Experts & Staff

Andrew Wilson

Senior Policy Fellow

Areas of expertise

Ukraine; comparative politics of democratisation in the post-Soviet states; political technology

Languages

English, Russian, Ukrainian, some Belarusian, conversational French

Biography

Andrew Wilson is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. His topics of focus include Ukraine, comparative politics of democratisation in the post-Soviet states, and political technology

Wilson is Professor in Ukrainian Studies at University College London. His book Ukraine Crisis: What the West Needs to Know was published by Yale in October 2014 in the UK and in November in the USA. He has worked extensively on the comparative politics of the post-Soviet states since 1990. His other books include Belarus: The Last European Dictatorship (2011), The Ukrainians: Unexpected Nation (Third edition, 2009), Ukraine’s Orange Revolution (2005) and Virtual Politics: Faking Democracy in the Post-Soviet World  (2005).

An election in Belarus: How the West could support a marginalised opposition

In the run-up to a difficult election for President Alexander Lukashenka, the three main opposition candidates have been excluded from the vote and there have been mass arrests. Western countries should try to deter further repression in Belarus without isolating the country.

The least predictable Belarusian election in decades

The Belarusian presidential election campaign features at least three candidates the government cannot control or ignore – all of whom have the potential to reach a broad audience. 

Ukraine and the oligarchs: Endless delays to reform

The coronavirus has hit Ukraine hard, but the IMF has promised the country less funding than seemed likely only months ago. Self-interested oligarchs are delaying necessary new reforms and pushing back against those Ukraine has already made. 

The coronavirus in Eastern Europe: Avoiding another Chernobyl

Eastern Europe has so far not seen an outbreak of the coronavirus as severe as that in the west of the continent. But the situation…

Crimea: Russia’s newest Potemkin Village

Grand projects funded by Russia can do little to cover up the lopsided and inadequate economy and infrastructure that Crimeans are now living with

Europe’s duty to help protect Crimean Tatars

Crimean Tatars face increasing repression by Russian authorities, but divisions on cooperation with Moscow or Kiev, as well as internal leadership disputes, have hindered a unified response. Europe must advocate for Crimean Tatars' rights despite these challenges. 

Happy Christmas, Ukraine

On 7 January, Ukrainians celebrated a double-holiday: Orthodox Christmas and the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox church

Publications

Articles

Democracy under siege: Tackling Russian interference in Moldova

Moldova’s recent local elections faced unprecedented levels of Russian interference. In the lead up to the presidential election next year, the EU should help Moldova counter these threats before it’s too late

Moldovan lessons for the Ukraine conflict

Relations between Moldova and Transnistria seem to be losing some of their traditional hostility. But, if Russia is in a hurry to achieve a public relations victory in Moldova, Chisinau will find it difficult to make progress in talks with the Transnistrian authorities.

Belarus and Armenia: How Russia handles uprisings

Russia’s goal in its neighbourhood is to regain influence, not to be surrounded by neutral, self-sufficient buffer states

Podcasts

Events

In the media