Sofiia Syzonenko is the Director of Europe Studies at Babel Institute. In this role, she leads the think tank’s research on democratic resilience, shifting geopolitical alliances, the rise of populism across the continent, conflict resolution, and the strategic implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine

Originally from Ukraine, Sofiia brings both regional insight and analytical expertise to her work. Her analysis on Russia’s foreign policy behavior and U.S.–Ukraine relations has been published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), including “The Limits of Russia’s Friendship: How Moscow Sees the Iran Crisis” and “The Road to Kyiv Must Not Run Through Washington.”

She previously worked in the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at CSIS and served as a Diplomatic Intern at the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia.

Sofiia is currently a junior at Amherst College, where she double majors in Political Science and History.