The EU has refused to immediately and fully embargo Russian oil and gas purchases out of fear that it would throw the continent into an industrially-led recession, or would cause a much larger spike in prices. These arguments do not reflect the reality of supply-side elasticity in the oil and gas markets, and ignore the enormous costs that we are paying already as a result of the purchases of oil and gas from Russia
As economists specializing in behavioral economics and game theory, we teach strategic concepts from game theory to our business students. The same ideas can help us understand Russia’s current moves, predict its future behavior and derive the best strategies to achieve long-term goals.
After failing to capture Kyiv, the Kremlin focused its efforts on seizing and holding Donbas region and the south of Ukraine. In Donbass, Kremlin’s scorched-earth tactics have recently stalled. Russia’s slow advance in Ukraine combined with substantial military casualties mean that Putin desperately needs a pause in the war to regain his army’s weakening strength. This may temporarily freeze the conflict, but it will not bring a permanent peace to Europe.
The free world – the “West”, but also democracies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America – must prepare for a future without Putin, a future where Russia justly loses its war of choice and aggression.
In any negotiation, strong positioning is the most important factor. Assistance from Ukraine’s allies would give Ukraine, the victim, more bargaining power to reach an outcome that might be acceptable. Those who focus on Ukraine making territorial concessions or blame the United States for expanding the war only weaken Ukraine’s bargaining position.
Many commentators have written in the last few weeks that there is no solution to the Russia-Ukraine war other than diplomacy. No one is opposed to diplomacy. However, the key question is what kind of a diplomatic solution do we want to reach?
Together with fellow leading Ukrainian economists, we’ve compiled suggestions on how to maximize the impact of individual donations and be sure you’re giving wisely.
Dear Professor Chomsky,
We are a group of Ukrainian academic economists who were grieved by a series of your recent interviews and commentaries on the Russian war on Ukraine. We believe that your public opinion on this matter is counter-productive…
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