Russia may be underreporting the strain on its economy, but that is unlikely to change Putin’s war priorities. SITE Director Torbjörn Becker comments on how economic pressure, distorted data, and wartime financing shape the Kremlin’s decisions. ➡️ Read the full article (in Swe): tr.ee/Mv1KQb
In the latest episode of Utrikesbyrån, aired on March 31, 2026, Becker discussed how rising oil prices and shifts in sanctions policy are generating significant revenues for the Kremlin, raising important questions about global security and the economic dimensions of modern conflict ➡️🇸🇪: tr.ee/YPZdwG
Russia’s latest wartime fundraising moves point to growing financial strain. Putin has reportedly appealed to oligarchs for donations, while assets in occupied Ukraine are being auctioned off. “Further signs that Russia does not have infinite resources,” says Torbjörn Becker. ➡️ 🇸🇪: tr.ee/gvSX1C
🪫 How sanctions affect Russia’s war economy? 📉 At a recent seminar hosted by NUPI, @torbjornbecker.bsky.social Director of @sitestockholm.bsky.social, explained that sanctions against Russia are having a deeper impact than official figures suggest. www.hhs.se/en/about-us/... #FREEnetwork #sanctions
What impact does the Middle East war have on the Russian economy? @torbjornbecker.bsky.social from @sitestockholm.bsky.social joins Trygghetspodden to share insights on the economic impact and the bigger picture. Learn more in ep.219 (in Swedish): trygghetspodden.se
Ukraine lives despite daily attacks of rockets and drones. Ukraine’s future is defended every day by soldiers in trenches, but it is also built every day by students. //Torbjörn Becker, Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics vid Handelshögskolan @torbjornbecker.bsky.social
Tal av företrädare för Sveriges regering, @magdalenaandersson.socialdemokraterna.se
Björn Ulvaeus, @torbjornbecker.bsky.social m.fl.!>
Russia’s war economy may be shifting gears. Torbjörn Becker (@torbjornbecker.bsky.social), Director of SITE, points to a growing strain: defense-linked sectors forecast at just 4–5% growth in 2026 (vs ~30% in recent years) as fiscal policy tightens. ➡️ Learn more (in Swe): efn.se/skiftet-i-kr...
Russia’s economy is under growing strain: falling oil revenues, a widening budget deficit, and sanctions that “do bite.” SITE’s Torbjörn Becker joins SR’s Radiokorrespondenterna Ryssland to unpack what this means for the war - and what comes next. Learn more (in Swe): tr.ee/0HqwZP
A recent Swedish news investigation by Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) raises questions about Sweden’s procurement processes and risk management in the green transition, following the Swedish Maritime Administration’s purchase of an electric pilot boat from Artemis Technologies. Two SITE voices underscore what’s at stake: Torbjörn Becker, Director of SITE, stresses the need for robust due diligence: public authorities and companies must check who they do business with - and ensure suppliers are not on sanctions lists or tied to security risks. Anders Åslund, former Director of SITE, highlights the geopolitical dimension, arguing that the connections in this case are clear to U.S. authorities, pointing to links via Gennady Timchenko and warning that financing behind major bids may reflect Kremlin support.
Swedish Maritime Admin’s “revolutionary” electric pilot boat is under scrutiny over ownership links and security concerns. SITE Director Torbjörn Becker @torbjornbecker.bsky.social: authorities must check who they do business with - sanctions lists & security risks. ➡️ (in Swedish): tr.ee/RM9zvd
Ignoring antagonistic information threats: Costs and evidence from Ukraine Start time: 2026-02-12 at 09:30 End time: 2026-02-12 at 12:00 Time zone: CET Location: Stockholm School of Economics As democracies worldwide face mounting disinformation, influence operations, and hybrid threats, Ukraine’s experience offers an evidence base for understanding the consequences of underestimating - or ignoring - antagonistic information aggression. This high-level expert event brings together Ukrainian and international specialists to unpack the economic, political, and societal costs of these threats, and to discuss what Europe must learn from Ukraine’s decade on the front lines.
📆 📢 SAVE THE DATE - Feb 12 | SITE, together with SUCC and CSSC, is bringing Ukrainian and international experts to Stockholm for keynote talks and a panel discussion on 'Ignoring Antagonistic Information Threats: Costs and Evidence from Ukraine'. ➡️ Learn more and register here: tr.ee/Qz6Sc3
Special event | Ukraine - 30 years of data on social change and cohesion Over the past three decades, Ukraine has undergone profound social and political change - accelerated dramatically by Russia’s war. This event, hosted by the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), builds on long-run sociological evidence to better understand how Ukrainians’ trust, identities, values, and political attitudes have evolved over time, and discusses what these trends can tell us about cohesion and resilience under pressure.
Special guest Tymofii Brik, Rector of the Kyiv School of Economics and National Coordinator of the European Social Survey (2022–2026). Tymofii Brik is a Ukrainian sociologist and currently serves as Rector of the Kyiv School of Economics. He is also the National Coordinator of the European Social Survey (2022–2026). From 2019 to 2023, he held visiting positions at Stanford University, New York University, and Northwestern University.
Ukraine: 30 years of data on social change & cohesion. Join SITE for a talk by Tymofii Brik (Kyiv School of Economics; European Social Survey) on trust, values, identity & resilience under Russia’s full-scale war. 🗓️ 19 Jan 13:15 CET, SSE. Learn more & register here: tr.ee/s5vAQj
On behalf of everyone at SITE, I would like to extend my warmest wishes for a peaceful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year. The past year has once again underscored the complexity of the world we seek to understand - marked by continued geopolitical tensions, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and increasing threats to other countries, and persistent political and economic uncertainty. In such times, the values that guide our work at SITE - rigorous analysis, open dialogue, and a commitment to evidence-based policy - remain more important than ever. I am deeply grateful for your continued interest in and support of our research and activities. Your engagement enables us to contribute to an informed debate and to foster greater understanding of the economic and political transformations shaping our region and beyond. As we look ahead to the coming year, we remain committed to this mission and to working collaboratively with our partners and audiences toward a more informed, resilient, and inclusive future. Warmest wishes, Torbjörn Becker Director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)
🎄🎁 Warm holiday wishes from Torbjörn Becker (@torbjornbecker.bsky.social) and the SITE team! We wish you a peaceful holiday season and a hopeful start to the new year.
Frozen Russian assets could help fund Ukraine’s recovery. SITE Director Torbjörn Becker (@torbjornbecker.bsky.social) explains: “We can speak of a kind of advance payment on future war reparations.” Around $300bn is already frozen in the Western financial system. ➡️ (in Swe): yle.fi/a/7-10090207
Photo of Anders Olofsgård, Deputy Director of SITE, as he inaugurates the annual Development Day conference, extending a heartfelt greeting to all attendees. Photo: Dominick Nilsson
Photo of Klara Lindström, Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS), during Panel 2 "Democratic resilience, disinformation and EU accession". Photo: Dominick Nilsson
Photo of Nataliia Shapoval, Chairman of KSE Institute, presenting her talk on “The Macroeconomic Situation in Ukraine”. Photo: Dominick Nilsson
Photo of Rustam Romaniuc, Associate Professor at Montpellier Business School, presenting his talk on “Building Institutions for Economic Competence”. Photo: Dominick Nilsson
🇺🇦🇲🇩 Thanks to all who joined SITE Development Day 2025! Experts from Ukraine, Moldova & beyond discussed EU accession, economic resilience, democratic challenges & human capital. We are grateful for the insights shared throughout the day. Photos & recap now available. www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...
Join Peter Pomerantsev & Volodymyr Yermolenko next week at the Stockholm School of Economics for a timely conversation on democracy, identity & Europe’s future.
🗓️ Nov 21 | 15:30-17:00 CET
💡 Learn more: tr.ee/v1ynTB
🤝 Co-organiser: @sceeus-ui.bsky.social
What can Sweden & Europe learn from Ukraine’s wartime innovation? Join SITE at the Stockholm School of Economics on Nov 6 (15:00–17:00 CET) for “Innovation under fire” on how citizens, academia & industry fuel resilience in crisis.
👉 Learn more and register here for this special event: tr.ee/xRPDkf
Photo of Finn Rausing, Benjamin Dousa, and Torbjörn Becker alongside SITE’s funding partners. Photo: Dominick Nilsson
🇸🇪🤝 A new funding agreement secures SITE’s long-term future! With support from the Swedish government & key firms, we’ll keep advancing policy & human capital in Eastern Europe.
➡️ Learn more: tr.ee/wyx6In
Severe gasoline shortages in Russia after Ukrainian drone strikes: ~20% of refining capacity hit, shortages in ≥21 regions, and a gasoline export ban extended to year-end.
@torbjornbecker.bsky.social (SITE): "the strategy hits revenues financing the war."
💡Learn more (in Swe): tr.ee/lIwlyF
Working on topics of Inequality and the #environment ? Join @sitestockholm.bsky.social
workshop on Nov 28! Deadline October 15.
On Sep 30, Russia submitted its new state budget, behind the numbers was a battered war economy.
How did Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine shape its finances and daily life?
💡 @lilleberlin.bsky.social (Researcher, SITE) shared key insights (in Swe): www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/hur-...
Despite sanctions, SKF components worth hundreds of millions SEK have entered Russia since the war began — often via third countries. "These parts are critical to Russia's war industry," says @torbjornbecker.bsky.social, Director of SITE.
💡Learn more (in Swe): www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Rz...
Ust-Luga oil terminal, Baltic pipeline system. Russia. View from the sea and reeds.
SITE's Torbjörn Becker @torbjornbecker.bsky.social: Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy infrastructure send a “clear signal” to Europe — Russia is not a reliable energy supplier. Renewed attacks raise key questions about EU's energy security.
💡Learn more (in Swe): www.di.se/nyheter/expe...
Rebuilding Ukraine is more than just bricks—it's about a rebuilding a modern, secure future. New research paper by @torbjornbecker.bsky.social, @ygorodnichenko.bsky.social, and Beatrice Weder di Mauro maps the path to a resilient, democratic Ukraine.
💡Learn more: www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...
European taxpayers have shown remarkable solidarity with Ukraine—but footing Russia’s bill isn’t the only option. There is an alternative. Listen to this important discussion (in Swedish). 🎧🇸🇪https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdE7xiO4ZSk
@torbjornbecker.bsky.social at minute 36.
Is Trump really getting tough on Russia? He still has a lot to prove on punishing Moscow for its war. He seems to be constantly looking for concessions that Ukraine can make to make Putin look good. @torbjornbecker.bsky.social on @svenskadagbladet1.bsky.social www.svd.se/a/0V2Xa2/rys...
What conclusions can we draw from the recent meerings in Alaska and Washington? Are we seeing the end of the war? What is the status of the Russian economy? Listen to nextcepidode ofcteafezeobfa with experts @jfkirkegaard.bsky.social and @torbjornbecker.bsky.social
What impact are sanctions really having on Russia’s economy & war capacity? SITE Director Torbjörn Becker @torbjornbecker.bsky.social joined @piie.com experts to discuss Russia’s downturn, Ukraine’s security & reconstruction.
👉 Watch the full discussion here: www.youtube.com/live/QTl4VzD...
Missed the chance to attend our recent seminar? Catch the full recording featuring expert talks on sanctions evasion, enforcement, and Russia’s economic resilience.
Also includes the launch of SITE’s Sanctions Web Portal.
▶️ Watch now: youtu.be/Uz25SOXD0KQ?...
📈 The West’s investment in Ukraine could reshape Europe’s future—and deal a major blow to Putin’s vision. 🇺🇦 SITE’s Torbjörn Becker @torbjornbecker.bsky.social explains how massive reconstruction could spark economic growth and secure EU values. Learn more (in Swe): www.sydsvenskan.se/2025-06-17/p...