Contact us
eastern.circles@gmail.com
Messenger
Mail
OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ON UKRAINE'S RECONSTRUCTION


Geoeconomics

think tank

Last Newsletter about Candidate for Ukraine's Ministry of Defence

WHO WE ARE
Eastern Circles is an independent geoeconomics think tank exploring the links between business and government in the post-Soviet region. We analyse companies and government strategies in the energy and security sectors, including market intelligence, company strategy, regulatory environment, and country strategies of using business as means to reach political ends.

Eastern Circles acts as a catalyst between the regional and Western experts, bringing them together through conferences and analytical work. We are an independent non-profit association (1901) and do not represent any state or business interest.

WHAT WE DO
Conferences
Explore the upcoming episodes from our Defense & Security and Ukraine Reconstruction discussion seasons
Research
Check out our projects and publications in partner magazines: Diplomatie, The Conversation, and many more
Training
Stay tuned for a series of training seminars on doing business in the region.
Latest publications
What Prigozhin’s death teaches us about Russia❓

The reported death of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who was turned by Putin into the official head of Russian paramilitary Wagner Group, tells us five things about the possible processes inside Russian politics:


1.

It shows that Putin stays in the tradition to punish the traitors: Prigozhin received the same treatment as Alexandr Litvinenko, poisoned by Novichok in London, or as any of Wagner’s own worriers, whose heads were smashed with sledgehammer on suspicions of treason. His murder was expected by many analysis since the failed march on Moscow in June. It has also proved wrong all other experts arguing that Prigozhin was forgiven because he had never planned to dethrone Putin and because Putin never gives up “his own”. The opposite is true: Prigozhin stated his goals clearly and publicly before the failed coup, and they were rightly understood by the Kremlin, weakening Putin, and have received a worthy response, in a typical show of “strength” by the Russian leader.


2.

Elimination of Prigozhin also proves that albeit he was “socially close” to Putin, he is not and has never been part of the “elites”. Nevertheless, it sends a powerful signal to the Russian elites. Within the chapter of under-the-carpet dog fighting, Prigozhin’s death is a clear victory of Valery Gerassimov and Sergei Shoigu, and a blow to Prigozhin’s supporters and backers.


3.

More important in this regard is the death on the same plane of Dmitry Utkin, who, unlike Yevgeniy Prigozhin, is considered one of the original founders of Wagner and who comes out of the Russian military intelligence forces GRU. His death may mark a departure from Kremlin’s solid tradition not to punish “their own”. The more interesting are the identities of the other passengers on the plane. The death of Prigozhin and Utkin will certainly constipate the atmosphere within the Russian elites. For if they have been eliminated, why would their higher-sitting bosses keep their positions? It also shows that the priorities of the Kremlin have shifted from foreign policy to internal affairs, which is good news for Ukraine and is bound to further impact Russia’s military performance in the war.


4.

These two deaths also raise the question about the future of Wagner, which is most likely to be sucked into other Russian PMC’s and probably the army, weakening the group’s performance, military and political significance, and appeal.


5.

Finally, elimination of at least two leaders of Russian most reputable para-military group has provoked speculations about possible reaction by the Russian population. Seeing how indifferent large masses of the Russians have turned out to be toward the war in general, and considering that Prigozhin ditched thousands of his supporters when he suddenly stopped his march, a popular or military uprising because of Prigozhin’s death seems most likely to be tamed to the margins of Telegram channels. But who knows? We are talking Russia in August…



LAST EVENTS
How to end Russia’s war on Ukraine?
Conference with Chatham House and National Union of Journalists
July 12, 2023

Ukraine at the heart of Europe
Meeting with Oleksandra Matviichuk, Peace Nobel Prize
Friday, June 30th, 6pm
Balkan Dialogues: How to Achieve Energy Security of Western Balkans?

8-9 May 2022
The French Senate, Paris, by Foundation BFPE, the Atlantic Council et VoisinageS
Russia sanctions’ reach and consequences for the post-Soviet states: Central Asia, the Caucasus and Belarus (Zoom)
17 May 2022, 17:00-18:00 CET
Reviewing European energy priorities in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine: 

2 June 2022, 9:00-12:00
Lithuanian Embassy in France
In-person closed event
The role of energy business in Russian foreign policy: natural gas, oil, nuclear, and electricity sectors 
13-14 June 2022
Tartu University Annual Conference, Estonia
The war in Ukraine and the changing face of defense geoeconomics in the post-Soviet region
16 June 2022, 15:00-16:00
Eurosatory Annual Conference, Paris
OUR TEAM
  • Anastasiya Shapochkina
    President
  • Rodolphe Oberle
    Secretary General
  • Daryna-Maryna Patiuk
    Director of Communications
  • Elina Sverdlova
    Chief Content Editor, International Health and Development Expert, Ukraine-Africa.
  • Charlotte Souyris
    Analyst
  • Sebastian Linke
    Analyst
Our Partners
They trusted us