Maria Mälksoo’s Post

The prevalent discourse in #Georgia surrounding the protection of its sovereignty, notably prominent within contemporary political discourse, tends to overlook a critical dimension: the constitutional decision, bolstered by broad public support, to pursue full membership in the European Union entails a necessary alignment of legislative frameworks with EU norms and adherence to the EU Acquis. European integration signifies a deliberate acceptance of some constraints on sovereignty to access the political and economic advantages associated with EU accession. Nonetheless, the European integration experience underscores that rather than a "loss of sovereignty," EU membership can be more accurately characterized as a "pooling of sovereignty" among member states to pursue shared and individual objectives. This cooperative paradigm constitutes the foundational principle of EU governance. The genuine threats to Georgian sovereignty do not stem from Western alignment but rather from the perils of remaining entrenched in the Russian sphere of influence and subject to potential isolation under Russian hegemony. This is a pressing concern that warrants collective attention and vigilance.

Here is my latest assessment on Putin's insecurities both within Russia and with the wider international community, published in Johns Hopkins University's SAIS Review of International Affairs: https://lnkd.in/g9S4gdug

How does the heritage of the Trianon Peace Treaty still influence Hungary's contemporary foreign policy? Read my analysis in the second issue of the CEE Affairs Review!

In light of ROK's plans to establish an Office of Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence, where DPRK issues are just one piece rather than the central focus, I thought I'd reshare a piece from last year tracking the evolution of ROK's foreign policy orientation and awareness.

Just over a decade has passed since the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Today, the EU High Representative talks about a “Europe between two wars."  In a geopolitical age, what lies ahead for the EU as one of the world's most successful peace projects? How can the Union best utilise its strengths in peacemaking? Read our newest CMI Insight here. https://lnkd.in/dSRg_3_K

Currently there is a debate about the question whether Donald Trump could end the US membership in NATO should he be elected for another term. Some background on the domestic and international legal requirements and the political dynamics at play with respect to US participation in multilateral treaties can be found in my book. https://lnkd.in/dW9WCGAK

📘 Explore how Europe commits to turning its rhetoric of being more geopolitical into action in the STG Policy Brief "Beyond Geopolitical Europe" by Visiting Fellow Teona Giuashvili and Executive Director Fabrizio Tassinari. ⚠️ New conflicts like the Russian attack on Ukraine have spurred a revival of the geopolitical discourse in international affairs. In the publication, the authors delve into what role the European Political Community #EPC will have in creating the conditions for dialogue and stability at the continental and global levels. #Geopolitics #EU #Russia #Ukraine 🔍 Read now: https://loom.ly/-7tbAD0

I am co-editing a speical issue on the global impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, with this issue we hope to bridge the gap between different perpectives, pls see the call below and submissions are welcome. Call for Special Issue Papers on ‘What Happens in Europe Matters in the Indo-Pacific: The Global Impacts of the Russia-Ukraine War’ https://lnkd.in/g3s3fv3Z

I argue in the latest edition of Horizons that, as the world enters an era of deepening geopolitical competition, annexations, secessions, and other kinds of territorial revisionism are likely to become features of the international system, for which Ukraine is a harbinger. https://lnkd.in/eUJfuiGF My thanks to Stefan Antic for his skilful editing of the piece and to Sam Olsen for his insight and expertise in helping to develop the argument.