Rilka Dragneva
@rilkadl.bsky.social
Professor of International Legal Studies, Birmingham Law School, UK
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
“The pattern of Russian imperialism has always been to use the resources of the conquered nations to keep going. So if, God forbid, the Russians occupy [all of] Ukraine, they will draft every fighting-age Ukrainian to fight the next war.”
Author @yarotrof.bsky.social discusses his native Ukraine.
Author @yarotrof.bsky.social discusses his native Ukraine.
Stalin’s long shadow
Author and journalist Yaroslav Trofimov discusses how historical memory informs Ukraine’s defiance of Putin
martinkuz.substack.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“The pattern of Russian imperialism has always been to use the resources of the conquered nations to keep going. So if, God forbid, the Russians occupy [all of] Ukraine, they will draft every fighting-age Ukrainian to fight the next war.”
Author @yarotrof.bsky.social discusses his native Ukraine.
Author @yarotrof.bsky.social discusses his native Ukraine.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
👺 "Novorossiya" ideologist claims Russia has no borders and will expand in all directions – ISW
“Novorossiya” ideologist claims Russia has no borders and will expand in all directions – ISW
Vladislav Surkov, former adviser to Kremlin ruler Putin and chief ideologist of the “Novorossiya” project, which aims to annex southeastern Ukraine and Crimea, has stated that the ideology of the Russ...
www.pravda.com.ua
March 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM
👺 "Novorossiya" ideologist claims Russia has no borders and will expand in all directions – ISW
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Nearly everyone who knows anything about Ru/Ukraine knows russian imperialism rather than the intl system is at the root of the war but we have to jump through endless hoops trying to rebut uninformed or esoteric takes because the IR field still insists Ru is afraid for its security.
March 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Nearly everyone who knows anything about Ru/Ukraine knows russian imperialism rather than the intl system is at the root of the war but we have to jump through endless hoops trying to rebut uninformed or esoteric takes because the IR field still insists Ru is afraid for its security.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Ukraine is explicitly the first, necessary step toward any further expansion. This is the second leg they are missing (in their mind) to start running, rather than limping.
What is the end point? For some, it is recreation of the USSR (I'm looking at you, Balts). For others, of the Russian Empire
What is the end point? For some, it is recreation of the USSR (I'm looking at you, Balts). For others, of the Russian Empire
March 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Ukraine is explicitly the first, necessary step toward any further expansion. This is the second leg they are missing (in their mind) to start running, rather than limping.
What is the end point? For some, it is recreation of the USSR (I'm looking at you, Balts). For others, of the Russian Empire
What is the end point? For some, it is recreation of the USSR (I'm looking at you, Balts). For others, of the Russian Empire
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
It’s important to understand that concepts like "interests," "nation," and "sovereignty" mean nothing to either man. It doesn’t signify to them that the US thrives or doesn’t thrive, exists or doesn’t exist.
When you are partnered with America's enemies, this is what you do: you reveal war plans against a country to an individual tied to that country; and you place the US military in the hands of an incompetent.
"If a foreign country was to learn how the United States planned to fight a war against them, it could reinforce its defenses and address its weaknesses, making the plans far less likely to succeed."
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
March 21, 2025 at 8:21 PM
It’s important to understand that concepts like "interests," "nation," and "sovereignty" mean nothing to either man. It doesn’t signify to them that the US thrives or doesn’t thrive, exists or doesn’t exist.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
It’s clear from this that the only difference between Steve Witkoff’s and Vladmir Putin’s views on the war in Ukraine is that Putin actually knows the names of all the five Ukrainian regions he wants to keep.
March 22, 2025 at 6:32 AM
It’s clear from this that the only difference between Steve Witkoff’s and Vladmir Putin’s views on the war in Ukraine is that Putin actually knows the names of all the five Ukrainian regions he wants to keep.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
What does history teach us about the possible path forward for Ukraine? I take a look, from grim scenarios like Molotov-Ribbentrop and Vichy France, to Finlandization, Korea and Cyprus, to a surprise comeback like Croatia. www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Essay | What Is the Endgame for Ukraine?
History offers a range of precedents for what an agreement with Russia could look like—and how bad the consequences might be.
www.wsj.com
March 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
What does history teach us about the possible path forward for Ukraine? I take a look, from grim scenarios like Molotov-Ribbentrop and Vichy France, to Finlandization, Korea and Cyprus, to a surprise comeback like Croatia. www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Hei newspapers,
If you title anything other than 'Trump ceasefire bid fails as Putin rejects ceasefire" you are part of the problem.
If you title anything other than 'Trump ceasefire bid fails as Putin rejects ceasefire" you are part of the problem.
March 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Hei newspapers,
If you title anything other than 'Trump ceasefire bid fails as Putin rejects ceasefire" you are part of the problem.
If you title anything other than 'Trump ceasefire bid fails as Putin rejects ceasefire" you are part of the problem.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Nothing that happened today contradicts this analysis
Sir Roderic Lyne, former UK Ambassador to Moscow, with a sharp assessment of Putin’s objectives in Ukraine and why negotiations are unlikely to ger much beyond a ceasefire. samf.substack.com/p/putins-dil...?
Putin's Dilemma Part 2: "Yes, But..."
We’re delighted to welcome back Sir Roderic Lyne as our guest poster for March.
samf.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Nothing that happened today contradicts this analysis
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Hard to tell whether the Kremlin or the White House wrote this. Key Ru narratives: "Ukraine war" instead of Ru aggression, "the conflict should never have started" meaning Ukr should've surrendered to Ru takeover without resisting, Ru wants "lasting peace" means Ru wants to take Ukr once and for all
NEW
Here is the White House readout of the call between President Trump and President Putin.
The call lasted for over two hours.
Here is the White House readout of the call between President Trump and President Putin.
The call lasted for over two hours.
March 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Hard to tell whether the Kremlin or the White House wrote this. Key Ru narratives: "Ukraine war" instead of Ru aggression, "the conflict should never have started" meaning Ukr should've surrendered to Ru takeover without resisting, Ru wants "lasting peace" means Ru wants to take Ukr once and for all
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
So the whole story about Biden not wanting to talk to Russia is a complete BS. His team did, whoever not trying to satisfy Putin’s demands
How did US-Russia talks in 2022-2024 affected war in Ukraine?
"Despite efforts to isolate Russia globally, U.S. sustained communication with Russian leadership across key channels, deliberately adhering to limits to prevent a global nuclear standoff"
@aivengo96.bsky.social
ridl.io/the-art-of-c...
"Despite efforts to isolate Russia globally, U.S. sustained communication with Russian leadership across key channels, deliberately adhering to limits to prevent a global nuclear standoff"
@aivengo96.bsky.social
ridl.io/the-art-of-c...
The Art of Containing Escalation – Riddle Russia
Alexey Uvarov on contacts between Russian leadership and the Biden administration in 2021−2024 in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war
ridl.io
March 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
So the whole story about Biden not wanting to talk to Russia is a complete BS. His team did, whoever not trying to satisfy Putin’s demands
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
A very good summary of where we are after the Trump-Putin call from @politico.com Jamie Dettmer. www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump fails to get Putin to stop the shooting
Russia insists on terms to end the war that spell the end of democratic Ukraine, and has followed up the Trump call with an assault on Kyiv.
www.politico.eu
March 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A very good summary of where we are after the Trump-Putin call from @politico.com Jamie Dettmer. www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Chamberlain appeased Hitler in 1938, when he didn't know for certain that there would be a larger war - and not three years later, when hundreds of thousands of people had already died
The Situation, March 3, 2025
Stop defaming Neville Chamberlain by comparing Trump to him:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Stop defaming Neville Chamberlain by comparing Trump to him:
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
March 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Chamberlain appeased Hitler in 1938, when he didn't know for certain that there would be a larger war - and not three years later, when hundreds of thousands of people had already died
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
“American oligarchs have now fully embraced the Russian method of being ‘honest’ about manufacturing phony realities, all without consequence.” — Anton Shekhovtsov
(@shekhovtsov.bsky.social) is deadly accurate here’s usual. And the implications are absolutely terrifying substack.com/home/post/p-...
(@shekhovtsov.bsky.social) is deadly accurate here’s usual. And the implications are absolutely terrifying substack.com/home/post/p-...
Postmodernist Autocracy
The Oligarchic Assault on Reality, Time, and Humanity
substack.com
March 3, 2025 at 1:08 AM
“American oligarchs have now fully embraced the Russian method of being ‘honest’ about manufacturing phony realities, all without consequence.” — Anton Shekhovtsov
(@shekhovtsov.bsky.social) is deadly accurate here’s usual. And the implications are absolutely terrifying substack.com/home/post/p-...
(@shekhovtsov.bsky.social) is deadly accurate here’s usual. And the implications are absolutely terrifying substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Read this by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk: “Russia does not care whether there is war or peace — it seeks the destruction of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. It will gleefully pocket every concession from the Trump administration and then continue fighting.” on.ft.com/4bn2uSs
Negotiations over Ukraine are missing a human dimension
Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. But we demand real peace
on.ft.com
March 3, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Read this by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk: “Russia does not care whether there is war or peace — it seeks the destruction of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. It will gleefully pocket every concession from the Trump administration and then continue fighting.” on.ft.com/4bn2uSs
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
To leave out 3 of 6 NATO allies bordering as well as being bullied by Russia, smacks of Dean Acheson in 1950 leaving out South Korea from the list of countries the US would defend.
Saying, "But they're getting a phone call from Starmer" DOES NOT cut it.
They're still left out of the discussion.
Saying, "But they're getting a phone call from Starmer" DOES NOT cut it.
They're still left out of the discussion.
It's outrageous and a big mistake that the three Baltic states have been left out (maybe they are to be there by video link?) Anyway, given the fact that there are NATO forward presence battlegroups in the Baltic states, this is a blunder.
Good line up in London today
🇬🇧 Starmer
🇺🇦 Zelenskyy
🇫🇷 Macron
🇩🇪 Scholz
🇮🇹 Meloni
🇨🇦 Trudeau
🇪🇸 Sánchez
🇵🇱 Tusk
🇩🇰 Frederiksen
🇳🇴 Støre
🇫🇮 Stubb
🇸🇪 Kristersson
🇳🇱 Schoof
🇨🇿 Fiala
🇷🇴 Bolojan
🇹🇷 Fidan
🇪🇺 Von der Leyen
🇪🇺 Costa
NATO’s Mark Rutte
🇬🇧 Starmer
🇺🇦 Zelenskyy
🇫🇷 Macron
🇩🇪 Scholz
🇮🇹 Meloni
🇨🇦 Trudeau
🇪🇸 Sánchez
🇵🇱 Tusk
🇩🇰 Frederiksen
🇳🇴 Støre
🇫🇮 Stubb
🇸🇪 Kristersson
🇳🇱 Schoof
🇨🇿 Fiala
🇷🇴 Bolojan
🇹🇷 Fidan
🇪🇺 Von der Leyen
🇪🇺 Costa
NATO’s Mark Rutte
March 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
To leave out 3 of 6 NATO allies bordering as well as being bullied by Russia, smacks of Dean Acheson in 1950 leaving out South Korea from the list of countries the US would defend.
Saying, "But they're getting a phone call from Starmer" DOES NOT cut it.
They're still left out of the discussion.
Saying, "But they're getting a phone call from Starmer" DOES NOT cut it.
They're still left out of the discussion.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
“If Roosevelt had told Churchill to sue for peace on any terms with Adolf Hitler and to fork over Britain’s coal reserves to the United States in exchange for no American security guarantees, it might have approximated what Trump did to Zelensky.” www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...
Opinion | A Day of American Infamy
A dreadful moment for Ukraine, for the free world, for the legacy of an America that once stood for the principles of the Atlantic Charter.
www.nytimes.com
March 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
“If Roosevelt had told Churchill to sue for peace on any terms with Adolf Hitler and to fork over Britain’s coal reserves to the United States in exchange for no American security guarantees, it might have approximated what Trump did to Zelensky.” www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Chilling and deadly accurate www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
The Real Reason Trump Berated Zelensky
He simply likes Vladimir Putin better.
www.theatlantic.com
March 1, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Chilling and deadly accurate www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
All the media is focusing on a “breakdown” that they’ve never seen in the oval office.
Maybe reframe the way you report this - they have never seen a foreign leader stand up to outward aggression in the same way!
That is what is extraordinary.
That is what is historic.
Maybe reframe the way you report this - they have never seen a foreign leader stand up to outward aggression in the same way!
That is what is extraordinary.
That is what is historic.
February 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
All the media is focusing on a “breakdown” that they’ve never seen in the oval office.
Maybe reframe the way you report this - they have never seen a foreign leader stand up to outward aggression in the same way!
That is what is extraordinary.
That is what is historic.
Maybe reframe the way you report this - they have never seen a foreign leader stand up to outward aggression in the same way!
That is what is extraordinary.
That is what is historic.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
This👇
This is how Ukrainians will see their President.
Someone who like every single one of them won’t just roll over. Won’t just back down. Won’t accept aggression. Will fight back when necessary. Will defend the territory and sovereignty of Ukraine.
This is how Ukrainians will see their President.
Someone who like every single one of them won’t just roll over. Won’t just back down. Won’t accept aggression. Will fight back when necessary. Will defend the territory and sovereignty of Ukraine.
February 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This👇
This is how Ukrainians will see their President.
Someone who like every single one of them won’t just roll over. Won’t just back down. Won’t accept aggression. Will fight back when necessary. Will defend the territory and sovereignty of Ukraine.
This is how Ukrainians will see their President.
Someone who like every single one of them won’t just roll over. Won’t just back down. Won’t accept aggression. Will fight back when necessary. Will defend the territory and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Today's front page of The New York Post.
February 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Today's front page of The New York Post.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
I’d say go and buy it for a friend. Henry & I will donate any money from proceeds.
It’s not just about Zelensky it’s an explanation about why Russia invaded & how come Ukrainians were able to fight back.
It also takes apart the disinfo about Ze whilst holding him to account for early mistakes.
It’s not just about Zelensky it’s an explanation about why Russia invaded & how come Ukrainians were able to fight back.
It also takes apart the disinfo about Ze whilst holding him to account for early mistakes.
Need an antidote to dispel the lies #Trump is spewing about #Ukraine and #Zelenksy? Pick up the ‘deeply researched and well-argued book’ @washingtonpost.com t #TheZelenskyEffect by @oonuch.bsky.social & Henry Hale. ➡️ bit.ly/3gNdOiF
February 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I’d say go and buy it for a friend. Henry & I will donate any money from proceeds.
It’s not just about Zelensky it’s an explanation about why Russia invaded & how come Ukrainians were able to fight back.
It also takes apart the disinfo about Ze whilst holding him to account for early mistakes.
It’s not just about Zelensky it’s an explanation about why Russia invaded & how come Ukrainians were able to fight back.
It also takes apart the disinfo about Ze whilst holding him to account for early mistakes.
Reposted by Rilka Dragneva
Britons tend to say it is more important to support Ukraine than to maintain good relations with the US
More important to support Ukraine: 48%
More important to maintain good relations with the US: 20%
Neither: 14%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
More important to support Ukraine: 48%
More important to maintain good relations with the US: 20%
Neither: 14%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
February 20, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Britons tend to say it is more important to support Ukraine than to maintain good relations with the US
More important to support Ukraine: 48%
More important to maintain good relations with the US: 20%
Neither: 14%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
More important to support Ukraine: 48%
More important to maintain good relations with the US: 20%
Neither: 14%
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...