#WarInUkraine

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the ongoing effects of the global pandemic have shaken the world in the past two years like nobody could have predicted. Ramifications in the form of food shortages, inflation and mass displacement are increasing in severity — the UN recently announced that the number of displaced people has passed 100 million for the first time. How have such catastrophic events been handled, and what led us to them in the first place? Governments and organisations are responding collectively to support refugees, with resettlement and sponsorship schemes, for example. Simultaneously, the UK Government’s partnership with Rwanda is soon to launch. How does the way we respond to protracted human crises reflect society, and what does this mean for the global order?Join us for a ThinkIn with one of the most respected voices in global governance today, Rory Stewart, and award-winning journalist Helen Benedict, where we’ll discuss leadership, responsibility and empathy in an era of geopolitical turbulence. editor and invited experts James HardingCo-Founder and Editor Helen BenedictAward-winning Journalist and Author of ‘Map of Hope and Sorrow’ Rory StewartFormer Minister of State, Department for International Development

This is a digital-only ThinkIn. Come to any of our ThinkIns on the invasion of Ukraine for free to contribute to the discussion, using the invite code JOININ.The polls suggest that Britain wants to welcome Ukrainian refugees, and the government has announced commitments to allow more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees into the country. But a difficult dilemma remains: many people voted Brexit so the UK would reclaim control of its borders, and two weeks after the invasion, the number of visas issued remains very small. Britain has issued under 1,000 visas – an amount dwarfed by smaller European countries like Moldova and Romania. How can the government reconcile its pledge to impose tighter controls on immigration, with the need to respond to the refugee crisis caused by the invasion? Was the confusion around entry requirements just incompetence, or is time to admit the UK is now a hostile environment for migrants? editor and invited experts Giles WhittellSensemaker Editor Daniel SohegeSafeguarding Expert, Love146 Enver SolomonChief Executive, Refugee Council

This is a digital-only ThinkIn.The widely circulating images of Russian tanks and armoured cars rolling into Ukraine are powerful and deeply alarming. But at the same time, they are not exactly the futuristic images of modern warfare that one might have imagined from 2022. Instead, many of the photos are of Russian vehicles stuck in the mud or with burst tyres. This makes it seem as if Russia’s military isn’t quite as well-funded, and highly technical as many have imagined. Reports have instead suggested that Ukrainian forces have destroyed numerous Russian armoured vehicles using cheap drones from Turkey. Why is this the case? Is the invasion of Ukraine hampered by poor maintenance, obsolete hardware or general lack of preparation? As Nato strengthens the presence of troops, planes and defensive weapons across bases in member countries, are Nato forces better prepared? editor and invited experts Giles WhittellSensemaker Editor Bettina RenzProfessor of International Security, University of Nottingham Sam Cranny-EvansResearch analyst, Military Sciences, RUSI

This is a digital-only ThinkInIs Putin’s nostalgia for the Soviet Union and obsession with Ukraine shared by fellow Russians? For months, Russia has been sending troops and equipment to the Ukrainian borders. The original stated aim was to limit the expansion of Nato, but after weeks of outfoxing western countries with performative diplomacy, Vladimir Putin finally ordered his troops into Ukraine.Countries around the world are turning to increasingly tougher sanctions. And sanctions are likely to hit the poorest the hardest: Russia’s average annual per capita income is around one fifth of that in the U.S. So how will Putin’s actions, and the West’s economic responses play out locally? Does the invasion of Ukraine mark the beginning of the end of the Putin presidency, or is this the start of an aggressive new chapter? editor and invited experts Giles WhittellSensemaker Editor Melinda HaringDeputy Director, Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Centre Professor Sam GreeneDirector of King’s Russia Institute & Professor of Russian Politics Sir Roderic LyneFormer UK Ambassador to Russia

This is a digital-only ThinkIn. Come to any of our ThinkIns on the invasion of Ukraine for free to contribute to the discussion, using the invite code JOININ.On Wednesday evenings, Tortoise journalists have a weekly news meeting to discuss the live news agenda. For the time being, we will be covering the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, what this means for those still trapped inside the country, those fleeing, and the impact the conflict will have on neighbouring countries and foreign allies. editor James HardingCo-Founder and Editor