Jana Zikmundova
@jzk55.bsky.social
Former ambassador of Belgium (ret.) to Ukraine (2011-2014) and Colombia (2017-2021). Memories of Soviet tanks are part of my Czech roots (remember 21.8.1968 ?) Here mainly to denounce Putin's war on 🇺🇦. @DefendDemocracy team member 🇪🇺
Pinned
Jana Zikmundova
@jzk55.bsky.social
· Dec 10
💙 Happy birthday to the European flag!
Adopted 70 years ago by the Council of Europe, it became the #EU emblem in 1985.
12 stars. Blue sky. A circle of unity. A symbol for the whole of Europe and shared values.
Learn more: go.coe.int/HmDIt
Adopted 70 years ago by the Council of Europe, it became the #EU emblem in 1985.
12 stars. Blue sky. A circle of unity. A symbol for the whole of Europe and shared values.
Learn more: go.coe.int/HmDIt
Brandished by people of 🇬🇪 and 🇺🇦 for good reasons : it stands for freedom, prosperity and democracy. You don't know what you have got until it is gone. 🇪🇺
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Once again--Trump is weakening Ukrainian air defense to help Putin kill Ukrainian civilians and damage Ukrainian infrastructure.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
Zelenskyy: US promised Europe licenses to produce Patriot missiles — then refused
Germany now has no air defense missiles left to give Ukraine. Zelenskyy says it didn't have to be this way: "There were promises of licenses, but America did not go along with it"
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/18/w...
Germany now has no air defense missiles left to give Ukraine. Zelenskyy says it didn't have to be this way: "There were promises of licenses, but America did not go along with it"
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/18/w...
Washington promised missile licenses, then walked back — now Europe is scrambling to arm itself, Zelenskyy says
Germany has run out of air defense missiles to give Ukraine. The US declined to license Patriot missile production in Europe when Ukraine proposed it years ago. Zelenskyy said
euromaidanpress.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Once again--Trump is weakening Ukrainian air defense to help Putin kill Ukrainian civilians and damage Ukrainian infrastructure.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
How many times does this need to be said before people will get it.
"The European Union's 19th sanctions package against Russia includes a full ban on LNG imports. The ban takes affect on January 1, 2027 and marks the end of a decade of European LNG imports from the Russian Arctic."
Why 🇷🇺 "chooses" to be even more dependent on CN.
#нетвойне
Why 🇷🇺 "chooses" to be even more dependent on CN.
#нетвойне
On the eve of crushing new EU sanctions, Moscow ratifies LNG deal with Beijing
On the eve of crushing new EU sanctions, Moscow ratifies LNG deal with Beijing
Russian legislators have rubber-stamped a cooperation agreement with China on the Yamal LNG project.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
February 19, 2026 at 7:10 AM
"The European Union's 19th sanctions package against Russia includes a full ban on LNG imports. The ban takes affect on January 1, 2027 and marks the end of a decade of European LNG imports from the Russian Arctic."
Why 🇷🇺 "chooses" to be even more dependent on CN.
#нетвойне
Why 🇷🇺 "chooses" to be even more dependent on CN.
#нетвойне
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Will 2026 bring peace & justice for Ukraine?
We discussed this and 'democratic security' with Ukrainian Ambassador Zayats, Head of @coe.int in Brussels & former foreign policy adviser to Ukraine's National Security & Defence Council.
Also nice to visit CoE Brussels HQ!
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
We discussed this and 'democratic security' with Ukrainian Ambassador Zayats, Head of @coe.int in Brussels & former foreign policy adviser to Ukraine's National Security & Defence Council.
Also nice to visit CoE Brussels HQ!
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
February 18, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Will 2026 bring peace & justice for Ukraine?
We discussed this and 'democratic security' with Ukrainian Ambassador Zayats, Head of @coe.int in Brussels & former foreign policy adviser to Ukraine's National Security & Defence Council.
Also nice to visit CoE Brussels HQ!
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
We discussed this and 'democratic security' with Ukrainian Ambassador Zayats, Head of @coe.int in Brussels & former foreign policy adviser to Ukraine's National Security & Defence Council.
Also nice to visit CoE Brussels HQ!
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
"...70% increase compared to 2023" : how #Putin s 🇷🇺 war on #Ukrainian civilians is escalating.
#SpecialTribunal
#SpecialTribunal
According to the United Nations, the total civilian casualties in Ukraine in 2025 reached at least 2,514 killed and 12,142 injured, a 31% increase compared to 2024 (2,088 killed; 9,138 injured) and a 70% increase compared to 2023 (1,974 killed; 6,651 injured).
February 18, 2026 at 5:14 AM
"...70% increase compared to 2023" : how #Putin s 🇷🇺 war on #Ukrainian civilians is escalating.
#SpecialTribunal
#SpecialTribunal
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
It looks as though I was interviewed this morning on why I wasn't holding my breath for any major news from the Russia-Ukraine "peace talks" in Geneva during the day.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwDz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwDz...
Trump Puts Pressure On Ukraine to Surrender But Russia Is Faltering Too | Chatham House Fellow
YouTube video by Times News
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:03 PM
It looks as though I was interviewed this morning on why I wasn't holding my breath for any major news from the Russia-Ukraine "peace talks" in Geneva during the day.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwDz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwDz...
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
'Despite having partially recognised the threat, Western Europe has not yet adopted the wartime mindset to respond to it' writes Elias Forneris in the latest RUSI Commentary.
A Gathering Storm
In response to the threat of conflict with Russia, and as with the Great Wars of the 20th Century, Europe is finding a new resolve.
www.rusi.org
February 17, 2026 at 2:15 PM
'Despite having partially recognised the threat, Western Europe has not yet adopted the wartime mindset to respond to it' writes Elias Forneris in the latest RUSI Commentary.
🕯Two young Ukrainian servicewomen with the callsigns Kara and Liza were killed by an enemy drone while evacuating wounded soldiers on the Zaporizhzhya front
Two Ukrainian female soldiers killed evacuating wounded near Zaporizhzhya
Two young Ukrainian servicewomen with the callsigns Kara and Liza were killed by an enemy drone while evacuating wounded soldiers on the Zaporizhzhya front, their company commander Serhiy Volkov of th...
english.nv.ua
February 17, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Ukraine has been the only one willing to negotiate even amidst this.
Just seen reports Trump saying Ukraine ‘better come to the table, fast’. Can’t do that, sorry. Busy shooting down Russian drones
February 17, 2026 at 3:32 AM
Ukraine has been the only one willing to negotiate even amidst this.
🖤💛💙
Kherson father and daughter abducted, tortured and given huge sentences for trying to escape Russian occupation
khpg.org/en/1608815522
khpg.org/en/1608815522
Kherson father and daughter abducted, tortured and given huge sentences for trying to escape Russian occupation
The Russian invaders have yet again opted for easy victims - Oleksiy Demianenko and his very young daughter, Anzhelika, who only tried to leave occupied Kherson oblast
khpg.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:04 AM
🖤💛💙
"The Specialist Chamber was established in 2015 by the Kosovo Assembly to prosecute mainly former KLA fighters for war crimes and is part of Kosovo's judicial system, but it operates with international staff and is based in The Hague."
Surely followed with great interest in #Moscow.
#SpecialTribunal
Surely followed with great interest in #Moscow.
#SpecialTribunal
February 17, 2026 at 8:02 AM
"The Specialist Chamber was established in 2015 by the Kosovo Assembly to prosecute mainly former KLA fighters for war crimes and is part of Kosovo's judicial system, but it operates with international staff and is based in The Hague."
Surely followed with great interest in #Moscow.
#SpecialTribunal
Surely followed with great interest in #Moscow.
#SpecialTribunal
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
As a new round of discussions begins in Geneva between Ukraine and Russia, here is Moscow's message to Kyiv and to the world: sending more drones against Ukraine.
February 17, 2026 at 7:15 AM
As a new round of discussions begins in Geneva between Ukraine and Russia, here is Moscow's message to Kyiv and to the world: sending more drones against Ukraine.
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
"You had a bad week?
In captivity, they have bad years."
Be the voice of the Ukrainian prisoners of war — russian captivity kills.
In captivity, they have bad years."
Be the voice of the Ukrainian prisoners of war — russian captivity kills.
February 15, 2026 at 4:11 PM
"You had a bad week?
In captivity, they have bad years."
Be the voice of the Ukrainian prisoners of war — russian captivity kills.
In captivity, they have bad years."
Be the voice of the Ukrainian prisoners of war — russian captivity kills.
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
L’efficacité de la guerre cognitive russe est inversement proportionnelle à la clarté des buts de guerre européens. Moins l’Europe dit ce qu’elle veut, plus Moscou peut dire à sa place ce qu’elle devrait craindre et accepter.
Un texte essentiel de Pierre Raiman.
desk-russie.eu/2026/02/15/e...
Un texte essentiel de Pierre Raiman.
desk-russie.eu/2026/02/15/e...
Errer des jours sans fins avec Macron, ou Penser la guerre en Ukraine avec Aron • desk russie
La Russie mène une guerre d’anéantissement civilisationnel. Tant que nous éluderons cette dimension, nous resterons sans stratégie.
desk-russie.eu
February 15, 2026 at 4:32 PM
L’efficacité de la guerre cognitive russe est inversement proportionnelle à la clarté des buts de guerre européens. Moins l’Europe dit ce qu’elle veut, plus Moscou peut dire à sa place ce qu’elle devrait craindre et accepter.
Un texte essentiel de Pierre Raiman.
desk-russie.eu/2026/02/15/e...
Un texte essentiel de Pierre Raiman.
desk-russie.eu/2026/02/15/e...
🎯
"Things are not going to change unless Donald Trump confronts a Russia question."
Simon Smith (@chrussiaeurasia.bsky.social) Chairman of our Ukraine Forum on Donald Trump's foreign policy towards Russia and Ukraine⤵️
Simon Smith (@chrussiaeurasia.bsky.social) Chairman of our Ukraine Forum on Donald Trump's foreign policy towards Russia and Ukraine⤵️
February 16, 2026 at 11:24 AM
🎯
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Once again, really significant and important #InvestigativeJournalism that is just not being done by legacy media.
NEW: Read this terrific piece @virginiaheffernan.bsky.social for @thenerve.news in which she unpicks Edge.org, the hugely influential 'salon' funded by Epstein & threaded through with race science & eugenics.
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
The billionaires' eugenics project: how Epstein infiltrated Harvard, muzzled the humanities and preached master-race science
Edge - Jeffrey Epstein's favourite intellectual salon - was sold to me as a gathering of the world's finest minds, writes Virginia Heffernan. The files reveal it was something far darker: a decades-lo...
www.thenerve.news
February 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Once again, really significant and important #InvestigativeJournalism that is just not being done by legacy media.
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Orban’s Hungarian autocracy inspires Trump’s America
Today Marco Rubio is paying court to Viktor Orban – the greatest enemy of press freedom in modern Europe, Piece from me on the emptiness of conservatives’ commitment to free speech
nickcohen.substack.com/p/trump-and-...
Today Marco Rubio is paying court to Viktor Orban – the greatest enemy of press freedom in modern Europe, Piece from me on the emptiness of conservatives’ commitment to free speech
nickcohen.substack.com/p/trump-and-...
Trump and Rubio praise Orbán: the godfather of Western corruption
And copy his attacks on free speech and press freedom
nickcohen.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Orban’s Hungarian autocracy inspires Trump’s America
Today Marco Rubio is paying court to Viktor Orban – the greatest enemy of press freedom in modern Europe, Piece from me on the emptiness of conservatives’ commitment to free speech
nickcohen.substack.com/p/trump-and-...
Today Marco Rubio is paying court to Viktor Orban – the greatest enemy of press freedom in modern Europe, Piece from me on the emptiness of conservatives’ commitment to free speech
nickcohen.substack.com/p/trump-and-...
🎧📌
Lange podcast voor NRC, over de verslechterde relatie van Europa met de VS, en welke gevaren en kansen dat biedt.
Spoiler: we can do this!
@nrc.nl
art19.com/shows/vandaa...
Spoiler: we can do this!
@nrc.nl
art19.com/shows/vandaa...
Europa zonder de VS: 'We moeten ook tussen de oren onafhankelijk worden'
De relatie tussen Europa en de Verenigde Staten is in een jaar compleet veranderd. Het bewustzijn groeit: Europa moet autonomer worden. Maar hoe? En wat betekent dat precies? Dat zoeken we uit in vijf...
art19.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:34 AM
🎧📌
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
"At some point, Putin will have to reckon with the failure of his strategic bombing campaign against Ukraine’s cities and the slow-rolling military failure that is Russia’s bloody ground campaign." An update of the big #Ukraine & Pacific issues this week. mickryan.substack.com/p/are-you-re...
Are You Ready? Zelenskyy's Message at Munich. The Big Five, 15 February edition
My regular update on war and great power competition. This week, Munich and diplomacy, StarLink and the Ukraine ground war, an assessment of 2026, and my Big Five recommended reads.
mickryan.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:53 AM
"At some point, Putin will have to reckon with the failure of his strategic bombing campaign against Ukraine’s cities and the slow-rolling military failure that is Russia’s bloody ground campaign." An update of the big #Ukraine & Pacific issues this week. mickryan.substack.com/p/are-you-re...
"This focus on the short-term is largely justified. Europe needs at least five to ten years to rearm, while according to NATO’s own estimates, Russia may attempt an incursion into NATO territory in as soon as four. The current European response still lacks urgency and strategic vision."
#WakeUpCall
#WakeUpCall
Europe’s push to reduce its reliance on the US is likely to be permanent. US policymakers should wake up to this new reality. https://bit.ly/4tBhYL4
What should a more European NATO look like? The US and Europe disagree
Europe’s push to reduce its reliance on the US is likely to be permanent. US policymakers should wake up to this new reality.
www.chathamhouse.org
February 15, 2026 at 6:43 AM
"This focus on the short-term is largely justified. Europe needs at least five to ten years to rearm, while according to NATO’s own estimates, Russia may attempt an incursion into NATO territory in as soon as four. The current European response still lacks urgency and strategic vision."
#WakeUpCall
#WakeUpCall
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Wir sind nach wie vor die einzige Armee in Europa, die ihre Soldaten mehrere Monate, nachdem ein Krieg ausgebrochen ist, ausbilden müsste. Man muss kein Generalstabsoffizier sein, um das Problem hier zu erkennen. Hier wird tatsächlich mit dem Leben unserer Soldaten gespielt. Meine Sonntagskolumne 👇
February 15, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Wir sind nach wie vor die einzige Armee in Europa, die ihre Soldaten mehrere Monate, nachdem ein Krieg ausgebrochen ist, ausbilden müsste. Man muss kein Generalstabsoffizier sein, um das Problem hier zu erkennen. Hier wird tatsächlich mit dem Leben unserer Soldaten gespielt. Meine Sonntagskolumne 👇
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
There will be people who are understandably desperate to hear this, but it's important to be clear-eyed about Rubio himself and what the Trump administration is doing. 🧵
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
There will be people who are understandably desperate to hear this, but it's important to be clear-eyed about Rubio himself and what the Trump administration is doing. 🧵
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
Perhaps this thread helps: bsky.app/profile/mijr...
Macron spoke in Munich of moving towards a more “wholistic” approach to a European nuclear deterrent. What does that mean? We may have the answer when Macron gives a speech on “force de frappe” (French nuclear deterrent) in Brittany in the next couple of weeks 2/
February 14, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Perhaps this thread helps: bsky.app/profile/mijr...
PM : SAFE (Security Action for Europe) is the #EU’ s new financial instrument designed to provide support to Member States to speed up #defence readiness by allowing urgent and major investments in support of the defence industry, with a focus on closing critical capability gaps. 🇨🇦 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
Historic day!🇪🇺🤝🇨🇦
Amidst global shifts, Canada and the EU are strengthening ties when needed most.
Pleasure to sign w Minister McGuinty important agreement under the #SAFE instrument this morning! It will boost our industries & security, strengthen our defence cooperation & economic ties.
Amidst global shifts, Canada and the EU are strengthening ties when needed most.
Pleasure to sign w Minister McGuinty important agreement under the #SAFE instrument this morning! It will boost our industries & security, strengthen our defence cooperation & economic ties.
February 14, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
I can help : they are not
⚡ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Ukraine: "We don’t know whether the Russians are serious about ending the war."
February 14, 2026 at 11:54 AM
I can help : they are not
Reposted by Jana Zikmundova
The ‘world order’ didn’t collapse bc Russia invaded Ukraine. It collapsed because the free world chose not to stop them.
By refusing to use our wealth & power to defend even a European democracy, we showed dictators everywhere that aggression pays.
That was the death blow. We did this to ourselves.
By refusing to use our wealth & power to defend even a European democracy, we showed dictators everywhere that aggression pays.
That was the death blow. We did this to ourselves.
February 14, 2026 at 12:07 PM
The ‘world order’ didn’t collapse bc Russia invaded Ukraine. It collapsed because the free world chose not to stop them.
By refusing to use our wealth & power to defend even a European democracy, we showed dictators everywhere that aggression pays.
That was the death blow. We did this to ourselves.
By refusing to use our wealth & power to defend even a European democracy, we showed dictators everywhere that aggression pays.
That was the death blow. We did this to ourselves.