I Like / I Dislike Week 12 [20241214-20241220]

Every Monday, the CERESE publishes the assessment of the previous week’s news by the Research Trainees:

I like Cyprus’s efforts in joining the Schengen Area. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus announced the establishment of a dedicated working group to accelerate the necessary processes among the governmental organizations. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to meeting the strict criteria of the Schengen mechanism, ensuring border security and data exchange. Joining the Schengen Area will enhance Cyprus’s connectivity with the rest of Europe, facilitating free movement, and boosting its tourism and business profile. However, the accession requires substantial preparation in infrastructure and technology, a challenge that the working group is expected to address effectively.

I dislike the assassination of Russian General Kirillov by Ukraine. On 16 December, the internal intelligence service of Ukraine, known as the SBU, charged Kirillov with using prohibited chemical weapons on the Ukrainian front and proceeded to assassinate him the next day. The agency claimed that the general was a war criminal and a legitimate target. Beyond this incident, however, Kirillov’s example is not the only one, as the SBU’s activity is extensive on Russian soil and its goals are always of a high level. The SBU’s actions are a telling example of a country choosing to take justice into its own hands rather than following the established rules of International Law and letting the International Criminal Court trial Kirillov as a war criminal. Such actions tarnish Ukraine’s image on the international stage, while it is expected to provoke Russia’s most established response, in other words a missile attack against civilians.

The aforementioned opinions are those of their respective authors and they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Institute of International Relations or its Researchers.