Our weekly digest of articles about emerging Europe published elsewhere over the past few days, all of which caught our eye and all of which are well worth your time.
This week, we have selected some of the best writing about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how it impacts the rest of the region.
How Russia’s mistakes and Ukrainian resistance altered Putin’s war
The snarled up 65km Russian convoy that was stuck for days outside Kyiv neatly illustrated Moscow’s misplaced belief that it could achieve a lightning-fast victory in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Mariupol descends into despair
Two Associated Press journalists have been the only international media present in Mariupol, chronicling its fall into chaos and despair. The city is now encircled by Russian soldiers, who are slowly squeezing the life out of it, one blast at a time.
Ukraine’s wartime rail chief has to be faster than the Russians tracking him
Not only do the railways keep refugees moving, they also deliver tonnes of aid to the embattled areas of the country, transport troops to frontline cities, and continue to export whatever Ukraine can produce in these wartime conditions.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine reveals moral and intellectual rot of the ‘anti-war’ left
When comments resurfaced on social media, in which legendary American intellectual Noam Chomsky blamed NATO for the Russian-Ukraine crisis, Ukrainian writer Artem Chapeye responded with a sharp and biting retort: “Please start your analysis with the suffering of millions of people, rather than geopolitical chess moves.”
The work of local journalists in war reporting has gone unnoticed for too long
The death of a Ukrainian reporter working for Fox News highlights the under-recognition of “fixers” in helping major media outlets cover big global stories.
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia’s Balancing Act Over Russia’s War in Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have tried in different ways to balance the need for good relations with Moscow with a desire to support Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Ukrainian escapees and their long road to Georgia
Ukrainians who have escaped to Georgia describe their roundabout route to refuge.
We need to talk about Serbia
Serbia is an EU candidate country that Brussels considers a frontrunner for EU membership. At the same time, the Serbian government refuses to sanction Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Serbian public opinion and the press is overwhelmingly supportive of Russia and last week Belgrade became the only city in Europe where thousands took to the streets in support of Russia and Vladimir Putin.
Preparing Europe’s economy for war
In response to the Ukraine war, European leaders have pledged to build shared capacity for defence and foreign policy. But, on this point, the historical record is clear: Building a common defence capacity will require the EU to build shared economic capacity.
Poles have opened their arms to Ukrainians — but will it last?
The EU’s vocation was to tear down walls and promote peace. Should it be a party to a conflict with a nuclear superpower?
Unlike many news and information platforms, Emerging Europe is free to read, and always will be. There is no paywall here. We are independent, not affiliated with nor representing any political party or business organisation. We want the very best for emerging Europe, nothing more, nothing less. Your support will help us continue to spread the word about this amazing region.
You can contribute here. Thank you.
Add Comment