Bill Park
@billpark.bsky.social
Retired KCL academic. Lives in Oxford. Interested in security issues, Turkey, Kurds, Ukraine. Remainer. Also lover of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Arsenal FC, jazz, travel, photography.
Reposted by Bill Park
Don't forget, Putin initially in 2022 sent his tanks to capture Kyiv, not Donetsk. To hope that his war against Ukraine will stop in Donbas is naive.
December 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Don't forget, Putin initially in 2022 sent his tanks to capture Kyiv, not Donetsk. To hope that his war against Ukraine will stop in Donbas is naive.
Reposted by Bill Park
❗️"We must not stand aside and watch as the world is being reshaped," — German Chancellor Merz.
We are not puppets of great powers.
"Russia is already attacking us every day — with drone flights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation."
We are not puppets of great powers.
"Russia is already attacking us every day — with drone flights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation."
December 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM
❗️"We must not stand aside and watch as the world is being reshaped," — German Chancellor Merz.
We are not puppets of great powers.
"Russia is already attacking us every day — with drone flights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation."
We are not puppets of great powers.
"Russia is already attacking us every day — with drone flights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation."
Reposted by Bill Park
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany will extend the military aid for Ukraine for the year 2026 by an additional €3 billion. This makes an overall support of €11.5 billion, a new record. Joint operations in drone production has been announced, as well.
December 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany will extend the military aid for Ukraine for the year 2026 by an additional €3 billion. This makes an overall support of €11.5 billion, a new record. Joint operations in drone production has been announced, as well.
Reposted by Bill Park
From the new chief of Britain's MI6:
"Hundreds of thousands have died, with the toll mounting every day, because of Putin’s historical distortions and his compromised desire for respect. He is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population."
"Hundreds of thousands have died, with the toll mounting every day, because of Putin’s historical distortions and his compromised desire for respect. He is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population."
December 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
From the new chief of Britain's MI6:
"Hundreds of thousands have died, with the toll mounting every day, because of Putin’s historical distortions and his compromised desire for respect. He is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population."
"Hundreds of thousands have died, with the toll mounting every day, because of Putin’s historical distortions and his compromised desire for respect. He is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population."
Starmer thinks he's charmed Trump. He hasn't. The UK needs to get real about the relationship with the US under Trump and his Republican cult followers.
December 16, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Starmer thinks he's charmed Trump. He hasn't. The UK needs to get real about the relationship with the US under Trump and his Republican cult followers.
Excellent.
Britain has announced a major air‑defense support package for Ukraine, Sky News.
UK will invest £600 million to boost Ukraine’s ability to shoot down Russian drones this winter. Defence Secretary John Healey said Kyiv will receive air‑defense systems, missiles and automated anti‑drone turrets.
UK will invest £600 million to boost Ukraine’s ability to shoot down Russian drones this winter. Defence Secretary John Healey said Kyiv will receive air‑defense systems, missiles and automated anti‑drone turrets.
December 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Excellent.
Nor should he have.
❗️Zelensky did not accept Witkoff's proposal on withdrawing troops from Donbas during the negotiations in Berlin, — AFR.
December 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Nor should he have.
Problem is, existing NATO members are entertaining doubts about the value of US security guarantees. What, concretely, would it amount to for Ukraine? Europeans - Germany, France, UK, Poland, etc need to offer hard security guarantees - maybe stationing of forces, integrated training etc etc.
🚨“We have now heard from the U.S. side that they are ready to give us security guarantees that correspond to Article 5” -- Zelenskyy
Important development. Looking forward to hearing more details.
Reliable security guarantees are critical for a just and lasting peace.
Important development. Looking forward to hearing more details.
Reliable security guarantees are critical for a just and lasting peace.
December 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Problem is, existing NATO members are entertaining doubts about the value of US security guarantees. What, concretely, would it amount to for Ukraine? Europeans - Germany, France, UK, Poland, etc need to offer hard security guarantees - maybe stationing of forces, integrated training etc etc.
Reposted by Bill Park
More sanctions "on a rolling basis".
No rush. We mustn't upset the Russian economy by delivering a sudden fatal blow, must we? 🙄
Slow pressure = Russia adapts, the war continues
Rapid shock = Russia cannot adapt, the war effort crumbles
No rush. We mustn't upset the Russian economy by delivering a sudden fatal blow, must we? 🙄
Slow pressure = Russia adapts, the war continues
Rapid shock = Russia cannot adapt, the war effort crumbles
Russia’s shadow fleet remains its cash lifeline.
We are cutting it.
Today we sanctioned several individuals linked to Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as 40 additional vessels.
We will also sanction shadow fleet vessels on a rolling basis, with decisions every month.
Extract from my press conference ↓
We are cutting it.
Today we sanctioned several individuals linked to Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as 40 additional vessels.
We will also sanction shadow fleet vessels on a rolling basis, with decisions every month.
Extract from my press conference ↓
December 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
More sanctions "on a rolling basis".
No rush. We mustn't upset the Russian economy by delivering a sudden fatal blow, must we? 🙄
Slow pressure = Russia adapts, the war continues
Rapid shock = Russia cannot adapt, the war effort crumbles
No rush. We mustn't upset the Russian economy by delivering a sudden fatal blow, must we? 🙄
Slow pressure = Russia adapts, the war continues
Rapid shock = Russia cannot adapt, the war effort crumbles
Exactly. It isn't NATO expanding so as to threaten Russia, it is NATO expanding so as to offer some security to those threatened by Russia. I find it hard to believe that Moscow and its western apologists don't understand that. Did NATO look like to was preparing to invade Russia? Really?
Kaja Kallas: what we have to keep in mind is why countries want to be in NATO is because they don't want Russia to invade them. That's why Sweden and and Finland joined NATO, that's why the Baltic States joined NATO, to have this defense umbrella.
December 15, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Exactly. It isn't NATO expanding so as to threaten Russia, it is NATO expanding so as to offer some security to those threatened by Russia. I find it hard to believe that Moscow and its western apologists don't understand that. Did NATO look like to was preparing to invade Russia? Really?
Reposted by Bill Park
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Kallas: The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game. If he gets it, he will demand more. We know this from history and we should learn from history.
December 15, 2025 at 8:40 AM
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Kallas: The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game. If he gets it, he will demand more. We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Find myself increasingly sympathetic to this. Hybrid warfare + real threats means we all have to be vigilant, and contribute.
At last. Western Europeans are listening to what the Ukrainians and Scandinavians (and others, especially in SE Asia) have been saying since 2014 (some since 2008).
"Total defence" is a framework "whole of society" approach and strategy that integrates civil and military security and defence.
"Total defence" is a framework "whole of society" approach and strategy that integrates civil and military security and defence.
"Our whole nation" needs to step up🗣️
There needs to be a "whole of society approach" to build "national resilience" in the face of increasing threats and uncertainty, the head of Britain's Armed Forces will warn🔗⬇️
There needs to be a "whole of society approach" to build "national resilience" in the face of increasing threats and uncertainty, the head of Britain's Armed Forces will warn🔗⬇️
December 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Find myself increasingly sympathetic to this. Hybrid warfare + real threats means we all have to be vigilant, and contribute.
Reposted by Bill Park
The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game.
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
December 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game.
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Reposted by Bill Park
Super interesting reporting on Palantir‘s efforts to be used in Swiss governmental services and the military. They decided against it, because they worried Palantir was giving information to CIA and NSA and feared a loss of national sovereignty.
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
December 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Super interesting reporting on Palantir‘s efforts to be used in Swiss governmental services and the military. They decided against it, because they worried Palantir was giving information to CIA and NSA and feared a loss of national sovereignty.
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
Reposted by Bill Park
OTD in 1994 the First Chechen War began. After incompetent initial assault that failed, Russian army turned to barbarism & crimes against humanity. It stopped when we signed a peace deal we would later violate.
None of this should sound familiar to you
None of this should sound familiar to you
December 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
OTD in 1994 the First Chechen War began. After incompetent initial assault that failed, Russian army turned to barbarism & crimes against humanity. It stopped when we signed a peace deal we would later violate.
None of this should sound familiar to you
None of this should sound familiar to you
Reposted by Bill Park
🇺🇦🤔 There's one question I—and all Ukrainians—want an answer to: if Russia starts a war again, what will our partners do? — Zelensky
December 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
🇺🇦🤔 There's one question I—and all Ukrainians—want an answer to: if Russia starts a war again, what will our partners do? — Zelensky
Reposted by Bill Park
There is only one path to peace:
Apply devastating sanctions that destroy the war economy of aggressor Russia; impose a total embargo.
Give massive assistance to Ukrainian defenders to secure victory; liberate all occupied land and people.
Apply devastating sanctions that destroy the war economy of aggressor Russia; impose a total embargo.
Give massive assistance to Ukrainian defenders to secure victory; liberate all occupied land and people.
December 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
There is only one path to peace:
Apply devastating sanctions that destroy the war economy of aggressor Russia; impose a total embargo.
Give massive assistance to Ukrainian defenders to secure victory; liberate all occupied land and people.
Apply devastating sanctions that destroy the war economy of aggressor Russia; impose a total embargo.
Give massive assistance to Ukrainian defenders to secure victory; liberate all occupied land and people.
Reposted by Bill Park
There are solutions to almost every problem. Including reversing military invasions and ending occupations.
The solution to Russia's war against Ukraine is to shock Russia's economy into collapse, resulting in impoverished Russians who turn on Putin and his regime. That's how we solve this problem.
The solution to Russia's war against Ukraine is to shock Russia's economy into collapse, resulting in impoverished Russians who turn on Putin and his regime. That's how we solve this problem.
December 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
There are solutions to almost every problem. Including reversing military invasions and ending occupations.
The solution to Russia's war against Ukraine is to shock Russia's economy into collapse, resulting in impoverished Russians who turn on Putin and his regime. That's how we solve this problem.
The solution to Russia's war against Ukraine is to shock Russia's economy into collapse, resulting in impoverished Russians who turn on Putin and his regime. That's how we solve this problem.
Totally agree with this paper. As with pre-WW1 and pre-WW2, US is absent. But Ukraine is now a major player in securing European security into the future, and Ukraine's plight today matters.
When I finished writing this a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect that the US would set out in its National Security Strategy how it could help Putin achieve his goals.
#Russia has made two failed attempts to get the West to accept a Russian sphere of influence in Eastern Europe by diplomatic means. Now #Putin is intent on creating a sphere of influence by force. 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social paper by @cerianbond.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/gzMAkk4
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social paper by @cerianbond.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/gzMAkk4
December 8, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Totally agree with this paper. As with pre-WW1 and pre-WW2, US is absent. But Ukraine is now a major player in securing European security into the future, and Ukraine's plight today matters.
Reposted by Bill Park
#Europe has voted for defence. Now it must deliver
by Blythe Crawford
Europe’s landmark defence-industrial programme will mean nothing if it cannot translate political will into real capability
www.euractiv.com/opinion/euro...
by Blythe Crawford
Europe’s landmark defence-industrial programme will mean nothing if it cannot translate political will into real capability
www.euractiv.com/opinion/euro...
Europe has voted for defence. Now it must deliver | Euractiv
Europe’s landmark defence-industrial programme will mean nothing if it cannot translate political will into real capability
www.euractiv.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:25 AM
#Europe has voted for defence. Now it must deliver
by Blythe Crawford
Europe’s landmark defence-industrial programme will mean nothing if it cannot translate political will into real capability
www.euractiv.com/opinion/euro...
by Blythe Crawford
Europe’s landmark defence-industrial programme will mean nothing if it cannot translate political will into real capability
www.euractiv.com/opinion/euro...
He's right on the threats, but Europe shouldn't rely on China doing the decent thing. China, and the US, are protectionist. That's their business. But now so should Europe be, perhaps alongside its allies in Canada, Japan, S. Korea, Australasia etc.
European industry is facing a “life or death” moment, says French President Emmanuel Macron, squeezed between an ultra-competitive China and a protectionist America — and Beijing should ride to its rescue with long overdue foreign investment.
European industry faces ‘life or death,’ Macron says — and China needs to help
China’s trade surplus is “untenable” and Beijing needs to start importing from Europe instead of “killing their customers,” French president says.
www.politico.eu
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM
He's right on the threats, but Europe shouldn't rely on China doing the decent thing. China, and the US, are protectionist. That's their business. But now so should Europe be, perhaps alongside its allies in Canada, Japan, S. Korea, Australasia etc.
Reposted by Bill Park
Three more British MEPs in Nigel Farage’s bloc now alleged to have “followed the script” given to Nathan Gill by an alleged Russian asset, according to prosecutors.
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Three more Farage bloc MEPs alleged to have followed Russian asset’s script
At least eight MEPs elected for Ukip or Brexit party now known to have been focus of efforts by jailed Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Three more British MEPs in Nigel Farage’s bloc now alleged to have “followed the script” given to Nathan Gill by an alleged Russian asset, according to prosecutors.
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
At least eight UKIP and Brexit Party MPs were focus of efforts by Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Bill Park
Does Europe Finally Realize It’s Alone?
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/05/n...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/05/n...
Does Europe Finally Realize It’s Alone?
Washington’s new National Security Strategy ratifies an adversarial relationship.
foreignpolicy.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Does Europe Finally Realize It’s Alone?
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/05/n...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/05/n...
Reposted by Bill Park
And Ukrainian journalists, civil society, and legal institutions still work.
The baroque corruption schemes playing out in America and Russia completely outclass the kickback scandal in Ukraine.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Trumpian Corruption Is Worse Than Ukrainian Corruption
The people of Ukraine want an honest government, even as American and Russian kleptocrats circle their country.
www.theatlantic.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:54 PM
And Ukrainian journalists, civil society, and legal institutions still work.