2 (XVI) / 2015: LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR

How Ukraine has become a test of German-Polish relations

New Eastern Europe – March-April 2015

The second issue of 2015 is dedicated to understanding how the conflict in and around Ukraine has had an effect on the relations between two countries which are nearest and most intimately involved: Germany and Poland. The issue attempts to answer the question: Has Ukraine become a test for Polish-German relations? Our authors, most of whom are deeply involved in the Polish-German reconciliation process, present their reflections about the differences, but also the common ground, that these two countries have found throughout the last year in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

The issue also goes deeper in analysing relations between the West and Russia throughout the last year. Most recently, many journalists, experts and analysts have claimed that we are heading towards a “new Cold War” with Russia. In a new section called “Doubletake”, the former president of Freedom House, David Kramer, tackles some of common assertions being made in favour of arguing that we are indeed in a new Cold War. While, in an exclusive interview with New Eastern Europe, Russian economist Sergei Guriev believes that current Russian foreign policy will only isolate the country even more underlining the bleak outlook for the country’s economic future if such a path continues.

The spring of 2015 is also a time to reflect on the situation in Crimea, one year after its annexation into the Russian Federation. Two journalists, Piotr Andrusieczko and Roman Osharov, reporting on the life on the peninsula, present a complex picture of the situation on the ground that is often silenced as the main focus of the international community is naturally on Donbas.

Click here for the table of contents and a preview of the issue

The issue also includes:

An essay by Mykola Riabchuk on how a European Ukraine would be good for Russians

An interview with Maria Leissner, Secretary General of the Community of Democracies

Andrew Wilson on how Russian propaganda works

A report on the mental state of the veterans returning from the frontlines of the war in Ukraine

An article by Kateryna Kruk on how Ukraine’s government needs to focus on honouring the legacy of the EuroMaidan

An examination of the historical relationship between Ukraine and Romania

Much, much more.

The series of texts on Polish-German relations was funded in part by a grant from the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation: http://fwpn.org.pl/