Dimitar Bechev is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe focusing on EU enlargement and Eastern Europe, while Thomas de Waal specializes in the Caucasus region. They dive into the geopolitical dynamics of Georgia and Moldova, emphasizing Russia's growing influence and the complexities of Moldova's energy crisis. The discussion also covers the EU's enlargement strategy, exploring how external factors, including US politics, affect regional stability and the EU's role in countering Russian tactics in the Black Sea.

In this discussion, Oleysa Vartanyan, a regional security analyst, Laurence Broers from Chatham House, and Thomas De Waal of Carnegie Europe dissect Armenia's shifting ties with Russia post-Nagorno-Karabakh war. They explore Armenia's quest for new alliances, like those with France and India, while still facing economic dependencies on Moscow. The panel highlights the complexities of Armenia's historical context, its reliance on Russian military support, and the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Azerbaijan, emphasizing the delicate balance Armenia must maintain.

Thomas de Waal, Senior Fellow at Carnegie Europe, discusses Georgia's controversial foreign agent bill, its implications on NGO's, political turmoil, Western relations, and the country's complex position balancing Russia and the West.