Péter Magyar’s victory weakens the Kremlin’s influence in the EU, but does not guarantee that Hungary will break completely either with Orbán’s legacy or with Russian influence
Methodological changes at Russia’s main state pollsters have halted the fall in Putin’s approval ratings, even as broader indicators point to rising public dissatisfaction and declining optimism
Russia's 2026 deficit looks alarming on paper, but cheap debt and deep reserves leave the Kremlin with room to spend more, not less
Russia and Ukraine appear to be escalating the pressure in order to improve their positions ahead of a possible return to peace talks
Russia’s Victory Day unfolds amid war stalemate, security fears, and waning support, exposing tensions between Kremlin propaganda and battlefield reality
Neither Russia nor Ukraine is showing readiness to halt the war and resume the peace process. However, the dynamics of the conflict suggest that they will most likely return to the negotiating table in the near future
Russians face widening internet shutdowns and controls, as security measures strain daily life, reshape digital habits, and fuel quiet public frustration.
Putin spotlights economic decline as elections near, fueling elite tensions, pressure on government, and rising influence of security services
Russia is not yet intervening in Armenia’s elections on behalf of any particular candidate, but it is exploiting the country’s economic dependence to prevent it from growing closer to the West
The Russian economy is gradually losing resilience and drawing down its reserves. The war in the Persian Gulf provides the Kremlin with temporary relief, but does not resolve underlying problems
Orbán stands at the centre of a transnational alliance that casts him as both defender and disruptor of the European order, with Hungary’s election set to test the strength of that project
Internet shutdowns and messaging app bans have become one of the most sensitive pressure points in Russia, contributing to a gradual decline in support for the authorities
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