Eastern Europe
Erdoğan and Putin open TurkStream pipeline after Iran strikes US bases in Iraq
By Ulaş Ateşci, 11 January 2020
The opening of this strategic pipeline comes amid escalating conflicts over energy in the region and an esclalating conflict between the United States and Iran.
Russia, Ukraine reach last minute gas transit deal
By Jason Melanovski, 4 January 2020
The EU pushed for the Ukraine and Russia to accept a deal following the US announcement of sanctions against the Russian-German pipeline Nord Stream 2.
Hungary’s government continues its assault on democratic rights
By Markus Salzmann, 21 December 2019
Last week, the Hungarian parliament, dominated by the right-wing Fidesz party, passed bills that represent a further step towards dictatorial forms of rule.
Vadim Rogovin’s Bolsheviks against Stalinism 1928–1933: Leon Trotsky and the Left Opposition
A magnificent account of Stalin’s opponents in the USSR
By Andrea Peters, 21 December 2019
Stalin’s rise was neither foreordained nor a natural outgrowth of the October Revolution. The Great Russian chauvinist and bureaucrat secured power in ferocious conflict with the proletariat, peasantry and cadre of the revolutionary socialist movement.
Ukraine: Three-year-old boy killed in attempted political assassination by the far right
By Jason Melanovski, 7 December 2019
The killing of a three-year-old demonstrates that far-right forces in Ukraine are being given free rein to carry out targeted political assassinations.
Russia’s Gazprom offers Ukraine short-term gas deal
By Jason Melanovski, 21 November 2019
Disputes over gas and energy are central to the inter-imperialist conflicts over Ukraine and Russia.
Former US Secretary of State Kissinger points to danger of “catastrophic” conflict between US and China
By Nick Beams, 16 November 2019
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has warned of an inevitable “conflict” between the US and China that “will be worse than the world wars that ruined European civilisation.”
Russia, Ukraine carry out high-profile prisoner exchange
By Jason Melanovski, 14 September 2019
The prisoner exchange was strongly backed by France and Germany with media reports suggesting that French President Emmanuel Macron, in particular, played a central role.
Former Ukrainian President Poroshenko faces charges over corruption and “high treason”
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 24 August 2019
The new Zelensky government is making use of criminal charges to settle accounts within the ruling class—a well-trodden path in the fractional battles within the country’s oligarchy.
Merkel and Orbán: A sordid deal at the expense of refugees and democracy
By Peter Schwarz, 24 August 2019
On the 30th anniversary of the opening up of the Hungarian-Austrian border, Merkel and Orbán sang the praises of “freedom” while agreeing to closer military collaboration.
Questions continue over Russian nuclear accident
By Andrea Peters, 17 August 2019
The dangers associated with the rapidly accelerating global arms race are clear, even as questions remain over the nature of the nuclear explosion that occurred in Russia’s far north last week.
Ukrainian president Zelensky’s new party wins parliamentary elections
By Jason Melanovski, 25 July 2019
The result is a symptom of a deep social and political crisis and mass popular dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
Four men charged with murder based on bogus MH-17 investigation
By Clara Weiss, 24 June 2019
Charges against pro-Moscow separatists were laid based on an “investigation” influenced by the Ukrainian regime, that produced no proof of Russian involvement in downing flight MH-17.
US and Russian warships nearly collide in the Philippine Sea
By Kevin Reed, 8 June 2019
In an encounter coinciding with a visit to Russia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, a US warship nearly collided with a Russian destroyer on Friday in the Philippine Sea.
Ukrainian president seeks support from Western powers
By Jason Melanovski, 7 June 2019
Ukraine’s president met with EU and NATO officials this week, declaring his commitment to seeking membership in both organizations.
In naked sellout, union announces end to strike by 300,000 Polish teachers
By Will Morrow and Clara Weiss, 27 April 2019
The union is covering up the fact that it is ending the strike without meeting any of the teachers’ demands by claiming the strike is being “suspended.”
As union seeks to end walkout
Polish teachers speak out on why they are striking
By Will Morrow, 25 April 2019
The main teachers’ union has called for the suspension of the powerful strike to allow students to complete their exams.
The election of Zelensky in Ukraine and the way forward for the working class
By Clara Weiss, 25 April 2019
Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskyi won the Ukrainian presidential elections Sunday in a massive repudiation of the incumbent president and the imperialist-orchestrated coup that brought him to power.
Unions scramble to contain Polish teachers’ strike as 40,000 social workers prepare to stop work
By Clara Weiss, 24 April 2019
The teachers’ strike, the first nationwide walkout since 1993, is one of the largest strikes since the restoration of capitalism in Poland in 1989.
Landslide victory for Zelensky over Poroshenko in Ukrainian presidential election
By Jason Melanovski, 22 April 2019
The election results reflect the enormous hostility within the Ukrainian working class toward the right-wing nationalist policies of the Poroshenko regime.
National strike by Polish teachers enters fifth day
By Clara Weiss, 12 April 2019
The vast majority of Polish teachers remain on strike as the government refuses to make any concessions.
Polish teachers launch nationwide strike
By Clara Weiss, 9 April 2019
Over 86 percent of the country’s 400,000 teachers have joined the first nationwide strike of teachers in Poland in 25 years.
“Independent” union in Russia facilitates closure of Ford factory
By Clara Weiss, 8 April 2019
The Inter-Regional Trade Union Workers’ Alliance (MPRA) has blocked opposition to the US-based auto giant’s plans to close three factories and exit the passenger car market.
On the eve of the presidential elections
Ukrainian far right mobilized in inter-oligarchic infighting
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 21 March 2019
Incumbent president Petro Poroshenko currently occupies third place in polls leading up to the March 31 election.
Anti-Semitic propaganda distributed at Polish parliament as government witch-hunts Holocaust historians
By Clara Weiss, 16 March 2019
The Polish government is engaged in an unprecedented witch-hunt of historians of the Holocaust and promotion of anti-Semitism.
Moldova election heralds political instability
By Andrei Tudora and Tina Zamfir, 6 March 2019
The election signalled the culmination of a protracted process of disintegration of the forces that defined the political establishment in Moldova over the last 20 years.
Greek parliament votes in support of Macedonia name change
By Katerina Selin, 30 January 2019
The Prespa agreement is aimed at paving the way for Macedonia’s rapid integration into NATO and the European Union.
Autoworkers strike in Hungary
By Markus Salzmann, 28 January 2019
Thousands of auto workers began a one-week strike on Thursday at an Audi plant in Györ, western Hungary.
Autoworkers strike in Hungary
By Markus Salzmann, 28 January 2019
Thousands of auto workers began a one-week strike on Thursday at an Audi plant in Györ, western Hungary.
Presidential campaign officially begins in Ukraine
By Jason Melanovski, 28 January 2019
The Ukrainian presidential election is dominated by pro-imperialist, right-wing candidates who are hated and despised by the overwhelming majority of the population.
Further protests against Orbán government in Hungary
By Markus Salzmann, 9 January 2019
On Saturday, in freezing temperatures, about 10,000 people demonstrated again in Budapest against the right-wing government of Prime Minister Victor Orbán.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Tymoshenko tours Washington to garner support for presidential bid
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 11 December 2018
The ultimate goal of Tymoshenko’s visit to Washington was to promise to continue with the United States’ militarization of the country and the Black Sea.
Ukraine: Poroshenko declares martial law to crack down on political and social opposition
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 1 December 2018
The army has been put on high alert and the presence of police has been substantially increased in major cities.
Merkel backs Ukrainian provocations against Russia
By Peter Schwarz, 1 December 2018
Chancellor Angela Merkel has sharply attacked Russia at the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum, declaring that Putin is fully responsible for the present conflict.
Ukraine’s provocation in the Azov Sea
By Clara Weiss and Andre Damon, 29 November 2018
The Ukrainian military, with the support of high-level figures within the US state, has instigated a major international crisis ahead of this week’s G20 summit.
Thousands of Austrian metal workers on strike
By Markus Salzmann, 21 November 2018
Metal workers are striking for higher wages and against the tightening of labour laws by the right-wing government.
Ukrainian politician dies after fascist acid attack
By Jason Melanovski, 12 November 2018
The brutal killing of Handziuk and the ongoing cover-up are a stark exposure of the reactionary nature of the regime brought to power in the US-backed coup in 2014.
Ukraine’s depopulation crisis
By Jason Melanovski, 1 November 2018
More than a quarter-century after the dissolution of the USSR, emigration continues unabated in Ukraine as workers flee poverty and war.
Polish regional elections point to growing political instability
By Clara Weiss, 25 October 2018
The election results in Poland point to growing disillusionment with the right-wing PiS party and hostility toward the main parties of the pro-EU opposition.
Russia: Putin ally Kudrin pushes for rapprochement with the imperialist powers
By Clara Weiss, 13 October 2018
Underlying the push toward improving ties with imperialism are the growing class tensions in Russia itself.
Relations deteriorate between Hungary and Ukraine
By Jason Melanovski, 9 October 2018
Two of eastern Europe’s right-wing governments clash in a dispute over passports, language laws and military exercises.
Kremlin suffers defeats in regional elections
By Andrea Peters, 6 October 2018
The electoral upsets that took place in September come as evidence mounts of growing discontent with Russia’s ruling party.
New documents on Yeltsin-Clinton conversations further expose US “meddling” in Russian politics
By Clara Weiss, 22 September 2018
The Clinton Foundation has released hundreds of pages of documents about conversations between US president Bill Clinton and Russian president Boris Yeltsin.
Manila moves toward major arms purchase from Russia
By Joseph Santolan, 25 August 2018
The Pentagon, which has been systematically escalating military tensions with Russia, has not taken kindly to Washington’s former colony improving relations with Moscow.
Russian Duma presses ahead with pension reform in face of overwhelming popular opposition
By Clara Weiss, 24 August 2018
While 90 percent of the population opposes the reform, the Duma debate was dominated by its proponents.
Russian Duma presses ahead with pension reform in face of overwhelming popular opposition
By Clara Weiss, 23 August 2018
While 90 percent of the population opposes the reform, the Duma debate was dominated by its proponents.
Death toll rises from Greek forest fires
By John Vassilopoulos, 23 August 2018
Fire victims have demonstrated outside parliament to protest inadequate assistance from the Syriza government.
After Helsinki, Democrats incite “deep state” action against Trump
By Bill Van Auken, 17 July 2018
Trump’s appearance alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki unleashed a wave of denunciations from Democrats and the media, with former top intelligence officials calling for his ouster.
As Jeff Bezos’ wealth reaches $150 billion
Unions strangle strike efforts by European Amazon workers on Prime Day
By Will Morrow and Genevieve Leigh, 17 July 2018
Prime Day is treated as a virtual public holiday by the corporate media, akin to Black Friday, but it is synonymous with increased exploitation for Amazon and other shipping workers.
Outrage in Russia over pension reform
By Clara Weiss, 21 June 2018
Ninety-two percent of the population oppose the government’s plan to raise the retirement age.
Russian authorities ordered destruction of documents on Stalin’s terror
By Clara Weiss, 18 June 2018
Archival material about people who were kept in the Soviet forced labor camp system and subsequently released has been systematically destroyed, on the basis of a secret decree from February 2014.
New Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan takes belligerent stand on Nagorno-Karabakh
By Clara Weiss, 17 May 2018
Pashinyan’s reckless moves toward military conflict expose the fraudulent character of the Western media coverage of Armenia’s supposed “democratic revolution.”
Putin begins his fourth term as Russia’s president
By Clara Weiss, 9 May 2018
Putin’s fourth term as president will inevitably be characterized by increasing social struggles in Russia.
Armenian parliament rejects pro-Western opposition leader’s bid to be prime minister
By Clara Weiss, 2 May 2018
The main roots of the political crisis lie in the advanced preparations for imperialist war in the region.
Russian government blocks messaging app Telegram
By Clara Weiss, 17 April 2018
The attack on encrypted communication is part of the international drive by governments to censor the Internet and expand mass surveillance.
Right-wing nationalist Orban wins Hungarian election
By Peter Schwarz, 10 April 2018
Expectations that the Fidesz Party would lose support due to corruption scandals and claims by pollsters that the mood in the country was shifting did not materialise.
Russia: Protests against officials erupt in wake of Kemerovo fire
By Clara Weiss, 28 March 2018
The horrific fire at the Kemerovo “Winter Cherry” shopping mall and entertainment center on March 25 has brought social and political tensions in Russia to a boiling point.
Russia: At least 64 dead, including many children, in horrific shopping mall fire
By Clara Weiss, 27 March 2018
Like the Grenfell fire last summer in London, the fire at the Kemerovo shopping mall on Sunday is a social crime for which the ruling oligarchy bears full responsibility.
London, NATO step up war threats against Russia over Skripal poisoning
By Alex Lantier, 19 March 2018
NATO authorities issued a barrage of political and military threats at Russia, a nuclear-armed power, without providing any evidence for their allegations.
Putin wins Russian presidential elections amid growing international and domestic instability
By Vladimir Volkov and Clara Weiss, 19 March 2018
The Russian presidential elections took place amid unprecedented geopolitical tensions, and a prolonged decline in popular living standards.
Putin’s state of the nation speech highlights crisis of Russian oligarchy
By Clara Weiss, 6 March 2018
Menaced by US imperialism and gripped by economic crisis, the Russian state headed by Putin offers no solution to the historic impasse facing the country.
Polish president signs bill censoring free speech about the Holocaust
By Clara Weiss, 7 February 2018
The action will have a “chilling effect” on all forms of political speech and scientific research opposed by the ultra-right Polish authorities.
European Union skeptic wins Czech presidential election
By Markus Salzmann, 2 February 2018
Acting Czech President Milos Zeman narrowly won the second round of the presidential election last Friday and Saturday.
US media glorifies small protests by right-wing Putin opponent Alexei Navalny
By Clara Weiss, 1 February 2018
Though tens of thousands protested last year against social inequality and corruption, Navalny has been unable to tap into the massive social discontent, largely due to his fascistic politics.
A series of attacks at Russian schools
By Clara Weiss, 31 January 2018
Within one week, three schools witnessed outbreaks of violence, and one school a stabbing. Dozens of children and several teachers were wounded.
Polish government seeks to criminalize mention of Polish crimes during the Holocaust
By Clara Weiss, 30 January 2018
The far-reaching assault on free speech is part of the systematic effort of the right-wing PiS government to strengthen fascist forces and, along with that, falsify the history of Poland.
Romanian prime minister resigns amid rising social tensions
By Andrei Tudora and Tina Zamfir, 17 January 2018
There is an increasing mood of militancy among Romanian workers, with autoworkers at Ford locked in a struggle against management, the union and the government.
Trump authorizes $41.5 million sale of lethal US weaponry to Ukraine
By Niles Niemuth, 23 December 2017
The decision to allow Kiev to purchase “lethal defensive weapons” portends an escalation in the nearly four-year-old war against pro-Russian separatists entrenched in the country’s eastern provinces.
Wildcat strike stops production as workers eject union leaders at Ford Romania
By Eric London, 23 December 2017
The spontaneous walkout took place the day after Ford and the union agreed to a sellout contract with similar terms as those imposed on workers in the US and Canada.
China invests billions in Eastern Europe, heightening tensions with Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 30 November 2017
Chinese investments in Eastern Europe have met with strong criticism from the European Union. Berlin in particular increasingly views China as a rival rather than a partner.
Kremlin instructs Russian industry to prepare for war mobilization
By Alex Lantier, 24 November 2017
A century after World War I, amid another catastrophic political collapse of world capitalism, countries across Europe and the world are again preparing for total war.
NATO summit escalates preparation for war with Russia
By Alex Lantier, 10 November 2017
NATO is planning for a major land war in Europe against Russia, which fields the world’s second-largest nuclear arsenal after the United States.
NATO intensifies its preparations for war with Russia
By Philipp Frisch, 7 November 2017
Against the backdrop of US aggression against North Korea, NATO is intensifying its preparations for war with Russia, the world’s second largest nuclear power.
Massive fire in Rostov, Russia destroys 123 houses
By Clara Weiss, 29 August 2017
Residents said they believe the fire was allowed to burn out of control with the aim of driving out impoverished residents in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Polish government demands war reparations from Germany
By Clara Weiss, 22 August 2017
Especially since the inauguration of US president Donald Trump, the relations between Warsaw and Berlin have considerably deteriorated.
Youth clashes with police in Paris suburbs point to explosive social tensions
By Francis Dubois, 22 August 2017
The incidents at Aulnay-sous-Bois point to growing tensions between police and the population of the estate where police sexually assaulted a youth in February.
A letter from a reader on social conditions and the Fiat workers’ strike in Serbia
5 August 2017
The WSWS received a letter from a reader describing the social situation facing workers and the rural population in Serbia today.
After sellout of Fiat-Chrysler Serbia walkout unions agree to three-year strike ban
By Markus Salzmann, 29 July 2017
The contract signed by the unions and backed by the Serbian government is designed to maintain the country as a cheap labour platform for transnational corporations like FCA.
After Trump visit to Poland: PiS government adopts new authoritarian measures
By Clara Weiss, 24 July 2017
Less than three weeks after Trump’s visit, the ruling PiS has pushed through legislation that will place the judicial system under its control.
Union shuts down Serb auto strike
By Verena Nees, 22 July 2017
The unions shut down the strike after it had inspired workers at other factories to engage in job action and won widespread sympathy within the Serb population.
The importance of the VW Strike in Slovakia
By Ulrich Rippert, 1 July 2017
Auto workers at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava, Slovakia resumed work at the beginning of this week. Eight thousand of the 12,300 workers at the plant had struck for six days and paralyzed production.
Amid threat of US-Russia clash in Syria
NATO warplane buzzes jet carrying Russian defense minister over Baltic Sea
By Barry Grey, 22 June 2017
Any one of the virtually daily NATO-Russian encounters in the air could result in a fire-fight or collision, whether by intention or accident, which could quickly ignite a full-scale war between nuclear powers.
Over 8,000 VW autoworkers launch unlimited strike in Slovakia
By Dietmar Henning, 22 June 2017
The autoworkers are engaged in the first strike since VW began operations in the Eastern European country in 1991.
Trump’s visit to Poland: A return to the pre-war Intermarium strategy
By Clara Weiss, 17 June 2017
Trump’s visit is a clear signal that the US is increasingly relying on an alliance with Eastern European countries in face of mounting tensions with Germany and France.
Bulgaria: New government to include fascist parties
By Markus Salzmann, 20 April 2017
The right-wing conservative GERB party has agreed to form a coalition with an alliance of fascist parties known as United Patriots (UP).
Russian truckers’ strike enters third week amid police crackdown
By Clara Weiss, 10 April 2017
Finding support among broad layers of Russia’s impoverished population, the strike reflects the social tensions building up under conditions of deepening economic and political crisis.
European powers extend offensive against Russia into Balkans
By Paul Mitchell, 14 March 2017
The contemporary conflicts and tensions in the Balkans increasingly echo the period before the First World War over a century ago.
Germany deploys troops to Lithuania in NATO build-up against Russia
By Johannes Stern, 8 February 2017
The German-led battle group is the first German battalion in Eastern Europe since the Wehrmacht’s war of annihilation against the Soviet Union during the Second World War.
Amid anti-Russia media campaign
First permanent deployment of US troops on Russian border since Cold War
By Andre Damon, 16 January 2017
Some 4,000 US troops, together with tanks, artillery and armored vehicles, arrived in Poland over the weekend, further escalating tensions with Russia ahead of the inauguration of Trump.
New report documents extreme poverty in Poland
By Clara Weiss, 11 January 2017
The report reveals the miserable living conditions facing broad sections of the working class and the peasant population who lack access to basic elements of civilization.
Devastating HIV epidemic hits Russia
By Clara Weiss, 10 January 2017
A quarter century after the dissolution of the USSR in December 1991, an HIV epidemic, closely bound up with massive heroin consumption, is raging in Russia.
In wake of Trump election, Baltic states push for military build-up against Russia
By Markus Salzmann, 25 November 2016
The leaders of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are demanding EU members drastically increase their military spending.
Polish bourgeoisie divided over US election
By Dorota Niemitz and Clara Weiss, 15 November 2016
Sharp divisions in the reaction to Donald Trump’s election victory exposed differences over foreign policy among Poland’s ruling elites.
Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine
By Jason Melanovski, 15 November 2016
The recent period has seen a spike in hostilities in the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
NATO announces largest troop deployments against Russia since Cold War
By Alex Lantier, 8 November 2016
On the eve of the US election, NATO officials announced plans to place hundreds of thousands of troops on alert for military action against Russia.
New York Times promotes war hysteria over Estonia
By Bill Van Auken, 2 November 2016
The Times piece amounts to war propaganda, echoing the hysterical claims of the Baltic states that a Russian invasion is imminent and glorifying the legacy of Nazism.
Hungary: Right-wing commemoration of 60th anniversary of workers’ uprising
By Markus Salzmann, 28 October 2016
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising with a nationalist tirade against immigrants.
Poland: Tens of thousands protest proposed anti-abortion bill
By Clara Weiss, 5 October 2016
If passed, the bill would implement a ban on abortions, including for minors and victims of rape.
Hungary’s anti-refugee referendum fails after low turnout
By Markus Salzmann, 3 October 2016
The refugee referendum marked the high point of a vicious anti-refugee campaign waged by the Hungarian government and the entire European Union.
Pentagon chief outlines preparations for nuclear war with Russia
By Bill Van Auken, 28 September 2016
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter delivered a chilling speech in favor of nuclear escalation to US Air Force personnel in charge of launching strategic bomber and missile attacks.
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