[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”dcffbe7c-d829-4b92-9e28-730b66b1c6df” background_color=”#61A0A8″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”197deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,0,0,0) 48%|rgba(0,0,0,0.9) 87%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/nordbygg.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/joakim-paasikivi-1920×1280-1.jpg” background_position=”top_center” background_vertical_offset=”29%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”b47dc7b0-0c21-48f4-9be5-365125495c37″ background_position=”top_center” background_vertical_offset=”13%” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_cta title=”Joakim Paasikivi ” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”0d7ddc9b-5fad-41ce-bbc3-1fa8c8b01c36″ header_font_size=”44px” custom_padding=”|||33px||” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-m0fraqv3-qztm-9290-df11-7p07yu2mtcg6%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-8ctl9olw-qzl0-39sh-h9m4-2r68cuzkve1q%22:%91%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22%93,%22gcid-zqmeyyr1-ozjs-tdol-t9th-kdmdqxufunhr%22:%91%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_border_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22,%22button_bg_color%22%93,%22gcid-xe7ua1bg-8o1q-uq3m-f8ql-qk12tgltkuk4%22:%91%22button_border_color__hover%22,%22button_bg_color__hover%22%93}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”]<\/p>\n
\u201dThe World We Knew Will Not Return\u201d \u2013 Joakim Paasikivi on preparedness, Ukraine, and the role of the construction sector<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Text 50\/50″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”34b06a86-dc81-4983-919e-0fd7f286eb1b” background_color=”#82B4BA” custom_padding=”50px||12px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”31px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”]<\/p>\n
The war in Ukraine, a fragile global order, and a growing focus on security are affecting society as a whole \u2014 not least the construction and real estate sector. On Nordbygg\u2019s opening day, Ukraine expert and former lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi shares his assessment of the situation and what it may mean for how Sweden builds, owns, and operates its critical infrastructure. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Text 50\/50″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”34b06a86-dc81-4983-919e-0fd7f286eb1b” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”33px|||||” custom_padding=”2px||23px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”549.4px” custom_margin=”30px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”9px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][pac_divi_table_of_contents title=”Textinneh\u00e5ll” included_headings=”off|on|on|off|off|off” title_container_bg_color=”#00626E” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][\/pac_divi_table_of_contents][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”]January 19, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n On April 21, 2026, you will take the stage at Nordbygg. What can we expect? The seminar is titled \u201cA World in Disorder \u2013 Russia, Ukraine, and the Threats to Europe.\u201d According to Paasikivi, the title reflects a broader shift than the war itself: the long-standing security order once taken for granted is now being challenged. <\/p>\n \u201cNeither side is achieving its strategic objectives, but overall it is going worse for the Russians. They are gaining small amounts of territory, but at the cost of their economy and around one million dead and wounded.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThere are few alternatives. Putin has tied himself to the mast and must be able to claim a victory. They also seem to believe they can wear down the West \u2014 that we will stop supporting Ukraine. If that happens, Russia could secure a ceasefire or peace on its own terms.\u201d <\/p>\n The security situation extends beyond Ukraine. Paasikivi describes a world where power is shifting and Europe must redefine its role. <\/p>\n \u201cFrom a professional standpoint, the global situation is extremely interesting for someone like me. From every other perspective, it is alarming. We are moving toward a multipolar world in which China is increasing its influence while the U.S. is reducing its role and alienating old allies. This is problematic for liberal democracies, not least because the green transition depends on technologies where China is world-leading \u2014 which risks creating one-sided dependency. Europe is trying to find new trade patterns and partners. The key point is that the world we knew will not return. We cannot simply view ourselves as victims of a difficult world; we must act.\u201d <\/p>\n For the construction and real estate industry, these developments have tangible consequences. Paasikivi argues that robustness is not just a societal concern but a business-critical issue \u2014 and that the private sector plays a central role in civil preparedness. <\/p>\n \u201cTotal defense largely consists of companies, which play a crucial role before, during, and after any potential crisis. Well-functioning, profitable businesses are vital to Sweden. Being prepared is good business \u2014 both financially and in terms of resilience.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWhen infrastructure is being developed, the construction sector becomes a key actor \u2014 but it must be ready. That means having sufficient machinery, the ability to operate in locations other than where you normally work, and doing so in competition with everyone else.\u201d <\/p>\n Preparedness also involves urban and infrastructure planning. Paasikivi highlights the importance of avoiding a single point of failure \u2014 for example, by not routing water, sewage, electricity, and communications through the same corridor. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how vulnerable infrastructure can be \u2014 and how critical rapid repair capabilities are. <\/p>\n \u201cConstruction preparedness is extremely important. We must be able to quickly rebuild damaged, vital infrastructure \u2014 something Ukraine has managed remarkably well. Ironically, this is partly because they were not as wealthy as we are and therefore had not dismantled older systems. In Sweden, we have streamlined everything, relied on single competencies, and adopted \u2018just-in-time\u2019 models. We need greater redundancy to improve endurance and our ability to reprioritize.\u201d <\/p>\n To ensure the sector is ready in the event of conflict, Paasikivi sees a need for clearer security procedures and reduced vulnerability \u2014 from controlling access to construction sites to managing and monitoring material flows.<\/p>\n \u201cA comprehensive security mindset is required across the entire organization \u2014 functions that ensure things are done correctly and that substandard materials are not used. You also need to know who is on site and avoid long chains of subcontractors.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cWhen society comes under severe strain, cooperation is essential \u2014 even with competitors. There are examples of this in several Ukrainian industries: people must always be able to withdraw money regardless of their bank, and mobile phones must work even if one network goes down. If you help each other, more people will survive \u2014 both physically and commercially.\u201d <\/p>\n In closing, Joakim Paasikivi does not want to leave the audience with concern alone<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know what lies ahead \u2014 only that we won\u2019t return to where we were. But that does not mean we are powerless victims on rough seas. A strong society is more resilient, and fortunately Sweden and the EU have made many good decisions to rebuild both military and civil capacity. Internationally, Sweden is regarded as a frontrunner in total defense. There is no point in being discouraged \u2014 take control of what you can and contribute.\u201d [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Bild 1\/2 + Text 1\/2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”90f7fcc8-011e-4540-8598-a12e53a29ab5″ custom_padding=”23px||16px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-zqmeyyr1-ozjs-tdol-t9th-kdmdqxufunhr%22:%91%22border_color_right%22,%22border_color_right%22%93}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”f9b766ed-ceef-4cd8-958d-5caeab6123e6″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_days_label_text=”Days” custom_hours_label_text=”Hours” custom_minutes_label_text=”Minutes” custom_seconds_label_text=”Seconds”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”#” global_colors_info=”{}” 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\n\u201cNews reporting is often interesting, but it rarely provides history and context. I will try to give some background on why Russia is waging war and how it seeks to reshape the world. Ukraine is part of this, but certainly not Russia\u2019s only objective. I aim to put it into context and explain why this poses a security threat to us \u2013 and to democracy globally.\u201d <\/p>\nWhere does the war stand right now?<\/h2>\n
Why does Russia continue?<\/h2>\n
Opportunities and risks for the industry?<\/h2>\n
How can organizations work strategically to reduce vulnerability?<\/h2>\n