Dr Aldo Zammit Borda was an invited expert and panellist of ‘The Future of Central and East European Studies in the Light of Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine’ conference.
By Dr Shamim Quadir (Senior Communications Officer), Published
Dr Aldo Zammit Borda, Reader in Law at The City Law School, was an invited expert and panellist on day three of 'The Future of Central and East European Studies in the Light of Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine' conference, which was held 17 – 19 October in Warsaw,
The conference examined the effects of Russia’s invasion on Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on political, economic, and cultural dimensions.
Organised by the Pilecki Institute and Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, among others, the event brought together scholars, policymakers, and experts from various disciplines to explore how Russia's war has reshaped the region's political landscape and academic discourse.
Dr Zammit Borda highlighted the role of international criminal tribunals, such as the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals, in incorporating significant historical aspects within their fact-finding missions, which are essential for delivering justice.
He emphasised that while these tribunals have contributed to our understanding of the histories of the conflicts and, especially, the extent and types of crimes committed, the narratives they construct are inherently limited.
Dr Zammit Borda argued that they focus exclusively on aspects relevant to criminal responsibility, omitting other important narratives, such as acts of heroism that fall outside their jurisdiction.
For instance, he shared that figures like Witold Pilecki, despite their courageous contributions during World War II, may not feature prominently in the tribunals' historical records due to this narrow focus.
Moreover, Dr Zammit Borda argued that tribunals are constrained by their jurisdiction—subject-matter, personal, geographic, and temporal—which creates blind spots in the historical accounts they produce.
The conference delved into several critical themes arising from Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Key discussions centred on NATO and the European Union's responses, including shifts from Cold War-era containment strategies to persistent engagement, reflecting NATO's evolving role in defending Eastern Europe's security and economic interests.
The European Union's reconfiguration of energy and migration policies due to the war was also a major focus, particularly the accelerated shift towards renewable energy and the challenges of addressing the refugee crisis.
Participants examined the war’s impact on historical narratives in Belarus and Ukraine, highlighting the tension between state-controlled histories and emerging civil society perspectives.
The conference also explored how the conflict has spurred innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Eastern Europe, emphasizing digitalization and cross-border cooperation.
Additionally, migration policies were underscored as central to the EU's response, given the mass displacement of people from Ukraine and the resultant pressures on host countries like Poland.
Energy security discussions stressed the need for stability and collaboration with Ukraine to ensure a sustainable energy future amid rising inflation and economic challenges.
Overall, the conference provided a comprehensive analysis of how Russia’s war is reshaping the political, economic, and cultural landscape of Central and Eastern Europe. The discussions underscored the region's resilience in the face of external threats and highlighted the importance of academic collaboration in understanding and addressing these complex regional challenges.
Dr Zammit Borda reflected: