Opinions

Veridica Editorials bring to your attention hot topics on the international agenda. Our journalists are closely following and monitoring international developments, in particular in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and offer original and well-documented viewpoints that will provide you with a better insight into our reality.
Estonia is still wary of harshly criticizing the emperor’s new clothes
Estonia is still wary of harshly criticizing the emperor’s new clothes

The U.S. president’s claims to Greenland have to be taken seriously, even if he confuses it with Iceland. In Estonia, the twists and turns of American politics are being watched with particular anxiety.

The South Caucasus Breaks Away from Russia’s Shadow
The South Caucasus Breaks Away from Russia’s Shadow

Russia’s failure to provide security or reliable partnership has led local leaders to seek alternatives. Moscow is losing the role of default arbiter, while Turkey, the EU, the United States, and increasingly China fill the space.

Bulgaria President Steps Down To Go Up: New Political Force is on the Horizon
Bulgaria President Steps Down To Go Up: New Political Force is on the Horizon

After months of speculation, Rumen Radev, long viewed as sympathetic to the Kremlin, resigned from office and is widely expected to form a political party of his own. An effort that could either unite Bulgaria’s pro-Russian political forces or fracture them beyond repair.

Fidesz starts election campaign in apparent disarray
Fidesz starts election campaign in apparent disarray

Viktor Orban's party is facing its biggest challenge since it took power in 2010, having been overtaken in the polls by Peter Magyar’s TISZA party. Magyar was an insider of Fidesz power circle and has known how to neutralize the kind of discourse that Orban's success has relied on in the past.

Daniel Nolan
19 Jan 2026
Maduro’s fall is both a geopolitical setback for Russia and a warning for Putin
Maduro’s fall is both a geopolitical setback for Russia and a warning for Putin

Russia suffered a geopolitical setback following Maduro’s fall. More than that, there are lessons to be drawn from Venezuela shake-up: oil (and gas) cannot save an economy, and the regime can survive without its top man.

From sabotages to spy networks: Russia has been heating up its hybrid war against Poland
From sabotages to spy networks: Russia has been heating up its hybrid war against Poland

In 2025, Poland has found itself on the front line of a shadow war, waged with drones, explosives hidden along railway lines or in courier parcels turned into bombs, compromised officials, and and people recruited by the Russian secret services.

Estonian politicians criticize President Karis while Russian speakers welcome him
Estonian politicians criticize President Karis while Russian speakers welcome him

A simmering conflict is unfolding in Estonia between politicians from the ruling coalition and the incumbent president, who has made a number of decisions unusual for Estonia’s foreign and domestic policy.

Russia’s regime is setting up its own internet, taking a cue from North Korea, Iran, and China
Russia’s regime is setting up its own internet, taking a cue from North Korea, Iran, and China

Russia’s internet is being reshaped from an infrastructure that once served society, the state, and business into an instrument of control.

The Georgian government cries foul following allegations it used chemical weapons
The Georgian government cries foul following allegations it used chemical weapons

A BBC investigation alleged that the Georgian government used World War 1 chemical weapons against anti-government protesters. The Tbilisi government claimed that the allegations are part of a hybrid war waged against it.

Diana Shanava
23 Dec 2025
Why, in the event of a falling out with Europe, the USA would stand to lose the most
Why, in the event of a falling out with Europe, the USA would stand to lose the most

The Trump administration's distancing from the EU, which transpires in the new US national security strategy, could lead to a “rupture” within the Western family. This is a scenario in which the USA would stand to lose enormously, including in the context of the global competition with China. The EU, on the other hand, has the potential to emerge unscathed from such a crisis.

Russia’s new social contract: why sanctions hit everyone except those who decide
Russia’s new social contract: why sanctions hit everyone except those who decide

Why have neither the weight of sanctions nor the scale of losses on the battlefield pushed the Kremlin toward compromise.

Bulgaria’s Government Falls Amid Protests: Why Now and Why Again
Bulgaria’s Government Falls Amid Protests: Why Now and Why Again

Bulgaria’s government stepped down after facing several protests over a two-weeks period. It was a surprise move in a country where disgraced politicians rarely back down, and even reformists that emerge from protest waves end up by doing politics “in the old ways”.

Russia’s economy is not doing as well as the Kremlin would like you to believe
Russia’s economy is not doing as well as the Kremlin would like you to believe

Behind the façade of resilience lies a system increasingly driven by asset seizures, political loyalty, and the enrichment of a new elite.

Bulgaria and Lukoil: Refinery Seizure Unleashes Ambitions Rather Than Distress
Bulgaria and Lukoil: Refinery Seizure Unleashes Ambitions Rather Than Distress

Bulgaria needs to find another owner for its Lukoil refinery after the US imposed sanctions on the Russian giant. There is a good chance that instead of attracting international investors, Sofia will turn to local barons.

“Chaos export”: the new commodity from the East
“Chaos export”: the new commodity from the East

Russia’s closest ally, Belarus, has been increasing its hybrid operations against its EU neighbors, directing migrants towards their borders and closing its eyes to increasingly brazen smuggling. The goal is to cause instability.

A pro-Russian influencer was arrested in Estonia. His ties to Estonian parties
A pro-Russian influencer was arrested in Estonia. His ties to Estonian parties

An ethnic Russian influencer in Estonia was arrested after he spread Moscow’s narratives for years. Oleg Besedin had financial connection both with Russia and with Estonian political parties supported by the country’s Russian community.

Peace in Ukraine as a political PR stunt
Peace in Ukraine as a political PR stunt

President Trump's peace plan, which was communicated more in terms of a "diktat," has little to do with Ukraine. In fact, in an attempt to save Putin and give Trumpism a fresh start, the strange American president seems willing to sacrifice Ukraine and, with it, European security.

Cosmin Popa
24 Nov 2025
Is Georgia’s all-powerful oligarch turning against his own people?
Is Georgia’s all-powerful oligarch turning against his own people?

An anti-corruption campaign targeting former high ranking Georgian officials may hide a drive by Georgia’s eminence grise, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, to get rid of associates that have become too ambitious.

Diana Shanava
19 Nov 2025
Karol Nawrocki’s First 100 Days: Trump as a role model
Karol Nawrocki’s First 100 Days: Trump as a role model

In his first hundred days in office, Poland’s new president has shown himself to be both a fighter and a tactician. Whether he is also a statesman remains to be seen.

How Romanians look up the truth on social media and get anxiety in return
How Romanians look up the truth on social media and get anxiety in return

Romanians are among the biggest consumers of information on social media in Europe and, at the same time, among the most vulnerable to disinformation campaigns targeting their users.

Victory today, but peace without Zelensky tomorrow! How Ukrainians see their country's future
Victory today, but peace without Zelensky tomorrow! How Ukrainians see their country's future

Polls show a society united around national defense, but one that seems increasingly ready for a generational change in politics.

Marin Gherman
12 Nov 2025
The sanctions targeting Russia will likely wear down its economy even after the war ends
The sanctions targeting Russia will likely wear down its economy even after the war ends

A ceasefire would not simply return things to business as usual, as Russia’s wartime economic reorientation and the deep mistrust will complicate any post-war reset.

Bulgaria Takes New Role in EU Defence After Major Deal For Arms Plant
Bulgaria Takes New Role in EU Defence After Major Deal For Arms Plant

Bulgaria and German defence giant Rheinmetall have finalized an agreement to build a new arms production facility in Sopot, Central Bulgaria.

Romanian sovereignists cry over the “colonizing” American troops
Romanian sovereignists cry over the “colonizing” American troops

The resizing of the US military contingent deployed to Romania has triggered a wave of indignation and patriotic panic attacks among local pro-Russian propaganda outlets, generously peppered with disinformation and outlandish allegations.

Cezar Manu
29 Oct 2025
Belarus’ industry is increasingly involved in supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine
Belarus’ industry is increasingly involved in supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine

Hundreds of Belarusian companies support Russia's war effort, supplying it with, among other things, shells, drones, chassis for military vehicles, and components imported from the West.

Estonia’s Russian speakers may determine a change in the country’s policies
Estonia’s Russian speakers may determine a change in the country’s policies

The parties that make up Estonia’s ruling coalition were crushed in the local elections by the party supported by the country’s Russian-speaking population. This may spell trouble – and a change in policy – for the parliamentary elections due in two years.

Anti-EU conspiracy theories in Europe and Romania
Anti-EU conspiracy theories in Europe and Romania

The EU is forcing us to eat insects, wants to replace Europeans with migrants, controls our internet, and manipulates our elections. These are some of the conspiracy theories targeting Brussels.

Are Turkish Cypriots ready to distance themselves from Turkey?
Are Turkish Cypriots ready to distance themselves from Turkey?

Erdoğan’s ally in Northern Cyprus has suffered a crushing defeat in the presidential election – a clear sign that Turkish Cypriots no longer support Ankara’s regional policies, at a time when those policies are also being challenged by the growing interest of the United States and other powers in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Russian Budget as a Window into a Wartime Economy
The Russian Budget as a Window into a Wartime Economy

The budget sends a clear message – Russia is preparing to live, and fight, as a besieged fortress for years to come, even if doing so slowly drains the vitality of its economy and society.

As Russia is probing their skies and minds, Poles are starting to feel the pressure
As Russia is probing their skies and minds, Poles are starting to feel the pressure

A month after Russian drones were brought down over Poland, Warsaw feels normal again. Politicians resumed their quarrels, and the news cycle has moved on. Yet something in the public mood has shifted – a low, persistent awareness that Poland is being watched, probed, and measured.

Adam Michnik – a life for freedom
Adam Michnik – a life for freedom

Adam Michnik's creed has always been to serve the values of liberalism and pluralism, where reason guides society, to serve basic Christian values, where truth will set us free and where there is morality in politics; and that can only happen in the world of European civilization.

The Economic Stalemate: Who Can Afford to Fight Longer?
The Economic Stalemate: Who Can Afford to Fight Longer?

Ukraine faces increasing dependence on Western support. Russia will likely face critical fiscal constraints within 12-24 months. Meanwhile, China, the United States, and some third countries are extracting gains from the conflict.

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