Issue 6/2022: Point of No Return

Scenarios on future relations with Russia. The latest issue of New Eastern Europe is now available. Find out what’s inside and how to get your copy.

December 8, 2022 - New Eastern Europe - IssueIssue 6 2022Magazine

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These past nine months of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine have not only revealed the incredible resilience of the Ukrainian people, but also the fact that the relations of the democratic world with Russia will not be the same, at least in the foreseeable future. With this in mind, we asked the authors of this issue to analyse some different scenarios for the development of the future of relations with Russia. It is very clear that from the perspective of the West, we have already passed the point of no return. Hence, new thinking is needed in policies towards Russia, in whatever form it will take after the war. We look at this topic from various perspectives – from broader ones such as how the West should react to a Russian collapse, to more specific ones such as how Germany needs to entirely rethink its view of Russia.

Common themes emerge, including overcoming Russian imperialism, structuring reparations to Ukraine as well as how non-ethnic Russians should be seen. One more important theme we address is the current situation in Belarus, two years since the unsuccessful protests that were organised following the fraudulent presidential election. Our authors analyse the sober reality in the country which is characterised by repressions and growing totalitarianism. Nearly all democratic forces have fled the country or are in prison. And the regime’s support of Putin’s war in Ukraine only makes it more difficult for Belarusians who desire freedom and independence. country or are in prison. And the regime’s support of Putin’s war in Ukraine only makes it more difficult for Belarusians who desire freedom and independence.

All of the topics in this issue are connected to the single most important event in our region this century – Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The only way out of this situation is with Ukraine’s victory and a restoration of its sovereign territory.

Table of Contents

Future of Russia-West relations

End of an era. Three scenarios for the future of Russia-West relations Tony van der Togt

What would be the consequences of a Russian collapse? Agnieszka Legucka

Russia-Ukraine. Only one will remain Yevhen Magda

After Ostpolitik. Perspectives for future relations between Moscow and Berlin Jan Claas Behrends

Russian and Rashism. Are Russian language and literature really so great? Tomasz Kamusella

Why Russia needs decolonisation for its future democratisation Miłosz J. Cordes

What happens after Russia falls Helen Faller And Nick Gluzdov

What was so little about “Little Russia”? James C. Pear Ce

Opinion and Analysis

Poland’s Ukrainian refugee assistance as a transformational experience Maciej Makulski