For the time being, the discussions in the Ukraine Contact Group are the only mechanism that can potentially avert all-out war. But unless there is some credible follow-through by the opponents on the ground to the latest “agreementâ€, the window of opportunity that these ongoing discussions create may be closing fast – and with dire consequences.
Confidence Building
Ukraine steels for more unrest as Donetsk bus attack kills 12
The deadly attack on a bus carrying civilians near Donetsk, killing at least 12 of them and wounding many more, comes in the wake of yet another round of failed talks among the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France. It also follows a pattern of persistent violence between rebels and government forces that has made a mockery of a ceasefire agreement brokered between the two sides back in September 2014.
Moldova’s future in the balance
Even in the best-possible scenario, Moldova has a long way to go before it sheds its reputation as one of the most corrupt and poorest countries in Europe. It will be up to the country’s political elites, as well as their respective external patrons, to decide whether these elections are the first step in this direction.
The Distribution of Competences between Centre and Autonomy
This report was prepared for a meeting, organised by the European Centre for Minority Issues, with Moldovan and Gagauz officials, aimed at assisting them in resolving their differences over the interpretation of the 1995 Law on the Special Status of Gagauzia. It...
Coincidence or Commonality of Interests? German and American Views on NATO Enlargement
Initially, Germany and the United States were the strongest advocates of NATO enlargement. They were the first two alliance partners to change their stance from firmly ruling out the admission of former member states of the Warsaw Pact Organization to supporting...