News
Civil society as a bridge: Ukrainian CSO's advocacy efforts in the Nordic-Baltic region
02 October 2025
Ukrainian civil society groups across Northern Europe are doing vital, but often invisible, work to support both displaced Ukrainians and advocacy for Ukraine. A new policy brief by Anna Anisimova (SITE) and Alina Zubkovych (NUF) explore how these groups operate, where they struggle, and how governments could better support their efforts.
How trust, not values, shaped Ukraine鈥檚 East - West divide before the war
25 September 2025
Just weeks before Russia鈥檚 2022 full-scale invasion, a nationwide survey showed that while Eastern Ukrainians were more skeptical of democracy and EU integration, they didn鈥檛 reject liberal values like LGBT rights or personal freedoms more than those in western Ukraine. This policy brief analysis, published by Anders Olofsg氓rd (SITE) and Cecilia Smitt Meyer (SITE), uses this snapshot of Ukraine to show that the real divide wasn鈥檛 values鈥攊t was trust in institutions.
Why frozen Russian assets may be Ukraine鈥檚 best bet
18 June 2025
As Ukraine continues to defend itself and rebuild from war, one idea is gaining traction: seize Russia鈥檚 frozen assets to help foot the bill. This policy brief, by Anders Olofsg氓rd, Deputy Director of SITE, explores legal and economic arguments that support the case for turning these resources into a long-term support fund for Ukraine鈥檚 recovery.
Can AI save our energy systems before it鈥檚 too late?
04 June 2025
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant dream in the energy sector鈥攊t鈥檚 already reshaping how power is generated, distributed, and consumed. This new policy brief, published by the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) offers insights from SITE Energy Talk 2025 on how AI is helping countries like Ukraine, Sweden, and those in the Baltics build more flexible, efficient, and resilient energy systems.
Russia鈥檚 counter-sanctions: Defending or damaging its economy?
13 May 2025
Russia鈥檚 attempt to fight back against international sanctions is steering its economy toward more government control and less competition. This new policy brief analysis, by Anna Anisimova from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), reveals how measures meant to protect the economy are instead tightening state grip on industries, stifling growth, and threatening fiscal stability.
Russia's car crisis: What the auto market reveals about a fragile wartime economy
06 May 2025
Russia's car market is struggling under the weight of war, sanctions, and inflation鈥攁nd it's starting to show deeper cracks in the country鈥檚 economy. A new policy brief from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) reveals how the decline in new car sales tells a broader story about weakening household finances and growing financial risks.
Why Sweden鈥檚 new green energy strategy could be riskier than it looks
28 April 2025
Sweden has shifted its climate policy from carbon taxes to big investments in nuclear energy, but this new approach may create financial and environmental risks. A new SITE policy brief analysis explores why carbon pricing and green industrial policy should work together鈥攏ot separately.
Sweden鈥檚 missing piece in helping Ukraine: Supporting Ukrainians who are already here
07 April 2025
Sweden has given strong support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia鈥檚 invasion鈥攂ut there鈥檚 been far less attention on the Ukrainians who鈥檝e fled to Sweden. A new policy brief shows that these displaced people face unclear rights and limited support, which makes it harder for them to rebuild their lives and contribute to both Swedish society and Ukraine鈥檚 future.
Does war bring people together or drive them apart? A new study explores the effects of violence on society
10 March 2025
War reshapes societies, but does it make people more cooperative or more divided? A new policy brief from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) explores how exposure to violence affects social trust, cooperation, and political engagement. The findings have important implications for Ukraine鈥檚 future, particularly its path toward EU membership.
Baltic states cut energy ties with Russia, but new risks emerge
04 March 2025
The Baltic states officially severed their energy ties with Russia and Belarus on February 7, 2025, successfully desynchronizing from the BRELL electricity network without experiencing blackouts. However, recent cable disruptions in the Baltic Sea have raised new energy security concerns, underscoring the need to diversify and decentralize power systems. A new SITE policy brief analyzes the challenges and lessons learned from this transition and compares it to Ukraine鈥檚 energy resilience.