Within the rubric “New Europe Wonders” we will present the opinions of leading foreign experts on topical issues of Ukraine’s foreign policy.
On the road from the first to the second Peace Summit. What risks should Ukraine be prepared for? (September 2024)
Ukraine plans to conduct second Peace Summit till the end of the year (from other sources — at the beginning of the next year). For now, there are no information about the location or the participants, and the main mystery is the participation of Russia. While Ukraine and its partners believe that Moscow should be present at this Summit, Russia itself is sending unambiguous signs: it will not get involved on Kyiv’s terms (another demand — withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Kursk oblast). New Europe Center, in partnership with TSN.ua, decided to ask foreign experts: what risks should Ukrainians be prepared for on the road from the first to the second Peace Summit?
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are James Jay Carafano, Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow, The Heritage Foundation (USA), Dr. Kristi Raik, Deputy Director, Head of Foreign Policy Programme, International Centre for Defence and Security (Estonia), Pierre Haroche, Associate Professor of European and International Politics, Catholic University of Lille (France), Daniel Szeligowski, Head of Eastern Europe Programme at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) (Poland), Marco Di Liddo, Director, Centro Studi Internazionali (Italy).
Without high expectations (June 2024)
What decisions could be made at the NATO summit in Washington to end the war?
The 75th Annual NATO Summit will take place on 9-11 July 2024 in Washington, D.C. Despite members of the Alliance have already stated that Ukraine should not expect an invitation to NATO, discussions are still going on: what other decisions Kyiv can count on? NATO reassures: they will be strong and demonstrate unwavering support for Ukraine. Will this be the case? Can such decisions bring Ukraine’s victory closer? The New Europe Center in partnership with TSN.ua asked influential experts: What decisions could be made at the NATO summit in Washington to end the war?
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Martin Jäger, German Ambassador to Ukraine, Kaimo Kuusk, former Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine, now Ambassador of Estonia to Lithuania, Gustav C. Gressel, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Germany, Katri Pynnöniemi, Associate Professor at the University of Helsinki, and Sinikukka Saari, Research Director at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Finland, James Sherr, Honorary Fellow, International Centre for Defence & Security, Tallinn; Associate Fellow, Russia & Eurasia Programme, Chatham House, London, David Satter, Journalist and Historian, the USA, Ben Hodges, Former Commanding General of the US Army Europe, the USA, Sylvie Kauffmann, Editorial Director & Columnist at Le Monde, France, Nico Lange, Senior Fellow at the Munich Security Conference, Nicolas Tenzer, guest professor at Sciences Po (Paris), non-resident senior fellow at Center for European Policy Analysis, Kevin Ryan, retired brigade general of the US Army, former US Defense Attache to Russia, independent Specialist, Wolfgang Ischinger, former Chairman of the Munich Security Conference and former German Ambassador to the US and UK.
Game Changers-2024 (March 2024)
Expert Views on Which Initiatives Will Bring Ukraine Closer to Victory
Two years of the full-scale war is sufficiently long to draw the correct conclusions: which measures helped Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor, and which, on the contrary, weakened it. With the next pseudo-election in Russia approaching, discussions about what to expect from Putin in the short term intensified in expert and political circles. On the other hand, the New Europe Centre decided to slightly change the emphasis in the discourse – to what the West should do to force Russia to peace. Our question to the experts was: “Which measures can become game changers for Ukraine’s future victory in the war against Russia in 2024?” On February 23, 2024, the New Europe Centre shared its vision of what game changers should be in the near future.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Daniel Fried, Former US Ambassador to Poland and Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council, The United States, Carmen Claudín, Associate Senior Researcher, CIDOB, Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, Spain, Nona Mikhelidze, Senior Fellow, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy, Dr Daniel Szeligowski, Head of Eastern Europe Programme, Polish Institute of International Affairs, Poland, Sergiy Solodkyy, First Deputy Director, the New Europe Centre, Ukraine.
What kind of EU can we build together? (December 2023)
How can the European Union be reformed, considering the interests of future members, and what kind of EU can we build together? This is the question that the New Europe Center asked several experts.
The EU enlargement is again a strategic imperative after a long break. The Russian aggression against Ukraine not only revived the debate about the enlargement but also created a sense of urgency about the reform of the EU. Although the two, the enlargement and the reform of the EU, are formally not related, the future enlargement must take place in a reformed EU fit to accommodate new members. Therefore, both processes have to take place simultaneously. The enlargement should not be viewed as a problem, even if the incoming countries are poorer and not as ready for the EU as many would expect. On the contrary, the enlargement is helping the EU to pursue a more ambitious reform schedule. The areas to be covered by the reform should include, above all, the decision-making process that should not allow paralyzing the EU with one veto but resort to a qualified majority in areas of foreign policy and security. Also, the issues of redistribution of votes in the EU, the non-reform of the common agricultural policy, and other pressing issues could create a disbalance in the EU once the new members join.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Lykke Friis, Director of Think Tank EUROPA and Co-chair of European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Denmark, Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy, Vessela Tcherneva, Deputy Director, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and head of ECFR’s Sofia office, Bulgaria, Teun Janssen, Academy Fellow, Clingendael Institute, The Netherlands, Dr. Kristi Raik, Director, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, Estonia, Pierre Haroche, Lecturer in International Relations and International Security at Queen Mary University of London, France, Jakub Jakobowski, Deputy Director, Center for Eastern Studies, Poland, Leo Litra, Senior Research Fellow, New Europe Center, Ukraine.
From Vilnius to Washington: How Ukraine can get an invitation at the next NATO summit (July 2023)
How to increase Ukraine’s chances to get the invitation at NATO’s summit in Washington next year? This question was addressed to renowned Western experts. Ukraine’s objective was to secure a political invitation to the Alliance during the recent Vilnius Summit. The next NATO summit is scheduled for July 2024. One of the reasons why Ukrainians didn’t achieve their goal was that the Ukrainian authorities initiated relevant consultations with NATO partners too late. Many observers (some intentionally) misinterpreted Kyiv’s request, claiming that Ukraine was seeking immediate membership instead of an invitation. If Ukraine aims to receive a positive response in a year’s time, it is crucial to commence the necessary groundwork right now. The advice from Western experts in this regard could prove particularly valuable for all decision-makers in spheres of Ukraine’s security and foreign policy.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Eric Ciaramella, Senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC, USA, Michael Kimmage, Professor of history at the Catholic University of America and Senior non-resident associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), USA, Camille Grand, Distinguished Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), former Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment at NATO (2016-22), France, Pierre Haroche, Lecturer in International Relations and International Security at Queen Mary University of London, France, Ulrich Speck, Independent foreign policy analyst, Germany.
How to maintain European support for Ukraine against the background of economic difficulties? (August-September 2022)
European support for Ukraine was at a record high during the seven months of full-scale war with Russia. However, given the economic difficulties, particularly the rise in energy prices, European societies have heard calls to reduce support for Ukraine. There is a widespread misconception that the alleged support of Ukraine, and not Russia’s aggression, negatively affects the well-being of Europeans. At the same time, political, economic, and military aid remains vital for Ukraine, especially in the context of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the war, Putin’s announcement of mobilization in Russia, and threats to the world with nuclear annihilation.Therefore, within its traditional rubric “New Europe Wonders” the New Europe Center addressed leading European experts with the following question: “What more can be done to make sure European societies continue expressing support and solidarity with Ukraine despite economic hardships caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine?”
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Marcel Röthig, Resident Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Ukraine; Roland Freudenstein, Vice President, GLOBSEC; Jos Boonstra, Senior Researcher, Centre for European Security Studies; Dr. Rob de Wijk, Founder of HCSS and Professor of International Relations at Leiden University; Dr. Liana Fix, Historian and Political Scientist; Dr. Florent Parmentier, Secrétaire général, CEVIPOF – Centre de recherches politiques de Sciences Po; Sylvie Kauffmann, columnist at Le Monde, fellow of the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin; Dr. Ian Anthony, European Security Programme Director, SIPRI; Miriam Kosmehl, Senior Expert Eastern Europe and EU Neighbourhood , Programm Europas Zukunft, Bertelsmann Stiftung; Dr. Antonio Villafranca, Director of Studies, ISPI; Dr. Eleonora Tafuro, Research fellow at the Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia Centre, Italian Institute for International Political Studies; Emmanuel Dupuy, President, Institute European Perspective & Security (IPSE); Anastasiya Shapochkina, President of geoeconomics think tank Eastern Circles; Kristi Raik, Director, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute; Dr Daniel Szeligowski, Head of Eastern Europe Programme and Senior Research Fellow on Ukraine at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM).
Why is Ukraine interesting for the Three Seas Initiative? (October 2020)
The Three Seas Initiative has transformed from an idea into an ambitious project in a few years. Ukraine was invited to take part in the first TSI summit in Dubrovnik (Croatia) in 2016, but did not delegate its representative. Despite the country’s involvement in several TSI projects, overall cooperation has been limited. Today Ukraine clearly emphasizes its desire to join the Initiative. Therefore, the question arises as to what could be the added value from Ukraine for the Three Seas Initiative. In view of the fifth summit of the Three Seas Initiative in Estonia, within the traditional rubric “New Europe Wonders…” the New Europe Center received answers to this question from foreign experts from the countries participating in the Three Seas Initiative.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Sorin Ioniță, President of think tank “Expert Forum” (Romania); Bartosz Bieliszczuk, Energy Policy Analyst, Polish Institute of International Affairs (Poland); Krševan Antun Dujmović, Senior Associate, Institute for Development and International Relations (Croatia); Daniel Szeligowski, Head of Eastern Europe Programme, Polish Institute of International Affairs (Poland); Tadeusz Iwanski, Head, Department for Ukraine, Belarus & Moldova, The Center for Eastern Studies (Poland).
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Ukraine after the US elections (October 2020)
How do you expect potential Trump’s and Biden’s administrations to develop US foreign policy with Ukraine after the 2020 presidential election? How do you expect a new US president to maintain relations with the EU, particularly on the Euro-Atlantic track? Can Kyiv count on a greater support by the USA for countering Russian aggression? The New Europe Center addressed these questions to leading American experts as part of the traditional «New Europe wanders…» rubric, which is this time devoted to the US presidential election.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Steven Pifer,a William Perry Research Fellow, Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine (1998-2000); Scott Cullinane,Former Professional Staff Member for the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats; Michael Kimmage, Professor of history at the Catholic University of American and non-resident fellow at the German Marshall Fund; Paul D’Anieri,Professor, an expert on Eastern European and post-Soviet politics at University of California, Riverside, USA; David Satter, Senior Fellow, the Hudson Institute; Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, Former European Energy Security Advisor, U.S. Department of State.
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What kind of role should Ukraine play in resolving the post-election crisis in Belarus? (September 2020)
Discussions in Ukraine about how Kyiv had to react to the events in neighboring Belarus and what would be the right choice for further reactions continue. Some believe that Ukraine should act more actively and persistently. Others point out to the limited influence of Kyiv. What kind of role should Ukraine play in resolving the crisis in Belarus? What should Ukraine do? In terms of the traditional rubric “New Europe Wonders…” our Center received answers to these questions from leading experts from Belarus, the EU and the US. A key motif of expert recommendations: Ukraine should provide moral support to the opposition, help political refugees, as well as actively communicate the Belarusian case on international platforms.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Zmicier Mickiewicz, Journalist, Belsat TV channel; Analyst, Belarus Security Blog, Belarus; Katsiaryna Shmatsina, Political Analyst, Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISS), Belarus; Paul D’Anieri, Professor, an Expert on Eastern European and post-Soviet politics, University of California in Riverside, USA; James Nixey, Director, Russia-Eurasia and Europe Programmes, Chatham House, UK; Dr. Florent Parmentier, Secretary General, the Center of political researches of Sciences Po (CEVIPOF), France; Dr. Katrin Böttger, Director, the Institute for European Politics (IEP), Germany; Paul R. Pillar, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Center for Security Studies, Georgetown University, US; Daniel Szeligowski, Head of Eastern Europe Programme, Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), Poland; Richard Weitz, Senior fellow and Director, the Center for Political-Military Analysis at Hudson Institute, USA; Ryhor Nizhnikau, Senior Research Fellow, the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood and Russia, Finnish institute of international affairs, Finland; Cristina Gherasimov, Research Fellow, German Council on Foreign relations (DGAP), Germany.
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What are the risks of deepening Ukraine’s cooperation with China for its relations with the EU and the United States? (August 2020)
In what areas should Ukraine develop cooperation with China without risk of losing EU and US support? What forms of partnership with China are sensitive for our partners? Will US policy towards China change after the 2020 presidential election, and how will this affect the development of Ukrainian-Chinese relations? What is the EU’s policy towards China, and how does it affect Ukraine’s cooperation with China? In terms of the traditional rubric “New Europe Wonders…” our Center received answers to these questions from leading experts from the EU and the US. The survey of foreign analysts is one of the Center’s analytical contributions to the development of Ukraine’s Asian Strategy that has been previously announced by Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine. Besides, New Europe analysts are part of a working group involved in developing this strategy.
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Roland Freudenstein, Policy Director, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, Belgium; Florent Parmentier, Secretary General, the Center of political researches of Sciences Po (CEVIPOF), France; Richard Weitz, Senior fellow and Director, the Center for Political-Military Analysis at Hudson Institute, USA; Michael Emerson, Associate Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Belgium; Susan Stewart, Head of the Research Division on Eastern Europe and Eurasia, German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Germany; Ivana Karásková, Ph.D., Founder and Project Leader, MapInfluenCE and China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE), the Czech Republic; Gustav C. Gressel, Senior Policy Fellow Wider Europe Programme, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Germany.
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Ukrainian seasonal workers are demanded in Poland, Czech, Germany, Italy and the Baltic countries. Due to COVID-19 Ukraine restricted traveling regulations for labor migrants who are now forced to stay in the country and face employments issues. Meanwhile, the hosting countries experience lack of seasonal labour workers from Ukraine. How is Ukraine’s restriction policy perceived by other countries? How do these states deal with the lack of workers for agricultural activities? Our Center in terms of the traditional rubric “New Europe Wonders…” addressed the experts with the question “How will travel restrictions for Ukrainian seasonal workers affect Ukraine’s relations with other countries and their economies?”
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Wojciech Konończuk, deputy director, Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), Poland; Maria Piechowska & Maciej Zaniewicz, analysts on Ukraine, the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), Poland; David Stulik, Senior Analyst, European Values Center for Security Policy, Czech Republic; Gwendolyn Sasse, Director of the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), Germany.
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How does the pandemic affect the negotiations on Donbas? (April 2020)
International attention is now fully focused on the fight against COVID-19. The topic of Russian aggression against Ukraine has rarely hit the front pages of global mass media even before that. At the same time, Russia has stepped up its efforts to take advantage of the coronavirus momentum, either through the PR support of its not always helpful assistance to Western countries, or through calls to lift sanctions. What should Ukraine prepare for? What to expect from Russia? How will the EU and the US behave? The New Europe Center addressed the experts with the question “How does the pandemic affect the negotiations on Donbas?”
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are James Sherr, Member of Strategic Advisory Group, New Europe Center; Senior Fellow, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute/ICDS; Associate Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme of Chatham House; Arkady Moshes, Director, The EU Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia Programme, Finnish Institute of International Affairs; Richard Weitz, Ph.D., Senior Fellow and Director Center for Political-Military Analysis, Hudson Institute; Sergiy Solodkyy, First Deputy Director, New Europe Center; Katharine Quinn-Judge and Richard Gowan, International Crisis Group; Valeriy Kravchenko, Director of the Centre for International Security; Senior Researcher at the National Institute for Strategic Studies
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How can Ukraine steer away from deteriorating relations with the US in light of Rudi Giuliani’s accusations? (June 2019)
The President-elect in Ukraine got a complex heritage regarding Ukraine’s relations with the US. The first serious test on this topic could have taken place if Rudy Giuliani came to Kyiv to talk about continuing the investigation of cases which are of interest to Donald Trump. The visit was canceled with an argument: Zelensky is surrounded by people hostile to Trump (and even to the US). Therefore the current priority is to understand how President Zelensky should respond to new claims from Washington in order to get out of this complex situation. With this in mind, the New Europe Center contacted American experts with the following question: How should President Zelensky act regarding Ukraine’s relations with the US in view of Mr. Giuliani’s accusations?
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Daniel Treisman, Professor of political science at the University of California, Research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research; David J. Kramer, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the George W. Bush administration,now a Senior Fellow at Florida International University; Matthew Rojansky, Director, Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Paul R. Pillar, Nonresident Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies; Melinda Haring, Editor of the UkraineAlert blog at the Atlantic Council, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
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How Should Ukraine React on Challenges after the Elections to the European Parliament? (May 2019)
European elections are in full swing, being tense and unpredictable. Regardless of whether anti-European parties increase the share of EP seats, the battle of ideas seems to reshape Europe’s political landscape for years to come. Therefore, it is very important for Europeans and Ukrainians as well as to understand what will be the challenges after these elections and how to cope with them. With this in mind, the New Europe Centercontacted well-known researchers with the following question: What challenges will face Europe and, in particular, Ukraine, after the elections to the European Parliament and how to deal with them?
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Leo Litra, Senior Researcher, New Europe Center; Giuliano Bifolchi, University of Rome Tor Vergata – Department of History, Cultural Heritage, Education and Society, Co-founder of Association of Studies, Research and Internationalization in Eurasia and Africa (ASRIE) (Italy); Сhristine Dugoin, PhD Searcher IAE of Paris – Sorbonne Paris 1, Analyst of CapEurope (France); Jos Boonstra, Senior Researcher, Centre for European Security Studies, EUCAM coordinator (Netherlands)
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What Does the West Expect from the Next Ukrainian President? (April 2019)
Ukraine’s presidential election season is in full swing, being unpredictable and tense. Whoever becomes a President, he will have to deal with a whole range of challenges, including the Russian-Ukrainian conflict settlement and promoting the reforms implementation. Therefore, it is very important to understand what other states expect from the future Ukrainian President. This may influence the support of Ukraine on the international arena. With this in mind, the New Europe Center contacted well-known foreign researchers with the following question: What changes do you expect the future President of Ukraine to make both in domestic and foreign policy?
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security at University of Birmingham, UK; Edward Lucas, Senior Vice President at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), USA; Céline Marangé, Research Fellow, Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM), France; Constanze Aka, Senior Project Manager, Research Associate, Institute for European Politics (IEP), Germany; Martin Stein, Senior Project Manager, Research Associate, Institute for European Politics (IEP), Germany; Cristina Gherasimov, Research Fellow, Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Germany.
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What Should Western Strategy regarding the Russian Aggression in Ukraine Be? (February 2019)
Five years ago Russian aggression In Ukraine started, first with the occupation of the Crimea and then with the hostilities in the East. Despite numerous attempts of Ukraine and its Western partners to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia has not demonstrated the will to stop the conflict, with the death toll reaching 13 000 now. Over five years of war we are asking ourselves: what did these years bring in terms of successes and failures?
The New Europe Center collected the opinions of the renowned foreign researchers about the following questions:
- What are the key achievements of the West in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression?
- What are the key shortcomings of Western policy?
- In your opinion, what should the future strategy of the West regarding the Russian aggression against Ukraine be?
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Mathieu Boulegue, Research Fellow, Russia, and Eurasia Programme, The Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House); Steven Pifer, William J Perry fellow at Stanford University, nonresident fellow with the Brookings Institution, Ambassador of the USA to Ukraine (1998-2000); Susan Stewart, Senior Associate, German Institute for International and Security Affairs; Florent Parmentier, Head of Policy Lab, Sciences Po, Associate Fellow, HEC Paris Center for Geopolitics (France); Daniel Szeligowski, Senior Research Fellow, Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM).
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How Can Russia’s Policy Towards Belarus Affect Regional Security? (January 2019)
Recently, the contradictions between Russia and Belarus reached their peak: there were even talks
about a possible scenario for the absorption of Belarus by Russia. Clearly, Russia’s aggressive policy, aimed at rapprochement with the neighboring state, threatens not only the sovereignty of Belarus but also regional security in general and Ukraine in particular. The New Europe Center contacted well-known foreign researchers with the following question: «How can Russia’s policy towards Belarus affect regional security and how Ukraine and its Western partners should respond to these changes?»
Among the experts, who shared their thoughts with the New Europe Center are Andrew Wilson, Professor in Ukrainian studies at University College London, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR); Arkady Moshes, Programme director of the EU`s Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia research programme, Finnish Institute of International Affairs; Yauheni Preiherman, Head, Minsk Dialogue Track-II Initiative; Balazs Jarabik, Nonresident Scholar at Carnegie Europe; Ryhor Nizhnikau, Senior Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs; Gustav Gressel, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (Berlin).
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