PULASKI POLICY PAPER: The Winter Assault – Russian and Ukrainian approaches to war in late winter 2022/23 (Sebastian Czub)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 3, February 02, 2023 It has been eleven months since the start of the Russian large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The almost year long period of open warfare has taken its toll on the armed forces of both sides. Many military experts believe that the harsh winter conditions would halt the majority, if not all, offensive operations and serve as a moment of respite, recuperation and reinforcement. However, the uniqueness of the Ukrainian battlefield and the approach of command staff of both sides, point to the conclusion that late winter 2023 will bear witness to key battles and offensives. The influence of winter on Ukrainian battlefield After […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: Foreign Volunteers Returning From Ukraine: What’s Next Introduction (Kacper Rękawek)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 2, February 01, 2023 In March 2022 the Ukrainian government estimated that up to 20 000 individuals applied to join that country’s “International Legion.”[1] Although this number was later seen to have been wildly exaggerated, potentially around a tenth of the volunteers either enlisted in the Legion or fought with other Ukrainian units in the Russo-Ukrainian war after 24 February 2022. The presence of these foreign volunteers on the frontlines (and not foreign fighters as these individuals are fighting for governmental and not rebel forces) and their returns home pose a challenge to the governments of their countries of origin. (Lack Of) Policy On Returning Foreign Volunteers: […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: Ukraine in the German Foreign Policy: old problems and new challenges (Lidia Gibadło)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 1, January 25, 2023 The 24th February marks a turning point in many areas of German politics. Eastern policy is one of the key ones. Although in this area the most discussed aspect is the attitude towards Russia, it is vital to recognise the evolutionary approach towards Ukraine. Today Ukraine is perceived not only as a key element in concluding a peace agreement: its success will be vital for stabilisation in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. In the post-war perspective, Ukraine may be a new investment destination for German business, especially in energy and infrastructure. Approach towards Ukraine before the 24 February Before the war, Ukraine was […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: The Baltic Route: key to Ukraine’s future and global food stability (Miłosz J. Cordes)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 29, December 20 2022 9 months into the invasion, the Grain from Ukraine summit took place in Kyiv. Western leaders gathered there, while commemorating the victims of Holodomor, have finally acknowledged the need for secure and reliable transport schemes to and from Ukraine. It is time for decision-makers in Kyiv, Warsaw and Brussels to turn their eyes to strategic opportunities offered by the Baltic Sea and combine their financial and political efforts to allow for selling Ukrainian grain overseas as it can prevent major ruptures in Africa and the Middle East. Closure of the Black Sea gateway Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has turned from blitzkrieg to […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: Russian Approach to Siege Warfare in practice: Kyiv vs Mariupol (Sebastian Czub)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 28, December 6 2022 Lesson from Ukraine: Russian Approach to Siege Warfare It has been nine months since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. During this time an unprecedented number of battles and engagements could have been observed. There is however a certain type of warfare that attracts much more attention than others – both from the parties engaged in the conflict as well as the general public. Siege warfare. The news reports and footage from besieged Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson and most prominently Mariupol, have deeply embedded themselves into the collective psyche of not only Ukrainians but Europeans as well. With scenes […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: The shift in Germany’s Ostpolitik: Implications of new energy policy for the European Union? (Tamar Tkemaladze)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 27, November 28 2022 Overview The explosion of Nord Stream gas pipelines became a breaking point in the energy war between Russia and Europe. Handling Nord Stream as a commercial project rather than the Kremlin’s geopolitical tool, Germany’s energy policy lived on as a double-edged sword, which sharpened in today’s European energy crisis. Following the suspension of gas flows in summer 2022 by Gazprom, the sudden massive drop in pressure of the pipeline came as the conclusive signal of the shift, ending Germany’s policy as we knew before. Indeed, the grand taskmaster history left little choice for Olaf Szholz’s previously expressed sympathies towards Social Democratic predecessor […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: The 2022 U.S. Midterms: Implications for the Security of Central and Eastern Europe (Katarzyna Pisarska)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 26, November 16 2022 Overview: An Election Of Global Concern The United States 2022 midterm elections have in the past been of little interests to the majority of global publics. This is because they were both predictable (the U.S. Congress usually falling into the hand of the party opposing the sitting President) and inconsequential for the general direction of U.S. foreign policy (which over the last three decades enjoyed a large bipartisan consensus). Since however the 2016 election of Donald J. Trump as President this has changed. All U.S. elections – including midterms – have become a truly global concern, as they now decide on the […]
PULASKI POLICY PAPER: The Biden administration’s new security and defense strategies – a guide for a new Cold War (Tomasz Smura)
Pulaski Policy Paper no 25, November 11 2022 In October 2022, nearly two years after the Joe Biden administration took power in the United States, a new National Security Strategy and a tighter National Defense Strategy were adopted. Both documents identify China as the main challenge to U.S. national security, at the same time – importantly from the perspective of NATO’s eastern flank countries – Russia was identified in them as the most important current threat to the international order and the U.S. administration announced a continuation of its policy towards the country, including further support for Ukraine. Strategies for national security Prepared under the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 by […]
