Belarusian Review

In Central and Eastern Europe the year 2014 was dominated by the Ukrainian events. The Russian annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea in March had not only changed the region’s legal status but also seriously confronted the fundamental principles and norms of international law. The region of Central and Eastern Europe is often viewed through its geographic location between the European Union and Russia, and perceived as an object of geopolitical competition among these two “centers of gravity in Europe”. After the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea, Belarus remains the only Eastern Partnership (EaP) country free from any kind of conflict related to ethnic or territorial issues. Belarus’ relations with the EU and participation in the Eurasian Union are featured in this issue of the Belarusian Review. Another topic we focus on in this issue is the 2015 presidential election in Belarus. Although their results may seem predictable, the elections will be held in somewhat different geopolitical environment. With this regard, the political and economic rhetoric determined by the current geopolitical configurations in the region require closer attention and thorough assessments.