The RUTA Association
@associationruta.bsky.social
The RUTA Association for Central, South-Eastern, and Eastern European, Baltic, Caucasus, Central and Northern Asia Studies in Global Conversation
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While empires are ravaging Ukraine, think about donating to Ukrainians if you can. And consider de-centring these empires from your cultural consumption. There is fantastic music and literature in Ukraine that Russia is trying to destroy. Support it by learning about it. chapterukraine.com
Ukrainian literature in English translation – Chapter Ukraine
Build your own bookshelf dedicated to Ukrainian literature in English translation. | Chapter Ukraine
chapterukraine.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
While empires are ravaging Ukraine, think about donating to Ukrainians if you can. And consider de-centring these empires from your cultural consumption. There is fantastic music and literature in Ukraine that Russia is trying to destroy. Support it by learning about it. chapterukraine.com
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Keep in mind that these talks now in Geneva do not include russia and therefore are quite meaningless. The moment something reasonable emerges out of them, Ru will cry out that it opposes it vehemently. They've been largely silent the past few days for a reason.
November 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Keep in mind that these talks now in Geneva do not include russia and therefore are quite meaningless. The moment something reasonable emerges out of them, Ru will cry out that it opposes it vehemently. They've been largely silent the past few days for a reason.
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On the negotiating tactics of the Soviet empire that Russia continues: Demand something that has never been yours. Present ultimatums, threaten. Do not give one inch in negotiations because there will always be people in the West who will offer you something [that was not theirs to “give” either]
November 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
On the negotiating tactics of the Soviet empire that Russia continues: Demand something that has never been yours. Present ultimatums, threaten. Do not give one inch in negotiations because there will always be people in the West who will offer you something [that was not theirs to “give” either]
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The amnesty is perhaps the most offensive part of the unworkable Trump proposal.
⚡️ Ukraine is investigating a staggering 178,000 Russian war crimes as Trump’s peace plan raises fears it could grant amnesty to Russian troops.
Ukraine Probes 178,000 Russian War Crimes as US Peace Plan Sparks Amnesty Fears
Investigations into 178,000 alleged war crimes by Russian forces are ongoing in Ukraine amid discussions on a contentious US peace strategy.
united24media.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The amnesty is perhaps the most offensive part of the unworkable Trump proposal.
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About the analogies: the Putin-Trump occupation plan is much worse than the Munich betrayal as it comes after 11 years of Russian occupation of Ukraine, with systemic killing, torture, sexualised violence, genocidal abduction and assimilation of children, settling of occupied land… all in the open
November 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
About the analogies: the Putin-Trump occupation plan is much worse than the Munich betrayal as it comes after 11 years of Russian occupation of Ukraine, with systemic killing, torture, sexualised violence, genocidal abduction and assimilation of children, settling of occupied land… all in the open
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The Trump admin is like a hapless student who can't decide whether to say they plagiarized or wrote the terrible essay they submitted. It's a lose-lose situation, really.
Russia-Ukraine war: US insists it authored peace plan
Russia-Ukraine war: US insists it authored peace plan
It comes after a group of senators said they were told by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the draft did not reflect Washington's position.
www.bbc.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:31 AM
The Trump admin is like a hapless student who can't decide whether to say they plagiarized or wrote the terrible essay they submitted. It's a lose-lose situation, really.
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The Soviet-made famine #Holodomor in 1932-33 claimed lives of 4 to 7mln Ukrainians.
In almost a century, russia intends again to kill millions of us by repressions in occupation, war, freezing, or attacking nuclear power plants.
And today, Trump wants to reward russia for this ongoing genocide.
In almost a century, russia intends again to kill millions of us by repressions in occupation, war, freezing, or attacking nuclear power plants.
And today, Trump wants to reward russia for this ongoing genocide.
November 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The Soviet-made famine #Holodomor in 1932-33 claimed lives of 4 to 7mln Ukrainians.
In almost a century, russia intends again to kill millions of us by repressions in occupation, war, freezing, or attacking nuclear power plants.
And today, Trump wants to reward russia for this ongoing genocide.
In almost a century, russia intends again to kill millions of us by repressions in occupation, war, freezing, or attacking nuclear power plants.
And today, Trump wants to reward russia for this ongoing genocide.
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That’s all because it was immensely inspiring to read your book. It is so rare to read work that captures what life in an authoritarian system is like, what it does to people on individual, societal and trans-generational levels, while doing justice to the insistence on and difficulty of resistance
re-reading @terezahendl.bsky.social review of the Kazakh Spring and every word resonates so deeply.
It's not a review, it's an incredibly inspiring text, an invitation for further research highlighting importance of decolonial writing about authoritarianisms and "embodied knowledge" I've been
It's not a review, it's an incredibly inspiring text, an invitation for further research highlighting importance of decolonial writing about authoritarianisms and "embodied knowledge" I've been
November 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM
That’s all because it was immensely inspiring to read your book. It is so rare to read work that captures what life in an authoritarian system is like, what it does to people on individual, societal and trans-generational levels, while doing justice to the insistence on and difficulty of resistance
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I cannot recommend the YurtJurt podcast enough.
Not only does it shine a light on a region often neglected (and even mocked at times), it also brings unique perspectives from fascinating intellectuals.
It is also a great listen for those who see the limits of borders and the nation state.
Not only does it shine a light on a region often neglected (and even mocked at times), it also brings unique perspectives from fascinating intellectuals.
It is also a great listen for those who see the limits of borders and the nation state.
Latest episode of the YurtJurt podcast that will be of great interest to many RUTA members and communities
In the latest episode of YurtJurt podcast, I converse with three fascinating feminist/decolonial Central Asian researchers and authors - fellow sociologist Aizada Arystanbek, political historian Kamila Smagulova, and feminist author Aisulu Toyshibek abt VOCABULARY
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I cannot recommend the YurtJurt podcast enough.
Not only does it shine a light on a region often neglected (and even mocked at times), it also brings unique perspectives from fascinating intellectuals.
It is also a great listen for those who see the limits of borders and the nation state.
Not only does it shine a light on a region often neglected (and even mocked at times), it also brings unique perspectives from fascinating intellectuals.
It is also a great listen for those who see the limits of borders and the nation state.
Latest episode of the YurtJurt podcast that will be of great interest to many RUTA members and communities
In the latest episode of YurtJurt podcast, I converse with three fascinating feminist/decolonial Central Asian researchers and authors - fellow sociologist Aizada Arystanbek, political historian Kamila Smagulova, and feminist author Aisulu Toyshibek abt VOCABULARY
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
Yurt Jurt
Government Podcast · Yurt Jurt - a podcast about decolonizing Central Asia and Beyond produced by Central Asian activists. Hosted by Dr. Diana Kudaibergen, Yurt Jurt dives deep into the decoloniality ...
podcasts.apple.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Latest episode of the YurtJurt podcast that will be of great interest to many RUTA members and communities
Important updates from the Baltic
Things have calmed down in Latvia after the parliament backtracked on the Istanbul Convention, but civil society mobilisation led by cultural workers continues strong in Lithuania, raising similar concerns.
www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-e...
www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-e...
Thousands rally in Vilnius as cultural community warns of democratic backsliding
Thousands of people gathered near the Seimas on Friday in one of the largest civic demonstrations in Lithuania this year...
www.lrt.lt
November 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Important updates from the Baltic
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One more week to apply for RUTA annual conference, 12–15 July 2026 in 🇺🇦Carpathian Mountains.
Having participated twice, I highly recommend applying—especially if you care about the region & epistemically just ways of producing knowledge.
#RUTA in solidarity with #Ukraine
Having participated twice, I highly recommend applying—especially if you care about the region & epistemically just ways of producing knowledge.
#RUTA in solidarity with #Ukraine
Due to numerous requests, we are pleased to announce that the abstract submission deadline has been extended by two weeks. We encourage all interested contributors to take advantage of this extra time to finalize their submissions. We look forward to receiving your contributions by Nov 30
Our 2026 RUTA conference will be exploring the role of embodied knowledges and knowledges rooted in the places we conduct research about. We will discuss how the making of knowledge, art and cultural heritage changes when it is grounded in places and communities and which possibilities this opens
November 20, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Due to numerous requests, we are pleased to announce that the abstract submission deadline has been extended by two weeks. We encourage all interested contributors to take advantage of this extra time to finalize their submissions. We look forward to receiving your contributions by Nov 30
Our 2026 RUTA conference will be exploring the role of embodied knowledges and knowledges rooted in the places we conduct research about. We will discuss how the making of knowledge, art and cultural heritage changes when it is grounded in places and communities and which possibilities this opens
November 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Due to numerous requests, we are pleased to announce that the abstract submission deadline has been extended by two weeks. We encourage all interested contributors to take advantage of this extra time to finalize their submissions. We look forward to receiving your contributions by Nov 30
Reposted by The RUTA Association
Estonian FM Margus Tsahkna challenged the popular narrative that Russia’s military is a spent force.He shared intelligence assessments indicating that the Russians will return to the Baltic borders with more troops and equipment than before the full-scale invasion within two to three years or less.
Baltic Countdown: Estonia Warns Russia Will Return With More Troops, Equipment in ‘Two Years or Less’
Estonia’s top diplomat Margus Tsahkna delivers chilling intelligence assessment on Moscow’s military reform, demanding a ‘shoot them down’ deterrence standard for airspace violations.
www.kyivpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Estonian FM Margus Tsahkna challenged the popular narrative that Russia’s military is a spent force.He shared intelligence assessments indicating that the Russians will return to the Baltic borders with more troops and equipment than before the full-scale invasion within two to three years or less.
Reposted by The RUTA Association
Students in Czechia and Slovakia have a long history of standing up for liberty.
On November 17, we remember two such occassions: 1939, when students opposed the Nazi occupation, and 1989, when student demonstrations put into motion the events of the Velvet Revolution
On November 17, we remember two such occassions: 1939, when students opposed the Nazi occupation, and 1989, when student demonstrations put into motion the events of the Velvet Revolution
November 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Students in Czechia and Slovakia have a long history of standing up for liberty.
On November 17, we remember two such occassions: 1939, when students opposed the Nazi occupation, and 1989, when student demonstrations put into motion the events of the Velvet Revolution
On November 17, we remember two such occassions: 1939, when students opposed the Nazi occupation, and 1989, when student demonstrations put into motion the events of the Velvet Revolution
Reposted by The RUTA Association
It’s a text I wrote for a special issue of a Ukrainian gender studies journal, exploring feminist solidarity. In it, I critically analyse dominant Western and global feminist responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “anti-war” manifestos and contemplations made by Judith Butler and Jasbir Puar
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
It’s a text I wrote for a special issue of a Ukrainian gender studies journal, exploring feminist solidarity. In it, I critically analyse dominant Western and global feminist responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “anti-war” manifestos and contemplations made by Judith Butler and Jasbir Puar
Reposted by The RUTA Association
It’s 17th November, the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution that overthrew an oppressive state socialist regime and enabled the end of the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia. I share a personal text on what that revolution meant for Czechoslovak feminist thinkers
kcgs.net.ua/gurnal/26/06...
kcgs.net.ua/gurnal/26/06...
November 17, 2025 at 7:11 PM
It’s 17th November, the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution that overthrew an oppressive state socialist regime and enabled the end of the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia. I share a personal text on what that revolution meant for Czechoslovak feminist thinkers
kcgs.net.ua/gurnal/26/06...
kcgs.net.ua/gurnal/26/06...
Reposted by The RUTA Association
That’s the case with a lot of issues in Poland: the government is far more reactionary than the people it claims to represent.
State research agency CBOS has found its highest-ever level of support in Poland for the introduction of same-sex civil partnerships.
Over 62% are now in favour, up from 52% last year and just 25% in 2011, when the question was first asked.
Over 62% are now in favour, up from 52% last year and just 25% in 2011, when the question was first asked.
Polish state polling agency finds record support for same-sex partnerships
notesfrompoland.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:37 AM
That’s the case with a lot of issues in Poland: the government is far more reactionary than the people it claims to represent.
Reposted by The RUTA Association
Last days to send us abstracts for our next conference of the RUTA Association for Central, South-Eastern, and Eastern European, Baltic, Caucasus, Central and Northern Asian Studies in Global Conversation exploring the role of rooted and embodied knowledges as catalysts of change and shifts in power
Our 2026 RUTA conference will be exploring the role of embodied knowledges and knowledges rooted in the places we conduct research about. We will discuss how the making of knowledge, art and cultural heritage changes when it is grounded in places and communities and which possibilities this opens
November 12, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Last days to send us abstracts for our next conference of the RUTA Association for Central, South-Eastern, and Eastern European, Baltic, Caucasus, Central and Northern Asian Studies in Global Conversation exploring the role of rooted and embodied knowledges as catalysts of change and shifts in power
Reposted by The RUTA Association
as a bosnian, i cannot accept this depoliticization of the mass murder that was directed against us. to brazenly claim that the violence has "no political or religious motivation" is beneath common sense. it harms any understanding of what happened in sarajevo and bosnia
“There were no political or religious motivations. They were rich people who went there for fun and personal satisfaction. We are talking about people who love guns who perhaps go to shooting ranges or on safari in Africa.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 AM
as a bosnian, i cannot accept this depoliticization of the mass murder that was directed against us. to brazenly claim that the violence has "no political or religious motivation" is beneath common sense. it harms any understanding of what happened in sarajevo and bosnia
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Sky News' Data and Forensics team research proved that the X's algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content.
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
news.sky.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Sky News' Data and Forensics team research proved that the X's algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content.
Reposted by The RUTA Association
Makes one wonder who are all the perpetrators currently involved in the ongoing ‘human safari’ of systemic Russian drone attacks killing civilians in the Ukrainian city of Kherson
www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...
www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...
November 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Makes one wonder who are all the perpetrators currently involved in the ongoing ‘human safari’ of systemic Russian drone attacks killing civilians in the Ukrainian city of Kherson
www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...
www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...
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Gavazzeni claimed “many, many, many Italians” were alleged to have been involved, without providing a figure. “There were Germans, French, English … people from all western countries who paid large sums of money to be taken there to shoot civilians.”
“There were no political or religious motivations. They were rich people who went there for fun and personal satisfaction. We are talking about people who love guns who perhaps go to shooting ranges or on safari in Africa.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Gavazzeni claimed “many, many, many Italians” were alleged to have been involved, without providing a figure. “There were Germans, French, English … people from all western countries who paid large sums of money to be taken there to shoot civilians.”
Reposted by The RUTA Association
The horror of the aggression against Bosnia: "Prosecutors in Milan have opened an investigation into Italians who allegedly paid members of the Bosnian Serb army for trips to Sarajevo so that they could kill citizens during the four-year siege of the city". www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Milan prosecutors investigate alleged ‘sniper tourism’ during Bosnian war
Groups from Italy and elsewhere alleged to have paid Serb soldiers to shoot Sarajevo residents during siege
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The horror of the aggression against Bosnia: "Prosecutors in Milan have opened an investigation into Italians who allegedly paid members of the Bosnian Serb army for trips to Sarajevo so that they could kill citizens during the four-year siege of the city". www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
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Scholars from Estonia, Czechia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine write nuanced, deeply argued pieces about the war. One of them about Westsplaing. An American scholar jumps in, distorts their views, and explains that their ideas are “American frameworks.” You can't make this stuff up.
What ensues in academia when one critiques another’s favourite empire…The charge of borrowing from US frameworks toward a robust critique of westsplaining must be the biggest straw person fallacy to my work so far. How did this get through peer review? But also glad to stand there with Maria Mälksoo
November 12, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Scholars from Estonia, Czechia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine write nuanced, deeply argued pieces about the war. One of them about Westsplaing. An American scholar jumps in, distorts their views, and explains that their ideas are “American frameworks.” You can't make this stuff up.