ANU Centre for European Studies

📣 New article!

Should Ukraine give up territory in pursuit of peace?

Jon Richardson — Soviet history expert, former Australian diplomat, and CES Visiting Fellow — explores this pressing question in his latest article.

He examines why the acquisition of territory through war has been considered taboo since the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations, and what that principle means for current debates on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Since WWII, it’s been taboo to force nations to cede land after war. Russia wants to normalise conquest again Territorial concessions used to be common after wars. The formation of the UN after WWII was meant to put an end to this.

🇳🇨 🇫🇷 New article!

What was meant to be a breakthrough for New Caledonia’s future is already on the brink.

Just weeks after independence and loyalist leaders struck the Bougival Accord in Paris with President Macron — promising a new kind of state within France — the pro-independence FLNKS has formally rejected it.

Read the latest update by our visiting fellow Denise Fisher, former Australian General Consul in Noumea.

New Caledonia peace plan stumbles at the first hurdle | Lowy Institute The main pro-independence coalition has rejected an accord struck in Paris.

📣 New analysis: a turning point for New Caledonia?

A breakthrough in negotiations might finally see progress towards settling the long-running question of New Caledonia’s political status.

However, much work remains to implement the agreement and prevent a recurrence of the violence that has plagued New Caledonia over the past year.

🇳🇨 Read the full analysis from our Visiting Fellow Denise Fisher (former Australian General Consul in Noumea) at the link below.

New Caledonia’s Bougival Accord offers path beyond independence deadlock | Lowy Institute Voters in the French territory must now decide at a 2026 referendum whether to accept dual citizenship and statehood within France.

🇳🇨 Historic news for New Caledonia!

France has announced a historic agreement with New Caledonia where it will remain French but be declared a new state, with its own international relations powers. It’s a significant step toward resolving long-standing tensions, including the deadly riots which broke out late last year.

Our Visiting Fellow Denise Fisher (former Australian General Consul in Noumea) joined ABC Radio's RN program to discuss the latest.

Listen to the full clip at the link below.



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