Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS)

2024 has been a year of significant geopolitical shifts and increasing uncertainty, not least in Eastern Europe. At SCEEUS, we have engaged in a wealth of discussions and events on a wide range of topics related to our region. Among the highlights, we can mention the Stockholm Belarus Conference in May, that we organized in collaboration with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, some twenty closed SCEEUS roundtable events with stimulating discussions, our role as Key Programme Partner of the Warsaw Security Forum, as well as the last event of the year: the inaugural Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Forum, that we organized with our friends at Ukrainian Prism on December 18 here in Stockholm. In 2024, we have travelled and taken part in discussions in Kyiv, Washington DC, Brussels, Berlin, Rome, Tallinn, Chisinau, Yerevan, Istanbul and many other places, and brough interesting international discussions to Stockholm. We are thankful to all our partners and friends, near and far, and look forward to further developing relations and connections in the year to come. As the year comes to a close, you may find time to dig into some of the written analysis we have provided over the last twelve months. Throughout the year, SCEEUS has published over seventy publications aimed at stimulating and advancing policy debates on key issues concerning Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. We have covered a range of different topics – feel free to visit our website at www.sceeus.se and have a look, or check out three of this year's most read articles here: 🌐 The Need for Taking the Strategic Initiative Towards Russia by Fredrik Lojdquist ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dPKnKpb4 The West must now move from a reactive to a proactive mode in dealing with the Russia problem, taking the strategic initiative in formulating and articulating a clear strategic vision for Ukraine, and a strategy to contain, constrain and counter Russia. 🌐 A Ceasefire in Ukraine Won’t Stop Violations against Civilians in Occupied Territories by Jakob Hedenskog and Stefan Ingvarsson ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dYS6K84F Residents of the four occupied regions of Ukraine face a deadline of 31 December 2024 to exchange their Ukrainian passports for Russian ones.   🌐 Future Scenarios of Russia-China Relations: Not Great, Not Terrible? by Hugo von Essen ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dXcBZ4pw The future of Russia-China relations will have a decisive impact far beyond the borders of the two authoritarian partners.   With that, we wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a 2025 that brings us all both peace and justice.

🌐 New SCEEUS Commentary Out 🌐 Residents of the four occupied regions of Ukraine face a deadline of 31 December 2024 to exchange their Ukrainian passports for Russian ones. Those who have not formally adopted Russian citizenship will be classified by the Russian occupying forces as "foreigners" in their own homeland. Holding Russia accountable for its violations of international law will be central to any lasting Russia policy, as well as crucial for restoring respect for international law and achieving a just peace. This is especially pressing as there are expectations or fears that negotiations loom on the horizon, writes Jakob Hedenskog and Stefan Ingvarsson. https://lnkd.in/dMCW-yh7

🔵 NB8 For Ukraine 🔵 Since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, the NB8 countries have proven to be at the forefront of supporting Ukraine. We are proud to host the first-ever Nordic-Baltic-Ukrainian regional forum in Stockholm. Thank you, Ukrainian Prism, for initiating and organising it!

The current situation resembles a tipping point. Western actions—or inaction—will be crucial, writes Jakob Hedenskog. “Quick Impressions” is a format through which SCEEUS shares impressions from far and near: travels, events, and exchanges. This time, Jakob Hedenskog reports from a post-electoral study visit to Tbilisi, Georgia. https://lnkd.in/diNeN9Q8

New Guest Commentary Out 🌐 The bad, the good, and the ugly of Moldova’s recent elections On the surface, the incumbent president, Maia Sandu, an enthusiastic supporter of European integration, has achieved a categorical victory and obtained a new mandate. In fact, the recent elections and referendum exposed a growing illiberal and anti-western tide in Moldova, writes Dumitru Minzarari. Read more here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dy6tCsFX

What ensures the success of EU enlargement? Last week, Klara Lindström went to Brussels for an Academy on EU enlargement organised by the TEPSA - Trans European Policy Studies Association. Read more in our latest "Quick Impressions", where SCEEUS shares reflections on travels, events, and exchanges near and far. ⬇️

New Report Out! 🌐 Located in the geopolitically important Baltic Sea region, Sweden has long been a target of Russian influence operations. Recently, the focus has been on strategic issues such as Swedish-NATO cooperation and military support for Ukraine. In an effort to exploit societal divisions, Russian campaigns have also targeted contentious areas, including migration and crime. Read Martin Kraghs new report on Russian information influence operations targeting Sweden, which demonstrates how Russia has moved towards a preference for 'active measures' towards Sweden. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dxHqEXsQ

New Report Out 🔍 Following the loss of Karabakh and in the light of its radically changed relationship with Russia, Armenia finds itself in a completely new political environment, both vulnerable and alone. This, however, presents opportunities to redefine itself and its place in the world. Armenia is pivoting away from Russia and, potentially, towards the EU, writes Hugo von Essen and Jakob Hedenskog in a new SCEEUS Report ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dsDKCWHc

Trump's Election - What Does It Mean for Eastern Europe's Security? Join us on December 4th for a webinar organized by SCEEUS researcher Victoria Leukavets, PhD and Warwick Ukraine-Belarus Hub, led by Prof. Elena Korosteleva and Dr. Paul Hansbury, with support from NATO's Public Diplomacy Division. Register here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/d_2-pbMK

Vad väntar Ukraina 2025? Det finns fortfarande några platser kvar till UIs panelsamtal i Stockholm på torsdag, där bland annat SCEEUS biträdande chef Charlotta Rodhe medverkar. Anmäl dig genom länken nedan! https://lnkd.in/dJHyHgvA