Ukraine – Dr Oliver Hartwich

An adverse reaction the Kremlin did not see coming

saint basil s cathedral and spasskaya tower in red square moscow russia

The strategic implications of Putin’s war against Ukraine keep evolving as the conflict enters its fourth month. As yet another unintended consequence, it has broken the anti-EU axis between Warsaw and Budapest. [...]

Putin’s war has changed the pacifist reflexes of Europe’s left

Of all the developments triggered by Putin’s war, the left's departure from pacifism may be the most surprising one. It will be interesting to see whether only the left in Europe will focus on security in this way. [...]

Bridges to Ukraine

green field under white and blue clouds during daytime

International junkets for public servants are not my cup of tea. But I will make an exception for the New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi. Let’s send their infrastructure team to Ukraine. [...]

The West is back

Putin’s war on Ukraine, and Zelensky’s heroism, force us all to take a stand. It leaves no room for neutrality, even if dressed up as an independent foreign policy. [...]

The economic consequences of the war

back view of people in street holding signs against the war in ukraine

Russia’s actions have set in motion a chain of events that could plunge the world into a serious economic crisis. [...]

No method in Putin’s madness

demonstrations in solidarity with ukraine

Putin’s attack on Ukraine was a complete miscalculation. But that now makes it our problem. [...]

Our generation’s historic challenge

protester holding sign with stop putin on it

We must rediscover the cultural and political foundations of our civilisation. It is the Enlightenment values of freedom and peace that we must defend against illiberalism, both at home and abroad. [...]

Russia has won the war without firing a single shot

Putin may have just built up the threat of an invasion as a bluff. And why would he now want to risk economic sanctions following a war when he has already achieved his major objectives without one? [...]