Leigh Turner writer
@leighturnerwriter.bsky.social
Author ✍️ of “Lessons in Diplomacy” and inspirational speaker. Also novelist. Former British Ambo to Austria and Ukraine.
My short piece today on #Venezuela and #Ukraine. Key message: Europe, including the UK, needs to take more responsibility for its own security at a time of deep unpredictability in international affairs - and defending Ukraine is vital for European security. youtube.com/shorts/MQw-h...
#Venezuela and #Ukraine
YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing
youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:46 AM
My short piece today on #Venezuela and #Ukraine. Key message: Europe, including the UK, needs to take more responsibility for its own security at a time of deep unpredictability in international affairs - and defending Ukraine is vital for European security. youtube.com/shorts/MQw-h...
Yesterday’s interview is heading for 95,000 hits.
My interview on Times Radio today about why President #Zelensky’s diplomatic offensive, and #Russia’s military and economic struggles, have #Putin rattled: youtu.be/e4HaCVS0-b0?... #russiaukraine #ukraine
Putin’s year ends with over a million Russian soldiers dead and an economy ‘in terrible trouble’
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
January 2, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Yesterday’s interview is heading for 95,000 hits.
My interview on Times Radio today about why President #Zelensky’s diplomatic offensive, and #Russia’s military and economic struggles, have #Putin rattled: youtu.be/e4HaCVS0-b0?... #russiaukraine #ukraine
Putin’s year ends with over a million Russian soldiers dead and an economy ‘in terrible trouble’
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
January 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
My interview on Times Radio today about why President #Zelensky’s diplomatic offensive, and #Russia’s military and economic struggles, have #Putin rattled: youtu.be/e4HaCVS0-b0?... #russiaukraine #ukraine
My new post: did #Ukraine try to kill #Putin? Let’s analyse why #Russia might be claiming such a thing. youtube.com/shorts/oe7Rf...
Did #Ukraine try to kill Putin?
YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing
youtube.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
My new post: did #Ukraine try to kill #Putin? Let’s analyse why #Russia might be claiming such a thing. youtube.com/shorts/oe7Rf...
An indication of how many Russian lives President Putin is prepared to sacrifice to stay in power: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Russia #Ukraine #Putin
Russia's losses in Ukraine rise faster than ever as US pushes for peace deal
A steep rise in soldiers' obituaries is documented by the BBC as part of its work in counting Russian war losses.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM
An indication of how many Russian lives President Putin is prepared to sacrifice to stay in power: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Russia #Ukraine #Putin
What are the prospects for a peace deal n #Russia’s war on #Ukraine? My interview on LBC (Global) this morning is now available as a TV clip: youtu.be/-h-SL4e9WxQ?... @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Putin is 'confused' as he continues making maximalist claims in Ukraine peace talks | Leigh Turner
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
December 29, 2025 at 12:56 PM
What are the prospects for a peace deal n #Russia’s war on #Ukraine? My interview on LBC (Global) this morning is now available as a TV clip: youtu.be/-h-SL4e9WxQ?... @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Is there a conflict between #sustainability and #growth? Let's look at lovely Costa Rica. www.youtube.com/shorts/crmLJ... #costarica
Lessons in Diplomacy: Wealth vs Sustainability? See Costa Rica
YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing
www.youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Is there a conflict between #sustainability and #growth? Let's look at lovely Costa Rica. www.youtube.com/shorts/crmLJ... #costarica
Good move from President #Zelensky to place the ball in the #Russian court before Christmas. The 20-point plan, broadly acceptable to #Ukraine, contains much that needs clarifying. But what is already clear is that #Russia will have difficulty accepting it. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Zelensky moves towards demilitarised zones in latest peace plan for Ukraine
On the key question of Ukraine's eastern Donbas, Zelensky says a
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Good move from President #Zelensky to place the ball in the #Russian court before Christmas. The 20-point plan, broadly acceptable to #Ukraine, contains much that needs clarifying. But what is already clear is that #Russia will have difficulty accepting it. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This little TikTok video records some of the places “Lessons in Diplomacy” has been on tour over the past 6 weeks. Quite the trip it’s been! Do have a watch vm.tiktok.com/ZNR25HTp7/ #patrica #chile #peru #ecuador #colombia #costarica
TikTok - Make Your Day
vm.tiktok.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This little TikTok video records some of the places “Lessons in Diplomacy” has been on tour over the past 6 weeks. Quite the trip it’s been! Do have a watch vm.tiktok.com/ZNR25HTp7/ #patrica #chile #peru #ecuador #colombia #costarica
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) tour comes to an end. Costa Rica scenes include a boat trip; green iguana; the La Paz waterfall; and back in Amsterdam. What a journey it’s been. Full report on my website with more pictures. #costarica #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacybooks
December 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) tour comes to an end. Costa Rica scenes include a boat trip; green iguana; the La Paz waterfall; and back in Amsterdam. What a journey it’s been. Full report on my website with more pictures. #costarica #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacybooks
My new YouTube video explains why it’s nonsense to suggest #sustainability and #growth are somehow in conflict. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration youtube.com/shorts/crmLJ...
Lessons in Diplomacy: Wealth vs Sustainability? See Costa Rica
YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing
youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:04 AM
My new YouTube video explains why it’s nonsense to suggest #sustainability and #growth are somehow in conflict. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration youtube.com/shorts/crmLJ...
Costa Rica: sunset at Nosara Beach, turtle hatchlings, red snapper, and books. Splendid country #costarica #patrica #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers #nosara
December 13, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Costa Rica: sunset at Nosara Beach, turtle hatchlings, red snapper, and books. Splendid country #costarica #patrica #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers #nosara
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches #Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of #Colombia. A steamy city full of life and music including a woman carrying fruit on her head; sales force in antlers; a mighty fort; and dancing in the street. #lessonsindiplomacy #book #books #writinginspiration
December 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches #Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of #Colombia. A steamy city full of life and music including a woman carrying fruit on her head; sales force in antlers; a mighty fort; and dancing in the street. #lessonsindiplomacy #book #books #writinginspiration
Quite. www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...
Putin 'morally responsible' for 'unsurvivable' Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess, inquiry finds
An inquiry into Ms Sturgess' death in 2018 came after an attempt to poison an ex-Russian double agent living in Salisbury.
www.bbc.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Quite. www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...
My post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 3: Ecuador" is now complete. It includes pictures of Quito, the Cotopaxi Volcano, and the Galapagos Islands. There are also links to earlier posts, about Chile and Peru. rleighturner.com/ecuador/ #Ecuador #Galapagos #patrica #lessonsindiplomacy #writiinginspiration
Patagonia to Costa Rica 3: Ecuador
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches Ecuador, featuring Quito, the Cotopaxi volcano, and the Galapagos Islands.
rleighturner.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:06 AM
My post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 3: Ecuador" is now complete. It includes pictures of Quito, the Cotopaxi Volcano, and the Galapagos Islands. There are also links to earlier posts, about Chile and Peru. rleighturner.com/ecuador/ #Ecuador #Galapagos #patrica #lessonsindiplomacy #writiinginspiration
My #patrica trip reaches #Quito: churches, depictions of hell, a walk up the #Cotopaxi volcano. Next up: the Galapagos. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers
November 30, 2025 at 4:17 AM
My #patrica trip reaches #Quito: churches, depictions of hell, a walk up the #Cotopaxi volcano. Next up: the Galapagos. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers
Reposted by Leigh Turner writer
My blog post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru" is now complete. It includes pictures of such places as Machu Picchu, Cusco and #Lima. I'd welcome readers, and comments. There's also a link to the first post, about Chile. I hope you enjoy it. rleighturner.com/peru/ #Peru #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica
Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru
The second stage of my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip is Peru, taking in Cusco and Inca remains including Machu Picchu.
rleighturner.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:37 AM
My blog post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru" is now complete. It includes pictures of such places as Machu Picchu, Cusco and #Lima. I'd welcome readers, and comments. There's also a link to the first post, about Chile. I hope you enjoy it. rleighturner.com/peru/ #Peru #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica
My blog post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru" is now complete. It includes pictures of such places as Machu Picchu, Cusco and #Lima. I'd welcome readers, and comments. There's also a link to the first post, about Chile. I hope you enjoy it. rleighturner.com/peru/ #Peru #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica
Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru
The second stage of my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip is Peru, taking in Cusco and Inca remains including Machu Picchu.
rleighturner.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:37 AM
My blog post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru" is now complete. It includes pictures of such places as Machu Picchu, Cusco and #Lima. I'd welcome readers, and comments. There's also a link to the first post, about Chile. I hope you enjoy it. rleighturner.com/peru/ #Peru #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches Machu Picchu. On a misty, rainy day the site surpasses all expectations. For full account and more pictures see my blog rleighturner.com/peru/. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #writinginspiration
November 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches Machu Picchu. On a misty, rainy day the site surpasses all expectations. For full account and more pictures see my blog rleighturner.com/peru/. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #writinginspiration
Scenes from #Cuzco in #Peru: walls at Saksayhuaman; street vendor; at Saksayhuaman; crucifixion at Qorikancha (former Temple of Sun now a Dominican friary, with Inca foundations). #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration
November 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Scenes from #Cuzco in #Peru: walls at Saksayhuaman; street vendor; at Saksayhuaman; crucifixion at Qorikancha (former Temple of Sun now a Dominican friary, with Inca foundations). #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches the Atacama Desert in Chile. Pics: Tropic of Capricorn, Moon Valley, El Tatio geysers and volcanoes. See my blog for more. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #atacama #chile
November 20, 2025 at 5:39 PM
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches the Atacama Desert in Chile. Pics: Tropic of Capricorn, Moon Valley, El Tatio geysers and volcanoes. See my blog for more. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #atacama #chile
Reports in the FT and guardian suggest President #Trump is still moving to sell out #Ukraine. This would be strongly against US interests as I have written eg here: rleighturner.com/trump-sell-o... www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US and Russian officials draft plan to end Ukraine war based on capitulation from Kyiv
It is unclear if Trump administration backs deal that would mean Kyiv giving up territory and slashing size of military
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Reports in the FT and guardian suggest President #Trump is still moving to sell out #Ukraine. This would be strongly against US interests as I have written eg here: rleighturner.com/trump-sell-o... www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
My new video: “Lessons in Diplomacy: Progress isn’t only good”. I’ve also just updated my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) blog on my website, with new text and pictures. Do subscribe! #lessonsindiplomacy #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #Chile #Patagonia youtube.com/shorts/BI2Rl...
Lessons in Diplomacy: progress isn’t only good
YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing
youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
My new video: “Lessons in Diplomacy: Progress isn’t only good”. I’ve also just updated my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) blog on my website, with new text and pictures. Do subscribe! #lessonsindiplomacy #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #Chile #Patagonia youtube.com/shorts/BI2Rl...
In Puerto Natales, Patagonia, #Chile. An empanada, sea lion cubs, glaciers and enticing street signs. (“#Patrica” refers to my planned trip from Patagonia to Costa Rica) #lessonsindiplomacy #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers
November 11, 2025 at 10:39 PM
In Puerto Natales, Patagonia, #Chile. An empanada, sea lion cubs, glaciers and enticing street signs. (“#Patrica” refers to my planned trip from Patagonia to Costa Rica) #lessonsindiplomacy #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip starts in Santiago de Chile. A sprawling city surrounded by mountains. Sunrise over #Brazil; crossing the #Andes; and a first (outstanding) Pisco sour. #lessonsindiplomacy. For more, see LinkedIn or TikTok.
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 AM
My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip starts in Santiago de Chile. A sprawling city surrounded by mountains. Sunrise over #Brazil; crossing the #Andes; and a first (outstanding) Pisco sour. #lessonsindiplomacy. For more, see LinkedIn or TikTok.