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eastsplaining.bsky.social
Eastsplaining
@eastsplaining.bsky.social
POV: You live in Eastern Europe, next door to Russia

https://eastsplaining.substack.com
Who needs the Epstein Files if Trump can give you X Files
February 20, 2026 at 10:31 AM
The 4th anniversary of the "3 days special military operation" is approaching, I decided to write a substack post about Ukrainian identity. And why they don't surrender, no matter how much Trump wants them to.

eastsplaining.substack.com/p/ukrainians...
Ukrainians do not surrender
Let us understand who they are and why are they so much different from the Russians
eastsplaining.substack.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:14 PM
My main hope currently is that in November #Trump will become a lame duck. Preferably also impeached, roasted and extra crispy.
February 17, 2026 at 11:47 AM
In May 2023 Russian forces managed to capture Bakhmut after intense figthting. The next town is Chasiv Yar (10 km from Bakhmut). It was predicted to fall imminently. In February 2026, Russian sources write situation on Chasiv Yar "remains complicated". Let that sink in: 2023-2026, 10 km.
Russian military blogger Rybar writes that the situation in Chasiv Yar remains complicated, citing “false reports” made months ago. According to him, Ukrainian forces still hold parts of the western Shevchenko district and are counterattacking toward the city center. #Ukraine
February 15, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Periodic reminder: the same Russian assets now telling you that the Russian invasion was imminent, inevitable and provoked, were telling you it will never happen (until the last second when it did). Like one Caitlin Johnstone, for example.
February 13, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Guys, a modicum of realism. How do you even imagine elections under bombs? Conventions, meetings, campaing buses touring the country? What if Russian ballistic missile hits a stadium? Cease fire MUST be first. Elections come second.
Ukraine has begun planning presidential elections and a referendum, the Financial Times reports. The Trump administration is demanding both votes be held by May 15 or Ukraine could lose US security guarantees. Zelensky intends to announce elections on Feb 24. #Ukraine
February 11, 2026 at 11:45 AM
During the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, banners supporting the outlawed "Solidarity" trade union appeared among the audience when Polish team was playing, forcing Polish TV to censor live transmission of the game. I never thought I'll live to see American TV doing the same.
February 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Oh, so Trump set up a deadline? That's a new one. A new one in a string of "24 hours! 2 weeks! 5 weeks! 10 days! 48 hrs!" (etc)
February 7, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Still think Epstein could not have worked for Russia since he worked for Israel? Exhibit A. Robert Maxwell, corrupt media mogul. Connected to Israel, but also to the Soviets. He died in a bizarre drowning accident on his yacht Ghislaine, named after his daughter. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
Robert Maxwell - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Grab them goats by the beard!
February 5, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Many people claim now that it's not possible for Epstein to work with the Russians since he obviously worked with Israel. But why couldn't he work with both? I never saw anyone explaining why they think one contradicts another. I think they match perfectly, actually.
February 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
It seems that every country mentioned in the Epstein files is now having investigations, dismissals, apologies, princes and princesses losing titles, etc. - except USA.
February 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Dear Americans: Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933, the "enabling acts" giving him dictatorial powers passed in March. During these 2 months the world could have been saved. It wasn't due to insanely petty reasons (like personal animosities in the anti-Nazi camp). Learn from European mistakes.
February 3, 2026 at 11:25 AM
I realy wonder how people claiming that CIA/Soros/Nuland somehow manipulated Eastern Europe to rebel against Russian domination imagine it. Like we had it so good under tzar or the Soviets. It's as stupid as "people in Africa loved being enslaved, only the communist propaganda made them rebel".
February 1, 2026 at 11:15 AM
So the whole "Witkoff peace plan" goes back to square one. Russia demands Donbas without a fight, Ukraine will not give it without a fight. Year ago Russia claimed they will take it by force by the end of 2025, but they are still stuck with little progress to show (a farm here, a building there).
January 27, 2026 at 10:50 AM
There's an old Soviet joke that suddenly applies to USA. So ICE agents arrest a guy for writing "Clearly the President is insane and out of touch with reality" on social media. The guy protests: "But I mean the President of Colombia!". "You won't fool us, we know which president is insane".
Clearly the President is insane and out of touch with reality.
January 25, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Classic Trump. First, he invents fake countries he helped to bring peace, like Cambobia or Abu Baijan. Then he's confusing Greenland with Iceland. Then he's confusing Belgium with Belarus.
🤔🇧🇪🇺🇸 The White House mistakenly added Belgium to the list of countries that will participate in the "Peace Council". The Donald Trump administration confused the country with Belarus, - VRT

The Belgian Foreign Ministry denied information about Brussels joining the initiative.
January 23, 2026 at 9:25 PM
I can imagine a lot of things, but what I can't imagine is Ukraine agreeing on the Witkoff/Dmitryeff idea of giving up the Donbas without a fight. Even if the soldiers got such orders, they'd refuse to obey and mutiny. Of course if I'm wrong, I'll admit it.
January 23, 2026 at 6:04 PM
So Trump apparently won the rights to build new bases in Greenland (US always could have them under existing treaties) and exploit minerals (US always could invest in mines there but it makes no sense economically). What am I missing?
January 22, 2026 at 10:54 AM
BREAKING: Top Putin advisor warns that Russia will nuke his momma. I really wonder what's in the mind of people who still take this nonsense seriously.
January 15, 2026 at 8:14 AM
I see Americans repeating"elections cannot stop fascism". This is untrue - we just don't give much thought to the failed attempts at fascism. In every Western democracy in 1930, there was a fascist party (often backed by German embassy). They ran in elections, but center & left didnt let them win.
January 11, 2026 at 10:52 AM
What Russian Navy can do - analysis from Z-bloger. From 44-50 ships of corvette/frigate class commissioned in 2000's, 16 were delivered, of which: 10 corvettes. Only 6 is capable to operate in winter N Atlantic, but 2 are trapped in Black Sea. And that was only point (1), it's getting even worse.
January 9, 2026 at 12:07 PM
I find some consolation in the panic among Russian propagandists
January 7, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Hilarious "before and after". Less than month ago, Russian propagandist claimed on TV Maduro is untouchable thanks to armed Russian presence in his country, today he's panicked and confused

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1co7...
Sergey Karnaukhov has drastically different takes on Venezuela before and after Maduro's rendition
YouTube video by Russian Media Monitor
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:37 AM
I see many accounts fantasizing about "Trump trading Ukraine for Venezuela with Putin", but... how do you even imagine it to happen? Ukraine will not surrender because of Trump and Putin can't help Venezuela even if he wanted to.
January 3, 2026 at 8:10 PM