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Key headlines: * Ukraine War update: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared full control of Luhansk Oblast and claimed major advances, although verified data showed Russia had gained about 2,000 square kilometers since January. Ukrainian drone strikes hit over 100 Russian vessels in the Se...

Essential CIS Politics: June 15-30, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 01 Jul 2026

Major headlines: Ukraine war update: Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries caused fuel shortages, queues, and rationing across Russia. Putin acknowledged the issue on June 30 while officials negotiated imports; military diesel supplies are prioritized over civilian shortages. Front update: ...

The impact of the Iran and Ukraine Wars on the CIS - Slide presentation and webinar replay

CIS POLITICS · Presentation · 24 Jun 2026

How have countries in the CIS region reacted to the Iran War? Why has Russia's support for Iran been so limited? Will Kazakhstan adopt a more active role in the region as a middle power? Is Armenia's pivot towards the US accelerating due to the war in Iran? How is Azerbaijan managing the Iranian ...

Upcoming Webinar - The impact of the Iran and Ukraine Wars on the CIS

CIS POLITICS · Report · 22 Jun 2026

Date: 23 Jun 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM EDT How have countries in the CIS region reacted to the Iran War? Why has Russia's support for Iran been so limited? Will Kazakhstan adopt a more active role in the region as a middle power? Is Armenia's pivot towards the US accelerating due to the war in Ira...

Essential CIS Politics: June 1-15, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 15 Jun 2026

Major headlines: - Armenia parliamentary elections (June 7, 2026): Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party won Armenia’s parliamentary elections with 49.8% of the vote, securing a working majority but missing a constitutional majority. The main opposition gained seats amid Weste...

Essential CIS Politics: May 16 - June 1, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 01 Jun 2026

Major headlines: - The EU continues to inch closer to diplomatic engagement with Russia, publicly discussing appointing a special envoy to this end. - Formal peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain seemingly stalled, with no publicly announced negotiations held. Russi...

Essential CIS Politics: May 2-15, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 15 May 2026

Main headlines: - There were no Russia-Ukraine talks, although Putin, Zelensky and Western countries have all made positive statements about peace. - Trump takes credit for a shaky Victory Day ceasefire; Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners, corpses and strikes. - Ukrainian ...

Essential CIS Politics: April 16 - May 1, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 01 May 2026

- The 20th package of EU sanctions on Russia imposes secondary sanctions on Kyrgyzstan. - Russia pledges to continue support for Mali despite recent military setbacks. - Kazakhstan denies rumors it will quit OPEC+. - Ukraine plans mass migration program after the war to address labor short...

Bulgaria after the elections, Atlanticist but sovereign—the Western/Russian perspective

CIS POLITICS · Report · 23 Apr 2026

After the landslide victory of Hungary's opposition in a historic election earlier this month, the question many analysts were asking in Brussels was: Who will be Russia's next Orban in the EU?" Just one week later, on April 19, former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (2017-26) led Progressive Bul...

Essential CIS Politics: April 1-15, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 15 Apr 2026

Headlines: - Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners as part of brief Easter truce - Russian Navy escorting shadow fleet deters Western militaries from boarding - Moldova votes to leave Soviet Union successor CIS - Gulf states concerned with Russian intel support for Iran, as Zelensky tours the r...

Essential CIS Politics: March 17-31, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 31 Mar 2026

Headlines: - Russia begins a spring offensive as Ukraine launches one of its largest strikes yet on Russian oil export infrastructure. - Russia sends a new ultimatum to Ukraine: withdraw from Donbass in two months. - Russia secures a USD 25 bn arms deal with India, as India doubles purcha...

Essential CIS Politics: March 2-16, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 16 Mar 2026

- Russia provides data and assistance to Iran in targeting American bases. - Motjaba Khamenei reportedly being treated in Moscow. - US relaxes sanctions on Russian oil. - Russia provokes internet blackouts in preparation for increased censorship, and possibly, a new p...

Essential CIS Politics: February 18-March 2, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 02 Mar 2026

- US-Israeli strikes on Iran pose a major geopolitical challenge to Russia, approximately one year after losing Assad’s Syria. - Belarus calls up reserves in “concealed mobilization”. - UK holds a major summit with Central Asian countries and signs a critical minerals agreement with Kaza...

Essential CIS Politics: February 1 - February 17, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 17 Feb 2026

Russia presents US with a USD 12 trillion economic plan. Putin creates an intelligence agency under Rosgvardia, his “personal army”. Zelensky promises elections in exchange for a ceasefire. Russia will ship oil to Cuba, defying a US blockade. Kazakhstan will hold a...

CIS Essential Politics: January 16 - Feb 1, 2026

CIS POLITICS · Report · 02 Feb 2026

- Russia, Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi to negotiate peace. - Ukraine and Moldova experience nationwide blackouts amidst Russian strikes. - Moldova leaves the CIS. - Kazakhstan plans major constitutional reforms. - Uzbekistan plans its first-ever census.