Our visit to Gdańsk will be related to Poland’s being at the forefront of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the proximity of Kaliningrad Oblast, and security developments in the Baltic Sea. Gdańsk, together with nearby Gdynia, is a major city with a rich history and an exciting present. It witnessed the birth of the Solidarity movement in 1980, which initiated the fall of the Iron Curtain. Today, it is one of Poland’s most open and democratic cities and a major maritime transport hub. Gdynia, on the other hand, is the main Polish naval base. Both cities and their surroundings host a number of universities, museums, and other cultural institutions, offering a good balance between academic and social activities.
Tour Objectives
- Learn about recent security developments in the Baltic Sea Region and, more broadly, Central and Eastern Europe
- Get a feeling of how close Russia and Russian military is by talking to professionals (academicians, military officers, think-tankers) in the field
- Understand the reasoning behind Finland’s and Sweden’s decision to join NATO
Possible Activities
- A trip to to the Polish-Russian border near Braniewo and a visit to a military unit there
- Separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian diasporas in the area
- Visit the Vistula Spit to see the canal connecting the Baltic Sea and the Vistula Lagoon, which is a response to Russia blocking maritime traffic in the area