Eastern Europe / Features
OUTLOOK: Ukraine 2025
What is in store for Ukraine in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Ukraine 2025
The war went badly for Ukraine in 2024
Ukraine lost more territory to the advancing Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) in the second half of 2024 than at any time since the initial invasion in 2024.
Slovakia faces cut-off of Russian gas pipeline supplies
Robert Fico’s attacks on Kyiv for ending gas transit have more to do with his close political ties with Orban and Putin, the cosy business links Slovakia has with Russia, and his domestic political problems, rather than energy security.
PANNIER: Why the Turkmenistan, Iran gas “friendship” is back on
In tough struggle to find new export markets, Turkmen even agree to Iranian contractors building infrastructure in tightly controlled Central Asian country.
Russia’s arms exports slump, Kremlin preparing for possible war with Nato
Russian arms exports have plummeted by 92% since 2021, according to defence policy expert Pavel Luzin, as the Kremlin redirects all its military production to supplying the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia reaps harvest of chaos in nearby democracies
Allegations of interference surround recent elections in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova and Romania.
Russia's political repressions intensify in 2024
Political repression continued in Russia in 2024, as “justification of terrorism” overtook “discrediting the Russian army” as the most prosecuted “crime,” according to a detailed report by Russian civil rights groups.
FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown
wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.
More help needed for Ukraine’s ravaged energy sector
A multi-million-euro fund launched by Ukraine’s European allies to help the war-ravaged energy sector is running low on cash as power providers struggle to keep the lights on this winter.
Belarus tests new BUK missile system as a low-key arms race in Eastern Europe gathers momentum
Belarus conducted a test launch of a new Buk-MB2 air defence missile near its border with Ukraine on December 10, Ukrinform reports, as all parties to the Ukraine war ramp up their missile development and production capacity.
Russia, facing loss of Syrian base for Africa operations, seen turning to war-torn Sudan or divided Libya
If Putin wants to quickly develop Port Sudan as an alternative to Russia's naval base in Syria, he may need to finally pick a side and align with the SAF, who control the area. Meanwhile, Russia is already landing military aircraft in Libya.
EXPLAINER: US sanctions on Gazprombank and what they mean for Russian gas in Europe
The sanctions have created some uncertainty and difficulties, but are unlikely to cause disruptions to gas flows, especially now that Russia has eased its own restrictions for payments.
What now for Russia in Syria?
The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) now poses complex challenges for Russia.
Syria’s conflict enters a dangerous new phase as rebels advance
Syria’s long-running civil war has entered a markedly more dangerous phase as opposition forces capture strategic cities and vital infrastructure. Military analysts and diplomatic sources say these developments.