The British government’s decision last week to ban all Huawei equipment from its 5G infrastructure by 2027 is likely to delay the network’s activation, but the much bigger impact is on international relations.

Russia’s far east has started early voting in a July 1 referendum that could extend Vladimir Putin’s term in the Kremlin.  While the ballot is being seen primarily through the lens of Russian domestic politics, it could have profound implications for foreign policy too. 

Just as Europe gets over the peak of the coronavirus crisis, a second major shock could be on the horizon. As a new Brexit crisis brews between London and Brussels, talks could collapse in May or June.