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This week, the European Council held its major summit in Brussels, Belgium. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended in person to discuss Ukraine’s most urgent needs with EU leaders. The meeting resulted in several welcome and largely expected decisions — but one key issue remained unresolved: the proposal to use profits from Russia’s frozen assets to back a new loan for Ukraine. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what was decided during the summit, why the frozen funds remain such a complicated topic, and what it all means for Ukraine’s future support.     WHAT WAS AGREED UPON This section is really easy. All of the members of the EU including Slovakia’s Kremlin-leaning Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungary’s very much Kremlin-friendly Viktor Orbán agreed to these measures. However, Orbán was missing from the meeting for most of the time due to another engagement, which is fairly typical of his approach to EU discussions on Ukraine. They agreed to introduce the 19t...

Last week, we examined whether Ukraine might receive Tomahawk missiles from the United States. While Friday’s meeting didn’t deliver the outcome Kyiv had hoped for, the White House made it clear that the door isn’t fully closed—at least not yet. Maybe never, but Trump hasn't said it so far.  Still, Ukraine may have an ace up its sleeve: the Flamingo missile. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what these weapons are and whether they could change Ukraine’s fortunes—no matter what Trump decides on any given day. Or, whether he is influenced by Trump.  WHAT ARE THE FLAMINGO MISSILE? The Flamingo is a Ukrainian-developed long-range cruise missile created for precision strikes against strategic and tactical targets. Ukrainian sources report that it can reach distances of up to 3,000 kilometers, with a payload of 1,150 kilograms. It is understood to be a ground-launched system, giving Ukraine the ability to strike far beyond the front lines. The missile’s aerodynamic design is...

Now that the Israel–Gaza conflict has been “resolved,” attention is gradually shifting back to Ukraine. Unfortunately, the United States once again appears to be siding with the wrong side. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what has happened over the past few days and discuss the implications of these events. ANOTHER MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump. A key topic of discussion was whether the United States would agree to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The meeting ended without any firm commitments, which came as little surprise to observers. A day earlier, Trump had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the call, Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest for a future summit — a move that has raised concerns among U.S. allies about Washington’s current approach to the conflict. These developments have left many questioning the direction of American policy ...

There has been some discussion in the Finnish media about whether Ukrainians who have settled in Finland will return home once the war ends. Around 70% now say it’s unlikely they will go back. This number has steadily increased as the war has dragged on year after year. In this blog post, I want to reflect on what it means to be a war refugee in general. I don’t intend to focus on any specific country, though Ukraine is naturally the first example that comes to mind. It’s important to recognize that all war refugees, regardless of nationality, endure similar kinds of suffering and loss.   NO HOME, NO COUNTRY, NO LAND   Around 6.9 million Ukrainians have left their country since Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. Most found refuge in Europe, while others resettled in the Americas and beyond. In the early days, many believed they would return home once the war ended. But after more than three years of fighting, returning now seems unlikely. Many refugees, m...

Much has been said across Europe about the possibility of a future conflict with Russia. Various timelines have been suggested — three years, five years, or perhaps even sooner. There seems to be a growing consensus that Russia is preparing for some form of confrontation with Europe, whether a limited skirmish or a full-scale war. The timeline remains uncertain, largely because Putin’s troops and military resources are still deeply engaged in Ukraine. In this blog post, I want to explore this issue further. Are we truly on the brink of a NATO–Russia conflict? How prepared is Russia? And is Europe ready for what might come? WHY DO WE THINK RUSSIA IS INTERESTED IN WAR WITH EUROPE? There are several reasons why many believe Russia may be preparing for a future conflict with Europe. For years, Moscow has viewed NATO’s expansion as a direct challenge to its sphere of influence. The Kremlin frequently portrays NATO’s presence near its borders as Western aggression, using that narrative to ju...

Europe feels like it’s edging closer to the brink. What started as odd drone sightings has now escalated into repeated air incursions—first from unknown actors, then unmistakably from Russian planes. And when it comes to those drones, Europe’s leaders aren’t mincing words: most either point the finger at Moscow or outright declare it’s Russia testing the waters. But why now? Why this sudden escalation, and why at such a rapid pace? In this post, we’ll dig into what’s happening inside Russia, where Ukraine stands in all of this, and what it could mean for Europe’s future. Is the continent really ready for a skirmish—or something far worse, a direct clash with Russia? And perhaps the most uncomfortable question of all: do Europeans themselves have the will, the grit, the stomach for escalation and the possibility of war?   AIR INCURSIONS ALL OVER EUROPE   Throughout September, tensions in Europe have spiked, with repeated drone and aircraft incursions rattling several countrie...