A Serverroom: A long row of servers on the left and right in an industrial hall
The order to halt all cyber operations against Russia marks a stark departure from the previous administration’s cybersecurity strategy. | Photo: Ismail Enes Ayhan via Plattform Unsplash | Unsplash Lizenz

US Halts Defensive Cyber Activities Against Russia: A Digital ‘Withdrawal’ from Europe

In a major shift in U.S. cybersecurity policy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt all planning against Russia, including offensive cyber operations. This policy change, made behind closed doors, represents a significant reversal of the approach taken under the Biden administration, which had identified Russia and China as the most significant intelligence threats to the United States. The decision aligns with the broader foreign policy direction of the Trump administration, which aims to “de-escalate” tensions with Russia, though it seems to be more of an appeasement. And this policy shift obviously comes at the expense of national and allied security, as has become frighteningly clear in recent days with the example of the – one can hardly call it anything else – ‘blackmail’ of Ukraine, which was temporarily denied military and intelligence support by the US.

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A colourful mural with five pictures of famous women like Angela Davis, Virginia Woolf or Rigoberta Menchi and quotes. Above, the headline reads Feministes I Rebels.
“The displacement triggered by the 2022 conflict underscored that women’s strength lies in networking”, says Olena Zinenko.| Photo: designfactory via Unsplash | Unsplash Lizenz

On International Women’s Day: Feminist Peace Perspectives for Ukraine

February 24 marked the third anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Various options for peace are being debated internationally, often without focusing on Ukrainian perspectives and interests. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, PRIF researcher Clara Perras conducted a written Interview with Olena Zinenko, a Ukrainian feminist peace activist and researcher from Kharkiv who currently lives and works in Bochum. She is lecturer at Karazin Kharkiv National University (online), guest researcher in IFHV Ruhr University Bochum and project coordinator at KRF “Public Alternative”.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking at MSC.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking on “Defiance and Diplomacy: Prospects for Ukraine's Future” at the Munich Security Conference 2025. | Photo: MSC/Kuhlmann

From Munich to Munich? Three Years of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

Three years ago, in Ukraine, I was awoken at 4:45 am by a frightening noise unlike anything I had ever heard. I stared into the darkness behind the window and told myself: it’s not true, it’s not a war, it’s just military exercises. Yet the nightmare of Russia’s full-scale military invasion was real and continues to this day. Since then, Ukrainians have been standing, fighting, and defending themselves, resisting not only Russia but also prophesies of disaster and efforts to undermine support for Kyiv. Despite this, the Ukrainian army still stands and it holds the key to the future.

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Zelensky and Macron look at Trump, who turns slightly, Macron grabs Trump's arm.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace, December 2024. | Photo: EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED BADRA

How a Sustainable Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine Could be Reached

The Trump administration’s recent actions have left many uncertain about the prospects and trajectory of the Russo-Ukrainian war. False certainties and anxious interpretations abound. However, some clear tendencies have emerged from Trump’s first few months in office as well as from his last term. Europe’s leaders, while trapped between Trump’s geopolitical flailing, Putin’s ongoing war efforts, and a continent-wide surge in nationalist sentiments, have options at their disposal that could significantly shape upcoming decisions. A lot is at stake, and the time to act is now.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy sitting at a conference desk and speaking into a microphone. In front of him on the desk is a nameplate with "UKRAINE" written on it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the UN Security Council Ukraine Open Debate at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. | Photo: Kirsty O'Connor/Cabinet Office via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0

Is Lawfare Fair? Russia’s Illegal War and the International System

The search for recognised political legitimacy and legality is integral to states which take part in the international system. As Moscow’s acts of aggression continue in Ukraine, the international community has not been able to end the war, nor appropriately address its illegality. With Russia’s actions strictly going against international law, the use of legal means to lock-in the status quo has been a key part of the Russian war strategy. This blog conceptualises lawfare and contextualises its uses by Russia at the UN level.

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Im Bildvordergrund ist ein Denkmal: Das Denkmal besteht aus den Skulpturen eines Jungen und eines Mädchens in Form von Engeln mit verbrannten Flügeln, die über einen Granitblock fliegen, der eine Explosion darstellt. Im Hintergrund sind Bäume und ein Gebäude zu sehen.
Das Monument der verstorbenen Kinder wurde am 4. Juni 2023 eingeweiht – dem Internationalen Tag der unschuldigen Kinder, die Opfer von Aggression geworden sind. | Foto: President of Ukraine via flickr | CC0 1.0

Die Wahlprogramme zu Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine

Kein Krieg prägt derzeit die europäische Politik so sehr wie die russische Aggression gegen die Ukraine. Viele Parteien halten es für wichtig, in ihren Programmen zur Bundestagswahl festzuhalten, wie sie zu diesem Konflikt und dessen Protagonisten stehen. Dieser Beitrag verschafft einen einordnenden Überblick über die Positionen derjenigen Parteien, denen Umfragen realistische Chancen geben, mindestens mit Gruppenstärke in den Bundestag einzuziehen.

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Eine große Gruppe Menschen mit Plakaten, die die Ukraine-Flagge zeigen, laufen links nebem einem Fluss entlang. Im Hintergrund ist das Gebäude des Deutschen Bundestags mit der Glaskuppen zu sehen.
Gerade in Zeiten des Krieges muss über Frieden reflektiert werden. | Foto: Folco Masi via Unsplash | Unsplash Lizenz

Frieden oder Sicherheit? Für ein „Mehr“ in den öffentlichen Debatten über den Ukraine-Krieg

Man kommt um den Frieden nicht herum, wenn man sich mit dem Krieg auseinandersetzt. Das ist vor allem mit Blick auf die wenig produktive Polarisierung zwischen sogenannten „Kriegstreibern“ und „Friedensträumern“ in der bundesrepublikanischen Diskurslandschaft notwendig. Die Polarisierung engt den Diskurs auf Sicherheit und Kriegstüchtigkeit ein. „Sicherheit“ und „Frieden“ schließen einander aber nicht aus. Wir plädieren entsprechend für ein „Mehr“ in den öffentlichen Debatten über den Ukraine-Krieg, das den Friedensbegriff wieder ins Zentrum der Debatten um eine zukünftige europäische Ordnung stellt. Kurzum: Politik und Wissenschaft müssen gerade in den Debatten über den Krieg auch mehr über den Frieden nachdenken.

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Two men sit on chairs and shake hands facing each other. American and Russian Flags in the background.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at a meeting in Finland, 16 July 2018. | Photo: © picture alliance/AP Photo | Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Reducing Nuclear Threats: Why Talks on Ending the War in Ukraine Should Include Agreements on Nuclear Risk Reduction

As the new U.S. administration pivots toward negotiating a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, the growing nuclear threat from Russia demands urgent attention. Drawing on Cold War history and negotiation research, this analysis highlights how arms control – formal or informal – can help curb nuclear risks even in the most volatile crises. German and transatlantic policy makers should therefore integrate practical arms control and risk reduction measures into ceasefire discussions to safeguard European security and prevent nuclear escalation.

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Ein Gebäude wird aus der Froschperspektive durch einen schwarzen Eisenzaun gezeigt. Auf dem Gebäude weht die russische Flagge.
Der Versuch, Frieden durch Verflechtung und Angleichung zu schaffen, ist im Fall Russlands gescheitert. | Foto: Friarsbalsam via flickr | CC BY 2.0

Von Verflechtung zu Koexistenz: Abgrenzung als Friedensstrategie nach dem Krieg gegen die Ukraine?

Krieg ist kein unvermeidbares Schicksal und eine friedliche Welt ist möglich – dieser Optimismus der Friedensforschung wird durch Russlands Angriffs- und Eroberungskrieg einer harten Bewährungsprobe ausgesetzt. Jenseits der drängenden Frage, wie der Krieg gegen die Ukraine beendet werden kann, stellt sich der Friedensforschung ein grundlegendes Problem: Wie kann eine wirklich friedliche Weltordnung heute überhaupt noch aussehen? Der Versuch, Frieden durch Verflechtung und Angleichung zu schaffen, ist im Fall Russlands gescheitert. Kann Frieden durch Abgrenzung eine tragfähige Alternative darstellen?

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A Nato Flag and a Swedish Flag
Russia’s escalating aggression since 2014 marked a turning point and led to Sweden officially joining NATO. March 18, 2024. | Photo: © picture alliance / Xinhua News Agency | Wei Xuechao

Sweden’s Accession to NATO: What Is behind the Decision?

Russia’s war against Ukraine has echoed in Northern Europe and in the Arctic, where Russia is one of the most influential actors. The region’s security landscape has been significantly transformed after Finland and Sweden, two countries that had previously preferred cooperation with NATO over full membership, joined the Alliance. Because Finland shares a common land border with Russia, its decision was met internationally with reserved understanding. Sweden, however, is in a comparatively unthreatened region, thus for actors outside Northern Europe it was an unexpected move. So, was Stockholm’s decision really surprising? Why did it happen, and what are the potential consequences?

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