In Trump’s paradigm, the substance of negotiations and any potential agreements between 🇺🇦 and 🇷🇺 are irrelevant. What still matters to him is merely the fact of achieving a "quick deal", regardless of the long-term damage it would inflict on Ukraine and on European security.

In this sense, the White House’s strategy has remained unchanged. This is also supported by Trump’s demonstrative decision to send Witkoff to Moscow against the backdrop of the released records of his conversations with Ushakov.

Witkoff could not have been running his own game behind Trump’s back. He simply lacks the resources and the ambition for that. From the moment he was appointed special envoy, he has diligently implemented Trump’s line, which essentially aims to pressure 🇺🇦 into capitulation.

Yet another Witkoff’s peace plan rests entirely on Russian ultimatums and would leave Ukraine nearly defenceless against a renewed Russian invasion. The US president continues to pursue a quick deal at any price, writes @IgorGretskiy.

Полчаса разговора #вТРЕНДde и множество затронутых тем: от безопасности 🇪🇪 и ограничений 🇪🇺по мультивизам для граждан 🇷🇺 до моего нового доклада про российских антивоенных активистов в Европе.

The ICDS report:

3️⃣ The aforementioned bloggers, as a rule, do not read the EU’s official documents.

2️⃣ Their view of developments in Europe remains Russia-centric. They regard political changes in Russia and the end of the war in Ukraine—not the strengthening of European security—as the main criterion for assessing the effectiveness of sanctions/visa restrictions.

It confirms: 1️⃣ Many influencers from the new 🇷🇺immigration perceive visa restrictions primarily as a matter of personal convenience or the preservation of a loyal audience for their media platforms, rather than through the lens of the security challenges faced by host countries.

The uproar among bloggers from the new Russian émigré community over the EC’s decision to amend the rules for issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to RU citizens in 🇷🇺 has only reinforced the conclusions drawn in last year’s ICDS report on the new 🇷🇺 immigration.

Russia targets Estonia’s Russian-speaking community, using language, culture, sports, and social media to push narratives of Western decline and oppression. @IgorGretskiy @MarekKohv

None of us should put pressure on Zelenskyy when it comes to territorial concessions. We should all put pressure on Russia to stop its aggression. Appeasement never was a road to a just and lasting peace.

Lisaks RKK nädalakirjas: - Venelaste sõjavastased kodanikualgatused Euroopas @IgorGretskiy - Intervjuu Zelenskõi kantselei peamise sõjaväelasega - Nobeli preemia toob Venezuela kriisile tähelepanu juurde @IvanUKlyszcz - Põhja-Küpros seisab ristteel https://t.co/52QuBmS0cL

The idea that Europe can only be safe after a political change in Russia is a mistake and falsely suggests Europe can influence Kremlin dynamics. European security rests in Europe’s hands, writes @IgorGretskiy in his latest report on Russia's opposition.

Russian anti-war grassroots initiatives in Europe are struggling to act as agents of change or influence Russia. A new report by @IgorGretskiy examines these movements and their challenges.

Venemaa "Brandti" ja "Adenaueri" esiletõusu ei soodusta mitte dialoogiplatvormi loomine Strasbourgis, vaid Ukraina võit lahinguväljal. @IgorGretskiy kirjutab, miks ta kahtleb, et uus suhtluskatse Venemaa demokraatlike jõududega võiks osutuda viljakaks.

"Nearly four years into the war, the exiled Russian opposition has proven largely irrelevant to Ukraine’s struggle against the invasion." @IgorGretskiy's commentary on why PACE’s new Russian platform may backfire.

Alexey Pushkov, a propagandist and member of the 🇷🇺 parliament, presented this as if it were Reuters’ own statement: “Reuters has confirmed: … There was no violation of [Estonia’s] borders.” To make it more convincing, Pushkov even used Reuters’ illustration for his own post.

One of countless examples of 🇷🇺 lies and disinformation. On 20 September, three 🇷🇺 fighter jets violated 🇪🇪 airspace. Reuters reported that Russia’s MoD denied the accusations, citing statements from the ministry’s Telegram channel.

"Trump has never abandoned the idea of a quick deal at Ukraine’s expense, followed by a return to business as usual with Russia." Whatever the outcome of the Alaska summit, it is unlikely to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, writes @IgorGretskiy.