4 Years of Putins War

• Date: 25 February
• Time: 20:00 - 21:30
• Location: Nieuwspoort

This event takes place in Dutch

Will Ukraine Hold Out Against Russia?

Four years ago, Putin plunged Ukraine even further into a devastating war. Today, the conflict appears to be at a crossroads. Russia has already lost an estimated one million soldiers and is in dire economic straits. Ukraine, meanwhile, is fighting on exhaustion and, with Trump back on the scene, seems to have more of an adversary than an ally behind it. How long can both sides keep going?

In 4 Years of Putin’s War, we dive deeper into the situation at both the front line and the home front with experts Hubert Smeets, Bob Deen, and, live from Kyiv, Chris Colijn. Where does Ukraine stand after the fall of Pokrovsk? Can Russia continue on its current path? And what are the chances of a genuine peace agreement?

During this evening — featuring a special live edition of the podcast Station Kyiv — the guests, moderated by Thomas van Zijl, analyse the geopolitical impact of the war. Does the situation at the Ukrainian front force us to make difficult choices? And how long will Europe allow itself to be held hostage by Trump? This evening offers everything you need to understand the developments as the war enters its fifth year.

Station Kyiv is a podcast by RAAM and Haagsch College.

Speakers

• Hubert Smeets – Journalist and former Moscow correspondent; co-founder of Kennisplatform RAAM, columnist for NRC, and co-host of Station Kyiv

• Bob Deen – Security and defence expert and Eastern Europe specialist at the Clingendael Institute

• Chris Colijn – Ukraine correspondent for RTL Nieuws, BNR, and Kennisplatform RAAM

• Thomas van Zijl – Journalist and presenter for, among others, Haagsch College

Practical information

• Date: Evening of 25 February 2026

• Doors open: 19:30

• Start: 20:00

• End: 21:30

• Tickets:

  • Regular: €19.50 per person

  • Poorters / Nieuwspoort members: €16.50 per person

Chef’s Special
You can enjoy a meal before the event. Order the Chef’s Special (€16.50) in addition to your ticket and you will be welcome in the restaurant from 18:00.
The special includes chilli con carne with basmati rice, or a vegetarian chilli with plant-based mince and basmati rice.

This evening is part of The Week of Geopolitics, during which Haagsch College organises multiple evenings in The Hague focusing on geopolitical themes.

Show on map