Highlights and photos | Why Ukraine still surprises the world

Summary

On November 21, 2025, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS) hosted a public dialogue at the Stockholm School of Economics featuring leading Ukrainian thinkers and officials: Volodymyr Yermolenko, Marina Trattner, Rostyslav Ohryzko, and Svitlana Zalishchuk. The discussion was moderated by Stefan Ingvarsson.

The speakers explored why Ukraine continues to exceed global expectations nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion. They highlighted that Ukraine’s resistance is not only military but deeply rooted in culture, identity, and democratic conviction. The conversation emphasized how Ukrainians defend meaning, trust, and civic resilience under pressure.

The event also reflected on what Ukraine’s experience reveals about Europe’s own democratic strength, and how Sweden and the Nordic–Baltic region can deepen strategic cooperation with Ukraine.

This dialogue was part of the NB8–Ukraine “Bound to Cooperate” project, strengthening ties between Ukraine and the Nordic–Baltic region.

Photo of Torbjörn Becker, Director of SITE, as he inaugurates the event, extending a heartfelt greeting to all attendees. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Torbjörn Becker. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Torbjörn Becker. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Fredrik Löjdquist, Director of SCEEUS. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Fredrik Löjdquist. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Fredrik Löjdquist. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Rostyslav Ohryzko, Deputy State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Rostyslav Ohryzko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Rostyslav Ohryzko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Rostyslav Ohryzko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Rostyslav Ohryzko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Klara Lindström, Analyst at SCEEUS, seated among the audience. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Svitlana Zalishchuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Sweden. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Svitlana Zalishchuk. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Svitlana Zalishchuk. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Svitlana Zalishchuk. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Svitlana Zalishchuk. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Panel discussion moderated by Stefan Ingvarsson, Analyst at SCEEUS, with special guests Marina Trattner, motivational speaker supporting the mental resilience of Ukraine’s Medical Forces, and Volodymyr Yermolenko, President of PEN Ukraine and Editor-in-chief at UkraineWorld. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Stefan Ingvarsson. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Stefan Ingvarsson. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

In focus: Marina Trattner. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Marina Trattner. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo: Dominick Nilsson

From left: Marina Trattner and Volodymyr Yermolenko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Volodymyr Yermolenko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

Photo of Volodymyr Yermolenko. Photo: Dominick Nilsson

From left: Fredrik Löjdquist, Stefan Ingvarsson, Marina Trattner, Volodymyr Yermolenko, Rostyslav Ohryzko, and Torbjörn Becker. Photo: Dominick Nilsson