Matt
@mattmvgtneedle.bsky.social
Pro meritocracy, democracy, logic, and common sense. Fella. Portfolios in defence, private and NGO security. Part time game designer, full time dad. #NAFO
Reposted by Matt
Putin didn’t want Kellogg. He wouldn’t be pliable enough for Russian demands, and was “too hostile.”
Putin wanted a negotiator who “didn’t know much about Russia” and would reliably echo Putin's lines on Ukraine.
Hence the insistence that Witkoff meet Putin without U.S. government or CIA officials.
Putin wanted a negotiator who “didn’t know much about Russia” and would reliably echo Putin's lines on Ukraine.
Hence the insistence that Witkoff meet Putin without U.S. government or CIA officials.
December 20, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Putin didn’t want Kellogg. He wouldn’t be pliable enough for Russian demands, and was “too hostile.”
Putin wanted a negotiator who “didn’t know much about Russia” and would reliably echo Putin's lines on Ukraine.
Hence the insistence that Witkoff meet Putin without U.S. government or CIA officials.
Putin wanted a negotiator who “didn’t know much about Russia” and would reliably echo Putin's lines on Ukraine.
Hence the insistence that Witkoff meet Putin without U.S. government or CIA officials.
Reposted by Matt
🚨The Kremlin seems to be getting ready to suppress mass unrest.
The Ministry of Defence is creating defence HQs in regions and cities across the swamps in preparation for martial law, based on their experiences in occupied Ukraine.
They seem scared of what they see coming.
The Ministry of Defence is creating defence HQs in regions and cities across the swamps in preparation for martial law, based on their experiences in occupied Ukraine.
They seem scared of what they see coming.
December 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
🚨The Kremlin seems to be getting ready to suppress mass unrest.
The Ministry of Defence is creating defence HQs in regions and cities across the swamps in preparation for martial law, based on their experiences in occupied Ukraine.
They seem scared of what they see coming.
The Ministry of Defence is creating defence HQs in regions and cities across the swamps in preparation for martial law, based on their experiences in occupied Ukraine.
They seem scared of what they see coming.
Reposted by Matt
This is a nightmare for Putin, who knows that Russia’s economy is already having a hard time sustaining the war.
Ukraine gets two more years of funding and the option to revisit the use of the assets later on if needed, which will almost certainly be the case
Ukraine gets two more years of funding and the option to revisit the use of the assets later on if needed, which will almost certainly be the case
Glad a deal was finally reached.
Ironically, by traitorously protecting Russian assets, De Wever and Meloni may have prolonged support: Ukraine gets funding now, and the assets remain available later.
Russia’s continued escalation will likely make their transfer unavoidable
Ironically, by traitorously protecting Russian assets, De Wever and Meloni may have prolonged support: Ukraine gets funding now, and the assets remain available later.
Russia’s continued escalation will likely make their transfer unavoidable
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This is a nightmare for Putin, who knows that Russia’s economy is already having a hard time sustaining the war.
Ukraine gets two more years of funding and the option to revisit the use of the assets later on if needed, which will almost certainly be the case
Ukraine gets two more years of funding and the option to revisit the use of the assets later on if needed, which will almost certainly be the case
Interesting if true....
It’s a tanker connected with last months drone activity all over Europe.
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Interesting if true....
Reposted by Matt
Ukraine's SBU struck shadow fleet tanker Qendil in neutral Mediterranean waters over 2,000 km from Ukraine for the first time, causing critical damage rendering it inoperable, sources tell RBC Ukraine.
December 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Ukraine's SBU struck shadow fleet tanker Qendil in neutral Mediterranean waters over 2,000 km from Ukraine for the first time, causing critical damage rendering it inoperable, sources tell RBC Ukraine.
Reposted by Matt
A tunnel on the Poland-Belarus border exposes Russia’s hybrid strategy of pushing migrants into the EU.
December 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A tunnel on the Poland-Belarus border exposes Russia’s hybrid strategy of pushing migrants into the EU.
Russia should never feel comfortable, let alone in control. They need to be unsealed psychologically.
1/10 Ukraine must make sure Russians never feel in control.
It is going more and more asymmetric because playing fair will not win this war where Russia never does.
Ukraine must push this strategy even harder
It is going more and more asymmetric because playing fair will not win this war where Russia never does.
Ukraine must push this strategy even harder
December 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Russia should never feel comfortable, let alone in control. They need to be unsealed psychologically.
Reposted by Matt
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Confiscating Russian assets will show EU strength to the world, - Kallas
"This will send a strong signal to Russia that it cannot outlast Europe. We know that the Russian economy is in bad shape and they are clearly counting on us to fail, so we should not give it to them."
"This will send a strong signal to Russia that it cannot outlast Europe. We know that the Russian economy is in bad shape and they are clearly counting on us to fail, so we should not give it to them."
December 18, 2025 at 11:57 AM
🇪🇺🇺🇦 Confiscating Russian assets will show EU strength to the world, - Kallas
"This will send a strong signal to Russia that it cannot outlast Europe. We know that the Russian economy is in bad shape and they are clearly counting on us to fail, so we should not give it to them."
"This will send a strong signal to Russia that it cannot outlast Europe. We know that the Russian economy is in bad shape and they are clearly counting on us to fail, so we should not give it to them."
Reposted by Matt
🇺🇦📸 Zelensky arrived at the EU leaders' summit.
🇪🇺 Kallas: "When I hear that Ukraine is supposed to hold elections, I respond that Russia should also commit to holding free and fair elections, which they haven't had for 25 years. We need to shift the focus to where the real problem lies."
🇪🇺 Kallas: "When I hear that Ukraine is supposed to hold elections, I respond that Russia should also commit to holding free and fair elections, which they haven't had for 25 years. We need to shift the focus to where the real problem lies."
December 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🇺🇦📸 Zelensky arrived at the EU leaders' summit.
🇪🇺 Kallas: "When I hear that Ukraine is supposed to hold elections, I respond that Russia should also commit to holding free and fair elections, which they haven't had for 25 years. We need to shift the focus to where the real problem lies."
🇪🇺 Kallas: "When I hear that Ukraine is supposed to hold elections, I respond that Russia should also commit to holding free and fair elections, which they haven't had for 25 years. We need to shift the focus to where the real problem lies."
Reposted by Matt
How Keir Starmer Is Setting a Trap for Nigel Farage With His Foreign Interference Inquiry
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/17/k...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/17/k...
Keir Starmer Is Setting a Trap for Nigel Farage With Foreign Interference Inquiry
As Reform opens the door to crypto donations, the Government is finally starting to take action against the threat of foreign financial interference in our politics, reports Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
How Keir Starmer Is Setting a Trap for Nigel Farage With His Foreign Interference Inquiry
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/17/k...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/17/k...
Reposted by Matt
The weapons package, which includes Himars rocket launchers and Howitzer artillery, is the largest of its kind and threatens to undo a thaw in US-China relations. ft.trib.al/b7aQmvU
December 18, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The weapons package, which includes Himars rocket launchers and Howitzer artillery, is the largest of its kind and threatens to undo a thaw in US-China relations. ft.trib.al/b7aQmvU
Reposted by Matt
EXCLUSIVE
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
The Most Powerful Politics Influencers Barely Post About Politics
New research shows that social media creators have enormous influence over their audiences' politics—especially those who don't normally share political content.
www.wired.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
EXCLUSIVE
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
New research shows for first time the impact influencers have on politics. Key findings:
• Creators are more impactful than traditional media
• Apolitical influencers have more impact than political ones
• Regular social media use pushes users to the right
www.wired.com/story/the-mo...
Reposted by Matt
Chancellor Merz:
The outcome of the war will decisively determine the future of the entire European peace order.
And already Russia is bombarding us with hybrid attacks every day, with drone overflights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation campaigns.
The outcome of the war will decisively determine the future of the entire European peace order.
And already Russia is bombarding us with hybrid attacks every day, with drone overflights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation campaigns.
December 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Chancellor Merz:
The outcome of the war will decisively determine the future of the entire European peace order.
And already Russia is bombarding us with hybrid attacks every day, with drone overflights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation campaigns.
The outcome of the war will decisively determine the future of the entire European peace order.
And already Russia is bombarding us with hybrid attacks every day, with drone overflights, assassinations, sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation campaigns.
Reposted by Matt
Insightful RUSI report on the UK's Atlantic Bastion concept of layered anti-submarine defences. "The aim of this integrated system is to ensure that Russian undersea forces cannot pass undetected through the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland–Iceland–UK gap" static.rusi.org/the-atlantic...
static.rusi.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Insightful RUSI report on the UK's Atlantic Bastion concept of layered anti-submarine defences. "The aim of this integrated system is to ensure that Russian undersea forces cannot pass undetected through the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland–Iceland–UK gap" static.rusi.org/the-atlantic...
Reposted by Matt
@ladyjaujau2.bsky.social
‼️Can you imagine any other leader in the world there ? 🫡🇺🇦
‼️Can you imagine any other leader in the world there ? 🫡🇺🇦
December 17, 2025 at 1:07 AM
@ladyjaujau2.bsky.social
‼️Can you imagine any other leader in the world there ? 🫡🇺🇦
‼️Can you imagine any other leader in the world there ? 🫡🇺🇦
Reposted by Matt
🇺🇦 When war crimes go unpunished, the rules of war disappear. This is a threat to the entire civilized world.
Our initiative #NoPeaceWithoutJustice documents these crimes, speaks out, and applies pressure until accountability is achieved.
Read more 👀⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/no-peace-wit...
Our initiative #NoPeaceWithoutJustice documents these crimes, speaks out, and applies pressure until accountability is achieved.
Read more 👀⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/no-peace-wit...
“No Peace Without Justice” War Crimes Against Ukrainian Prisoners of War
Russian forces on the territory of sovereign Ukraine consistently commit war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war – from executing unarmed captives to systematic torture in penal colonies and det...
theukrainianreview.info
December 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
🇺🇦 When war crimes go unpunished, the rules of war disappear. This is a threat to the entire civilized world.
Our initiative #NoPeaceWithoutJustice documents these crimes, speaks out, and applies pressure until accountability is achieved.
Read more 👀⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/no-peace-wit...
Our initiative #NoPeaceWithoutJustice documents these crimes, speaks out, and applies pressure until accountability is achieved.
Read more 👀⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/no-peace-wit...
Finally. Time to cut out the rot.
Starmer orders foreign interference review after ex-Reform leader jailed - latest
Housing secretary Steve Reed called Gill’s conduct ‘a stain on our democracy’
www.independent.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Finally. Time to cut out the rot.
Reposted by Matt
Russia will not escape the bill for the homes, schools, and hospitals it has destroyed.
Today in The Hague, we take a major step toward accountability by establishing a commission to address claims for Russian war damages.
The EU supports its work, including with an initial €1 million contribution
Today in The Hague, we take a major step toward accountability by establishing a commission to address claims for Russian war damages.
The EU supports its work, including with an initial €1 million contribution
December 16, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Russia will not escape the bill for the homes, schools, and hospitals it has destroyed.
Today in The Hague, we take a major step toward accountability by establishing a commission to address claims for Russian war damages.
The EU supports its work, including with an initial €1 million contribution
Today in The Hague, we take a major step toward accountability by establishing a commission to address claims for Russian war damages.
The EU supports its work, including with an initial €1 million contribution
Reposted by Matt
Hot take with initial analysis - Ukrainian strike on Novorossiysk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1W...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1W...
Russian Submarine hit in Dramatic Attack in Black Sea
YouTube video by H I Sutton
www.youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Hot take with initial analysis - Ukrainian strike on Novorossiysk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1W...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1W...
Reposted by Matt
😂😂😂 The situation in Russia following the explosion of the Varshavyanka submarine in Novorossiysk
December 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
😂😂😂 The situation in Russia following the explosion of the Varshavyanka submarine in Novorossiysk
Boom.
First Combat Use of Underwater Kamikaze Drones: Russian Kilo class Submarine Disabled in Novorossiysk
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has carried out a special operation in the port of Novorossiysk, marking the first-ever combat use of underwater kamikaze drones.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has carried out a special operation in the port of Novorossiysk, marking the first-ever combat use of underwater kamikaze drones.
December 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Boom.
Reposted by Matt
2/2
72% in Ukraine agree to freeze the war at the frontlines, without recognising occupied territory as Russian. 75% disagree with ceding all Donbas.
Only 1 in 3 thinks elections during war acceptable.
Zelenskyy's trust rating remains at 61%
And trust in the US halved in 2025
72% in Ukraine agree to freeze the war at the frontlines, without recognising occupied territory as Russian. 75% disagree with ceding all Donbas.
Only 1 in 3 thinks elections during war acceptable.
Zelenskyy's trust rating remains at 61%
And trust in the US halved in 2025
December 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM
2/2
72% in Ukraine agree to freeze the war at the frontlines, without recognising occupied territory as Russian. 75% disagree with ceding all Donbas.
Only 1 in 3 thinks elections during war acceptable.
Zelenskyy's trust rating remains at 61%
And trust in the US halved in 2025
72% in Ukraine agree to freeze the war at the frontlines, without recognising occupied territory as Russian. 75% disagree with ceding all Donbas.
Only 1 in 3 thinks elections during war acceptable.
Zelenskyy's trust rating remains at 61%
And trust in the US halved in 2025
Reposted by Matt
From Moscow to MAGA: AfD’s Markus Frohnmaier and the Transnational Far-Right Convergence shekhovtsov.substack.com/p/from-mosco...
December 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
From Moscow to MAGA: AfD’s Markus Frohnmaier and the Transnational Far-Right Convergence shekhovtsov.substack.com/p/from-mosco...
Reposted by Matt
The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game.
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
December 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The Donbas isn’t Putin’s end game.
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
If he gets it, he will demand more.
We know this from history and we should learn from history.
Extract of my doorstep ahead of today’s Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Reposted by Matt
The so called "peace" negotiation is one big scam to delay help to Ukraine, give Russia time to build up its forces, get sanctions lifted etc. Still many seem to take them seriously. That is very hard for me to absorb.
December 15, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The so called "peace" negotiation is one big scam to delay help to Ukraine, give Russia time to build up its forces, get sanctions lifted etc. Still many seem to take them seriously. That is very hard for me to absorb.