📢 New paper alert: How does war shape democratic values?
Conflict exposure and democratic values: Evidence from wartime Ukraine
by @kristinmbakke.bsky.social, Marianne Dahl & Kit Rickard. 📖 Published in the @jpeaceresearch.bsky.social special issue on Political Violence in Democracies.
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In this research note, Kit Rickard (@ethzurich.bsky.social), @critgeopolitics.bsky.social, @kristinmbakke.bsky.social and John O'Loughlin (@colorado.edu) highlight the pitfalls of wartime polling, drawing on lessons from panel surveys in Ukraine before and after Russia's 2022 invasion.

NEW PUBLICATION (Open Access): With Kit Rickard, John O'Loughlin & @kristinmbakke.bsky.social

“The challenges of surveying in war zones: Lessons from Ukraine.” Journal of Peace Research.
doi.org/10.1177/0022...

Read the latest post on our UCL Europe Blog now.

@kristinmbakke.bsky.social (@uclspp.bsky.social) discusses her new research on ordinary people’s opinions in Ukraine, emphasising their importance amid great power politics.

➡️ Read more here: ucleuropeblog.com/2025/03/24/u...

In light of current events on ceasefire proposal, new piece on what polls say about Ukrainians’ views on negotiations, concessions. With @critgeopolitics.bsky.social & J O’Loughlin. Citing work by @marniehowlett.bsky.social @oonuch.bsky.social & others. @uclspp.bsky.social @uclnews.bsky.social

NEW piece, with John O'Loughlin & @kristinmbakke.bsky.social on whether Ukrainians are ready for concessions & an ugly peace.
@us.theconversation.com

theconversation.com/are-ukrainia...

“The speeches will be made. The hashtags will trend. The panel discussions will be held. And the women of Gaza will remain buried under rubble, their suffering too politically inconvenient to mention.” My latest in @AlJazeera #IWD #InternationalWomensDay
www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...

Congratulations!

My thoughts on Ukraine given events in the last few days (in Norwegian), drawing on research done with @critgeopolitics.bsky.social, JO’Loughlin, Kit Rickard and the fabulous team at KIIS, as well as research by @oonuch.bsky.social @marniehowlett.bsky.social & co.

I think it’s impressive that Zelenskyy went ahead with the Fox News interview after the coordinated and disgraceful WH attack (cf.article below), making the case for defending the people he represents, who are fighting for their lives. He is working for peace, a durable one. THAT’S real leadership.

Ukraine Fact Sheet - February 21, 2025: isw.pub/UkraineFacts...

It is also worth noting—and heart-breaking given the US U-turn—that throughout the war, Ukrainians have had faith in continued Western support. Europe must deliver.

Reposting this, on what Ukrainians think about territorial compromises. By mid-2024, there was still majority—if diminished—support for fighting to restore full territorial integrity. Surveys show growing support for negotiations, but Russia’s territorial annexations do not have any legitimacy.

The war in Ukraine is a war for historical truth. My WSJ essay about how Ukraine’s tragic past — the subject of my new novel No Country for Love — explains its determination not to succumb to Russian rule once again. www.wsj.com/world/europe...

Zelensky's approval rating is not at 4% in Ukraine on any data I've seen.

KIIS data from January: majority of those polled still express trust in him.

Make this @OfficialUoM press release viral
“Trump … echoed Kremlin talking points, by falsely claiming …Zelensky’s approval rating stands at a mere 4%…polling…puts his approval rating at 63% - making him the most popular politician in the country.”
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/t...

Not the first time but still shocking to hear comments from the US president that echo those from the Kremlin. Trump falsely blamed Ukraine for starting the war (Russia invaded) while also wrongly claiming Zelensky has just 4% approval rating (its 52%).
www.ft.com/content/2506...

What a united Europe does next will determine future of not only Ukraine but the whole of the continent, and then the whole world.

2025 is going to be about what actions democracies (don’t) take, not what some others say.

Actions speak louder than words.

Europe it’s your move. Make it a good one.

Oljefondet er til for fremtidige generasjoner. Nettopp derfor bør vi ignorere handlingsregelen og investere krigsprofitten i Europeisk sikkerhet. Vi står ved et once-in-a-generation veiskille. Skriver med @akselsterri.bsky.social i Aftenposten www.aftenposten.no/meninger/deb...

Trump is complicit in Gaza’s ethnic cleansing. Take to the streets on the 15th #London @pscupdates.bsky.social @stwc.bsky.social

It's time to get your paper, panel and workshop submissions in for CRS 2025! Deadline Friday 17th Jan. We are excited to read your submissions! @kristinmbakke.bsky.social @finnklebe.bsky.social @christinecheng.bsky.social @corinnebara.bsky.social @allardduursma.bsky.social @nadineansorg.bsky.social

👉NEW -- Starmer's silence on human rights in Saudi Arabia speaks volumes

by Maryam Aldossari and Omaima al Najjar

As exiled activists, we were stunned to see the former human rights lawyer cosying up to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
www.declassifieduk.org/starmers-sil...