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Maria Simeonova

@mariasimeonova.bsky.social
681 followers 474 following 23 posts

Head of Sofia office, European Council on Foreign Relations - ECFR 📖 PhD, Department of Political Science, Sofia University | 🌐 EU foreign policy and the Black Sea Region | Eastern Europe

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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR European Power @ecfrpower.bsky.social · 15h
To reduce its dependency on Russia, Armenia is diversifying its foreign policy. Until peace with Azerbaijan is secured, Europeans need to provide Yerevan with extra support, writes @mariasimeonova.bsky.social buff.ly/cw0A3Jo
buff.ly
How Europeans can support the south Caucasus’s last democracy - European Council on Foreign Relations
To reduce its dependency on Russia, Armenia is diversifying its foreign policy. Until peace with Azerbaijan is secured, Europeans need to provide Yerevan with e
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 02/10/2026
To reduce its dependency on Russia, Armenia is diversifying its foreign policy. Until peace with Azerbaijan is secured, Europeans need to provide Yerevan with extra support, says @mariasimeonova.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/how-...
ecfr.eu
How Europeans can support the south Caucasus’s last democracy – European Council on Foreign Relations
To reduce its dependency on Russia, Armenia is diversifying its foreign policy. Until peace with Azerbaijan is secured, Europeans need to provide Yerevan with e
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Is 🇧🇬 PM Radev looking to fill the Orbán-shaped space in Europe? I shared my thoughts with @theguardian.com on Radev’s foreign policy choices and what they mean for Bulgaria’s geopolitical posture. @ecfrsofia.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Is Bulgarian prime minister Rumen Radev sizing up the EU’s Orbán-shaped hole?
Rightwing populist’s inconsistent positions on Europe and Russia suggest he is testing how far he can push partners and electorate
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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
С единия крак навън, с другия вътре. България подкрепя военните операции на САЩ в Близкия изток, но се дистанцира от европейската подкрепа за Украйна с риск да отслаби европейското единство, когато то е най-необходимо. @mariasimeonova.bsky.social @vtcherneva.bsky.social ecfr.eu/sofia/articl...
ecfr.eu
С единия крак навън: Как да тълкуваме геополитическия завой на България при Радев – European Council on Foreign Relations
Румен Радев постепенно насочва българската външна политика към по-транзакционен подход. ЕС трябва активно да търси диалог със София и да ограничава подобно лави
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
It's never easy to write about how the 🇪🇺 and 🇹🇷can speak better to each other - and turn strategic interests into gains for Europe's security. But strategic realities make the need for cooperation difficult to ignore. Angela Ziccardi and I outline three steps as a start ecfr.eu/article/amid...
ecfr.eu
Amid the mayhem: Three steps for the EU and Turkey to protect their interests – European Council on Foreign Relations
European and Turkish policymakers should take three steps immediately to deliver on their shared interests. This approach could help stabilise their relationshi
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR MENA @ecfrmena.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
🧵 America & Israel began an illegal war of choice against Iran. As @ecfr.eu experts previously warned, this war rapidly regionalised with rising costs. Trump’s end-game is fluid. Where do things go next, and what should be done? Follow our latest analysis below 👇️
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 10/12/2025
Bulgarians have turned out in their thousands to protest against the government. The EU needs to address the country’s democratic backsliding and avoid it becoming part of Viktor Orban’s camp, write Maria Simeanova and Vessela Tcherneva. bit.ly/3Ms6hFF
bit.ly
On Sofia's streets: How protests are highlighting an Orbanist turn in Bulgaria | ECFR
Bulgarians have turned out in their thousands to protest against the government. The EU needs to address the country's democratic backsliding and avoid it becom
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
A short explanation of the protests in Bulgaria on 26.11 & 01.12 🧵 On 1 December, my country saw its largest protest in decades. Only in Sofia, 110,000 people were on the streets.
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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Black Sea Security Conference се проведе в София този уикенд. @mariasimeonova.bsky.social участва в панела „Trade & Connectivity“ – разговор за ролята на Черноморския регион и свързаността с Европа. Благодарим на всички за ценните идеи.
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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
„България винаги е заемала важно място на картата на Европа и това, което ни е липсвало, е самочувствието, че заемаме такова място и липсата на политическа воля да се възползваме от него.“ @mariasimeonova.bsky.social в студиото на „Директно“ по Bulgaria on Air:
bgonair.bg
България се връща на картата на модерната военна индустрия
Дебат по темата с доц. Георги Цветков и Мария Симеонова
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
Kurt Bassuener @kurtbassuener.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Ok, now some more clarity on the terms of the US-RS deal were. Dodik, Cvijanovic, & many other persons & firms dropped from US Dept of Treasury's OFAC list. This has been "the dark matter" of the deal. Unclear if more below the waterline. May find out at UNSC this week. 😬 www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/...
klix.ba
Ukinute američke sankcije Miloradu Dodiku, Željki Cvijanović i brojnim drugim saradnicima i kompanijama
Ministarstvo finansija i trezora Sjedinjenih Američkih Država (OFAC) donijelo je odluku o ukidanju sankcija za brojne osobe iz Republike Srpske, a što je poveza...
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft @sudosteuropa.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
NEW RELEASE Southeast Europe in Focus | Scrutinizing Security in the Black Sea Region: A Closer Look at Bulgaria, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova With contributions by D. Triantaphyllou, @mariasimeonova.bsky.social , M. Zulean and C. Bogatiuc. 🔗Download here: www.sogde.org/de/publikati...
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
Garvan Walshe @garvanwalshe.org · 04/08/2025
Last month Bulgarian authorities arrested Blagomor Kotsev, mayor of Varna Based on hearsay they transferred him to Sofia and remanded him in custody. Bulgaria has oligarchs sanctioned by the US and UK but Kotsev is an opponent of theirs trying to clean things up. tvpworld.com/88141560/bul...
tvpworld.com
Political intervention needed to stop democratic backsliding
By arresting such a senior opposition figure on flimsy evidence and then denying him bail, Bulgarian prosecutors have entered the political arena.
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
My latest piece for @ecfr.eu on the concerning trends of democratic erosion in #Bulgaria. It’s not simple but the #EU could do much more to prevent a decay from within 👇
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 28/07/2025
One of our policy fellows @kirland.bsky.social just published a new book on civil-defence relations in Russian defence policymaking. Check it out now 👇
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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
В този епизод на подкаста ни ‘World in 30 minutes’ @vtcherneva.bsky.social и @mariasimeonova.bsky.social обсъждат с Mark Leonard тревожните признаци на институционална ерозия и погазване на върховенството на правото. Чуйте тук: ecfr.eu/pod.../episo...
ecfr.eu
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Bulgarians are back on the streets. Just like 5 years ago, they want to break the networks that use the judicial system to target anyone, anytime. Bulgaria is sliding toward state capture - and the #EU shouldn’t turn a blind eye again. #Bulgaria #RuleOfLaw
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 27/06/2025
ECFR Director Mark Leonard kicks off #ACM25 with an ECFR Insight: “Unlike in 2003 when Europe was split between pro and anti-American countries at the time of Iraq, what you now have is a split between pro Trump parties and anti-Trump parties, and that is leading to a recasting of European politics"
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Always a pleasure talking to TVP World - this time about our country’s most recent success: receiving the green light from the European Commission and the European Central Bank for our readiness to join the Eurozone on 1 January 2026. youtu.be/Z70MjEJMxLs?...
youtu.be
Bulgaria and the euro | Maria Simeonova
YouTube video by TALKING WITH TVP WORLD
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
5/ Ukraine, Syria, the eastern Med, the Red Sea: so much comes back to Turkey. @mariasimeonova.bsky.social in Sofia presents a nuanced take on how Europe can balance serious concerns about Turkish democracy with the need for geopolitical cooperation with Ankara: ecfr.eu/article/no-e...
ecfr.eu
No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey
Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs wh...
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 08/05/2025
Europe can't afford to ignore Turkey—but engaging with Erdoğan comes at a cost. In her latest commentary, Maria Simeonova explores how the EU can balance immediate security needs with long-term democratic goals in its complex relationship with Ankara.
bit.ly
No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey
Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs…
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR @ecfr.eu · 09/05/2025
Last week marked 100 days of Trump's second term—and his 'MAGA goes global' agenda is reshaping Europe's geopolitical landscape. Celia Belin's latest policy brief analyzes how his administration's policies are challenging the EU. bit.ly/4iTWXoB
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
My recent piece looks at how the EU can engage with Turkey amid the democratic backsliding but also shared strategic interests. Disengagement risks new dependencies as member states start playing solo with Ankara.
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Динамиката на отношенията между Европа и Турция никога не е била проста - но именно в сложността се крият възможности за стратегическо преосмисляне. @mariasimeonova.bsky.social обобщава изборите пред ЕС и обяснява защо диалогът с Анкара е по-важен от всякога. ecfr.eu/article/no-e...
ecfr.eu
No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey
Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs wh...
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Il mio nuovo articolo su come l'UE debba sistemare le sue relazioni con la Turchia in un momento cruciale per la sicurezza in Europa. @ecfrsofia.bsky.social
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ECFR Rome @ecfrrome.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
L'Europa si trova di fronte a un dilemma strategico: impegnarsi con la Turchia nonostante le tensioni interne o rischiare l'instabilità regionale. ✍️ @mariasimeonova.bsky.social x @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social
bit.ly
No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey
Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs…
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ECFR @ecfr.eu · 13/03/2025
📣 It’s a wrap! After three days of fruitful discussions at our ECFR Annual Staff Retreat, in which we dove deep into the policy challenges of today’s world, we’re ready to tackle what lies ahead!
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
The full story about the Bulgarians who were recently found guilty in the UK of conspiring with the Kremlin to kidnap and possibly murder the journalists Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov. Worth reading and understanding Kremlin’s changing techniques.
theins.ru
“Let’s hire an ISIS suicide bomber to blow him up in the street!”: Europe’s most wanted man plotted my murder — and that of my colleague
A jury at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court, has just found six of my compatriots — citizens of Bulgaria — guilty of conspiring with the Kremlin to kidnap and possibly murder me and my c...
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Reposted by Maria Simeonova
ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Европейският съвет за външна политика и Министерството на външните работи на Република България подписаха Меморандум за сътрудничество. Меморандумът открива възможности за съвместни инициативи, обмен на експертиза и добри практики между двете страни. @ecfr.eu
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Jana Puglierin @jpuglierin.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
We should have no illusions: Just as it is now doing with Ukraine, the Trump administration will try to force the Europeans into line if they resist a deal on American (or rather Russian?) terms.
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
На 18.02 споделих мнение, че 🇺🇸 гледат на войната в 🇺🇦 като пречка пред разгръщането на двустранните отношения с Москва, и че има припокриване на интересите между САЩ и Русия за международния ред. Обърнах внимание и на 🇹🇷 като един от ключовите фактори във войната. m.youtube.com/watch?featur...
m.youtube.com
"Европейският съюз трябва да се научи на прагматизъм във външната политика"
YouTube video by Euronews Bulgaria
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
ridl.io
(Не)безопасность Черного моря в 2025 году — Riddle Russia
Мария Симеонова о том, как изменились горизонты безопасности на Черном море спустя три года после начала полномасштабного вторжения России в Украину
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
My piece for Riddle Russia on Black Sea security is out. I argue that this is the region where Europe’s security awakening and ability to deter Russia will first be tested. ridl.io/black-sea-in...
ridl.io
Black Sea (in)security in 2025 – Riddle Russia
Maria Simeonova reflects on how the Black Sea security horizons have shifted three years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and what EU could do about it
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Russia's Lavrov to discuss Turkish role in ending Ukraine war in visit, source says - www.reuters.com/world/europe...
reuters.com
Russia's Lavrov to discuss Turkish role in ending Ukraine war in visit, source says
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey on Monday to discuss his country's recent talks with U.S. officials on ending the war in Ukraine, and how Ankara can contribute to the process, a Turkish foreign ministry source said on Sunday.
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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Polls close shortly in Germany. What a good election outcome for Europe would look like: - stable two-part government formed swiftly - AfD underperforming (sub-20%) - clear 2/3 majority (420+ seats) for debt-brake reform - parties pivoting fast from campaign to wider realities
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ECFR @ecfr.eu · 12/02/2025
📣New survey! ECFR polling reveals the gloom that has fallen over European perceptions of the transatlantic relationship since early November. Read @jpuglierin.bsky.social , @arturovarvelli.bsky.social and @pawelzerka.bsky.social 's new polling report 👇 buff.ly/4huJpjm
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
It was great to be part of GCMC’s new in-residence course on Russia. Main goal of the seminar - generating critical insights into understanding Russia to better achieve deterrence. Extraordinary thinkers and practical takeaways. www.marshallcenter.org/en/news-arch...?
marshallcenter.org
GCMC Launches First Seminar on Russia
The SoR, which was recently added to the Marshall Center in-residence courses, is designed to equip mid-to-senior-level security professionals, civil servants, and academic experts with a foundational...
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Zselyke Csaky @zecsaky.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Really glad to see more attention on the difficulties of plugging the gap. Thanks, @swheatonjourno.bsky.social for covering it in today's newsletter www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
politico.eu
Can Europe be the USAID Band-Aid?
Presented by GE Aerospace By SARAH WHEATON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Tweet @NicholasVinocur @swheaton @EddyWax | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser A Note to Our Readers from POLITICO&…
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Jana Puglierin @jpuglierin.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
We have a new mini podcast series out to tell you everything you need to know about 🇩🇪 ‘s election campaign and the big foreign policy discussions in the country. In our first standalone episode we talk about Trump and trade with @dschwarzer.bsky.social and @tobiasgehrke.bsky.social 👇
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Angela Ziccardi @angelaziccardi.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Happy to share my first @ecfr.eu commentary✍️w/ @arturovarvelli.bsky.social! For EU policymakers, the example of the Italy-Albania migration deal should serve as a cautionary tale on the viability and effectiveness of such agreements. Here's why 🔍
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
"E il fatto che Teheran abbia deciso di liberare la giornalista italiana ‘sulla parola’ di una contropartita a noi ancora sconosciuta ci suggerisce che la Farnesina abbia svolto un lavoro eccellente."
formiche.net
La liberazione di Cecilia Sala è un successo della diplomazia italiana. Tocci spiega perché - Formiche.net
Secondo la direttrice dello Iai la liberazione della giornalista italiana dimostra il successo dei canali negoziali italiani, nonostante le...
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Marie Dumoulin @dumoulinme.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
" By leaving Transnistria out in the cold, Moscow is hoping to weaken the pro-European government in Chisinau in the run-up to the parliamentary election due by the summer" ecfr.eu/article/cold...
ecfr.eu
Cold calculations: Why a freezing Transnistria helps Moscow
Russian gas has stopped flowing to Europe, leaving Transnistria without an energy supply. Moldova, dependent on electricity from the breakaway region, is now facing soaring inflation months away from ...
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ECFR @ecfr.eu · 09/12/2024
In addition to the World in 30 Minutes episode coming later this week, Mark Leonard welcomes @jbdacey.bsky.social , Ellie Geranmayeh, and @valinasr.bsky.social in a special episode to discuss the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and its implications. Full episode here: ecfr.eu/podcasts/epi...
ecfr.eu
Live from the Doha Forum: The Middle East after Assad
Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, Ellie Geranmayeh, and Vali Nasr to discuss shifting dynamics in the Middle East and their implications for global geopolitics…
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
I recently argued that events in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Moldova reflect Russia’s goal to destabilise our region. Interference in Romanian election added to the logic. Zelensky stated today in Paris: Russia seeks control of the Black Sea. The EU must move beyond wishful messaging and act boldly.
ecfr.eu
Fool me thrice: The pattern of political instability in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Moldova
Bulgaria’s latest election is part of a regional pattern of voting irregularities, Russian disinformation, and the rise of anti-system parties, pressuring the EU’s efforts to protect democracy in its ...
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Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 @marikamikiashvili.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
#GeorgiaProtests by 📷 Dima Zverev
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 03/12/2024
Russian imperial dreams expand further
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
❗️ Here’s the Bluesky account of ECFR Sofia. bsky.app/profile/ecfr...
bsky.app
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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
European lessons, brilliantly compiled by @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social , offer valuable preparation for Trump. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
politico.com
Trump Will Overplay His Hand. Here’s How to Be Ready.
I lived through the rise of authoritarianism in Turkey. Here’s what I learned.
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Camille Grand @camillegrand.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Our @ecfr.bsky.social paper with Marie Dumoulin on European security interests and Ukrainian peace talks ecfr.eu/article/ukra...
ecfr.eu
Staying power: Securing peace in Ukraine while balancing European interests
European governments’ hesitation to pursue strategic security goals in Ukraine risks leaving them absent from peace negotiations, undermining both Kyiv’s position and Europe’s role in shaping a stable...
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