After its international success with the Finnish writer Sofia Oksanen, a narrative about a dog park in post-Soviet Ukraine shines a harsh light on the fertility industry. The piece, which premiered at the Thoughts Biennale held in Palma, has sparked conversations that reach far beyond its immediate setting, inviting readers to reflect on how culture, politics, and human rights intersect in our era.
The UN condemned Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine. Are there any benefits?
It is widely acknowledged that Russia’s annexations violate international law, just as they have in the past. The condemnations from many nations reflect a long-standing pattern of territorial aggression. Yet behind the surface, some observers point to propaganda as a strategic tool used to shape perception and rally domestic support. In this sense, the so-called benefits are more about narrative control than any tangible gains for ordinary people. [Citation: International law analyses, attribution requested]
They say about his last book that he had a vision of what is happening right now. Is it because Europe is looking the other way?
When the situation is analyzed closely, echoes of the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the later events in Crimea emerge. Putin’s power has often thrived on crises, borders, and ruptures. Western nations did impose sanctions at certain moments, yet over time some lost momentum and turned their attention elsewhere. The missed opportunity to sustain a consistent, focused response is now evident to many observers. Today, Ukraine remains a central country for Europe, and the political dynamics show how leadership must adapt as the region remains a focal point in global affairs. Europe has long depended on Ukraine as a breadbasket and cultural crossroads, a historic role that cannot be ignored even when it is easy to forget its significance. [Citation: European political analysis, attribution requested]
He condemned the “brainwashing” carried out in the former Soviet countries. Is it going underground now?
The tools of influence persist even as technology evolves. Psychological manipulation and economic pressure continue to be the main ingredients of information campaigns. If Western governments had studied past Russian strategies of pressure and propaganda as thoroughly as they examined earlier periods in history, they might have anticipated the breadth of modern manipulation. Rather than confronting money and influence with clarity, some responses remained inconsistent, allowing the same patterns to persist and adapt across generations. [Citation: Policy analyses on disinformation, attribution requested]
What will Finland’s accession to NATO mean?
International policy has shifted significantly since the war began in February. Finland previously kept a low profile and leaned toward neutrality while maintaining Western-oriented security ideas. The aggression against Ukraine catalyzed a major shift: Finland is now pursuing NATO membership. Its strong military resources fit well with allied structures, though there is still work to be done to fully integrate capabilities. The development signals a broader commitment in Northern Europe to collective security and deterrence against destabilizing forces. [Citation: NATO membership discussions, attribution requested]
What is the current situation of Ukrainian babies born from a surrogate mother?
During springtime, international coverage highlighted the precarious conditions in bomb shelters and the strain on medical personnel, where only a small number of caregivers could attend to numerous newborns. Ongoing donations and humanitarian networks continue to deliver essential support to families separated by conflict, enabling care and connection when resources are stretched thin. [Citation: Humanitarian reports, attribution requested]
Is the business still running?
Foreign clients face increasingly restricted access to clinics, and many Ukrainian women have sought safety as refugees. This displacement has created a difficult environment for surrogacy, with trafficking concerns rising as economic pressures press on vulnerable populations. Some agencies maintain Ukrainian staff and operate with the help of refugees, complicating the landscape and underscoring the need for robust safeguards and ethical oversight. [Citation: Human rights and reproductive services analyses, attribution requested]
In his novels, he combines the personal with the political. What motivates you most as a writer?
The barrier between private lives and political events often dissolves in narrative. Characters act within a web of life circumstances that shape their choices, and those choices in turn reveal larger social forces. The most resonant moments come when intimate concerns and public realities collide, making human behavior feel both specific and universal. [Citation: Literary analysis discussions, attribution requested]
Has your country’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin danced in public again?
That question misses the broader context. There was substantial negotiation drama at a critical juncture for Finland, and personal conduct became a backdrop to serious policy discussions. The focus remained on leadership, responsibility, and the ability to navigate complex political terrain under intense scrutiny. [Citation: Finnish political reporting, attribution requested]