Eastern Europe
Polish economy tumbles as global investors take flight
By Marius Heuser, March 4, 2009
Twenty years after the restoration of capitalism, the Polish economy is facing economic collapse as foreign capital flows out of the country.
Russian government moves to save big business, suppress opposition
By Vladimir Volkov, March 4, 2009
The Kremlin’s initial declarations about Russia’s supposed immunity from the global economic crisis have been replaced with statements of fear about economic destabilization and social unrest.
Brussels: Divisions dominate EU summit in face of deepening crisis
By Stefan Steinberg, March 3, 2009
At the Brussels summit, EU nations were unable to agree on any concrete measures to combat the mounting economic crisis.
Latvian government resigns as crisis deepens in Eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann, February 25, 2009
Latvia’s centre-right government resigned last Friday, against the background of a worsening economic crisis.
Romanian government agrees to drastic austerity package
By Markus Salzmann, February 14, 2009
Romania’s grand coalition government is determined to shift the burden of the economic crisis onto the backs of the country’s working people through harsh austerity measures.
The Russia-Ukraine gas conflict and the geopolitical struggle for control of energy resources
By Vladimir Volkov, February 3, 2009
The natural gas dispute sharpened Ukraine’s political and economic tensions, provoked a wave of anger in Europe and reinforced European desires to diversify its sources of gas.
Ukraine and Russia reach gas agreement
By Niall Green, January 26, 2009
A deal has been reached to end the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Millions across Europe have been left with little or no gas for heating in the middle of winter.
The crisis in Eastern Europe and the lessons of 1989
January 26, 2009
Twenty years after capitalist restoration, east European economies confront catastrophe.
Economic crisis unleashes violent protests across Eastern Europe
By Markus Salzmann, January 26, 2009
The international economic crisis has hit Eastern Europe with full force and brought long-simmering social and political tensions to the surface.
Lawyer and human rights activist Stanislav Markelov murdered in Moscow
By Vladimir Volkov, January 23, 2009
On January 19, Stanislav Markelov was shot in the head and killed in central Moscow. The 34-year-old lawyer and human rights activist was president of the Institute for the Supremacy of Law.
Belarus receives $2.5 billion IMF loan
By Niall Green, January 22, 2009
Belarus has secured a $2.5 billion emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund. The bailout comes amidst a crisis of the economies of the whole eastern European region.
Russian gas supplies through Ukraine resume
Dispute exposes crisis of European energy strategy
By Niall Green, January 13, 2009
Russia, Ukraine and officials from the European Union have agreed to a deal to resume natural gas supplies to Europe after Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom turned off gas supplies for Ukraine o...
