Ville Kostian
@kostianv.bsky.social
Geopolitics, geoeconomics and military.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
"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
" #Trump, #Netanyahu agreed U.S. should press #Iran to cut #oil sales to #China: Reports"
www.thehindu.com/news/interna...
www.thehindu.com/news/interna...
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu agreed U.S. should press Iran to cut oil sales to China: Reports
Trump and Netanyahu agree on U.S. efforts to reduce Iran's oil sales to China, impacting Iran's revenue significantly.
www.thehindu.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:01 AM
" #Trump, #Netanyahu agreed U.S. should press #Iran to cut #oil sales to #China: Reports"
www.thehindu.com/news/interna...
www.thehindu.com/news/interna...
#Cuba - "No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real"
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real
Diplomats in Havana are preparing for an alternative Trump tactic: the country being starved until people take to the streets and the US can step in
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:59 AM
#Cuba - "No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real"
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the EU's top diplomatic official Belén Martinez Carbonell warned that Russia's shadow fleet is now one of the most direct maritime security threats facing Europe. #MSC2026
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/eu-official-...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/eu-official-...
EU official warns Russian shadow fleet threatens Europe
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the EU's top diplomatic official Belén Martinez Carbonell warned that Russia's shadow fleet is now one of the most direct maritime security threats facing Europe. #MSC2026
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 15, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the EU's top diplomatic official Belén Martinez Carbonell warned that Russia's shadow fleet is now one of the most direct maritime security threats facing Europe. #MSC2026
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/eu-official-...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/eu-official-...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
What an incredibly cool FT article and WWI story!
The FT contest that challenged readers to redraw Europe’s borders (🎁🔗)
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The FT contest that challenged readers to redraw Europe’s borders (🎁🔗)
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The FT contest that challenged readers to redraw Europe’s borders
The extraordinary story of when, two months into the bloody Great War, the newspaper launched an unusual competition
giftarticle.ft.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:48 AM
What an incredibly cool FT article and WWI story!
The FT contest that challenged readers to redraw Europe’s borders (🎁🔗)
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The FT contest that challenged readers to redraw Europe’s borders (🎁🔗)
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Cleaning up the shit - Finland leads the way.
In Finland, they want to seize property from Russians. The country's authorities are exploring the possibility of cancelling real estate transactions previously concluded with Russians.
1/2
In Finland, they want to seize property from Russians. The country's authorities are exploring the possibility of cancelling real estate transactions previously concluded with Russians.
1/2
February 14, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Cleaning up the shit - Finland leads the way.
In Finland, they want to seize property from Russians. The country's authorities are exploring the possibility of cancelling real estate transactions previously concluded with Russians.
1/2
In Finland, they want to seize property from Russians. The country's authorities are exploring the possibility of cancelling real estate transactions previously concluded with Russians.
1/2
"US, #Iran to hold new round of #nuclear talks in Geneva this week, Swiss government says"
apnews.com/article/iran...
apnews.com/article/iran...
US, Iran to hold new round of nuclear talks in Geneva this week, Swiss government says
The Swiss Foreign Ministry says Iran and the United States will hold a second round of talks over Tehran’s nuclear program this week.
apnews.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:55 AM
"US, #Iran to hold new round of #nuclear talks in Geneva this week, Swiss government says"
apnews.com/article/iran...
apnews.com/article/iran...
"The conversation on European #nukes is heating up in Munich" - #WMD
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
The conversation on European nukes is heating up in Munich
‘Nuclear deterrence can give us new opportunities. Why not?’ Latvian PM tells POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
February 15, 2026 at 6:06 AM
"The conversation on European #nukes is heating up in Munich" - #WMD
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Reposted by Ville Kostian
4/ Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Oleksandrivka direction. Russian forces recently advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast, in the Borova and Slovyansk directions, and in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
February 14, 2026 at 10:40 PM
4/ Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Oleksandrivka direction. Russian forces recently advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast, in the Borova and Slovyansk directions, and in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
NEW: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to compromise ahead of trilateral US-Ukrainian-Russian talks in Geneva, Switzerland on February 17 to 18. 🧵(1/4)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar021426
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar021426
February 14, 2026 at 10:40 PM
NEW: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to compromise ahead of trilateral US-Ukrainian-Russian talks in Geneva, Switzerland on February 17 to 18. 🧵(1/4)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar021426
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar021426
Reposted by Ville Kostian
China increased its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2025 and is likely to deepen cooperation with Moscow further this year, casting doubt on EU efforts to improve relations with Beijing.
China expanding aid for Russia’s war, Western officials say
The war couldn't continue without ongoing Chinese support, particularly the export of dual-use components and critical minerals used in Russian drone production.
ebx.sh
February 15, 2026 at 5:51 AM
China increased its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2025 and is likely to deepen cooperation with Moscow further this year, casting doubt on EU efforts to improve relations with Beijing.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
🇮🇳🇷🇺The Indian Defense Procurement Council has approved the purchase of 288 anti-aircraft missiles for the S-400 Triumph systems, which the country previously purchased from Russia.
militarnyi.com/en/news/indi...
militarnyi.com/en/news/indi...
India Orders 288 Anti-Aircraft Missiles for S-400 Air Defense Systems from Russia
The Indian Defense Procurement Council has approved the purchase of 288 anti-aircraft missiles for the S-400 Triumph systems, which the country previously purchased from Russia.This was reported by th...
militarnyi.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:36 PM
🇮🇳🇷🇺The Indian Defense Procurement Council has approved the purchase of 288 anti-aircraft missiles for the S-400 Triumph systems, which the country previously purchased from Russia.
militarnyi.com/en/news/indi...
militarnyi.com/en/news/indi...
"US launches airstrikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in #Syria"
- #Daesh www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
- #Daesh www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
US launches airstrikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria
Militant group’s infrastructure and weapons storage facilities were hit, as Washington praised Damascus for fresh coalition role
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"US launches airstrikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in #Syria"
- #Daesh www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
- #Daesh www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Photojournalist Kostiantyn Liberov writes on his Instagram about yet another evacuation of people affected by Russian aggression - this time from Kostiantynivka:
“Kostiantynivka. All roads into the city are controlled by enemy drones.
📸 libkos/Instagram
“Kostiantynivka. All roads into the city are controlled by enemy drones.
📸 libkos/Instagram
February 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Photojournalist Kostiantyn Liberov writes on his Instagram about yet another evacuation of people affected by Russian aggression - this time from Kostiantynivka:
“Kostiantynivka. All roads into the city are controlled by enemy drones.
📸 libkos/Instagram
“Kostiantynivka. All roads into the city are controlled by enemy drones.
📸 libkos/Instagram
Reposted by Ville Kostian
🖥️The Russian government fined the Avtomatika concern for delays in mastering serial microchip production for cryptographic protection of information for the Ministry of Defense.
militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...
militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...
Russian Microchip Production for Data Encryption for Ministry of Defense Delayed by Six Years
The Russian government fined the Avtomatika concern for delays in mastering serial microchip production for cryptographic protection.
militarnyi.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:06 PM
🖥️The Russian government fined the Avtomatika concern for delays in mastering serial microchip production for cryptographic protection of information for the Ministry of Defense.
militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...
militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...
" #Zelenskyy says #Putin only interested in continued war" - #Ukraine #Russia
www.politico.eu/article/volo...
www.politico.eu/article/volo...
Zelenskyy says Putin only interested in continued war
The Ukrainian president spoke ahead of the next round of peace talks as pressure for concessions grows from Donald Trump.
www.politico.eu
February 14, 2026 at 3:06 PM
" #Zelenskyy says #Putin only interested in continued war" - #Ukraine #Russia
www.politico.eu/article/volo...
www.politico.eu/article/volo...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
"European nations say Alexei #Navalny was poisoned by the #Kremlin with dart frog toxin" - #Russia
apnews.com/article/russ...
apnews.com/article/russ...
European nations say Alexei Navalny was poisoned by the Kremlin with dart frog toxin
Five European countries say tests confirm Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a lethal toxin found in poison frogs, and they blame the Russian state.
apnews.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:46 PM
"European nations say Alexei #Navalny was poisoned by the #Kremlin with dart frog toxin" - #Russia
apnews.com/article/russ...
apnews.com/article/russ...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
❗️👀 Rutte on Russia:
They lost 65,000 people in December and January. They are not winning this.
They make very small gains in Donetsk and other places—so small that they are almost irrelevant—but they lose all these people.
They lost 65,000 people in December and January. They are not winning this.
They make very small gains in Donetsk and other places—so small that they are almost irrelevant—but they lose all these people.
February 14, 2026 at 12:08 PM
❗️👀 Rutte on Russia:
They lost 65,000 people in December and January. They are not winning this.
They make very small gains in Donetsk and other places—so small that they are almost irrelevant—but they lose all these people.
They lost 65,000 people in December and January. They are not winning this.
They make very small gains in Donetsk and other places—so small that they are almost irrelevant—but they lose all these people.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Russian attack on Thurs night thwarted by missiles Ukraine received on Sunday - Zelenskyy #Ukraine
Russian attack on Thurs night thwarted by missiles Ukraine received on Sunday - Zelenskyy
en.interfax.com.ua
February 14, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Russian attack on Thurs night thwarted by missiles Ukraine received on Sunday - Zelenskyy #Ukraine
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Zelensky admits that he is feeling pressure from Trump amid ongoing discussions over ending the war.
Responding to a question from Christiane Amanpour — “Are you feeling the pressure from Trump?” — Zelensky replied: “A little bit.”
Responding to a question from Christiane Amanpour — “Are you feeling the pressure from Trump?” — Zelensky replied: “A little bit.”
February 14, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Zelensky admits that he is feeling pressure from Trump amid ongoing discussions over ending the war.
Responding to a question from Christiane Amanpour — “Are you feeling the pressure from Trump?” — Zelensky replied: “A little bit.”
Responding to a question from Christiane Amanpour — “Are you feeling the pressure from Trump?” — Zelensky replied: “A little bit.”
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Hello again on Saturday 14 February, but Valentine's Day is no different for Russia, still killing & injuring any Ukrainians they can.
Day 1452 of the full invasion, with Ukraine trying make use of Russia's communication problems to push the enemy back.
Let's start the daily🧵
Day 1452 of the full invasion, with Ukraine trying make use of Russia's communication problems to push the enemy back.
Let's start the daily🧵
February 14, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Hello again on Saturday 14 February, but Valentine's Day is no different for Russia, still killing & injuring any Ukrainians they can.
Day 1452 of the full invasion, with Ukraine trying make use of Russia's communication problems to push the enemy back.
Let's start the daily🧵
Day 1452 of the full invasion, with Ukraine trying make use of Russia's communication problems to push the enemy back.
Let's start the daily🧵