|   | | | | SITE April 2025 Newsletter
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| | | | In this April edition of the SITE Newsletter, we explore key economic and policy issues shaping Europe's landscape. This issue examines Russia's hidden budgetary spending and its implications for financial stability, assesses the risks and opportunities involved in confiscating Russian assets abroad, and highlights Sweden's overlooked support gap for Ukrainians currently residing in the country. Additionally, we announce a call for papers for a workshop dedicated to closing gender gaps through economic research. Finally, in this month's Editor's Choice, we discuss Sweden's new green energy strategy and why it may be riskier than expected. | |
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| NEW REPORT
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 | | Photo: MaxZolotukhin, Shutterstock |
| | Behind The Budget: Hidden Spending And Financial Fragility In Russia |
| | The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) has just published its Spring 2025 update on the Russian economy, titled "Financing the Russian War Economy." The report explores how Russia sustains its war efforts amid rising inflation, questionable official statistics, and dwindling reserves. It sheds light on "hidden war debt," the draining of the National Wealth Fund, and how war spending is crowding out essential public investments. Despite narratives of strength, Russia's economic foundations are growing more fragile. |
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| UKRAINE
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 | Photo: Daniel Lavrushin, Shutterstock
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| KSE Institute Presents A Report On The Consequences Of Confiscating Russian Assets: What Are The Risks And Prospects?
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| | Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there have been calls to seize more than $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets and use them to defend against Russian aggression. Researchers at the KSE Institute discuss the economic concerns that are commonly levied against proposals to seize Russia's frozen reserves. The report devotes particular attention to the potential consequences for European debt markets and the roles of G7 currencies. |
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| SWEDEN'S SUPPORT TO UKRAINE
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 | Photo: Halfpoint, Shutterstock
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| | Sweden's Missing Piece In Helping Ukraine: Supporting Ukrainians Who Are Already Here |
| Sweden has given strong support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion—but there's been far less attention on the Ukrainians who've fled to Sweden. This 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's future.
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| CALL FOR PAPERS
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 | Image: omertu, Shutterstock
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| | Call for papers: Workshop on Closing Gender Gaps Through Economics Research |
| | SITE together with the American University of Armenia (AUA), is pleased to announce a two-day Paper Development Workshop on June 3-4 as part of the program "Closing Gender Gaps Through Economics Research", supported by the Swedish Institute Eastern Partnership Cooperation Project. |
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| | EDITOR'S CHOICE |
 | Nuclear power plant Barsebäck in Sweden. Photo: Kristoffer Granath, Shutterstock
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| Why Sweden's New Green Energy Strategy Could Be Riskier Than It Looks
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| | 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. This policy brief (original title: Complementary but Different: The Politics of Green Industrial Policy and Carbon Pricing) explores why carbon pricing and green industrial policy should work together—not separately. |
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| | | | FREE NETWORK POLICY BRIEFS | |
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 | | | | Grapes, Apples, And Hazelnuts: Can Farm Subsidies Fix Georgia's Agriculture? | |
| | | | By: Elene Seturidze & Tatia Khidasheli, ISET-PI | |
| | | | Government subsidies in Georgia are meant to support farmers and boost agriculture—but they may be doing more to protect incomes than to grow the industry. This policy brief analysis from the ISET Policy Institute shows how subsidies have helped in the short term but haven't solved deeper issues like poor infrastructure, low-quality produce, and risky export dependencies.
Photo: Shyshko Oleksandr, Shutterstock | |
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 | | | | Ukraine's Fight Is Our Fight: The Need for Sustained International Commitment | |
| | | | By: Torbjörn Becker, Maria Perrotta Berlin, Anders Olofsgård, Jesper Roine, SITE | |
| | | | Ukraine's fight for survival is also Europe's fight for peace, stability, and economic security. This policy brief analysis by SITE emphasise that helping Ukraine is not only a moral duty, but also a smart investment that could save Europe far more money in the long run.
Photo: Michele Ursi, Shutterstock
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 | | | | Can Gender Diversity Drive Innovation In Post-Communist Economies?
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| | | | By: Natalja Apanasovich & Radzivon Marozau, BEROC | |
| | | | Diverse workplaces aren't just about fairness—they may also be a key to innovation. A new policy brief explores how gender diversity in business ownership and workforce composition influences firm innovation in post-communist economies. The study finds that diverse teams enhance problem-solving, technology adoption, and managerial practices, leading to more innovation.
Photo: XArtProduction, Shutterstock
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| | | | (Listed from oldest to most recent as of this month.) | |
| | | | "The Economic Council's proposal would be costly for industry and Sweden" / "Konjunkturrådets förslag dyrt för industrin och Sverige" (Dagens Industri) | |
| | | | "Despite zero tariffs, U.S. trade policy strikes Russia hard" / "Noll kronor i tull – ändå slår USA:s handelspolitik hårt mot Ryssland" (Dagens Nyheter) | |
| | | | "Tariff war's blow to Russia's economy: 'Highly dependent" / "Så slår tullkriget mot rysk ekonomi: "Väldigt beroende"" (Tv4 Nyhetsmorgon) | |
| | | | "Do not abandon Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Sweden" / "Svik inte ukrainare som flytt till Sverige" (Svenska Dagbladet) | |
| | | | "Economic study: Russia running out of time" / "Ekonomistudie: Tiden inte på Rysslands sida" (Dagens Industri) | |
| | | | "War chest battered – Russia deploying inferior tanks" / "Krigskassan tar stryk – använder sämre stridsvagnar" (Radiokorrespondenterna Ryssland, Sverige Radio) | |
| | | | "Russia expert: 'It's becoming a charade" / "Rysslandsexpert: "Det börjar likna charader"" (Svenska Dagbladet) | |
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| | | | May 8 | SITE 2025 Energy Talk: AI And The Future Of Energy
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| | | | SITE and Energiforsk would like to invite you to its 2025 SITE Energy Talk. This edition will address the evolving relationship between AI and the Future of Energy. LEARN MORE >> | |
| | | | June 9 | SITE Seminar with Georgy Egorov | |
| | | | On Monday, June 9, Prof. Georgy Egorov, North Western Kellogg, will present their working paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO TBA >> | |
| | | | N/A | SITE 2025 Development Day Conference | |
| | | | N/A | FREE Network Academic Conference | |
| | | | N/A | FREECE 2025 Workshop | |
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| | | | THANK YOU FOR READING
THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER
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Until then, see you in the next newsletter!
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