“Why Putin Invaded Ukraine” - In this piece, @McFaul and I argue that a permissive balance of power, Putin’s personalist autocracy, and his anti-democratic & anti-Ukrainian ideology led him to launch his disastrous war - not NATO enlargement. Read it for free here:

@Bart_DeWever A century ago Britain went to war for “plucky Belgium”. All we ask now is that you don’t veto a plan to protect another victim of aggression by using the aggressor’s money.

"Russia’s economy is beginning to buckle. Businesses have been crippled by high interest rates, government borrowing costs have soared and economy minister Maxim Reshetnikov warned in June that the country was “on the brink of a recession”.

“The war in Ukraine is nowhere near ripe for a negotiated peace agreement or even short-term ceasefire . . . In fact, the conflict is more intractable than ever.” https://t.co/U6l8laJdtG @JoDemocracy

A major step forward to strangle the Russian war machine! 👏

If Trump wants to maximize his chances of delivering on his promise to stop the killing in Ukraine, he would do well to recall the words of an admired predecessor with a twist: Walk loudly and carry a bigger stick. Sometimes that’s the only path to peace.

My latest for @JoDemocracy: “How to negotiate with Putin.” TL;DR: Walk loudly and carry a bigger stick. https://t.co/U6l8laJLje @FPRI

It’s impossible to make peace with someone who doesn’t want it. But if there is any chance of stopping the killing in Ukraine, this is the path forward. Here's how to negotiate with Putin, according to @RTPerson3: https://t.co/OB25oGwEXD

I recently joined @FrancisDearnley and @DomNicholls on "Ukraine: The Latest" to discuss the dim prospects for peace in Ukraine despite the flurry of recent diplomatic activity. Take a listen: https://t.co/rgM6wXylBn @Telegraph @FPRI

🇺🇦New episode of Ukraine: The Latest @FrancisDearnley and @DomNicholls are joined by @RTPerson3 to discuss the White House meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky - and what it would take to achieve a genuine breakthrough in peace negotiations 🎧 Listen

Surprise surprise! After 1,003 days of war, Putin’s maximalist war aims haven’t moved an inch. He still demands to be handed what his armies have failed to conquer after 3+ years of fighting.

They say labradors shed twice a year: 6 months in the spring and 6 months in the fall! 🖤 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺🇷🇺 Georgia is fighting for its future — and Russia is terrified. If Moscow loses Tbilisi, it loses far more than a former Soviet republic. It loses its grip on the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and the dream of empire. 🧵1/14

No surprise that Scout was a perfect angel at the “Blessing of the Animals” service today in honor of St. Francis! 😇

I’m pleased to share our latest paper from the International Working Group on Russia Sanctions at @FSIStanford: #23 “New Sanctions to Pressure Russia to Agree to a Ceasefire in Ukraine” https://t.co/judavEt4Pr @McFaul @Stanford

The President is right to call out the fact that some NATO members continue to purchase Russian oil and gas, as well as products refined in third countries from Russian oil. This has to stop if we are serious about forcing Putin to end his war.

A Better Way for Europe to Guarantee Ukraine’s Security ⁦@IvoHDaalder⁩ for ⁦@ForeignAffairs⁩

On Wednesday, Poland shot down more than a dozen Russian drones that had entered its territory near its border with Ukraine and Belarus. Our experts share their insights on what happened and what NATO allies should do next. https://t.co/Ea0XZoz0xG

Moldova's president accuses Russia of conducting 'hybrid war' ahead of key elections | AP News

Russia will borrow more than planned in 2025, finance minister says | Reuters

@arbeloaaaaa @dab_days And this one made from (beef) kazy that I made myself. Impossible to buy horse meat in USA, unfortunately. There will always be something “not quite right” for purists, but until Uzbek food catches on in America, I do my best to study and honor such a magnificent cuisine.