[SPECIAL EDITION] Let’s Tune In: How the Russian Invasion in Ukraine Started
This special edition of our Let’s Tune In column explores the reasons behind the escalation of tensions between Russian and Ukraine in late February 2022.
This special edition of our Let’s Tune In column explores the reasons behind the escalation of tensions between Russian and Ukraine in late February 2022.
On April 23, 2021, Russia “withdrew” its forces, which it had built up along its border with Ukraine. After a rather rapid escalation and then stagnation of tensions, the question remains: is Russia an opportunist, taking advantage of an “opening” it found, or is this event a real, viable threat to regional stability? Is Russia trying to start an international war or is it merely testing Western waters to see what it can reap without damaging consequences?
The presidential decree which unplugged three pro-Russian TV channels overnight on 2 February 2021 has been hailed by pro-Western Ukrainians as the first bold move by Ukraine President Volodymir Zelensky to counter Russian propaganda.
While the EU expressed its concerns and the US praised the decision, journalists unions condemned such an interference in the freedom of the media.
Yet, all international conventions protecting freedom of speech establish a few motives on the base of which a State can restrict such freedom and one of the most popular ones is a pressing though historically abused necessity: national security.
Well, this is is exactly the interest that Zelensky claims to protect.
The Svalbard Islands lie in a critical maritime corridor between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean, making it strategically significant for both Europe and global powers. Historically shaped by whaling, hunting, and trapping, Svalbard later became a center for coal mining, science, and tourism. Today, it remains a hybrid space of cooperation and geopolitical tension, increasingly influenced by Russia, Norway, and broader Arctic competition involving global actors such as China.
A reflection on the Italy-Turkey defence related dependencies. Interdepence has seemingly become the normal condition of modern statehood. The question is never really whether to be dependent, but on whom, on what terms, and with what degree of awareness about what you are trading away.
The Ankara NATO summit exposed a central dilemma for European security. Türkiye is a powerful NATO ally, Black Sea gatekeeper and growing defence producer, yet remains only partly integrated into Europe’s defence-industrial architecture. As Europe rearms, Ankara’s role becomes harder to ignore and harder to resolve.
Europe stands at a crossroads as Great Power Politics return. Can Europe mend its relations with Prague amid historic external challenges?
10 years on, Brexit continues to shape British politics and the UK-EU relationship. Post-Brexit global events have pushed the parties closer together however many obstacles obstruct the possibility of Britain rejoining anytime soon.
A naval drone incident near Romania’s Port of Constanța turned into a symbol of Europe’s changing security landscape. This analysis argues that ports are no longer only commercial gateways, but strategic nodes where trade, energy, military mobility, cyber risk and hybrid threats meet. Using Constanța as an example, the article explores how the EU’s new port-security agenda reflects a wider shift in European security thinking.
The potential of the Italian-German cooperation represents not only a valuable opportunity for the two countries involved but for the entire European Union. Given the two countries’ similar industrial landscape and integrated value chains, they still represent one of the main industrial bastions of the EU and their partnership can bring considerable results in key manufacturing and innovation sectors.