John Lis 🇺🇦
@jjlis.bsky.social
USAID Democracy and Governance consultant. Former Hill staffer. Dad. Retired beer-leaguer. Bionic man. Cleveland sports trauma survivor. Insights on democracy, foreign aid, Ukraine, Congress & the Curse of Rocky Colavito.
"Be not afraid.” -St John Paul II
"Be not afraid.” -St John Paul II
Pinned
John Lis 🇺🇦
@jjlis.bsky.social
· Feb 10
I have worked the past 20 years to help to strengthen democratic institutions around the world to make a safer, more stable world for us and our allies. This administration has spent the last 20 days trying to destroy that work. Now is the time, then, to strengthen our own democratic institutions.
Reposted by John Lis 🇺🇦
"If Ukraine is, indeed, forced to surrender...[Thanksgiving] will become a Russian holiday. It will become a day of thanks that victory...was delivered to Russia not by the superiority of its arms or the virtue of its claims, but by an American administration." #NAFO www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Neville Chamberlain Prize
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
"If Ukraine is, indeed, forced to surrender...[Thanksgiving] will become a Russian holiday. It will become a day of thanks that victory...was delivered to Russia not by the superiority of its arms or the virtue of its claims, but by an American administration." #NAFO www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/o...
Here is the best academic analysis so far of what’s happening tonight with the 28-point peace plan.
I maybe be just a small-town political scientist but I reckon that the Trump administration's right hand has no fucking idea what its far-right hand is doing.
"US senators say they spoke with Rubio about Trump’s Ukraine peace plan who denied it is a US plan." Welcome to the Topsy Turvy administration in which six or seven people are pursuing their own private foreign policy, and much of it is scripted by a hostile foreign power.
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Here is the best academic analysis so far of what’s happening tonight with the 28-point peace plan.
For a brief moment, it feels like 2015 on The Farm. #GoStanford #BeatCal
November 23, 2025 at 3:31 AM
For a brief moment, it feels like 2015 on The Farm. #GoStanford #BeatCal
Jesus is just alright with me
Jesus is just alright, oh yeah
Jesus is just alright with me
Jesus is just alright
Jesus is just alright, oh yeah
Jesus is just alright with me
Jesus is just alright
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Jesus is just alright with me
Jesus is just alright, oh yeah
Jesus is just alright with me
Jesus is just alright
Jesus is just alright, oh yeah
Jesus is just alright with me
Jesus is just alright
An offensive touchdown?! Can we begin to dream? Give ‘em the Axe! #GoStanford #BeatCal
November 23, 2025 at 3:22 AM
An offensive touchdown?! Can we begin to dream? Give ‘em the Axe! #GoStanford #BeatCal
Stanford offense finally scores after 40 minutes. Defense still has 14 points, offense now has 3.
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Stanford offense finally scores after 40 minutes. Defense still has 14 points, offense now has 3.
It feels like the Stanford defense needs to outscore the offense if we’re going to win tonight. And right on cue … #GoStanford #BeatCal
November 23, 2025 at 1:31 AM
It feels like the Stanford defense needs to outscore the offense if we’re going to win tonight. And right on cue … #GoStanford #BeatCal
Still getting used to Stanford and Cal being in the ACC. Instead of Pacific Life commercials with whales breaching, we now get 4Patriots hawking the Patriot Power Generator. “See that square in the corner? That’s a QR code.” Words generally not aimed at Silicon Valley viewers. #GoStanford #BeatCal
November 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Still getting used to Stanford and Cal being in the ACC. Instead of Pacific Life commercials with whales breaching, we now get 4Patriots hawking the Patriot Power Generator. “See that square in the corner? That’s a QR code.” Words generally not aimed at Silicon Valley viewers. #GoStanford #BeatCal
Getting ready for Big Game. #GoStanford #BeatCal
November 23, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Getting ready for Big Game. #GoStanford #BeatCal
Concise analysis on why the Trump plan is a disaster from our most recent ambassador to Ukraine and next congresswoman from the 7th District of Michigan. #NAFO #StandWithUkraine
I served as our Ambassador in Ukraine for 3 years under Putin’s missiles and drones but resigned when Trump kept appeasing Putin. America does not bow to dictators. It’s not who we are.
Here's why this Trump-Putin so-called "peace plan" is a disaster:
Here's why this Trump-Putin so-called "peace plan" is a disaster:
November 22, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Concise analysis on why the Trump plan is a disaster from our most recent ambassador to Ukraine and next congresswoman from the 7th District of Michigan. #NAFO #StandWithUkraine
Good point by point analysis here of Trump’s capitulation … I mean “peace plan.” It is even worse than the news reports. #NAFO #StandWithUkraine
This “peace plan” is what happens when the Kremlin’s propaganda eats your brain
The only solution is confident European leadership
“Ukraine is Europe” is the point of departure for this new vision of European power — and the idea that will make it a success
www.greatpower.us/p/28-points-...
The only solution is confident European leadership
“Ukraine is Europe” is the point of departure for this new vision of European power — and the idea that will make it a success
www.greatpower.us/p/28-points-...
28 Points Later
A definitive guide to the Russian zombie diplomacy of Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine — aka what happens when you let the Russians eat your brains
www.greatpower.us
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Good point by point analysis here of Trump’s capitulation … I mean “peace plan.” It is even worse than the news reports. #NAFO #StandWithUkraine
"It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe ... For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal." #NAFO www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
"It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe ... For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal." #NAFO www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by John Lis 🇺🇦
Read my scoop overnight from Kyiv, where US army secretary Dan Driscoll’s brief meeting (he was running late after calls with Vance) with European ambassadors at the US ambassador’s residence in Podil left one feeling “nauseated” and others “shocked.” W/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
Trump envoys issue ultimatum to Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thursday
Hardline message over US-Russia plan at volatile meeting in Kyiv sparks alarm among European allies
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Read my scoop overnight from Kyiv, where US army secretary Dan Driscoll’s brief meeting (he was running late after calls with Vance) with European ambassadors at the US ambassador’s residence in Podil left one feeling “nauseated” and others “shocked.” W/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal: "If Mr. Trump thinks American voters hate war, wait until he learns how much they hate dishonor." www.wsj.com/opinion/trum... #NAFO #StandWithUkraine
Opinion | Trump Issues an Ultimatum to Ukraine
His latest peace offer fulfills Vladimir Putin’s wishes and leaves Kyiv with a terrible choice.
www.wsj.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal: "If Mr. Trump thinks American voters hate war, wait until he learns how much they hate dishonor." www.wsj.com/opinion/trum... #NAFO #StandWithUkraine
Reposted by John Lis 🇺🇦
I’ve been in a room with Putin. He calls Ukrainians “Russians with accents.” His real fear isn’t NATO expansion, it’s democracy expansion. It shatters his entire argument for dictatorship at home. Because if Ukrainians embrace freedom, Russians may demand the same.
November 21, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I’ve been in a room with Putin. He calls Ukrainians “Russians with accents.” His real fear isn’t NATO expansion, it’s democracy expansion. It shatters his entire argument for dictatorship at home. Because if Ukrainians embrace freedom, Russians may demand the same.
"In exchange for giving up land and its ability to defend itself, Ukraine would be offered toothless security guarantees by the United States... The points in the deal appear to be so lopsided in Putin’s favor that they might as well have been dictated by Moscow." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump’s Devastating Plan for Ukraine
The White House is giving Putin permission to try again.
www.theatlantic.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
"In exchange for giving up land and its ability to defend itself, Ukraine would be offered toothless security guarantees by the United States... The points in the deal appear to be so lopsided in Putin’s favor that they might as well have been dictated by Moscow." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Trump plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine appears to have been written by Vladimir Putin himself. Acceptance by Ukraine would effectively end Ukrainian statehood. #NAFO #StandWithUkraine understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 20, 2025
Reporting indicates the proposed Russia-US peace plan would require Ukraine to fully concede to Russia’s original demands.
understandingwar.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Trump plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine appears to have been written by Vladimir Putin himself. Acceptance by Ukraine would effectively end Ukrainian statehood. #NAFO #StandWithUkraine understandingwar.org/research/rus...
"the plan would require Ukraine to give up territory and fortifications in the parts of the Donbas that it still controls ... The plan actually guts the one security guarantee that would make a real difference, namely a strong and capable Ukraine." www.theatlantic.com/internationa... #NAFO
A Self-Defeating Reversal on Ukraine
The Trump administration had actually begun to make progress. Now it’s all in doubt.
www.theatlantic.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 AM
"the plan would require Ukraine to give up territory and fortifications in the parts of the Donbas that it still controls ... The plan actually guts the one security guarantee that would make a real difference, namely a strong and capable Ukraine." www.theatlantic.com/internationa... #NAFO
"The scope and significance of Driscoll’s visit to Ukraine is unclear.... The 38-year-old Army veteran is a personal friend and former Yale classmate of Vice President JD Vance." Driscoll replacing Gen. Kellogg is troubling; Vance is more willing than Trump to sell out Ukraine. wapo.st/3JKbYOp #NAFO
U.S. pushes new Ukraine peace plan as Trump’s Army secretary visits Kyiv
The administration is renewing efforts to end the war, pitching a revised ceasefire proposal and giving a top military official an unusual diplomatic assignment.
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"The scope and significance of Driscoll’s visit to Ukraine is unclear.... The 38-year-old Army veteran is a personal friend and former Yale classmate of Vice President JD Vance." Driscoll replacing Gen. Kellogg is troubling; Vance is more willing than Trump to sell out Ukraine. wapo.st/3JKbYOp #NAFO
The Ukrainian Resistance Center has reported: "Russia may be planning to forcibly relocate Ukrainians to Siberia as part of a scheme to stimulate the economic growth of underdeveloped Russian regions." Ukrainians remember forced exile and will continue to resist. understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Russian Occupation Update, November 20, 2025
Russia may be planning to forcibly relocate Ukrainians to Siberia to stimulate the economic growth of underdeveloped Russian regions.
understandingwar.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The Ukrainian Resistance Center has reported: "Russia may be planning to forcibly relocate Ukrainians to Siberia as part of a scheme to stimulate the economic growth of underdeveloped Russian regions." Ukrainians remember forced exile and will continue to resist. understandingwar.org/research/rus...