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Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Europe Needs Ukraine to Fight Russia With Reduced US Help: Think Tank
Russia is looking to take its aggression beyond Ukraine, and reduced U.S. support will force European countries to work together to confront this threat, a Kyiv think tank said. A report released Wednesday by the KSE Institute, an analytical center at the Kyiv School of Economics, outlined how Russia's long-range, strategic, and hypersonic weapons program showed Moscow's intentions beyond its full-scale invasion. As the Trump administration previously said that the United States should no longer be Europe's primary security guarantor, Europe requires substantial and sustained defense investments to address the threat posed by Russia, the KSE said. "Russia is preparing capabilities that are clearly not tied to war in Ukraine, including naval forces for a possible confrontation in the Arctic," report co-author Pavlo Shkurenko told Newsweek. The two-day NATO summit started on Tuesday, and on the agenda was the alliance's support for Ukraine in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression. However, looming over the summit is U.S. President Donald Trump's insistence that members commit to spending at least 5 percent of their GDP on defense, with the president casting doubt on Washington's security commitment to countries that do not meet this level. The KSE report states that tackling Russia's threat requires not only larger defense budgets but also spending wisely on low-cost and scalable technologies, as well as integrating Ukraine's technical and military capabilities into those of Europe. In 2018, Putin touted long-range, strategic, and hypersonic weapons, such as the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, the Avangard glide vehicle, the Zirkon cruise missile, and the Poseidon nuclear torpedo, as examples of Russia's growing military prowess. But these weapons have little tactical relevance to the war in Ukraine and instead challenge Western deterrence and defense in the future when the U.S. no longer wants to be Europe's main security guarantor, the KSE report said. Despite economic turbulence in Russia caused by sanctions, Putin continues to drive ever-increasing military expenditure, which is expected to reach 13.5 trillion rubles ($145 billion) in 2025, nearly a third (32 percent) of total budget expenditure. "That much spending in the military sector is creating circumstances for them to then threaten Europe and beyond, " Shkurenko told Newsweek. "We have to understand it's very unlikely that Russia will be interested in any kind of peace as of this moment." Ukraine's experience since the start of the full-scale invasion can be a strategic asset for Europe, offering a blueprint for rapid innovation and defense technologies in a war being fought as much through data and artificial intelligence as it is through munitions, the KSE said. Russia's regular barrage of Shahed and reconnaissance drones renders traditional surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) an inefficient defense, the report said, but technology, including interceptor drones—a domain in which Ukraine has expertise—can offer a more cost-effective solution when used in conjunction with air defense. Low-cost attack drones can destroy high-value assets, and as such, Europe can build deterrence against Russia in an agile and cost-effective way, it added. Addressing the NATO conference on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine can produce over 8 million drones of various types annually, but currently lacks the necessary financial backing. Zelensky called for allies to scale up investments in joint weapons production, including drone technologies, artillery, and interceptors and said that Ukraine's defense capabilities are essential to protecting NATO in the long term. The KSE report said Ukraine should be incorporated into European defense and granted partner or observer status in European security committees. Europe also should have "a balanced system of military production," KSE report co-author Olena Bilousova told Newsweek, as the continent can benefit from Ukraine's expertise in, for example, drones, while other countries play to their strengths in air defense or missiles. "We should consider specializations in our common production," she added. Pavlo Shkurenko, compliance and international sanctions adviser, KSE Institute: "Despite Russia experiencing economic problems, a lot of resources poured into its military industry. That much spending in the military sector is creating circumstances for them to threaten Europe and beyond." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit on Tuesday: "We must lead in the drone race, both in strike drones and the weapons we produce become part of a new, stronger European defense and security system." The KSE report's conclusion aligns with Zelensky's message that the cost of supporting Ukraine's defense is minimal compared to what Europe would face if Ukraine were to fall. Zelensky also called on Tuesday for NATO members to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP and for 0.25 percent of GDP to support Ukraine's military needs directly, as he warned Russia is planning new operations on alliance territory. The second day of the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday will likely see wrangling over whether members can agree on the hefty new defense spending target, as well as whether Trump will attend. 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Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Europe Needs Ukraine to Fight Russia With Reduced US Help: Think Tank
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia is looking to take its aggression beyond Ukraine, and reduced U.S. support will force European countries to work together to confront this threat, a Kyiv think tank said. A report released Wednesday by the KSE Institute, an analytical center at the Kyiv School of Economics, outlined how Russia's long-range, strategic, and hypersonic weapons program showed Moscow's intentions beyond its full-scale invasion. As the Trump administration previously said that the United States should no longer be Europe's primary security guarantor, Europe requires substantial and sustained defense investments to address the threat posed by Russia, the KSE said. "Russia is preparing capabilities that are clearly not tied to war in Ukraine, including naval forces for a possible confrontation in the Arctic," report co-author Pavlo Shkurenko told Newsweek. Why It Matters The two-day NATO summit started on Tuesday, and on the agenda was the alliance's support for Ukraine in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression. However, looming over the summit is U.S. President Donald Trump's insistence that members commit to spending at least 5 percent of their GDP on defense, with the president casting doubt on Washington's security commitment to countries that do not meet this level. The KSE report states that tackling Russia's threat requires not only larger defense budgets but also spending wisely on low-cost and scalable technologies, as well as integrating Ukraine's technical and military capabilities into those of Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24, 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24, To Know In 2018, Putin touted long-range, strategic, and hypersonic weapons, such as the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, the Avangard glide vehicle, the Zirkon cruise missile, and the Poseidon nuclear torpedo, as examples of Russia's growing military prowess. But these weapons have little tactical relevance to the war in Ukraine and instead challenge Western deterrence and defense in the future when the U.S. no longer wants to be Europe's main security guarantor, the KSE report said. Despite economic turbulence in Russia caused by sanctions, Putin continues to drive ever-increasing military expenditure, which is expected to reach 13.5 trillion rubles ($145 billion) in 2025, nearly a third (32 percent) of total budget expenditure. "That much spending in the military sector is creating circumstances for them to then threaten Europe and beyond, " Shkurenko told Newsweek. "We have to understand it's very unlikely that Russia will be interested in any kind of peace as of this moment." Ukraine's experience since the start of the full-scale invasion can be a strategic asset for Europe, offering a blueprint for rapid innovation and defense technologies in a war being fought as much through data and artificial intelligence as it is through munitions, the KSE said. A Ukrainian soldier prepares to launch a reconnaissance drone on March 10, 2025, near Pokrovsk, Ukraine. A Ukrainian soldier prepares to launch a reconnaissance drone on March 10, 2025, near Pokrovsk, Drones Russia's regular barrage of Shahed and reconnaissance drones renders traditional surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) an inefficient defense, the report said, but technology, including interceptor drones—a domain in which Ukraine has expertise—can offer a more cost-effective solution when used in conjunction with air defense. Low-cost attack drones can destroy high-value assets, and as such, Europe can build deterrence against Russia in an agile and cost-effective way, it added. Addressing the NATO conference on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine can produce over 8 million drones of various types annually, but currently lacks the necessary financial backing. Zelensky called for allies to scale up investments in joint weapons production, including drone technologies, artillery, and interceptors and said that Ukraine's defense capabilities are essential to protecting NATO in the long term. The KSE report said Ukraine should be incorporated into European defense and granted partner or observer status in European security committees. Europe also should have "a balanced system of military production," KSE report co-author Olena Bilousova told Newsweek, as the continent can benefit from Ukraine's expertise in, for example, drones, while other countries play to their strengths in air defense or missiles. "We should consider specializations in our common production," she added. What People Are Saying Pavlo Shkurenko, compliance and international sanctions adviser, KSE Institute: "Despite Russia experiencing economic problems, a lot of resources poured into its military industry. That much spending in the military sector is creating circumstances for them to threaten Europe and beyond." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit on Tuesday: "We must lead in the drone race, both in strike drones and the weapons we produce become part of a new, stronger European defense and security system." What Happens Next The KSE report's conclusion aligns with Zelensky's message that the cost of supporting Ukraine's defense is minimal compared to what Europe would face if Ukraine were to fall. Zelensky also called on Tuesday for NATO members to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP and for 0.25 percent of GDP to support Ukraine's military needs directly, as he warned Russia is planning new operations on alliance territory. The second day of the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday will likely see wrangling over whether members can agree on the hefty new defense spending target, as well as whether Trump will attend.
Arab Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
UK embassy honors ex-KSE head for reinforcing Kuwait-UK engineering ties
KUWAIT CITY, June 10: The British Embassy honored the former Chairman of the Kuwait Society of Engineers (KSE), Eng. Faisal Duwaih Al-Atel, for his outstanding efforts to strengthen ties between the UK and Kuwait's engineering communities. In a special ceremony held at her Residence on 26th May 2025, Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to Kuwait, presented Eng. Al-Atel with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to bilateral relations. The ceremony was attended by newly appointed KSE board members as well as representatives from the Embassy's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team. Ambassador Lewis welcomed the new KSE Chairman, Eng. Mohammad Al-Subaei; praised the fruits of collaboration between the British Embassy and KSE under Eng. Faisal Al Atel's guidance; and expressed her optimism about opportunities to strengthen further this partnership under KSE's new leadership. Naz Noore Demir, First Secretary Commercial and Country Director Trade, also shared heartfelt remarks and commended Eng. Al-Atel's significant contributions to the progress of the engineering profession in Kuwait and the development of ties with the UK. The occasion served as a moment to reflect on the progress to date and set the ground for further collaboration between the British Embassy and KSE.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Western firms reportedly paid at least $46 billion in taxes to Russia amid full-scale war in Ukraine
Western companies have paid at least 40 billion euros ($46 billion) in taxes to Russia over the past three years, according to an investigation by investigative outlet Follow the Money published on June 10. This figure represents almost one-third of Russia's defense budget for 2025. Seventeen of the 20 largest foreign corporate taxpayers in Russia come from G7 and EU countries, Ukraine's main international supporters, the investigative outlet wrote, citing an earlier report by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) and the B4Ukraine association. Foreign firms still operating in Russia represent a crucial lifeline for Russia's war chest amid Western sanctions and skyrocketing war expenditures. Earlier reports by KSE said that only 472 of over 4,000 foreign companies have withdrawn from Russia after the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, while 1,360 have scaled down their operations. Austrian bank Raiffeisen remains the largest European payer of corporate taxes in Russia, with 457 million euros ($522 million) paid only in 2023. Philip Morris tobacco company, PepsiCo, UniCredit Bank, Mars, and other Western business giants have also continued filling Russian coffers, even though Western governments have donated some $170 billion in military aid to Ukraine to face Russian aggression, according to the investigation. The firms provided various explanations for their continued presence in Russia. Some argued that their products are essential for Russian consumers, while others cited concern for the safety of their employees, the outlet reported. Follow the Money also noted that Russia makes it difficult for companies to exit its market, for example, by allowing them to sell their assets only at extremely low prices. Companies that have decided to leave the market reportedly had to pay over $170 billion in write-offs and exit taxes. Russia has previously directly seized assets of some companies that had remained in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for punitive action against Western companies still operating in Russia, saying they must be "strangled" in response to what he described as Western attempts to suffocate the Russian economy. Despite the rhetoric, Russia continues to explore paths for re-engagement with foreign businesses. In February, Putin instructed his government to prepare for the eventual return of Western firms. Still, no formal requests have been received from companies seeking re-entry, according to Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president. Read also: Key to Russia's potential defeat lies in its economy We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In wartime Ukraine, a university grows — and reclaims a space once reserved for the corrupt
Once the playground of disgraced Ukrainian politicians, a golf club in Kyiv's Soviet-era Obolon neighborhood is now set to become the new campus of the Kyiv School of Economics, which last month bought the site for $18 million as part of a $40 million investment — the largest private investment in education in Ukraine's independent history. At the opening picnic on the grounds last Sunday, over 2,000 students, alumni, and locals gathered on a territory once reserved for political elites, including scandal-ridden ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and other similarly shameless officials of his time. After the 2014 revolution ousted those officials and Ukraine has seen a broader shift toward Europe, the early 2000s golf club — always more about status than love of sport — languished for years. Starting next year, KSE, one of Ukraine's top private universities, will reopen the site as a new campus focused on expanding its STEM programs to train engineers, mathematicians, and tech professionals needed for the country's defense, recovery, and economy. KSE says it has already hired four mathematics professors from abroad to staff the math degree. The campus will also be open to the public. 'This was a closed elite community — we're very capitalist, but we're going to be socialists on this: Open it,' KSE director Tymofiy Mylovanov tells the Kyiv Independent at the picnic on June 1. KSE began in the '90s with one executive business degree geared toward professionals who wanted to go abroad, and has since grown to 1,500 students across 17 programs — up from 177 students and six programs before the start of the full-scale invasion. The university has quickly outgrown its current building, which it bought in 2020 for $5 million. KSE's rector, Tymofii Brik, says the university, using a mix of 'pragmatism and romanticism,' bet on Ukraine's survival against Russia's full-scale invasion — and its need for engineers to contribute to the war effort and rebuild — by launching new degrees in 2023, a year after the start of the invasion. That year, KSE added programs in psychology, memory studies, law, urban science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. In 2024, the university launched programs in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and micro and nano-electronics. The new programs resonated with students who stayed in Ukraine despite the war and wanted to help shape its future, Brik says. 'There's this expression — 'If you build a church, they will come.'' KSE is planning to open the 15,000-square-meter (almost 4 acres, or the size of two soccer fields) grounds to the public and tear down the fences currently separating it from the riverwalk and adjoining public park, taking its inspiration largely from U.S. university campuses. While still small compared to most American universities, it will be the first of its kind in Kyiv. The Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv has an expansive, open campus. Early conversations with community members, which Brik, who grew up in the area, says the school is committed to engaging in, include an outdoor cinema in the summertime. 'People deserve to have access to this beautiful public space because it belongs to the public — we have no right to close it,' Brik says. No large land deal in Ukraine is without scrutiny — the results of decades of corruption that have led to public mistrust. KSE's announcement is no exception. Some critics have said the purchase price was inflated, while others have pointed out that zoning laws do not allow for a campus to be built on the golf course's grounds, on the riverbank. Mylovanov and Brik have quick answers to the accusations: On pricing, the buildings on the golf course have far more space than people realize; on zoning, they have no plans to build anything for now, and they will maintain some golf activity to comply with the current laws. They also point out that, as a U.S.-registered company — it is not uncommon for Ukrainian organizations and companies to be registered abroad — KSE is subject to rigorous compliance checks on any deals they do. Others have found the wartime investment, in Mylovanov's words, 'cringey.' But for that, too, Mylovanov has a response — first, the school's donors, made up of confidential individuals and organizations from the U.S., U.K., and Europe, want to invest in education, not the military. And second, while defense is critical, education is also a crucial part of the country's long-term security. Looking toward the long-term needs, KSE is partnering with Olin College in the U.S. to co-create a new, interdisciplinary engineering program, says Rebecca Brosseau, who is part of the team developing the new program. Olin itself was founded 30 years ago on the very idea that traditional engineering curricula weren't fostering the creative thinking future engineers needed. Over the next year, Brosseau will recruit around 10 faculty and 10–15 students to launch a pilot program in late 2026, co-developing the curriculum together with the professors, students, and in partnership with Olin. The goal, Brosseau says, is to build an interdisciplinary team that will design courses collaboratively and try 'something completely revolutionary for engineering education and maybe even for higher education — anywhere.' KSE's approach is a far cry from Ukraine's often inefficient, outdated, and even corrupt public education system — a problem of an ingrained culture, not people, says Brik. He believes that at the current moment in Ukraine, only private institutions have the flexibility to drive real reform. 'I would even put it in a very provocative way — if you gave $1 million to a public university right now, nothing would happen; but if you gave $1 million to us or the Ukrainian Catholic University, you would see something meaningful the same year,' Brik says. When asked whether KSE wants to be a role model for Ukraine's education system as a whole, Mylovanov says he's done trying to prove anything to anyone. 'I just want more people in what I call the 'anti-despair' movement,' Mylovanov says, to counteract the defeatist narratives 'by doing something small, but something real.' Read also: With music festival honoring fallen combat medic, Ukrainians reinvent memorial culture We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
