Eilish Hart
@eilishhart.bsky.social
Editor of Meduza’s long-reads newsletter, The Beet, covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. 📧 Send tips & pitches: [email protected]
Pinned
Eilish Hart
@eilishhart.bsky.social
· May 29
Big update for The Beet: We now have our own landing page on @meduza.io! 🎉 Pay it a visit if you’re looking to subscribe to the newsletter or want to read any of our top reporting from the last year-ish. meduza.io/en/specials/...
“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
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 9:28 PM
“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.
Looks like Yermak spoke to Axios too soon. Trump says he’s sending Steve Witkoff to meet with Putin and Dan Driscoll to meet with the Ukrainians. And that he’ll only meet with Zelensky *and* Putin “when the deal to end this war is final or in its final stages.”
November 25, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Looks like Yermak spoke to Axios too soon. Trump says he’s sending Steve Witkoff to meet with Putin and Dan Driscoll to meet with the Ukrainians. And that he’ll only meet with Zelensky *and* Putin “when the deal to end this war is final or in its final stages.”
Reposted by Eilish Hart
“People who work with Putin know that the main thing for him is always his image, and that in an effort to save face, he — the leader of a nuclear power — won’t stop at anything,” journalist @faridaily.bsky.social tells Meduza. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Journalist Farida Rustamova explains how Russia’s elites went from dreading war to fearing peace — Meduza
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, Vladimir Putin declared that the word “elite” had lost much of its credibility. “Those who have done nothing for society and consider themselves a caste with…
meduza.io
November 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
“People who work with Putin know that the main thing for him is always his image, and that in an effort to save face, he — the leader of a nuclear power — won’t stop at anything,” journalist @faridaily.bsky.social tells Meduza. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Scoop @financialtimes.com: Under the US-Ukraine deal, Kyiv agreed to cap the size of its army at 800,000, according to senior officials who say they're pleased with the plan. Points left are territorial matters and security guarantees, which are TBD by Zelensky and Trump. www.ft.com/content/b0d9...
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggests Moscow would walk away from proposal that differs substantially from Alaska talks
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Scoop @financialtimes.com: Under the US-Ukraine deal, Kyiv agreed to cap the size of its army at 800,000, according to senior officials who say they're pleased with the plan. Points left are territorial matters and security guarantees, which are TBD by Zelensky and Trump. www.ft.com/content/b0d9...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
🚑🕊️ The Red Cross stands for “neutrality” and “impartiality”.
Our investigation shows Russia’s branch trains children in military skills, works with Kremlin linked groups, and operates in occupied Ukraine while still receiving millions from a system funded by EU governments.
Full story below:
Our investigation shows Russia’s branch trains children in military skills, works with Kremlin linked groups, and operates in occupied Ukraine while still receiving millions from a system funded by EU governments.
Full story below:
Russian Red Cross supports Kremlin war machine – while receiving millions from the West
The Russian Red Cross is providing military training to children, engaging in propaganda networks and operating in occupied Ukraine. But the Red Cross’ international factions and the European Commissi...
www.ftm.eu
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 AM
🚑🕊️ The Red Cross stands for “neutrality” and “impartiality”.
Our investigation shows Russia’s branch trains children in military skills, works with Kremlin linked groups, and operates in occupied Ukraine while still receiving millions from a system funded by EU governments.
Full story below:
Our investigation shows Russia’s branch trains children in military skills, works with Kremlin linked groups, and operates in occupied Ukraine while still receiving millions from a system funded by EU governments.
Full story below:
Reposted by Eilish Hart
⚡️ Ukraine reiterates its 'red lines' amid speculations about military size, territory.
Ukraine will not recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
Ukraine will not recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
Ukraine reiterates its 'red lines' amid speculations about military size, territory
Ukraine remains ready for peace talks with Russia but will never legally recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk sai...
kyivindependent.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
⚡️ Ukraine reiterates its 'red lines' amid speculations about military size, territory.
Ukraine will not recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
Ukraine will not recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
Important tidbit from my Q&A with @faridaily.bsky.social in the context of the current peace talks. Kremlin insiders believe that Putin will not stop the war against Ukraine unless there’s “a substantial rethinking of the global security system.”
Read more here👇 meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Read more here👇 meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Journalist Farida Rustamova explains how Russia’s elites went from dreading war to fearing peace — Meduza
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, Vladimir Putin declared that the word “elite” had lost much of its credibility. “Those who have done nothing for society and consider themselves a caste with s...
meduza.io
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Important tidbit from my Q&A with @faridaily.bsky.social in the context of the current peace talks. Kremlin insiders believe that Putin will not stop the war against Ukraine unless there’s “a substantial rethinking of the global security system.”
Read more here👇 meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Read more here👇 meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Exclusive: First interview with negotiator in the room in Geneva. Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya tells me the US and Ukraine drafted a new peace deal but left the most politically sensitive elements to be decided by the countries’ presidents. www.ft.com/content/883e...
US and Ukraine draft new 19-point peace plan but defer biggest decisions
The most politically sensitive elements are left for Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Exclusive: First interview with negotiator in the room in Geneva. Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya tells me the US and Ukraine drafted a new peace deal but left the most politically sensitive elements to be decided by the countries’ presidents. www.ft.com/content/883e...
Lots of insights here from former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev. Too many to quote, in fact. Just read it!
Opinion: This U.S. initiative signals, in Putin’s view, that Washington is capitulating. And capitulating not because it has suffered losses — but because it is tired, frightened and eager to avoid involvement, writes former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev.
Trump’s Peace Plan Favors Russia. Putin Still Won’t Accept It. - The Moscow Times
Opinion | The Ukraine war peace plan proposed by the Trump administration has, unsurprisingly, triggered a storm of reactions across the press, social media and among experts.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Lots of insights here from former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev. Too many to quote, in fact. Just read it!
Reposted by Eilish Hart
“Every dictator will think that they can attack anybody, hold on long enough, and then the world will reward them. This is not a peace plan.” My conversation with Natalia Arno of the Free Russia Foundation on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
What does Trump’s peace plan mean for Putin? It’s ‘a reward to a dictator,’ says Free Russia Foundation’s Natalia Arno. — Meduza
Members of the Trump administration are sending mixed messages about the new, 28-point peace plan drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev. On Friday, President Donald Tru...
meduza.io
November 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“Every dictator will think that they can attack anybody, hold on long enough, and then the world will reward them. This is not a peace plan.” My conversation with Natalia Arno of the Free Russia Foundation on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Update: Talks in Geneva have produced an “refined peace framework” with issues concerning Europe removed and toned down language about Ukraine joining NATO, according to @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/dona...
November 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Update: Talks in Geneva have produced an “refined peace framework” with issues concerning Europe removed and toned down language about Ukraine joining NATO, according to @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
For @meduza.io’s podcast, I talked to the excellent @faridaily.bsky.social about how Putin’s war effort has changed the rules for Russia’s “old elites” and made them fear the prospect of peace. Listen now! meduza.io/en/episodes/...
Russia’s elites once dreaded war. Now, they fear peace. — Meduza
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, Vladimir Putin declared that the word “elite” had lost much of its credibility. Russia’s “real elite,” he said, are those who serve their country: “the workers...
meduza.io
November 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
For @meduza.io’s podcast, I talked to the excellent @faridaily.bsky.social about how Putin’s war effort has changed the rules for Russia’s “old elites” and made them fear the prospect of peace. Listen now! meduza.io/en/episodes/...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Authorities in St. Petersburg released street musicians Diana Loginova and Alexander Orlov Sunday after a month in custody. According to radio station Ekho Moskvy, Loginova has reportedly fled Russia to an unnamed destination.
St. Petersburg Street Musicians Released - The Moscow Times
Authorities in St.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Authorities in St. Petersburg released street musicians Diana Loginova and Alexander Orlov Sunday after a month in custody. According to radio station Ekho Moskvy, Loginova has reportedly fled Russia to an unnamed destination.
Rival European peace plan leaked to @telegraph.co.uk calls for a full unconditional ceasefire, plus no restrictions on the size of Ukraine’s army, its path to NATO, or stationing of “friendly forces” on its territory. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Leaked: Europe’s rival peace plan for Ukraine in full
Draft from Continent’s leaders has several key differences to Trump proposals, including deployment of foreign troops
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Rival European peace plan leaked to @telegraph.co.uk calls for a full unconditional ceasefire, plus no restrictions on the size of Ukraine’s army, its path to NATO, or stationing of “friendly forces” on its territory. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
“Every dictator will think that they can attack anybody, hold on long enough, and then the world will reward them. This is not a peace plan.” My conversation with Natalia Arno of the Free Russia Foundation on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
What does Trump’s peace plan mean for Putin? It’s ‘a reward to a dictator,’ says Free Russia Foundation’s Natalia Arno. — Meduza
Members of the Trump administration are sending mixed messages about the new, 28-point peace plan drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev. On Friday, President Donald Tru...
meduza.io
November 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“Every dictator will think that they can attack anybody, hold on long enough, and then the world will reward them. This is not a peace plan.” My conversation with Natalia Arno of the Free Russia Foundation on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
“I cannot call it a peace plan. It’s a reward to an aggressor, a reward to a dictator.” Pro-democracy activist Natalia Arno of the Free Russia Foundation weighs in on what Putin stands to gain from the latest peace proposal on the table. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
What does Trump’s peace plan mean for Putin? It’s ‘a reward to a dictator,’ says Free Russia Foundation’s Natalia Arno. — Meduza
Members of the Trump administration are sending mixed messages about the new, 28-point peace plan drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev. On Friday, President Donald…
meduza.io
November 23, 2025 at 1:11 PM
“I cannot call it a peace plan. It’s a reward to an aggressor, a reward to a dictator.” Pro-democracy activist Natalia Arno of the Free Russia Foundation weighs in on what Putin stands to gain from the latest peace proposal on the table. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
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 2:44 PM
Trump’s back to the rhetoric of the Oval Office meeting in February, claiming Ukraine’s leadership “has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts.”
Reposted by Eilish Hart
New: Meduza talks to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith about what the Trump admin’s new peace plan means for the transatlantic alliance. “In my mind, it serves only one side, and that is the Russians,” she said. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith explains why Trump’s Ukraine–Russia peace plan is a test for the transatlantic alliance — Meduza
The Trump administration’s new plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine contains four points concerning NATO, even though the alliance played no part in drafting it. In addition to ruling out…
meduza.io
November 23, 2025 at 11:59 AM
New: Meduza talks to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith about what the Trump admin’s new peace plan means for the transatlantic alliance. “In my mind, it serves only one side, and that is the Russians,” she said. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
On the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum, I spoke to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith about what Trump’s new Russia–Ukraine peace plan means for the alliance. “It will test NATO unity,” she told me.
meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith explains why Trump’s Ukraine–Russia peace plan is a test for the transatlantic alliance — Meduza
The Trump administration’s new plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine contains four points concerning NATO, even though the alliance played no part in drafting it. In addition to ruling out membersh...
meduza.io
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
On the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum, I spoke to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith about what Trump’s new Russia–Ukraine peace plan means for the alliance. “It will test NATO unity,” she told me.
meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Listen to Kevin by listening to @eilishhart.bsky.social and @faridaily.bsky.social; great conversation on Russian elites. (Not entirely spared Kevin’s voice, he pops in to ask for money for @meduza.io - you should listen to Kevin about that too).
Great conversation here. Naked Pravda listeners are spared my voice and idiocy this week, with my most excellent colleague @eilishhart.bsky.social running the show and @faridaily.bsky.social offering sharp insight into how it all went so wrong for Russia’s elites.
Putin’s war reshaped Russia’s elite, making them fear peace most of all. On the latest Naked Pravda, Meduza’s @eilishhart.bsky.social talks with journalist @faridaily.bsky.social about the pressure, the paranoia, and what a post-war future could unleash. meduza.io/en/episodes/...
November 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Listen to Kevin by listening to @eilishhart.bsky.social and @faridaily.bsky.social; great conversation on Russian elites. (Not entirely spared Kevin’s voice, he pops in to ask for money for @meduza.io - you should listen to Kevin about that too).
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Great conversation here. Naked Pravda listeners are spared my voice and idiocy this week, with my most excellent colleague @eilishhart.bsky.social running the show and @faridaily.bsky.social offering sharp insight into how it all went so wrong for Russia’s elites.
Putin’s war reshaped Russia’s elite, making them fear peace most of all. On the latest Naked Pravda, Meduza’s @eilishhart.bsky.social talks with journalist @faridaily.bsky.social about the pressure, the paranoia, and what a post-war future could unleash. meduza.io/en/episodes/...
Russia’s elites once dreaded war. Now, they fear peace. — Meduza
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, Vladimir Putin declared that the word “elite” had lost much of its credibility. Russia’s “real elite,” he said, are those who serve their country: “the…
meduza.io
November 22, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Great conversation here. Naked Pravda listeners are spared my voice and idiocy this week, with my most excellent colleague @eilishhart.bsky.social running the show and @faridaily.bsky.social offering sharp insight into how it all went so wrong for Russia’s elites.
Reposted by Eilish Hart
Putin’s war reshaped Russia’s elite, making them fear peace most of all. On the latest Naked Pravda, Meduza’s @eilishhart.bsky.social talks with journalist @faridaily.bsky.social about the pressure, the paranoia, and what a post-war future could unleash. meduza.io/en/episodes/...
Russia’s elites once dreaded war. Now, they fear peace. — Meduza
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, Vladimir Putin declared that the word “elite” had lost much of its credibility. Russia’s “real elite,” he said, are those who serve their country: “the…
meduza.io
November 22, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Putin’s war reshaped Russia’s elite, making them fear peace most of all. On the latest Naked Pravda, Meduza’s @eilishhart.bsky.social talks with journalist @faridaily.bsky.social about the pressure, the paranoia, and what a post-war future could unleash. meduza.io/en/episodes/...
For @meduza.io’s podcast, I talked to the excellent @faridaily.bsky.social about how Putin’s war effort has changed the rules for Russia’s “old elites” and made them fear the prospect of peace. Listen now! meduza.io/en/episodes/...
Russia’s elites once dreaded war. Now, they fear peace. — Meduza
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, Vladimir Putin declared that the word “elite” had lost much of its credibility. Russia’s “real elite,” he said, are those who serve their country: “the workers...
meduza.io
November 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
For @meduza.io’s podcast, I talked to the excellent @faridaily.bsky.social about how Putin’s war effort has changed the rules for Russia’s “old elites” and made them fear the prospect of peace. Listen now! meduza.io/en/episodes/...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
⚡️ Vladimir Putin has made his first public comments about Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan in Ukraine. meduza.io/en/news/2025...
In his first public comments, Putin says Trump’s 28-point peace plan wasn’t discussed ‘substantively’ with Moscow but could serve as ‘basis for a final peace settlement’ — Meduza
In his first public comments on the Trump administration’s 28-point peace plan for the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin said on Friday that an early version of the White House’s proposals was part…
meduza.io
November 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
⚡️ Vladimir Putin has made his first public comments about Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan in Ukraine. meduza.io/en/news/2025...
Reposted by Eilish Hart
⚡️ 'One of the most difficult moments' — Zelensky addresses Ukraine amid controversial US peace plan.
"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said
"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said
'One of the most difficult moments' — Zelensky addresses Ukraine amid controversial US peace plan
President Volodymyr Zelensky was responding to growing concerns over a new peace proposal that reportedly reflects Russia's longstanding demands.
kyivindependent.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
⚡️ 'One of the most difficult moments' — Zelensky addresses Ukraine amid controversial US peace plan.
"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said
"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said