues those who have left and the existing Ukrainian diaspora must be closely involved in Ukraine's recovery process.

Ten theses for transforming Belarus

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:27:00 GMT

Belarus should not remain an area of Russian monopoly influence. Yevhen Mahda proposes starting a discussion on the joint actions necessary by Belarus's neighbours to ensure favourable transformations in the country.

Hand in glove: Belarusian football and the Lukashenka regime

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:21:00 GMT

Belarusian football had a rare spell of global exposure during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Fast forward to 2024 and the domestic game seems to be in poor shape. The reasons behind this clear decline are complex, but at the core is political interference and mismanagement.