Ilze Vilka
@vilcene.bsky.social
“If you ever need someone to turn a simple chat into an in-depth investigation, I'm your person!” | Economics, Economic Security, Behavioral Economics, Development
Cases like this make the limits of fragmented national responses visible and push the question of a common European defence policy back to the forefront.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/e...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/e...
The Kremlin’s brazen tactics: Russia’s shadow fleet is doubling as a spy asset, intelligence sources say | CNN
Russian personnel with links to the country’s military and security services have engaged in spying in European waters while working covertly on ships carrying Russian oil, Western and Ukrainian intel...
www.cnn.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Cases like this make the limits of fragmented national responses visible and push the question of a common European defence policy back to the forefront.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/e...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/e...
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Four years, over a million Russian casualties, and yet Russia occupies far less Ukrainian land than it did one month into its full-scale invasion, when it had only tens of thousands of casualties.
This failure will be studied in military academies for the next decades
This failure will be studied in military academies for the next decades
December 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Four years, over a million Russian casualties, and yet Russia occupies far less Ukrainian land than it did one month into its full-scale invasion, when it had only tens of thousands of casualties.
This failure will be studied in military academies for the next decades
This failure will be studied in military academies for the next decades
Fingers crossed there are fast, effective EU decisions on the financing Ukraine urgently needs.
It’s difficult to believe Orbán represents all Hungarians. It would be interesting to know how Hungarians themselves view his behaviour as their country’s leader.
It’s difficult to believe Orbán represents all Hungarians. It would be interesting to know how Hungarians themselves view his behaviour as their country’s leader.
Zelenskyy to confront De Wever in stand-off over Russian assets loan ft.trib.al/32i9e5B
Zelenskyy to confront De Wever in stand-off over Russian assets loan
Also in this newsletter: Mercosur’s last chance
ft.trib.al
December 18, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Fingers crossed there are fast, effective EU decisions on the financing Ukraine urgently needs.
It’s difficult to believe Orbán represents all Hungarians. It would be interesting to know how Hungarians themselves view his behaviour as their country’s leader.
It’s difficult to believe Orbán represents all Hungarians. It would be interesting to know how Hungarians themselves view his behaviour as their country’s leader.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
We know the urgency of funding Ukraine’s fight.
But Russia does not have just Ukraine in its sights.
Its full war-time economy is a direct threat to our national and economic security.
Russian assets immobilized indefinitely in the EU can be a game changer for Ukraine and Europe.
But Russia does not have just Ukraine in its sights.
Its full war-time economy is a direct threat to our national and economic security.
Russian assets immobilized indefinitely in the EU can be a game changer for Ukraine and Europe.
December 17, 2025 at 11:12 AM
We know the urgency of funding Ukraine’s fight.
But Russia does not have just Ukraine in its sights.
Its full war-time economy is a direct threat to our national and economic security.
Russian assets immobilized indefinitely in the EU can be a game changer for Ukraine and Europe.
But Russia does not have just Ukraine in its sights.
Its full war-time economy is a direct threat to our national and economic security.
Russian assets immobilized indefinitely in the EU can be a game changer for Ukraine and Europe.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
US national security strategy outlines merger between foreign policy and "commercial diplomacy"
• "Economy" features frequently throughout blueprint, in line with Trump's business instincts
• Document outlines how Trump think more like businessman than statesman
www.economist.com/internationa...
• "Economy" features frequently throughout blueprint, in line with Trump's business instincts
• Document outlines how Trump think more like businessman than statesman
www.economist.com/internationa...
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
US national security strategy outlines merger between foreign policy and "commercial diplomacy"
• "Economy" features frequently throughout blueprint, in line with Trump's business instincts
• Document outlines how Trump think more like businessman than statesman
www.economist.com/internationa...
• "Economy" features frequently throughout blueprint, in line with Trump's business instincts
• Document outlines how Trump think more like businessman than statesman
www.economist.com/internationa...
Vakar intereses pēc paskaitīju ciparus. Sanāca, ka mūsu mājsaimniecībai “Putina kara nodoklis” izmaksu pieaugumā ir ap +750 € mēnesī (neskaitot aizsardzības budžeta palielināšanu).
December 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Vakar intereses pēc paskaitīju ciparus. Sanāca, ka mūsu mājsaimniecībai “Putina kara nodoklis” izmaksu pieaugumā ir ap +750 € mēnesī (neskaitot aizsardzības budžeta palielināšanu).
December 16, 2025 at 9:52 PM
📮 Ilze’s Postal Stamp Inflation Index
2024: €1.65
2025: €2.30 → +39.4%
Not CPI. Just stamps.
(+ a few from previous years in next post)
2024: €1.65
2025: €2.30 → +39.4%
Not CPI. Just stamps.
(+ a few from previous years in next post)
December 16, 2025 at 9:45 PM
📮 Ilze’s Postal Stamp Inflation Index
2024: €1.65
2025: €2.30 → +39.4%
Not CPI. Just stamps.
(+ a few from previous years in next post)
2024: €1.65
2025: €2.30 → +39.4%
Not CPI. Just stamps.
(+ a few from previous years in next post)
Sanctions exist.
Luggage exists.
So does the willingness not to notice until it becomes embarrassing.
Luggage exists.
So does the willingness not to notice until it becomes embarrassing.
Wines linked to Putin pulled from San Francisco tasting competition
Russia's Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers reported that a decision was made to disqualify all 95 Russian entries following an appeal by an unnamed “U.S. elected official.”
Russia's Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers reported that a decision was made to disqualify all 95 Russian entries following an appeal by an unnamed “U.S. elected official.”
Wines linked to Putin pulled from San Francisco tasting competition
Russian wines submitted to the San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC) were removed from the contest shortly before the results were announced. The Association of Winegrowers and Winemake...
theins.press
December 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Sanctions exist.
Luggage exists.
So does the willingness not to notice until it becomes embarrassing.
Luggage exists.
So does the willingness not to notice until it becomes embarrassing.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
President of Ukraine:
Let's look at Russia's history since 1991.
It keeps bringing war and hatred from Chechnya to the Balkans, from Moldova to Syria, from countries in Central Africa to Ukraine.
Russia chooses conflict over peace.
Let's look at Russia's history since 1991.
It keeps bringing war and hatred from Chechnya to the Balkans, from Moldova to Syria, from countries in Central Africa to Ukraine.
Russia chooses conflict over peace.
December 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
President of Ukraine:
Let's look at Russia's history since 1991.
It keeps bringing war and hatred from Chechnya to the Balkans, from Moldova to Syria, from countries in Central Africa to Ukraine.
Russia chooses conflict over peace.
Let's look at Russia's history since 1991.
It keeps bringing war and hatred from Chechnya to the Balkans, from Moldova to Syria, from countries in Central Africa to Ukraine.
Russia chooses conflict over peace.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Lavrov continues speaking about the need to "eliminate root causes of the conflict" - i.e., for Ukraine to capitulate.
According to him, NATO and especially Europe are bad (the Baltics practice Nazism - Lavrov), the United States "give hope." Europe is trying to revive Nazism in Ukraine.
According to him, NATO and especially Europe are bad (the Baltics practice Nazism - Lavrov), the United States "give hope." Europe is trying to revive Nazism in Ukraine.
December 16, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Lavrov continues speaking about the need to "eliminate root causes of the conflict" - i.e., for Ukraine to capitulate.
According to him, NATO and especially Europe are bad (the Baltics practice Nazism - Lavrov), the United States "give hope." Europe is trying to revive Nazism in Ukraine.
According to him, NATO and especially Europe are bad (the Baltics practice Nazism - Lavrov), the United States "give hope." Europe is trying to revive Nazism in Ukraine.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
‼️The Swedish Navy has reported the presence of armed personnel in military uniforms on board tankers transporting Russian oil& subject to sanctions
According, the Russian fleet is increasingly conducting surveillance and escort operations for such vessels in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland⤵️
According, the Russian fleet is increasingly conducting surveillance and escort operations for such vessels in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland⤵️
December 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
‼️The Swedish Navy has reported the presence of armed personnel in military uniforms on board tankers transporting Russian oil& subject to sanctions
According, the Russian fleet is increasingly conducting surveillance and escort operations for such vessels in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland⤵️
According, the Russian fleet is increasingly conducting surveillance and escort operations for such vessels in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland⤵️
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggling balloons launched from Belarus
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggling balloons launched from Belarus
The Lithuanian government has declared a state of emergency in response to numerous balloons carrying contraband that are being launched from Belarus. The balloons are disrupting air traffic and posin...
theins.press
December 9, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggling balloons launched from Belarus
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
What the US is doing to Europe it is also doing to its one time allies in the Indo-Pacific. There is one rule of action for the US government now. If you are a democracy, you will be abandoned; if you are a dictatorship, you will be praised and supported.
Japan has urged the US to give Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi more public support after expressing frustration at the level of backing she received following comments about Taiwan that enraged China: on.ft.com/4ppLWPW
Japan frustrated at Trump administration’s silence over row with China
Tokyo asks US to be more vocal in its support after Beijing reacted furiously to prime minister’s comments about Taiwan
on.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
What the US is doing to Europe it is also doing to its one time allies in the Indo-Pacific. There is one rule of action for the US government now. If you are a democracy, you will be abandoned; if you are a dictatorship, you will be praised and supported.
Pēc JRT “Stāsts par Parsifālu” domāju, cik vienkārši būtu risināt problēmas, ja politiķu stulbumam varētu pretī likt citātu: “Tu taču esi stulbs kā vista. Ej prom.” Un tas politiķis to tiešām sadzirdētu un aizietu no amata. Ehhh.
December 9, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Pēc JRT “Stāsts par Parsifālu” domāju, cik vienkārši būtu risināt problēmas, ja politiķu stulbumam varētu pretī likt citātu: “Tu taču esi stulbs kā vista. Ej prom.” Un tas politiķis to tiešām sadzirdētu un aizietu no amata. Ehhh.
Russia’s government has no solution for human dignity or basic well-being. Why bother, declare that the “problem” requiring sacrifice is an outside threat? Feed the sheeple a permanent war narrative, distract from domestic failure. Thanks to Steve Rosenberg for another clear digest of Kremlin logic.
One of today’s Russian papers suggests that “The Russian army may take advantage of the cooling of the United States to the Ukraine issue...experts predict the possible opening of two new fronts.” #ReadingRussia
Today's Russian papers: blaming Europe, crumbling infrastructure
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Russia’s government has no solution for human dignity or basic well-being. Why bother, declare that the “problem” requiring sacrifice is an outside threat? Feed the sheeple a permanent war narrative, distract from domestic failure. Thanks to Steve Rosenberg for another clear digest of Kremlin logic.
I wish there were a law allowing only one kind of armament - patience. But the security dilemma and the tragedy of international politics mean that, as long as rogue states exist, such a law is impossible.
#ThoughtOfTheDay
#ThoughtOfTheDay
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I wish there were a law allowing only one kind of armament - patience. But the security dilemma and the tragedy of international politics mean that, as long as rogue states exist, such a law is impossible.
#ThoughtOfTheDay
#ThoughtOfTheDay
Šodienas jautājumā par algu pieaugumu valsts sektorā ministrs teica “vidēji 6%”,bet nespēja pateikt, cik no tā veido aizsardzības sektors. Ja Saeimas algas ir piesaistītas vidējam valsts pārvaldē, tad sanāk, ka deputāti sev algas palielina aizsardzības prioritātes kāpuma dēļ? Diezgan neveikli.
December 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Šodienas jautājumā par algu pieaugumu valsts sektorā ministrs teica “vidēji 6%”,bet nespēja pateikt, cik no tā veido aizsardzības sektors. Ja Saeimas algas ir piesaistītas vidējam valsts pārvaldē, tad sanāk, ka deputāti sev algas palielina aizsardzības prioritātes kāpuma dēļ? Diezgan neveikli.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Europe Needs A New Union
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Europe Needs A New Union
It’s time for a “North-Eastern federation” as a bulwark against Russia.
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Europe Needs A New Union
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Like you, I am exhausted. "The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth." - Garry Kasparov #sensemaking
December 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Like you, I am exhausted. "The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth." - Garry Kasparov #sensemaking
No consequences for Putin’s aggression = encouragement. Russia strategically normalises its killings, expands its “хотелки”, and uses fake peace talks as cover. Every day the world hesitates, Putin hears: “Go on.”
December 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
No consequences for Putin’s aggression = encouragement. Russia strategically normalises its killings, expands its “хотелки”, and uses fake peace talks as cover. Every day the world hesitates, Putin hears: “Go on.”
Imagine a Martian watching last night’s Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians and forming first impressions of humans. How did a world with the UN,international law & the laws of war end up normalising one authoritarian nobody killing civilians for years without consequences?
The system is broken.
The system is broken.
December 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Imagine a Martian watching last night’s Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians and forming first impressions of humans. How did a world with the UN,international law & the laws of war end up normalising one authoritarian nobody killing civilians for years without consequences?
The system is broken.
The system is broken.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
My answers in English in an interview for a German newspaper (online version will be published a little later):
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
My answers in English in an interview for a German newspaper (online version will be published a little later):
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
Budžets apstiprināts, tātad arī deputātu algas. Bet, kā tiek aprēķināta Saeimas deputāta alga? Kāpēc tik liela starpība pret vidējo algu?(Att.sarkanā koef. cik reizes vairāk saņem Saeimas deputāts pret vidējo). Vai tas daļēji izskaidro, kāpēc sabiedrības uzticēšanās politiķiem ir tik zema?
December 5, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Budžets apstiprināts, tātad arī deputātu algas. Bet, kā tiek aprēķināta Saeimas deputāta alga? Kāpēc tik liela starpība pret vidējo algu?(Att.sarkanā koef. cik reizes vairāk saņem Saeimas deputāts pret vidējo). Vai tas daļēji izskaidro, kāpēc sabiedrības uzticēšanās politiķiem ir tik zema?