Opinions

Putin's wars and the end of Europe’s dependency on Russian energy
Putin's wars and the end of Europe’s dependency on Russian energy

Putin believed that by invading Ukraine and engaging in wars in the East, he was restoring Russia's great power status. The result was Moscow's long-term loss of influence.

Russia is using its “shadow fleet” to fight a hybrid war in the Baltic Sea
Russia is using its “shadow fleet” to fight a hybrid war in the Baltic Sea

A wave of "accidents"/sabotages in the Baltic Sea suggests that the tanker fleet used by Russia to evade Western sanctions is also being deployed in the hybrid warfare that Moscow is waging against the West.

To isolate China, Trump's America could reach out to Russia
To isolate China, Trump's America could reach out to Russia

China is the main threat to the US, which would benefit from the weakening of the Beijing-Moscow axis. A Trump-Putin deal may entail, however, sacrificing Ukraine and problems for the EU.

Cosmin Popa
21 Jan 2025
How the EU and Russia's neighbors see Trump's return to the White House
How the EU and Russia's neighbors see Trump's return to the White House

Donald Trump's return to the White House has generated fears about his approach to Russia and the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the economic relationship with the European Union. Veridica’s team of contributors has analyzed how Trump’s return to power is seen in Brussels and in Russia's neighboring countries - some of them ex-Soviet or ex-communist states, most of them members of the EU or NATO or with Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Veridica
20 Jan 2025
With Trump’s return, Romanian sovereignists are waiting for the Americans to hand them the power
With Trump’s return, Romanian sovereignists are waiting for the Americans to hand them the power

Romanian extremists seem to believe that the return of Donald Trump is bound to bring them more voters and legitimize a type of discourse marked by populism and false narratives. They also hope that Trump will help them get the power. It is a kind of oxymoronic reasoning that shows that, in fact, Romanian extremists do not even understand the meaning of the word they adopted to define themselves - "sovereignism".

Cezar Manu
17 Jan 2025
The Crisis in Russia’s Aviation Industry: A Case of Effective Sanctions
The Crisis in Russia’s Aviation Industry: A Case of Effective Sanctions

Russia’s civil aviation is facing an unprecedented crisis, as both domestic production and foreign imports are being hampered by sanctions imposed by the West following Ukraine’s invasion.

The Belarusian Convent raising money in the EU for Putin’s war
The Belarusian Convent raising money in the EU for Putin’s war

A Minsk-based Orthodox Convent has been raising money for years to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some of the money come from activities in EU countries.

As Poles are readying to go to the polls, Romania’s elections are a cautionary tale
As Poles are readying to go to the polls, Romania’s elections are a cautionary tale

In 2025, presidential elections will be held in Poland. People are already saying that we need to take seriously the scenario in which Russia influences the outcome – as it happened in Romania.

The Russian Way: From Old Imperial Dreams to a New Social Crisis
The Russian Way: From Old Imperial Dreams to a New Social Crisis

For the gerontocratic Russia’s leadership, the vision of the future is derived from a mythical “golden past”, but manifesting as escalating corruption, growth in alcohol consumption, resource scarcity, and rising crime.

Court Sentences for GRU attack in Tallinn
Court Sentences for GRU attack in Tallinn

The dismantling of a GRU-ran group showed both that Russia is seeking to organize attacks in Estonia, and that its capacity to do any real harm is so for limited.

Letting Russia get a part of Ukraine would endanger the whole region
Letting Russia get a part of Ukraine would endanger the whole region

As talks about peace in Ukraine along the current frontline intensify, some of Kyiv’s partners, including Latvia, feel this would be a dangerous outcome.

Is Alexander Lukashenko turning into a Russian governor?
Is Alexander Lukashenko turning into a Russian governor?

Isolated by the international community for his regime’s abuses, Belarus’ authoritarian leader is increasingly behaving as a mere governor of one of Russia’s provinces.

Belarus is using smuggling against the EU
Belarus is using smuggling against the EU

Belarus has allowed an explosion in smuggling of products like cigarettes, and this policy poses a threat to the security of the European Union.

Supported by a fake Assange, Călin Georgescu is fighting fake news
Supported by a fake Assange, Călin Georgescu is fighting fake news

A fake account attributed to Julian Assange expresses its admiration for Călin Georgescu. The fake didn't bother the Romanian extremist, who instead set about debunking made-up fakes.

Cezar Manu
13 Dec 2024
Georgia at the crossroads: will the government throw the country into Russia’s embrace?
Georgia at the crossroads: will the government throw the country into Russia’s embrace?

A battle between the people and the [ruling Georgian Dream] Party is being fought on the streets of Georgian cities. The stake: Georgia’s path towards the EU vs. a return to Russia’s orbit.

Diana Shanava
11 Dec 2024
The fall of Syria, a major defeat to the Tehran – Moscow axis
The fall of Syria, a major defeat to the Tehran – Moscow axis

A key piece in the so-called "axis of resistance" built in recent decades by Iran has fallen. Russia loses its most important Arab ally in the Middle East. The future of Syria, uncertain. Risk of regional war.

It’s official: Călin Georgescu’s campaign has Russia written all over it
It’s official: Călin Georgescu’s campaign has Russia written all over it

Declassified documents presented by Romanian intelligence prove that Călin Georgescu is supported by a state actor. The state in question is not named, but its actions are similar to operations previously carried out by Russia.

Why did Romanian citizens in Moldova vote differently than the diaspora elsewhere in the West?
Why did Romanian citizens in Moldova vote differently than the diaspora elsewhere in the West?

Pro-European right-wing parties in Romania grabbed large numbers of votes in Moldova, while the Romanian diaspora opted for sovereigntist forces. Experts believe that sovereigntists were rejected because they are hostile to Ukraine.

Reactions in Ukraine after the parliamentary election: Romania recovers from TikTok shock
Reactions in Ukraine after the parliamentary election: Romania recovers from TikTok shock

Ukrainian observers have noted that Romania remains pro-European, while the risk remains that, if elected, president Georgescu might turn the country into a state similar to Orban's Hungary.

Marin Gherman
02 Dec 2024
Dangerous Liaisons: Disinfo in Bulgaria Increasingly Targets Culture and Education
Dangerous Liaisons: Disinfo in Bulgaria Increasingly Targets Culture and Education

A far-right protest in Sofia against a XIX century play directed by John Malkovich brought to the spotlight the disinformation and propaganda campaign targeting Bulgaria’s culture and education.

Are Latvians getting weary of Ukrainian refugees?
Are Latvians getting weary of Ukrainian refugees?

Ukrainian refugees in Latvia have generally been well received, but there were also some displays of hostility. Experts warn a long-term integration program is needed for the refugees.

In Estonian politics, a battle for Narva has begun
In Estonian politics, a battle for Narva has begun

Although Russia is a threat to Estonia, Russian speakers here have voted for pro-Russian politicians in the legislative elections. They now want to win the main Russian-speaking city, Narva, in the local elections.

Călin Georgescu: A
Călin Georgescu: A "back-up" prime minister, an admirer of the legionnaires, hostile to NATO and the EU

Georgescu was once considered a technocrat with a solid international career. When that career ended, he adopted a pro-Russian and anti-Western discourse and expressed his admiration for Ion Antonescu and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu.

Cezar Manu
25 Nov 2024
Poland as a Frontline Target in Russia’s Growing Sabotage Campaign
Poland as a Frontline Target in Russia’s Growing Sabotage Campaign

Against the background of the war in Ukraine, Russia is stepping up hybrid attacks against NATO countries. Being at the forefront of Russia’s campaign, Poland has been facing an increasing number of sabotages.

What could a Trump White House mean for the greater Middle East
What could a Trump White House mean for the greater Middle East

The names floated for the incoming Trump administration suggest that the greater Middle East will remain a focus for Washington. An attention that Iran and Turkey do not like.

Cut out by the West, Russia bet on China and India. On the long run, it’s a poor bet
Cut out by the West, Russia bet on China and India. On the long run, it’s a poor bet

Despite Western sanctions, Russia managed to keep its economy afloat by switching its trade flows to China and India. However, on the long run that makes the Russian economy more vulnerable.

Belarus: has longtime strongman Lukashenko found a successor?
Belarus: has longtime strongman Lukashenko found a successor?

Alexander Lukashenko may be grooming the head of his presidential administration, Dmitry Krutoy, to be his successor. Krutoy is considered to be staunchly pro-Russian.

Russia and pro-Russians campaigning to seize power in Chisinau in 2025
Russia and pro-Russians campaigning to seize power in Chisinau in 2025

The pro-Russian parties have launched the campaign for the legislative elections that will take place in 2025 in the Republic of Moldova with disinformation, claiming that Maia Sandu is not a legitimate president. The stake: the European path of the country.

The War Budget: How Much Will Russia Spend on Its Military and Where Will It Find the Funds?
The War Budget: How Much Will Russia Spend on Its Military and Where Will It Find the Funds?

Russia’s budget proposal for 2025-2027 confirms many analysts' bold predictions — it is, in essence, a budget for prolonged warfare.

Can Ukraine get the nuclear bomb?
Can Ukraine get the nuclear bomb?

Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees that Russia violated with its 2014 invasion. President Zelensky has recently said his country could rebuild its nuclear arsenal.

Belarus’ Growing Economic Dependence on Russia: Navigating a Precarious Future
Belarus’ Growing Economic Dependence on Russia: Navigating a Precarious Future

Minsk's illusion of economic sovereignty appears to be eroding rapidly. Although the connection to Russia may seem beneficial in the short term, in the long term it will hamper Belarus' economic growth.

A scandal among Russian emigrants casts a shadow over Latvia's legal institutions
A scandal among Russian emigrants casts a shadow over Latvia's legal institutions

An attack against an Alexey Navalny associate brought to light Latvian police corruption, divisions among Russia’s opposition and Latvian reserves regarding the latter.

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Fake News

Disinformation uses a variety of manipulation tactics. Disinformation stories can easily be created by combining provocative topics.

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