Ilona Solohub
@ilonasolohub.bsky.social
economist, VoxUkraine editor
With little success in the battlefield, Russia hopes for a diplomatic victory. A long-read but must read by Valeriy Zaluzhnyi
www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/...
www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/...
Russian diplomacy as a tool of systemic influence in the war against Ukraine
Exhaustion tactics on the negotiation front. Russian diplomacy as a tool of systemic influence in the war against Ukraine
www.pravda.com.ua
November 10, 2025 at 10:50 AM
With little success in the battlefield, Russia hopes for a diplomatic victory. A long-read but must read by Valeriy Zaluzhnyi
www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/...
www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/...
Reposted by Ilona Solohub
Read the new @projectsyndicate.bsky.social op-ed by Econ4UA leadership Anastassia Fedyk, @ygorodnichenko.bsky.social, and @ilonasolohub.bsky.social on the most effective donor support for Ukraine: www2.project-syndicate.org/commentary/u...
Ukraine Needs a “Victory First” Aid Strategy
Anastassia Fedyk, Yuriy Gorodnichenko and Ilona Sologoub highlight the constraints of the current approach and the need for allies to fund military expenditure.
www2.project-syndicate.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Read the new @projectsyndicate.bsky.social op-ed by Econ4UA leadership Anastassia Fedyk, @ygorodnichenko.bsky.social, and @ilonasolohub.bsky.social on the most effective donor support for Ukraine: www2.project-syndicate.org/commentary/u...
In 2022, Ukrainians joked that soon NATO would ask Ukraine to admit it.
Now it's no longer a joke. Admitting Ukraine is in the best interest of NATO that is likely to lose to the combined Russia-China aggression.
Now it's no longer a joke. Admitting Ukraine is in the best interest of NATO that is likely to lose to the combined Russia-China aggression.
October 13, 2025 at 11:07 AM
In 2022, Ukrainians joked that soon NATO would ask Ukraine to admit it.
Now it's no longer a joke. Admitting Ukraine is in the best interest of NATO that is likely to lose to the combined Russia-China aggression.
Now it's no longer a joke. Admitting Ukraine is in the best interest of NATO that is likely to lose to the combined Russia-China aggression.
"More dangerously, however, Russia uses democratic institutions against democracies.[]"
"Thus, in addition to helping and increasing cooperation with Ukraine, the democratic world should also strongly improve internal security." - learn from Moldova!
voxukraine.org/en/europe-ha...
"Thus, in addition to helping and increasing cooperation with Ukraine, the democratic world should also strongly improve internal security." - learn from Moldova!
voxukraine.org/en/europe-ha...
Europe has resources to win the war. Does it prefer to surrender?
While “war fatigue” is spreading in democracies, the autocratic powers are preparing for the global war - morally, technologically, and...
voxukraine.org
October 8, 2025 at 6:05 AM
"More dangerously, however, Russia uses democratic institutions against democracies.[]"
"Thus, in addition to helping and increasing cooperation with Ukraine, the democratic world should also strongly improve internal security." - learn from Moldova!
voxukraine.org/en/europe-ha...
"Thus, in addition to helping and increasing cooperation with Ukraine, the democratic world should also strongly improve internal security." - learn from Moldova!
voxukraine.org/en/europe-ha...
Pro-European party in Moldova won because Maia Sandu and Moldovan special services actively counteracted malign Russia's actions to disrupt democracy in this country.
Other leaders should learn from Ms. Sandu.
Other leaders should learn from Ms. Sandu.
September 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Pro-European party in Moldova won because Maia Sandu and Moldovan special services actively counteracted malign Russia's actions to disrupt democracy in this country.
Other leaders should learn from Ms. Sandu.
Other leaders should learn from Ms. Sandu.
Congratulations to Moldova!
Despite all the Russian disinformation attacks it elected its European future.
Despite all the Russian disinformation attacks it elected its European future.
September 29, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Congratulations to Moldova!
Despite all the Russian disinformation attacks it elected its European future.
Despite all the Russian disinformation attacks it elected its European future.
Hungary (at Russia's will of course) started flying its reconnaissance drones over Ukraine.
Interesting, what would NATO do if some NATO country attacked another country? E.g. if Hungary attacked Ukraine
Interesting, what would NATO do if some NATO country attacked another country? E.g. if Hungary attacked Ukraine
September 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Hungary (at Russia's will of course) started flying its reconnaissance drones over Ukraine.
Interesting, what would NATO do if some NATO country attacked another country? E.g. if Hungary attacked Ukraine
Interesting, what would NATO do if some NATO country attacked another country? E.g. if Hungary attacked Ukraine
The fact that Europe recognizes terrorist state of Gaza instead of preparing for the war with the terrorist state of Russia means that it will be very easy for Russia to conquer European states.
Even without a large-scale war, just with the help of fear and terrorism. 1/2
Even without a large-scale war, just with the help of fear and terrorism. 1/2
September 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The fact that Europe recognizes terrorist state of Gaza instead of preparing for the war with the terrorist state of Russia means that it will be very easy for Russia to conquer European states.
Even without a large-scale war, just with the help of fear and terrorism. 1/2
Even without a large-scale war, just with the help of fear and terrorism. 1/2
For a long time, me and my friends have been writing that appeasement would lead to escalation.
We see it now: since there is no adequate support of Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, Russia started attacking Poland and Estonia. More attacks will follow if there is no adequate reaction from NATO.
We see it now: since there is no adequate support of Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, Russia started attacking Poland and Estonia. More attacks will follow if there is no adequate reaction from NATO.
September 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
For a long time, me and my friends have been writing that appeasement would lead to escalation.
We see it now: since there is no adequate support of Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, Russia started attacking Poland and Estonia. More attacks will follow if there is no adequate reaction from NATO.
We see it now: since there is no adequate support of Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, Russia started attacking Poland and Estonia. More attacks will follow if there is no adequate reaction from NATO.
Poland tries really hard to distance itself from the war. One of the main narratives is "NATO will protect us".
Dear Polish friends. NATO today - is YOU!
Dear Polish friends. NATO today - is YOU!
September 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Poland tries really hard to distance itself from the war. One of the main narratives is "NATO will protect us".
Dear Polish friends. NATO today - is YOU!
Dear Polish friends. NATO today - is YOU!
It's amazing how developed countries believe that rewarding terrorism would bring to some good results.
No, rewarding terrorism results only in more death and suffering. And there is no guarantee that paying for your welfare with lives of other people will work.
No, rewarding terrorism results only in more death and suffering. And there is no guarantee that paying for your welfare with lives of other people will work.
September 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
It's amazing how developed countries believe that rewarding terrorism would bring to some good results.
No, rewarding terrorism results only in more death and suffering. And there is no guarantee that paying for your welfare with lives of other people will work.
No, rewarding terrorism results only in more death and suffering. And there is no guarantee that paying for your welfare with lives of other people will work.
Reposted by Ilona Solohub
💼Did you know that Economists for Ukraine offers professional resources for economists?
In 2022, we ran a series of job market workshops featuring economists in both academia and industry. All recordings can be accessed after making a donation in support of Ukraine.
#EconSky
Learn more:
In 2022, we ran a series of job market workshops featuring economists in both academia and industry. All recordings can be accessed after making a donation in support of Ukraine.
#EconSky
Learn more:
Job Market Workshops – Economists for Ukraine
The live job market workshops have now passed. To access workshop recordings, make a donation here (suggested donation is $100) and send a screenshot of your donation to info@econ4ua.org with a request for access to the recordings.
econ4ua.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
💼Did you know that Economists for Ukraine offers professional resources for economists?
In 2022, we ran a series of job market workshops featuring economists in both academia and industry. All recordings can be accessed after making a donation in support of Ukraine.
#EconSky
Learn more:
In 2022, we ran a series of job market workshops featuring economists in both academia and industry. All recordings can be accessed after making a donation in support of Ukraine.
#EconSky
Learn more:
This night Poland had to close airports and shoot down Russian Shakheds.
Europe, do you still think that "it's not your war"?
Europe, do you still think that "it's not your war"?
September 10, 2025 at 6:10 AM
This night Poland had to close airports and shoot down Russian Shakheds.
Europe, do you still think that "it's not your war"?
Europe, do you still think that "it's not your war"?
Today Russians dropped a bomb on the line of pensioners who came to collect their pensions and killed 24 people.
If someone thinks that it would not do this to Polish or Hungarian pensioners - they are very wrong. They are not doing it only because they can't - because of Ukrainian Army.
If someone thinks that it would not do this to Polish or Hungarian pensioners - they are very wrong. They are not doing it only because they can't - because of Ukrainian Army.
September 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Today Russians dropped a bomb on the line of pensioners who came to collect their pensions and killed 24 people.
If someone thinks that it would not do this to Polish or Hungarian pensioners - they are very wrong. They are not doing it only because they can't - because of Ukrainian Army.
If someone thinks that it would not do this to Polish or Hungarian pensioners - they are very wrong. They are not doing it only because they can't - because of Ukrainian Army.
Our new op-ed that in the current world Europe can rely only on itself for its security
A new PS piece with @ilonasolohub.bsky.social and @matsmarcusson.bsky.social
2 options: 1) RUS defeat (means more sanctions & more weapons for UKR). 2) a defeat for democracy (&subdued Europe).
If 1), Europeans should sacrifice some of their welfare. If 2), they'll lose it all.
#UkrainianView
2 options: 1) RUS defeat (means more sanctions & more weapons for UKR). 2) a defeat for democracy (&subdued Europe).
If 1), Europeans should sacrifice some of their welfare. If 2), they'll lose it all.
#UkrainianView
www.project-syndicate.org
September 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Our new op-ed that in the current world Europe can rely only on itself for its security
Russia withdraws from Europe's anti-torture treaty. It never implemented it anyway, so this move shows only that it no longer wants to pretend.
Russia persistently displays to the world its real face. But everybody is too afraid to look, desperately clinging on to Tchaikovsky.
Russia persistently displays to the world its real face. But everybody is too afraid to look, desperately clinging on to Tchaikovsky.
August 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Russia withdraws from Europe's anti-torture treaty. It never implemented it anyway, so this move shows only that it no longer wants to pretend.
Russia persistently displays to the world its real face. But everybody is too afraid to look, desperately clinging on to Tchaikovsky.
Russia persistently displays to the world its real face. But everybody is too afraid to look, desperately clinging on to Tchaikovsky.
Putin's puppet Orban says "it's not our war".
But it is the European war! What signal can be more clear than Russia's bombing of the EU Commission and British Council premises in Ukraine. Unfortunately, Hungary in this war is on the other side of the frontline
But it is the European war! What signal can be more clear than Russia's bombing of the EU Commission and British Council premises in Ukraine. Unfortunately, Hungary in this war is on the other side of the frontline
August 29, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Putin's puppet Orban says "it's not our war".
But it is the European war! What signal can be more clear than Russia's bombing of the EU Commission and British Council premises in Ukraine. Unfortunately, Hungary in this war is on the other side of the frontline
But it is the European war! What signal can be more clear than Russia's bombing of the EU Commission and British Council premises in Ukraine. Unfortunately, Hungary in this war is on the other side of the frontline
Putin never said "give us some Ukrainian territories and then we will stop the war". He always says "give us Ukrainian territories".
Thus, assuming that giving some Ukrainian territories to Russia would stop the war is as far from reality as Earendel is from Earth.
Thus, assuming that giving some Ukrainian territories to Russia would stop the war is as far from reality as Earendel is from Earth.
August 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Putin never said "give us some Ukrainian territories and then we will stop the war". He always says "give us Ukrainian territories".
Thus, assuming that giving some Ukrainian territories to Russia would stop the war is as far from reality as Earendel is from Earth.
Thus, assuming that giving some Ukrainian territories to Russia would stop the war is as far from reality as Earendel is from Earth.
China offered to send its "peacekeepers" to Ukraine.
We must remember that China is on the Russia's side in this war, and therefore all it REALLY wants to do is help Russia win.
Specifically, these "peacekeepers" will only help Russia occupy Ukrainian land.
We must remember that China is on the Russia's side in this war, and therefore all it REALLY wants to do is help Russia win.
Specifically, these "peacekeepers" will only help Russia occupy Ukrainian land.
August 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
China offered to send its "peacekeepers" to Ukraine.
We must remember that China is on the Russia's side in this war, and therefore all it REALLY wants to do is help Russia win.
Specifically, these "peacekeepers" will only help Russia occupy Ukrainian land.
We must remember that China is on the Russia's side in this war, and therefore all it REALLY wants to do is help Russia win.
Specifically, these "peacekeepers" will only help Russia occupy Ukrainian land.
US and European countries like to remind that they never recognized occupation of Baltic states by USSR.
What they fail to remember is that they did not recognize restoration of the statehood by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1990. Moreover, they asked these states "not to destroy USSR"
What they fail to remember is that they did not recognize restoration of the statehood by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1990. Moreover, they asked these states "not to destroy USSR"
August 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
US and European countries like to remind that they never recognized occupation of Baltic states by USSR.
What they fail to remember is that they did not recognize restoration of the statehood by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1990. Moreover, they asked these states "not to destroy USSR"
What they fail to remember is that they did not recognize restoration of the statehood by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1990. Moreover, they asked these states "not to destroy USSR"
"Security guarantees" for Ukraine is the wrong concept.
European leaders should discuss European security that is no longer guaranteed by the US. And of which Ukraine is the strongest part.
European leaders should discuss European security that is no longer guaranteed by the US. And of which Ukraine is the strongest part.
August 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
"Security guarantees" for Ukraine is the wrong concept.
European leaders should discuss European security that is no longer guaranteed by the US. And of which Ukraine is the strongest part.
European leaders should discuss European security that is no longer guaranteed by the US. And of which Ukraine is the strongest part.
This night Russia stroke a US company plant in Zakarpattya, the most Western reason of Ukraine.
This is a clear signal to Trump: weakness leads to escalation.
(I'm tired of repeating this)
This is a clear signal to Trump: weakness leads to escalation.
(I'm tired of repeating this)
August 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This night Russia stroke a US company plant in Zakarpattya, the most Western reason of Ukraine.
This is a clear signal to Trump: weakness leads to escalation.
(I'm tired of repeating this)
This is a clear signal to Trump: weakness leads to escalation.
(I'm tired of repeating this)
Putin's "willingness to negotiate".
August 21, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Putin's "willingness to negotiate".
Lavrov said that only Russia can guarantee security of Ukraine.
It is very clear that Russia only jeers everyone.
It is very clear that Russia only jeers everyone.
August 20, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Lavrov said that only Russia can guarantee security of Ukraine.
It is very clear that Russia only jeers everyone.
It is very clear that Russia only jeers everyone.
Interesting, how does humiliation in Alaska make America great again?
August 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Interesting, how does humiliation in Alaska make America great again?