Publications

Control of the information domain has become a crucial element of a country’s national security and strategic strength, particularly in an era characterised by geopolitical uncertainties. In this global context, the manipulation of information to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and to achieve specific strategic objectives has become increasingly prominent, especially when analysing autocratic regimes. These regimes often employ disinformation as a key non-kinetic activity conducted against Western liberal democracies.

NATO allies need to pay close attention to and learn from the war if they are serious about building up their own EDT capabilities. Specifically, NATO allies should draw three distinct lessons from the war so far. These are not about specific weapon systems, such as which drone has been the most promising, or how to integrate autonomy in the fighting process. Rather, they are more fundamental lessons and changes that the increasing use of new technologies have caused or enabled.

The issue of Moldova’s reintegration came to the fore again after the authorities in Chisinau began the transposition of the new Customs Code, starting in January 2024. The political focus of this exercise is on the Transnistria region and is a first attempt to improve economic integration with the rest of Moldova.

With the diminishing effectiveness of coercion measures aimed at Moldova in the economic and energy spheres, Russia is increasingly relying on elements of its 'soft power'. This encompasses the fertile informational environment in Moldova, where Russian narratives tend to be easily absorbed by the public. This phenomenon has persisted since Moldova's independence but was largely ignored, especially by political stakeholders, until the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014.

The NATO summit undeniably constituted the focal point of Lithuania's political agenda in 2023. It can be argued that the big part of the nation became actively engaged in fervent deliberations, which revolved around inquiries into the Alliance's role within the framework of regional security, strategies for fortifying NATO's Eastern flank, and above all, the prospect of extending a promise of NATO membership to Ukraine in Vilnius.

This study is dedicated to analysing the adaptation of Ukrainians who came to Lithuania after February 24, 2022. It is meant to highlight the main issues and challenges that Ukrainian refugees face in Lithuania.

The prospects for progress in the process of accession to the European Union (EU) primarily revolve around two core areas: enhancing domestic readiness within the candidate countries in the Western Balkans as well as Ukraine and Moldova, and adapting the EU’s enlargement toolbox to ensure the accession process is effective and irreversible.

Europe has long relied on Russian energy resources. This was often based on the convenience that the interdependence that was to emerge from intensive trade would allow Russia to become a player abiding by international rules. This belief collapsed when the West began to impose sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, in cooperation with the EESC and the SCEEUS, has compiled a study on European - Ukrainian defence cooperation. The paper is accompanied by commentaries from various European experts.

The Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, in cooperation with the EESC and the SCEEUS, has compiled a study on the EU's economic support for Ukraine following the full scale Russian invasion launched in 2022. The paper is accompanied by commentaries from various European experts.

In light of the outbreak of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has launched a series of new Common Security and Defence Policy missions in its eastern neighbourhood. This emerging trend marks a notable milestone in the EU's geopolitical aspirations in the region. This edition of the EESC bulletin describes the profiles of the missions deployed by the EU in Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia and analyses their rationale from the EU point of view and the implications for the host countries.

Against the backdrop of the objective decline of Russia’s external legitimacy, Russia has adopted a new Foreign Policy Concept, which was published in March 2023. This document emphasises Russia’s humanitarian cooperation with the world as a whole and its regions, particularly those where it has traditionally exerted an influence.