Ian Bond
@cerianbond.bsky.social
Deputy director, Centre for European Reform, London @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social . Supporter of democracy, the rule of law, the EU & Ukraine. Opponent of authoritarianism, corruption & Putin's Russia.
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Ian Bond
@cerianbond.bsky.social
· May 31
The Routledge Guide to the European Union
Written by experts, this long-established and definitive guide to the workings of the European Union provides comprehensive, straightforward and readable coverage of this sometimes misunderstood and c...
www.routledge.com
It's been a long time coming, but I am delighted to announce that the 2nd edition of the Routledge Guide to the European Union will be published on June 30th, and is available for pre-order from June 9th. @routledgebuseco.bsky.social @tandfresearch.bsky.social www.routledge.com/The-Routledg...
While the timing of this raid may be unfortunate (it cd encourage Trump to think Zelenskyy is in a weak position & can be bullied into accepting a bad peace deal), if investigators are allowed to follow the evidence where it leads, that will be a sign of Ukraine's growing political maturity.
Big news in Kyiv today: Ukraine’s top anti-corruption authorities searched the home of Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff, on Friday as part of a widening investigation into the country’s energy sector.
www.ft.com/content/4f48...
www.ft.com/content/4f48...
Anti-corruption authorities raid house of top Zelenskyy aide
Search carried out at home of presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
While the timing of this raid may be unfortunate (it cd encourage Trump to think Zelenskyy is in a weak position & can be bullied into accepting a bad peace deal), if investigators are allowed to follow the evidence where it leads, that will be a sign of Ukraine's growing political maturity.
Reposted by Ian Bond
@cerianbond.bsky.social, deputy director of the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social said Putin has shown no interest in compromise. Bond predicted that Trump’s envoy will hear in Moscow that the proposal is merely “a good starting point”...
buff.ly/jRH7tA1
buff.ly/jRH7tA1
Bad peace is worse than war, Europe warns as Ukraine talks advance
A sidelined Europe scrambles to reshape negotiations as the U.S. proposal sparks alarm that a flawed deal would invite future Russian aggression.
www.courthousenews.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
@cerianbond.bsky.social, deputy director of the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social said Putin has shown no interest in compromise. Bond predicted that Trump’s envoy will hear in Moscow that the proposal is merely “a good starting point”...
buff.ly/jRH7tA1
buff.ly/jRH7tA1
Reposted by Ian Bond
🚨🚨"Whatever the reason Witkoff is prolonging the conflict. He is not promoting peace. If this were a normal American administration, he would be fired immediately. But nothing about this negotiation, or this administration, is normal at all." @anneapplebaum.bsky.social's damning verdict on #witkoff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM
🚨🚨"Whatever the reason Witkoff is prolonging the conflict. He is not promoting peace. If this were a normal American administration, he would be fired immediately. But nothing about this negotiation, or this administration, is normal at all." @anneapplebaum.bsky.social's damning verdict on #witkoff.
Something that Trump’s hapless crew seem completely unable to understand.
We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where they need to negotiate.
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
November 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Something that Trump’s hapless crew seem completely unable to understand.
Reposted by Ian Bond
New: @theins.press saw the Witkoff-Dmitriev plan six months ago in draft form—except it was all Dmitriev. Bloomberg reports now Dmitriev told Ushakov he’d pass along a Russian plan and the Americans “can present it as their own”: theins.press/en/politics/...
Made in Moscow: The “U.S. peace plan” for Ukraine was substantially formulated months ago by Kremlin operative Kirill Dmitriev
Since it was first published on Nov. 20, the much-discussed 28-point plan for ending the war in Ukraine has borne all the signs of a Kremlin information operation. In fact, many of its most controvers...
theins.press
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
New: @theins.press saw the Witkoff-Dmitriev plan six months ago in draft form—except it was all Dmitriev. Bloomberg reports now Dmitriev told Ushakov he’d pass along a Russian plan and the Americans “can present it as their own”: theins.press/en/politics/...
Reposted by Ian Bond
Ideja da bi područja na granicama EU mogla da postanu sporna područja sa drugim velikim silama, navela je EU da pomisli da mora da nastavi sa proširenjem, da mora da eliminiše ove vrste sivih zona između sebe i drugih velikih sila rekao je @cerianbond.bsky.social.
Odjeci Foruma o proširenju EU: Srbija ima šansu da ispravi stvari, Crna Gora na putu ka članstvu
Crna Gora prednjači, Albanija je odmah iza nje. Srbija je nazadovala, ali ima šansu da ispravi stvari i ono sto je važno, žele je u svom timu. Ukrajina i Moldavija su znatno napredovale, Severnu…
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Ideja da bi područja na granicama EU mogla da postanu sporna područja sa drugim velikim silama, navela je EU da pomisli da mora da nastavi sa proširenjem, da mora da eliminiše ove vrste sivih zona između sebe i drugih velikih sila rekao je @cerianbond.bsky.social.
Well put.
'There is no peace process. This is not negotiations over peace: it is the transmission of surrender demands from Russia with the active facilitation of the United States.'
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Trump pressures Ukraine to accept peace deal: Early analysis from Chatham House experts
Chatham House analysts give their initial analysis after Zelenskyy was pressured by Trump to accept a White House plan to end the war with Russia.
www.chathamhouse.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Well put.
Hard to imagine anyone being so foolish & ill-informed as to think Putin wants a peace deal - unless by that Witkoff meant Ukrainian capitulatn. Will we ever reach the point when European leaders accept the US is now acting against Ukraine's & Europe's interests, & they must protect themselves?
“I told the president that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. That’s my belief. [...] And I believe the issue is is that we have two nations that are having a hard time coming to a compromise,” Witkoff told Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
November 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Hard to imagine anyone being so foolish & ill-informed as to think Putin wants a peace deal - unless by that Witkoff meant Ukrainian capitulatn. Will we ever reach the point when European leaders accept the US is now acting against Ukraine's & Europe's interests, & they must protect themselves?
I found myself on @rte.ie Prime Time tonight with @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social alumnus & @ucddublin.bsky.social prof Edward Burke, discussing latest on the Ukraine 'peace plan'. Both of us were sceptical that this plan would lead to peace, & critical of the lack of Russia expertise around Trump.
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I found myself on @rte.ie Prime Time tonight with @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social alumnus & @ucddublin.bsky.social prof Edward Burke, discussing latest on the Ukraine 'peace plan'. Both of us were sceptical that this plan would lead to peace, & critical of the lack of Russia expertise around Trump.
Every time I think this administration has plumbed the depths of incompetence, it goes down another level. Will this make Putin think he should end the war? Or will it make him think that if he keeps pushing, the US will offer him even more?
"Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere."
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Every time I think this administration has plumbed the depths of incompetence, it goes down another level. Will this make Putin think he should end the war? Or will it make him think that if he keeps pushing, the US will offer him even more?
Reposted by Ian Bond
@cerianbond.bsky.social, former ambassador to Latvia, now deputy director of @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, tells presenterJonathan Samuel that the plan would also "very badly damage" European security.
Ukraine war latest: US holds 'secret peace talks' - as NATO country forced to scramble jets over drone attack
The US is reportedly holding secret talks between Russia and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates, the latest in negotiations over a controversial US peace plan. Meanwhile, Romania has scrambled jets…
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
@cerianbond.bsky.social, former ambassador to Latvia, now deputy director of @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, tells presenterJonathan Samuel that the plan would also "very badly damage" European security.
Reposted by Ian Bond
Righteous fury in this highly recommended piece, but the fury should focus on core Western Europe which thinks you can fight the war without fighting. NB8, Poland, Romanian (and when they had a serious Govt, Bulgaria and Czechia) are taking this seriously.
"Europe’s problem is not that it lacks options. It is that it refuses to use them". Jade McGlynn skewers both the Dmitriev/Witkoff plan for Ukraine's destruction, & Europe's refusal to act decisively enough to prevent disaster. open.substack.com/pub/smalldee...
Circus
Amidst the absolute chaos of a Witkoff-stamped Russian psyop-as-peace plan, discussion is filled with anger at Washington and at Moscow.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Righteous fury in this highly recommended piece, but the fury should focus on core Western Europe which thinks you can fight the war without fighting. NB8, Poland, Romanian (and when they had a serious Govt, Bulgaria and Czechia) are taking this seriously.
Perhaps not "entirely" - Putin had something to do with it. But European leaders have been a feckless bunch since the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia.
Two minutes ago I borrowed some of @drjademcglynn.bsky.social's excellent points to put across in an interview for @listentotimesradio.bsky.social. Europe's current predicament is entirely self-inflicted.
November 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Perhaps not "entirely" - Putin had something to do with it. But European leaders have been a feckless bunch since the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia.
Reposted by Ian Bond
Two minutes ago I borrowed some of @drjademcglynn.bsky.social's excellent points to put across in an interview for @listentotimesradio.bsky.social. Europe's current predicament is entirely self-inflicted.
November 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Two minutes ago I borrowed some of @drjademcglynn.bsky.social's excellent points to put across in an interview for @listentotimesradio.bsky.social. Europe's current predicament is entirely self-inflicted.
Reposted by Ian Bond
“It shows us that Trump and those around him really think the US is not part of Nato,” said @cerianbond.bsky.social, deputy director of the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social think-tank.
Europeans scramble to protect their own security after jolt of Ukraine plan
Elements of US peace proposal would give Russia sway over continent’s defence arrangements
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“It shows us that Trump and those around him really think the US is not part of Nato,” said @cerianbond.bsky.social, deputy director of the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social think-tank.
"Europe’s problem is not that it lacks options. It is that it refuses to use them". Jade McGlynn skewers both the Dmitriev/Witkoff plan for Ukraine's destruction, & Europe's refusal to act decisively enough to prevent disaster. open.substack.com/pub/smalldee...
Circus
Amidst the absolute chaos of a Witkoff-stamped Russian psyop-as-peace plan, discussion is filled with anger at Washington and at Moscow.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"Europe’s problem is not that it lacks options. It is that it refuses to use them". Jade McGlynn skewers both the Dmitriev/Witkoff plan for Ukraine's destruction, & Europe's refusal to act decisively enough to prevent disaster. open.substack.com/pub/smalldee...
Reposted by Ian Bond
Consider Mexico. A thread.
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Consider Mexico. A thread.
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
Once upon a time, not even so very long ago, you would often hear from Russia's propagandists and their little helpers in the West about the "Mexico scenario".
Russia liked people to think that it only invaded its neighbours because it was forced to do so by NATO -
1/12
Reposted by Ian Bond
Donald Trump expects Ukrainians to be ‘grateful’ as he prepares a carve-up of the country with Putin.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
November 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Donald Trump expects Ukrainians to be ‘grateful’ as he prepares a carve-up of the country with Putin.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
European leaders have made great efforts to get Trump back on the rails & keep him there since Feb. They probably have to keep trying, but neither they nor Ukraine can compromise their vital interests just to avoid annoying him.
Trump’s back to the rhetoric of the Oval Office meeting in February, claiming Ukraine’s leadership “has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts.”
November 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
European leaders have made great efforts to get Trump back on the rails & keep him there since Feb. They probably have to keep trying, but neither they nor Ukraine can compromise their vital interests just to avoid annoying him.
"They're thinking through how to patch shortfalls"?? Shouldn't they have done this after Trump briefly cut off intelligence to Ukraine in February?
" #Ukraine ’s allies are still trying to figure out how seriously to take the U.S. threat to halt #intelligence -sharing with Kyiv if it does not agree to a proposed peace plan — but some said Saturday they’re thinking through how to patch shortfalls."
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Ukraine's allies consider how to fill intelligence gaps if US backs out
Trump’s threat to withhold military intelligence exposes lagging satellite abilities among allies.
www.politico.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
"They're thinking through how to patch shortfalls"?? Shouldn't they have done this after Trump briefly cut off intelligence to Ukraine in February?
Just spoke to @skynewsrss.bsky.social on Trump's Ukraine 'peace plan' (or plan for a new war). In short - a lot of it wd be bad for UA & Europe. Some parts might be OK if Putin & Trump cd be trusted to implement them (they can't). Europeans will have to try to improve it while flattering Trump.
November 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Just spoke to @skynewsrss.bsky.social on Trump's Ukraine 'peace plan' (or plan for a new war). In short - a lot of it wd be bad for UA & Europe. Some parts might be OK if Putin & Trump cd be trusted to implement them (they can't). Europeans will have to try to improve it while flattering Trump.
As Ukraine marks Holodomor Remembrance Day, mourning millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal famine, it feels as though the Trump administration is happy to give Putin another chance to finish off what Stalin started. Europe should do everything in its power to help Ukraine & defeat Russia.
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
As Ukraine marks Holodomor Remembrance Day, mourning millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal famine, it feels as though the Trump administration is happy to give Putin another chance to finish off what Stalin started. Europe should do everything in its power to help Ukraine & defeat Russia.
Reposted by Ian Bond
I was honored to speak at a conference “Intent to Destroy: Confronting Russia’s Campaign to Erase Ukraine & Its People” at Georgetown. The mere suggestion of amnesty for Russia's war crimes and genocidal actions against Ukrainians, contained in Trump's 28-point plan, is an unconscionable obscenity.
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I was honored to speak at a conference “Intent to Destroy: Confronting Russia’s Campaign to Erase Ukraine & Its People” at Georgetown. The mere suggestion of amnesty for Russia's war crimes and genocidal actions against Ukrainians, contained in Trump's 28-point plan, is an unconscionable obscenity.
Reposted by Ian Bond
Btw, I do hope people understand what they have seen today. It was a well-planned and deliberate ambush of Ukraine by Trump, to force the Ukrainians to bend the knee to Putin's dictatorship. It was not slip-shod, rushed, impulsive or an accident. It was prepared malice.
November 22, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Btw, I do hope people understand what they have seen today. It was a well-planned and deliberate ambush of Ukraine by Trump, to force the Ukrainians to bend the knee to Putin's dictatorship. It was not slip-shod, rushed, impulsive or an accident. It was prepared malice.
A 2nd great thread on the US 'peace' package, this time on security guarantees that aren't - by @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social , who is on fire today!
A quick run through of the Trump administration's proposal for a Ukraine security guarantee, which is a security guarantee in the same way that the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia is a party committed to liberalism and democracy. 🧵 x.com/BarakRavid/s...
Barak Ravid on X: "FULL TEXT OF THE U.S. DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEE: 🚨This Framework establishes the conditions for an armistice between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and provides a security assurance modeled on the principles of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty," / X
FULL TEXT OF THE U.S. DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEE: 🚨This Framework establishes the conditions for an armistice between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and provides a security assurance modeled on the principles of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty,
x.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
A 2nd great thread on the US 'peace' package, this time on security guarantees that aren't - by @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social , who is on fire today!