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Occupational therapy: Frozen conflicts, Russian aggression and EU enlargement As Russia accelerates its annexation of “frozen conflict” regions, the EU must enhance its policy to counter Moscow’s influence.

What is the EU’s role in resolving conflicts in occupied territories within eastern candidate countries? Why the EU membership is a powerful incentive for reform and stability? Re-read @teftak.bsky.social and Sergi Kapanadze's policy brief @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4le7c8m

Occupational therapy: Frozen conflicts, Russian aggression and EU enlargement As Russia accelerates its annexation of “frozen conflict” regions, the EU must enhance its policy to counter Moscow’s influence.

The EU should draw up a policy to deal with Russian annexation actions in breakaway and occupied regions, and embed this in its evolving approach towards Russia, write Tefta Kelmendi and Sergi Kapanadzi.
Read their latest policy brief here: https://bit.ly/4le7c8m

🇬🇪Why is Georgian Dream surviving despite mass protests, backlash, and international condemnation?

The answer isn’t repression alone. It’s money.

🧵A thread on how Bidzina Ivanishvili’s fortune and Russian inflows saved his regime - and why it’s still may crack.
1/16

EYES ON GEORGIA!

The court hearing of Girchi-MF leader Zurab Girchi Japaridze, also one of the leaders of Coalition for Change will begin now.

The expectation is that they’ll jail Zurab Girchi Japaridze over non-cooperation with regime’s history-revising, Stalin-era "Parliamentary committee." 1/

The perpetual horizon: Armenia, Azerbaijan and prospects for peace Armenia and Azerbaijan have never been so close to peace—but bilateral issues and geopolitical complications mean a new escalation is still possible. The EU needs to use what levers it has to help…

Armenia and Azerbaijan have never been so close to peace—but bilateral issues and geopolitical complications mean a new escalation is still possible, writes @dumoulinme.bsky.social
@ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

The European Political Community serves Edi Rama’s narrative At the European Political Community summit in Tirana, the Albanian Prime Minister managed to promote his pro-EU stance, downplaying internal issues

Prime Minister #EdiRama managed to present himself as "the most pro-EU, pragmatic and constructive leader in the region,"
@ecfr.eu's @teftak.bsky.social told The New Union Post. However, this could lead the EU to overlook "deeper, systemic issues"
#EPCSummit #Albania
newunionpost.eu/2025/05/16/e...

After my recent trip to #Tbilisi, it’s clear Europe must act fast. The window to support dialogue and halt Georgia’s authoritarian drift is closing. The Weimar Triangle + UK are best placed to lead. My latest for @ecfr.eu

What Rama's triumph in Albanian elections means for the EU Prime Minister Rama's Socialist Party secured a fourth consecutive term, pledging to bring Albania into the European Union by 2030

#Rama secured more than half of the total vote, on the back of his pledge to bring the country into the EU by 2030. "The support #Albania received from the integration process worked to his advantage," said @teftak.bsky.social
(@ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social @ecfr.eu)
newunionpost.eu/2025/05/13/e...

From fence-sitter to pace-setter: How Merz’s Germany can lead Europe On foreign policy, Germany’s new chancellor will be pulled between conservatism and radicalism. For Europe’s sake, he must choose the latter

Germany has been on the back foot in Europe over the past few years. Chancellor Merz's visits to Paris and Warsaw today beg the question: will that now change?

Here's @jpuglierin.bsky.social's and my (very) cautiously upbeat assessment:

ecfr.eu/article/from...

Géorgie 🇬🇪 le Congrès US a passé un texte visant directement le régime du Rêve géorgien de l'oligarque Ivanishvili comme pro-Kremlin, à geler toute aide, à introduire des sanctions Magnitsky dans les 60 jours.

Il reste donc des gens censés à Washington.

A narrow window: How Europeans can still halt Georgia’s authoritarian turn As Georgia teeters on the brink of authoritarianism, Europe’s fractured resolve risks ceding the south Caucasus to Russian and Chinese influence. A coalition of France, Germany and Poland…

The incoming German government, Britain and the “Weimar Triangle” have a narrow window of opportunity to halt repression and prevent Georgia’s further entanglement with Moscow, writes @teftak.bsky.social ⬇️
ecfr.eu/article/a-na...

Questions of sovereignty: Canada’s relations with Europe after the general election Europeans should begin seeking new opportunities to work with Canada under Mark Carney…

After Canada’s election, new momentum is building for closer EU-Canada ties.
How can both sides strengthen cooperation on trade, security, and global challenges?

After my recent trip to #Tbilisi, it’s clear Europe must act fast. The window to support dialogue and halt Georgia’s authoritarian drift is closing. The Weimar Triangle + UK are best placed to lead. My latest for @ecfr.eu

A narrow window: How Europeans can still halt Georgia’s authoritarian turn As Georgia teeters on the brink of authoritarianism, Europe’s fractured resolve risks ceding the south Caucasus to Russian and Chinese influence. A coalition of France, Germany and Poland…

Mentre la Georgia traballa sull'orlo dell'autoritarismo, la frattura dell'Europa rischia di consegnare il Caucaso meridionale all'influenza russa e cinese. Secondo @teftak.bsky.social, una coalizione europea potrebbe salvare la democrazia e la stabilità del Paese @ECFRPower👇

Questions of sovereignty: Canada’s relations with Europe after the general election Europeans should begin seeking new opportunities to work with Canada under Mark Carney…

Canada and Europe have a renewed opportunity to deepen their partnership. As global alliances shift, this moment is pivotal for strengthening transatlantic ties.
Read @jhosa.bsky.social new policy alert. @ecfrpower.bsky.social

A narrow window: How Europeans can still halt Georgia’s authoritarian turn As Georgia teeters on the brink of authoritarianism, Europe’s fractured resolve risks ceding the south Caucasus to Russian and Chinese influence. A coalition of France, Germany and Poland…

Georgia stands at a crossroads. As democratic institutions falter and authoritarianism looms, Europe's response could determine the nation's future. @teftak.bsky.social s latest commentary urges a united European front. @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

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.

Spoil or shape: How Europeans can impact US-Russia talks on Ukraine European policymakers have little direct influence over Moscow and Washington. However, they can use certain tools as leverage to help shape talks about Ukraine’s future—while ensuring to act in the…

European policymakers have little direct influence over Moscow and Washington. However, they can use certain tools as leverage to help shape talks about Ukraine’s future—while ensuring to act in the EU’s best interest, writes @dumoulinme.bsky.social
@ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

…The EU can and should do more, not just because these people deserve it, but because losing Georgia will have broader implications for the region, which the EU cannot afford!

I attended today’s protest in #Georgia - it was impressive and moving, to say the least. People feel forgotten, but they sustain this resilience on their own…

📣 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!

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

1/ Europe at Munich Security Conference looked like deer in Trump administration's headlights. How have we got this far without a concrete European plan for Ukraine to put on table? How is there *still* no proper consensus among major EU governments (+UK) on how far Europe is willing to step up?

Wrote this for @newstatesman.com in December. Trump will either divide Europeans and make deals over their heads, or have the effect of pushing them together. Which force prevails depends entirely on Europe's leaders making choices they should have made at least a decade ago.

Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession

The 🇪🇺 EU needs to reconsider its 🇽🇰 Kosovo policy, shifting from punitive actions to offering genuine incentives for integration. A reliable EU approach is essential for ensuring stability in the #WesternBalkans.
@teftak.bsky.social @agonm.bsky.social

Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession

🇽🇰 After Kosovo's elections, preliminary results show that forming the next government will require a coalition. As party negotiations begin, explore how the EU can prepare for engagement with Kosovo’s future leadership.
👉 @teftak.bsky.social and @agonm.bsky.social

Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession

🗳️ Election Day in Kosovo

Voters head to the polls today in a pivotal election that could shape Kosovo’s EU path and its strained relations with Serbia. The outcome will be key to the region’s stability and European future.

@teftak.bsky.social @agonm.bsky.social

Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession

For the EU to truly move the Western Balkans forward, it must stop tolerating leaders who exploit instability for political gain and prove that the path to European integration is tangible and achievable.
@teftak.bsky.social and @agonm.bsky.social 👇

Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession

Kosovo votes on Sunday as the EU accession process progresses unevenly. The election outcome could influence efforts to normalise relations with Serbia and advance the region’s European path.

by @teftak.bsky.social and @agonm.bsky.social 👇

ecfr.eu/article/why-...