How the war between Russia and Ukraine has changed Eastern and Central Europe

We often hear that Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine has transformed Europe, forcing many countries to rethink their approaches to everything from energy to defense and security. But the conflict, now three years old, has not only shaken the continent out of its post-war complacency. In some of the countries bordering Ukraine, Russia’s neo-imperial ambitions have upended domestic politics, changed geopolitical strategies and influenced elections.

We often hear that Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine has transformed Europe, forcing many countries to rethink their approaches to everything from energy to defense and security. But the conflict, now three years old, has not only shaken the continent out of its post-war complacency. In some of the countries bordering Ukraine, Russia’s neo-imperial ambitions have upended domestic politics, changed geopolitical strategies and influenced elections.

This edition of Flash Points examines how Moscow has tightened its grip on five of these states: Belarus, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova and Slovakia.

The state flags of Russia and Transnistria fly near the monument to 18th-century Russian military commander Alexander Suvorov in the city of Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, on September 12, 2021. Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images

The war in Ukraine kills another country

Paul Hockenos examines how closely the fate of Moldova is linked to that of its neighbor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hold a joint press conference following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 5.Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images

How Orban became Putin’s puppet

Of all of Russia’s useful idiots, few have tried to make themselves more useful than the Hungarian Prime Minister, writes Keith Johnson of the FP.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visit the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt on Kotlin Island outside St. Petersburg, Russia, July 23.Alexandr Demyanchuk/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

In neighboring Ukraine, Moscow’s grip is becoming increasingly tighter

In Belarus, Georgia and Moldova, the Kremlin is waging a silent war to consolidate its hegemony, writes Jeffrey Mankoff.

Peter Pellegrini receives congratulations from supporter Krisztian Forro in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 7 April 2024.Zuzana Gogova/Getty Images

Russia has just helped influence a European election

Slovakia’s new pro-Russian president won office with the help of a flood of pro-Kremlin disinformation, writes Paul Hockenos.

Demonstrators take part in a rally of the ruling Georgian Dream party on April 29 as a countermeasure to days of mass anti-government protests in Tbilisi, Georgia, against a controversial law on “foreign agents.” Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images

How Georgia sided with its enemy

Georgians are angry about the government’s pro-Russian turn, writes Ani Chkhikvadze.