Modern Moldovan policy considers the geopolitical realities associated primarily with the military conflict in Ukraine. In the context of Russia’s Special Military Operation, the Moldovan side has intensified its foreign policy, which is aimed at expanding cooperation with the Western states. The decision of Ukraine to stop the transit of Russian gas through its territory has given Chisinau an additional leverage over Transnistria, which depends on gas imports. The Moldovan authorities have two goals. The first one is to exert pressure on Transnistria in order to realize the strategy of reducing the autonomy of Tiraspol. The second one is to implement plans for the reintegration of the two parts of the country. Economic and political pressure on Transnistria is carried out with the support of the EU, which backed Kiev in cancelling the transit of Russian gas and does not interfere in the interaction between Chisinau and Tiraspol. Additionally, the issue of gas supplies plays a big role in the relations between Moldova and Transnistria, as both Chisinau and the unrecognized republic depend on gas. Until the end of 2024, Moldova received electricity generated in Transnistria on the basis of cheap Russian gas. Furthermore, since the beginning of 2025, Moldova has aggravated relations with Gagauzia, whose position regarding the internal and external political courses of the country causes dissatisfaction in Chisinau. The article concludes that the strategy of the Moldovan authorities has led to the growth of domestic political conflict and increased geopolitical tension in the Western part of the post-Soviet area. the Eurasian area has a long-term basis and meets the interests of Moscow. 

The world is experiencing crisis systemic transitional transformations. The asymmetry of existing strategic potentials and balances of power is increasing. Accordingly, the antagonistic variability of geopolitical approaches to reformatting the world order is expanding. The previous conflictogenicity has abruptly passed into the stage of a tough confrontation, fraught with a rapid increase in interdependent risks – military-strategic, geopolitical, geoeconomic. The axial lines of confrontation/rivalry between the USA and Russia, the USA and China, integrated Europe and Russia are becoming increasingly contrasting, on which acute conflict divisions and splits in the Middle East are superimposed. A dangerous military-political arc has formed around Russia through the targeted efforts of the united West led by the USA. The clearly expressed internationalization of the Ukrainian crisis has actually turned into a hybrid war of the West against Russia. The natural aspiration of Russia, like any country, to protect national and state interests, strengthen its spiritual and historical heritage, and expand its cultural and civilizational presence in the world is viewed with caution and suspicion by the US government and the countries that blindly orient themselves toward them, as a kind of marginal challenge to all of humanity and an encroachment on the value foundations of civilizational development. 

This article explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on energy security, defined as reducing the vulnerability of critical energy systems. It analyzes existing AI-driven initiatives in the energy sector, including demand forecasting, intelligent energy system management, grid infrastructure optimization, and predictive maintenance. Special attention is given to issues of digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, as dependence on foreign technological solutions may pose additional risks to energy stability.

One of the promising directions proposed in the article is the Caspian Digital InformationAnalytical Platform, designed to integrate data on energy production, transportation, and consumption in the region. AI implementation within this platform will enable real-time analysis of energy flows, identification of potential crises, and promotion of sustainable energy system development among Caspian states.

The article emphasizes that the successful digital transformation of the energy sector requires a comprehensive approach, including the development of digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and professional training programs. The advancement of regional AI-based energy resource management platforms may become a crucial step toward establishing a global energy security architecture that combines reliability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. 

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the countries of the South Caucasus faced a complex transformation of political processes. The process of state building in these countries took place against the backdrop of painful armed conflicts, socio-economic problems, and total poverty. Despite the fact that the movement towards democratic principles, as well as the development of a market economy, became a priority for regional states, nevertheless, crises in various spheres of public life, security issues, and the lack of experience in statehood led to the development of authoritarian tendencies in all three South Caucasian states. This article is devoted to the study of political processes in the countries of the South Caucasus at the present stage. Special attention is paid to the internal political struggle in Georgia, which has intensified over the past decade. The socio-political processes in Armenia leading to the development of an internal political crisis are analyzed. The author concludes that in Azerbaijan there is virtually no rivalry between individual political forces, since all powers are concentrated in the hands of the president, who year after year deepens his authoritarian control over the country. 

The article analyzes the main political and economic challenges to the left-wing PSOE-Sumar coalition government formed in 2023. The paper characterizes the positions of the ruling bloc and assesses the influence the Catalan and Basque nationalist parties have on the decision-making process in the Spanish Parliament. In particular, the risks for the central authorities after the adoption of the amnesty law for Catalan separatists in 2024 are highlighted. Additionally, foreign policy factors influencing the development of Spain are revealed. Special attention is paid to the group of socio-economic challenges on the agenda of the Kingdom. The article gives an overview of the main macroeconomic indicators of the country in 2023, underscores problem areas and presents possible directions for improving the economic policy. The research also compares the legal basis of the Spanish and Ukrainian territorial structure in terms of interaction between the center and regions. The author emphasizes the limited capacity of the Ukrainian regions to protect their interests in the political process of the country. The paper concludes with an assessment of the medium-term prospects for Pedro Sanchez’s coalition government. 

This article reviews the Black Sea policy vector of Bulgaria after its admission to the European Union. EU enlargement to the East in 2007 changed the views of the Black Sea region as a key strategic point, including the attitude of the Union itself. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU gave the Black Sea a status of «European sea», making it the eastern border of the Union. This change underlined the importance of the region in the context of European policy and security. The article analyzes the main areas of foreign policy of Bulgaria in Black Sea, including strengthening cross-border cooperation, integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures and ensuring maritime and energy security. The aim of the study is to determine the role and place of Bulgaria in the region. This paper is based on the analysis of official documents and scientific publications. The conclusion reached was that the Black Sea region is of increasing importance for the Republic of Bulgaria due to its obligations to protect the external borders of NATO and the EU, as well as the potential of energy resources extraction on the continental shelf. Officially Sofia considers the Black Sea in the context of European and Euro-Atlantic interest, seeking to deepen the cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and security.