Bulgaria: steps to limit Moscow’s influence and a flood of pro-Russian narratives

Bulgaria: steps to limit Moscow’s influence and a flood of pro-Russian narratives

Bulgaria has been facing an uptick in pro-Russian disinformation, just as the country’s pro-Western government is questioning Moscow’s influence – and moves – in the country.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
15 Sep 2023
Moldova takes over Gazprom’s pipelines and challenges hundreds of millions of USD worth of debt

Moldova takes over Gazprom’s pipelines and challenges hundreds of millions of USD worth of debt

Moldova, less reliant on Russian gas imports: Gazprom loses control over Moldova’s gas transport network, whereas Chișinău authorities say the country’s 700-million-dollar debt to Gazprom is a sham.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
11 Sep 2023
Russia speaks openly about the eradication of the Ukrainian nation

Russia speaks openly about the eradication of the Ukrainian nation

The concept of “deukrainization” has been increasingly used to replaced “denazification”, one of the original objectives at the start of the war, and is virtually tantamount to the eradication of Ukrainian identity

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
04 Sep 2023
The coup in Niger and Russia’s anti-Western campaign in Africa

The coup in Niger and Russia’s anti-Western campaign in Africa

Russia uses Wagner mercenaries to undermine the influence of the West in Africa. The latest country that appears to be leaning towards Moscow is the US's main regional partner, Niger.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
31 Aug 2023
Slow progress forces Ukraine to adjust its counteroffensive discourse

Slow progress forces Ukraine to adjust its counteroffensive discourse

The slow pace of the counteroffensive accentuates the war weariness of the Ukrainians and their supporters, who expected quick victories. Kyiv, forced to adapt its speech to the realities on the ground.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
15 Aug 2023
How a Case of Gender Based Violence in Bulgaria Unlocked Reforms and Protests

How a Case of Gender Based Violence in Bulgaria Unlocked Reforms and Protests

A brutal stabbing brought into spotlight the Bulgaria’s approach to gender violence. While some took to the streets in protest, others tried to block reforms aimed at protecting women.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
11 Aug 2023
Chișinău: 45 out of the 80 employees of the Russian Embassy in Moldova will be expelled in the wake of an espionage scandal

Chișinău: 45 out of the 80 employees of the Russian Embassy in Moldova will be expelled in the wake of an espionage scandal

Are the antennas on top of the Russian Embassy building used to spy on Moldovan authorities? The Security and Intelligence Service cancelled the agreements with the FSB and SVR, while the Russian Embassy will stop providing consular services

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
02 Aug 2023
Justice reform plunges Israel into crisis

Justice reform plunges Israel into crisis

Limiting the prerogatives of the Israeli Supreme Court is interpreted by the opposition as a judicial coup. A kind of Ordinance 13, the Hebrew version.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
27 Jul 2023
Victory or failure? Reactions to Ukraine’s participation in the NATO summit in Vilnius

Victory or failure? Reactions to Ukraine’s participation in the NATO summit in Vilnius

The Ukrainian media criticizes both the West for its hesitation, as well as Zelenskyy for his failure to carry out the reforms demanded by NATO.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
16 Jul 2023
Bulgaria’s election spiral is on hold – but at what cost?

Bulgaria’s election spiral is on hold – but at what cost?

The alliance GERB/We continue the change showed its first cracks, as it’s being pressured by a hostile president, pro-Russian parties and the entry into politics of their main opponent.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
23 Jun 2023
Czechia: Pro-Russian and anti-US narratives are spread through local outlets

Czechia: Pro-Russian and anti-US narratives are spread through local outlets

Pro-Russian narratives are spreading in the Czech Republic despite Prague’s efforts to stop them. A treaty with the US is their latest target.

Michael Švec
Michael Švec
21 Jun 2023
Is China getting ready to tear from the Russian empire?

Is China getting ready to tear from the Russian empire?

Russian-Chinese relations appear to be flourishing. But Beijing is looking for its own interests: it wants to attract the countries of Central Asia into its orbit and could even aim to recover Outer Manchuria.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
12 Jun 2023
Russian narratives about the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, an echo of older disinformation themes

Russian narratives about the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, an echo of older disinformation themes

The Nova Kakhovka dam was destroyed using tactics the West has taught ISIS, the pro-Kremlin media writes, invoking other false narratives promoted in the past, for instance referring to Ukraine’s plans to trigger a genocide of Russian speakers or about the “terrorist” character of the Ukrainian state.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
08 Jun 2023
What Moldova gained from the EPC. The message to the Kremlin

What Moldova gained from the EPC. The message to the Kremlin

The EPC summit brought, for the first time, the prospect of European integration without the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Moscow was also sent the message that Moldova's place was next to the Western democracies.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
07 Jun 2023
The Grapes of Wrath: Bulgaria’s Turmoil Morphed Into a Clan Massacre

The Grapes of Wrath: Bulgaria’s Turmoil Morphed Into a Clan Massacre

As Bulgaria seems to finally move away from its years long political stalemate, new lines are drawn in the sand between politicians and the controversial top prosecutor, while the pro-Russians are waiting on the sides.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
26 May 2023
The Republic of Moldova: the stakes and risks of the pro-EU Great National Assembly in Chișinău

The Republic of Moldova: the stakes and risks of the pro-EU Great National Assembly in Chișinău

Maia Sandu has called a pro-European rally, patterned on the Great National Assemblies that culminated in 1991 with the Republic of Moldova proclaiming its independence. The decision was announced in the context where Moscow and pro-Russian forces in Chișinău have ramped up pressure on the pro-European government. It’s a risky bet, which Moldova will win only if the rally enjoys a turnout similar to public gatherings of the 1990s.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
07 May 2023
The Ukrainian counteroffensive: Kyiv's expectations and Moscow's narratives

The Ukrainian counteroffensive: Kyiv's expectations and Moscow's narratives

Many Ukrainians hope the war will be won thanks to the counteroffensive that is being prepared by their army. Some officials, though, seem to be trying to temper the population's expectations. In the other camp, Russia has launched a series of false counter-offensive narratives, but at the same time appears to be preparing to explain to its people a potential Ukrainian success.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
05 May 2023
How Russia destroyed the concept of neutrality in Europe

How Russia destroyed the concept of neutrality in Europe

Russia’s aggressiveness in Europe has prompted several countries to renounce their neutrality or to rethink this concept. The question to ask is if the neutrality status is a naïve strand of pacifism or a strategy, which many are now reworking.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
03 May 2023
How Petr Pavel changed the Czech presidency

How Petr Pavel changed the Czech presidency

Since Petr Pavel took office, the Czech presidency is more transparent and promotes issues such as the protection of the environment and minorities. Externally, Miloš Zeman's openness to Russia and China has been replaced by support for Euro-Atlantic policies and Ukraine. On the other hand, the pro-European government is in an image crisis, and anti-poverty and anti-Ukraine demonstrations continue.

Michael Švec
Michael Švec
28 Apr 2023
As Bulgaria is stuck in a political limbo, the pro-Russians are on the rise

As Bulgaria is stuck in a political limbo, the pro-Russians are on the rise

Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria recently expressed support – a diplomatic faux pas – for the Bulgarian far-right, anti-Western and anti-Ukraine Revival party. Revival came third in the April 2 elections, fifth of its kind in the last two years, and if the current political stalemate continues, it stands a good chance to become a major political force at the next snap election.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
26 Apr 2023
Magistrates Boycott Justice Reform in the Republic of Moldova

Magistrates Boycott Justice Reform in the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova needs to reform its justice system and fight corruption if it wants to see the EU accession negotiations started. The government's efforts to carry out a reform, however, are faced with the resistance of judges, who seem willing to block the entire system in order to keep it as it’s been so far.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
10 Apr 2023
Despite the war, the Russians keep making money in Ukraine

Despite the war, the Russians keep making money in Ukraine

After Russia attacked Ukraine in 2014, the Russian oligarchs or others close to them continued to make money in Ukraine, where they invested in telephone networks, banks, industry, the energy sector and tourism. Many of these businesses have kept bringing money to the Russians even after the February 2022 full-scale invasion.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
03 Apr 2023
Bulgaria elections: the political stalemate is likely to continue

Bulgaria elections: the political stalemate is likely to continue

Bulgarians are about to vote for the fifth time in two years, and polls suggest that the political stalemate is likely to continue after the elections. Seemingly out of fresh ideas, the political parties are divided along the same lines, liberals against conservatives, pro-Russian vs. pro-European, newcomers vs. the old guard of allegedly corrupt politicians.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
31 Mar 2023
Scandal in Poland: did Pope John Paul II protect pedophile priests?

Scandal in Poland: did Pope John Paul II protect pedophile priests?

One book and a documentary film claiming that Pope John Paul II knew about and covered sexual abuses against children lead to a huge scandal in his native Poland, where the former Pontiff is revered. Conservatives and the far-right scrambled to "defend the good name" of John Paul II and seem poised to use the scandal to their advantage in the upcoming elections.

Michal Kukawski
Michal Kukawski
27 Mar 2023
Hungary wants to “sell” the access of Finland and Sweden to NATO in exchange for the unblocking of European funds.

Hungary wants to “sell” the access of Finland and Sweden to NATO in exchange for the unblocking of European funds.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban finds himself in a complicated situation. Politically, he gets increasingly isolated from its Western partners. Hungary's economy is in crisis, and the European funds that could relaunch it have been blocked due to anti-democratic slippages. With all the friendship that Budapest has shown to Russia, there isn’t much Russia can do to help, being itself increasingly affected by Western sanctions. Orban's solution appears to be to block Finland and Sweden's entry into NATO until the EU unlocks funds for Hungary. However, this blackmail policy may have reached its limits.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
13 Mar 2023
The narratives about Transnistria draw public attention away from Russia’s plans to destabilize Moldova and its defeats in Ukraine

The narratives about Transnistria draw public attention away from Russia’s plans to destabilize Moldova and its defeats in Ukraine

From disinformation spread by propaganda regarding the imminence of a war in Transnistria, Russia has now moved to official statements about Ukraine’s plans to invade the separatist region of the Republic of Moldova. Transnistria seems to be used to draw attention away from Russia’s plan to destabilize Moldova, as well as from the defeats sustained in Ukraine. Besides, the pro-Russian opposition in Chișinău could take advantage of the panic induced by the prospect of war.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
01 Mar 2023
Bulgarian towns rally in support of Ukraine as society remains deeply divided

Bulgarian towns rally in support of Ukraine as society remains deeply divided

The first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Russia provoked a wave of pro-Ukraine marches in Bulgaria, a country traditionally associated with heavy political dependencies from Russia. The pro-Russians stayed mostly out of sight for the one year anniversary of the war, but that does not mean that they went everywhere: Moscow still has its supporters in Bulgaria, both among the politicians and the public.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
27 Feb 2023
A year of war. Why peace is out of the question for now

A year of war. Why peace is out of the question for now

Putin expected Ukraine to give in quickly, and the West, frightened by the prospect of a gas crisis, divided and unable to make firm decisions, would react rather rhetorically, as it happened with the war in Georgia in 2008, or the initial attack on Ukraine, in 2014. Ukraine resisted, dispelling, at the same time, the myth of the mighty Russian army, and now it only envisions victory. Both camps seem determined to fight until they achieve their goals. The war continues.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
24 Feb 2023
Poland is arming itself and strengthening its position in Europe and NATO. Is "Old Europe" ready for it?

Poland is arming itself and strengthening its position in Europe and NATO. Is "Old Europe" ready for it?

Poland positioned itself as one of Ukraine’s main supporters: it allowed its territory to be used for arms deliveries while becoming a major arms supplier in its own right and convinced its NATO allies to support Ukraine even more. In parallel, Warsaw is engaged in a process of strengthening its own army. All this shows that Poland is turning into a key actor for the European security, an actor that is, however, increasingly exposed to the theses of Russian propaganda.

Michal Kukawski
Michal Kukawski
17 Feb 2023
How Russian propaganda exploits Ukraine’s war fatigue

How Russian propaganda exploits Ukraine’s war fatigue

The timespan of the conflict, which exceeded original estimates, the losses sustained so far and daily hardships continue to leave their mark, and many Ukrainians now struggle with war fatigue – even though they are still determined to resist. Russian propaganda has been trying, using its specific mechanisms, to capitalize on this fatigue and on any other problems that are inherent to such a destructive war that seems to be never-ending.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
14 Feb 2023
The Cabinet swap in Chișinău – the effect of slow-moving reforms, security issues and tensions inside PAS

The Cabinet swap in Chișinău – the effect of slow-moving reforms, security issues and tensions inside PAS

The power shift has so far unfolded without any major incident or scandal, and the key protagonists – the outgoing Prime Minister, Natalia Gavrilița, the Prime Minister designate, Dorin Recean, and president Maia Sandu – said that the change of administration occurs against the backdrop of growing security tensions. There are however signs that the true reasons behind the Cabinet swap have to do with the slow pace of reforms and ruling-party infighting.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
12 Feb 2023
A year after the outbreak of war, Bulgaria still lacks a clear strategy for integrating Ukrainian refugees

A year after the outbreak of war, Bulgaria still lacks a clear strategy for integrating Ukrainian refugees

Nearly one year after the onset of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Bulgaria is still undecided on how to integrate the Ukrainian refugees. Activists, however, strive on. Most Ukrainians move on.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
06 Feb 2023

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