Issue 1/2023: In the throes of crises

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As we near the one-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there is no clear end in sight. What is visible are the consequences of this war. The complete destruction of vibrant cities, the displacement of millions of Ukrainians and the occupation of Ukrainian territory by Russian forces has changed the lives of Ukrainians forever. As Russia continues its onslaught against Ukraine, it targets more than military sites, destroying civilian infrastructure, especially energy, in an attempt to break the Ukrainians’ will. Ukraine, supported by the West, continues to defend and has thus far managed to hold off Russian advances in many parts of the country. Yet, the price is high.

The consequences of Russia’s invasion are visible not only in Ukraine. The Kremlin has set off or exploited a series of crises that face most European countries as well. We can see it when we shop for basic necessities, such as cooking oil, sugar, milk or eggs, and we can see it on our monthly utility bills, especially heating and electricity. Therefore, in this issue our authors set out to explore how the crises of the last year are connected, used as political tools, especially by Vladimir Putin, and what affect they may have on societies throughout Europe and beyond. Undoubtedly, whether we can overcome the effects brought by the economic, political, energy, and social crises depends largely on what happens in Ukraine. However, western societies cannot ignore the fact that they too have a role to play.

As the fighting continues on the battlefield, another part of the war rages globally, and this is the 21st-century cyberwar which is taking place online and, similarly, affects all of us. With this in mind, we include a special section which we have prepared together with researchers from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków focusing on cybersecurity. The authors of the section discuss how Russia’s war in Ukraine (and not only) has spilled over to the information sphere. They point to the dangers that we are all faced with as online users and the need for greater understanding and resilience against cyber-attacks.

Table of Contents

In the throes of crises

When crises become political tools Marcel H. Van Herpen

Renewing the promise of European solidarity Basil Kerski

Is Europe’s democracy in crisis? Filip Kostelka

The EU economy may not be in the best shape, but Ukraine will not be abandoned Lesia Dubenko

The easy times are behind us, but we are not giving up Iwona Reichardt

Russian infrastructure attacks aim to create humanitarian crisis Maciej Zaniewicz

Tackling the climate crisis in a time of war Isabelle de Pommereau

A nuclear crisis or nuclear discourse? Kinga Anna Gajda

Essays and Analysis

North Macedonia in the crosshairs of Russian propaganda Jovan Gjorgovski

War at the border, protests at home. Pressure mounts on Moldova William Fleeson

How Hungary’s Russia connection undermines EU support for Ukraine Gabriela Greilinger

Georgia’s strong economic performance comes at a heavy price Mackenzie Baldinger

Puzzles of an extremely difficult level. The post-war recovery of Ukraine Maciej Makulski

A Marshall Plan for Ukraine should prioritise harm done to humans, not buildings Maksym Popovych

The ongoing process of de-Sovietisation in Eastern Europe Nino Chanadiri

Interviews

The outcome of the war is crucial not only for the future of Ukraine Interview with Arkady Rzegocki

Lessons of cybersecurity from the war in Ukraine

To war or not to war? Russia’s cyber strategies in Ukraine 2014–22 Dominika Dziwisz and Błażej Sajduk

Putin’s hidden war. How the Kremlin is bombing us on the internet Grigol Julukhidze

Friend or foe? The role of social media during Russia’s war in Ukraine Agnieszka Grzechynka

The threat of digital surveillance Adam Reichardt

Moldova is being forced to adapt to hybrid warfare Marina Bzovîi

Stories and ideas

An independent Georgia or a Tiflis governorate? Wojciech Wojtasiewicz

Back home to the warzone. Emotions of displacement among returning Ukrainian migrants Olena Yermakova

Art, culture and society

This play is a political and social reflection An interview with Ishbel Szatrawska

History and memory

Geopolitics, history and memory games. Jumping from the 20th to the 21st century Georges Mink

How well-brought up girls became unbeatable warriors. The path from battle glory to modern feminism Andrzej Zaręba