BFPG’s February Review

February has been a month of milestones, with the most notable being the 2nd anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The day was marked across the world as well as in Kyiv, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was joined by the leaders of Canada, Italy, Belgium and the European Commission. Director Evie Aspinall has written a piece on whether the West can maintain support for Ukraine as the war enters its third year.

Last Wednesday also marked Lord Cameron’s 100-day anniversary of being Foreign Secretary. Since his appointment, Cameron has kept up a rapid tempo of travel, visiting the Middle East no less than four times, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Two Years On: Can the West Maintain Support for Ukraine?

When Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he expected a short and swift victory. Two years on, he remains embroiled in a conflict that has claimed the lives of 31,000 civilians and inflicted over $150 billion worth of damage in Ukraine. BFPG Director Evie Aspinall explores whether the West can maintain support for Ukraine, and where might be next for the ongoing conflict.

A Trump Foreign Policy: Time to Get Real?

Looking across the Atlantic, David Landsman explores Donald Trump’s recent provocative rhetoric towards NATO allies and what foreign policy approach might underly Trump’s intemperate remarks, and what the trends behind this commentary might mean for the UK.

The Indonesian Election: Implications for the UK

In the latest article of BFPG’s 2024 Election Series, Luc Parrot, Director for the Indo-Pacific desk at London Politica, explores the outcome of Indonesia’s recent presidential election, and considers some of the implications for the UK.

Diplomatic Hour: In Conversation with the London Diplomatic Corps

In February we hosted our first two public events in our Diplomatic Hour series, with His Excellency Mr Karel van Oosterom, Ambassador of the Netherlands, and His Excellency Mr Bernhard Wrabetz, Ambassador of Austria.