Patrick Donahue
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Patrick Donahue
@patrickjdo.bsky.social
270 followers 320 following 140 posts
European government editor at Bloomberg News in Berlin, focusing on politics & economy in central & eastern Europe. Previously on the trail of Angela M.
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Exclusive: European officials are growing concerned that an emerging US-brokered peace deal in Ukraine could be exploited by Russia, paving the way for a re-invasion of territory in the eastern Donbas region.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Europe Sees a Trojan Horse for Russia in Trump’s Ukraine Plan
European officials are growing concerned that an emerging US-brokered peace deal in Ukraine could be exploited by Russia, paving the way for a re-invasion of territory in the war-battered nation’s eas...
www.bloomberg.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:18 PM
patrickjdo.bsky.social
Hybrid war: Vilnius is the only European capital that allows hot-air balloons to float over the city center, making them a signature of the skyline in the summer months. But a recent surge in incursions is far more sinister www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Putin Ally Shuts Down Lithuanian Flights With Balloon Incursions
Vilnius is the only European capital that allows hot-air balloons to float over the city center, making them a signature of the skyline in the summer months.
www.bloomberg.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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Exclusive: Viktor Orban is toying with the idea of assuming the presidency and rewriting laws to make it into the most powerful office in the country
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
President Orban? Hungary’s Leader Plots Post-Election Future
Trailing in the polls, the EU’s longest-serving leader and nationalist firebrand is considering how to stick around.
www.bloomberg.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:14 PM
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Exclusive: Zelenskiy says negotiators discussing a US-brokered peace initiative remain divided over territory
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Zelenskiy Says No Accord So Far on Eastern Ukraine in US Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said negotiators discussing a US-brokered peace initiative remain divided over territory as President Donald Trump expressed disappointment in Kyiv’s handling o...
www.bloomberg.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:48 AM
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Exclusive: US envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Putin should raise it with Trump.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:19 PM
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Belarus’s leader released additional political prisoners and said he’ll seek a fresh round of talks with US officials in the latest signal that his Russian-aligned regime is making overtures to the West
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Belarus Seeks New US Talks as It Signals Softening Stance on EU
Belarus’s leader released additional political prisoners and said he’ll seek a fresh round of talks with US officials in the latest signal that his Russian-aligned regime is making overtures to the We...
www.bloomberg.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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Exclusive: Zelenskiy implored EU allies to overcome their divisions on using frozen Russian assets, saying fresh funding is critical for Ukraine’s war-battered economy.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Zelenskiy Says Ukraine’s Survival Rests on New Funds From Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy implored European Union allies to overcome their divisions on the use of frozen Russian assets, saying fresh funding is critical for his war-battered economy to...
www.bloomberg.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 AM
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Live from Prague: Billionaire Andrej Babis set about forging a new Czech government hours after scoring his best-ever election victory, with his return to power poised to bolster the ascendant ranks of populist leaders in the EU www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Czech Billionaire’s Comeback a Boon to Europe’s Populist Right
Billionaire Andrej Babis set about forging a new Czech government hours after scoring his best-ever election victory, with his return to power poised to bolster the ascendant ranks of populist leaders...
www.bloomberg.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:42 AM
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Czechs going to vote: Andrej Babis heads into this weekend’s election with promises to grow the economy more quickly and reverse some austerity.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Czech Billionaire Channels Trump in Bid to Retake Power
Andrej Babis heads into this weekend’s election with promises to grow the economy more quickly and reverse some austerity.
www.bloomberg.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
patrickjdo.bsky.social
Excellent read: Latvia's border with Russia is becoming increasingly militarized and feels dangerously close to being on a war footing
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gray Zone Between War and Peace on Latvia’s Border With Russia
In 2021, there were sometimes four flights a week from Baghdad to Minsk. In Daugavpils, in southeastern Latvia, authorities knew the schedule. “We know the time it takes to drive,” Lt. Col. Vadims Gri...
www.bloomberg.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
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Exclusive: “Russia is testing the EU and NATO” Vladimir Putin is broadening his effort to destabilize the West, forcing European leaders to reassess the scale of the threat and rush in new defenses

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Putin Is Ramping Up His Hybrid Campaign Against Europe
Russian President Vladimir Putin is broadening his effort to destabilize the West, forcing European leaders to reassess the scale of the threat and rush in new defenses.
www.bloomberg.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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Exclusive: European diplomats warned the Kremlin this week that NATO is ready to respond to further violations of its airspace with full force, including by shooting down Russian planes

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Europeans Privately Tell Russia They’re Ready to Shoot Down Jets
European diplomats warned the Kremlin this week that NATO is ready to respond to further violations of its airspace with full force, including by shooting down Russian planes, according to officials f...
www.bloomberg.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
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Russian forces struggling to gain ground in Ukraine are sending troops and supplies through idle gas pipelines in order to evade deadly drone strikes

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Russia Sends Troops Through Idle Gas Pipes to Evade Drone Threat
Russian forces struggling to gain ground in Ukraine are sending troops and supplies through empty gas pipelines in order to evade deadly drone strikes.
www.bloomberg.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:28 AM
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Russian military drills are compounding anxiety among NATO members after attack drones breached Polish territory this week
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Russian Wargames Feed NATO Anxiety After Poland Drone Incursion
Russia led a mobilization of some 200,000 troops four years ago as part of wargames with its ally Belarus. Months later, President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine.
www.bloomberg.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:06 AM
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Exclusive: Slovenia’s top diplomat warned the EU risked projecting a double standard if it failed to take Israel to task for the bloodshed in Gaza even as it moves ahead with additional sanctions against Russia.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Slovenia Urges EU to Address Uneven Response to Israel, Russia
Slovenia’s top diplomat warned the European Union risked projecting a double standard if it failed to take Israel to task for the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip even as it moves ahead with additional san...
www.bloomberg.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
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A good read: Taps running dry and water rationing are part of life in Bulgaria — and a cautionary tale for the rest of Europe...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
A Water Crisis in Bulgaria Is a Warning for Europe
Taps running dry are part of life in Bulgaria — and a cautionary tale for the rest of Europe grappling with climate change.
www.bloomberg.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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Exclusive: the Czech Republic must drop its penchant for “fiscal self-flagellation” in favor of investing in economic growth, according to a senior official from an opposition party poised to sweep to victory in October elections
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Czech Opposition Party Pledges to End Austerity If Wins Election
The Czech Republic must drop its penchant for “fiscal self-flagellation” in favor of investing in economic growth, according to a senior official from an opposition party poised to sweep to victory in...
www.bloomberg.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:49 AM
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Exclusive: US and European officials will begin work immediately on a plan to provide Ukraine with robust security guarantees, sources say

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US and Europe to Work Immediately on Ukraine Security Guarantees
US and European officials started work on bolstering Ukraine’s military, part of a package of security guarantees that will open a path to a landmark meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volo...
www.bloomberg.com
August 19, 2025 at 9:48 AM
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Exclusive: Washington and Moscow are aiming to reach a deal to halt the war in Ukraine that would lock in Russia’s occupation of territory seized during its military invasion, according to people familiar with the matter.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US and Russia Plan Truce Deal to Cement Putin’s Gains in Ukraine
Washington and Moscow are aiming to reach a deal to halt the war in Ukraine that would lock in Russia’s occupation of territory seized during its military invasion, according to people familiar with t...
www.bloomberg.com
August 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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In Croatia: a surge in the popularity of a far-right singer once banned in some places has seen the revival of Nazi-era slogans and symbols. Rather than condemn it, some senior politicians are embracing it.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Croatia’s Fascist Past Resurfaces With Far-Right Rock Star
The revival of Nazi-era symbolism is dominating the summer tourist season, and some politicians are embracing it.
www.bloomberg.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
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Exclusive: Ukraine’s anti-corruption officials fear that pressure will remain from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration even after he backed down over a measure to strip anti-graft agencies of their independence.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Ukraine’s Anti-Graft Forces Still Feel Pressure From Zelenskiy
Ukraine’s anti-corruption officials fear that pressure will remain from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration even after he backed down over a measure to strip anti-graft agencies of their in...
www.bloomberg.com
July 31, 2025 at 4:27 PM
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Ukraine: Zelenskiy’s abrupt decision to hobble anti-corruption authorities in Kyiv blindsided the country’s allies and may have inflicted lasting damage to its ambition to join the EU

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Zelenskiy Is Risking Ukraine’s EU Bid With Move on Graft Office
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s abrupt decision to hobble anti-corruption authorities in Kyiv blindsided Ukraine’s allies and may have inflicted lasting damage to its ambition to join the European Uni...
www.bloomberg.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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“Anti-corruption infrastructure has been destroyed”: Ukrainian lawmakers approved legislation that would strip the nation’s anti-graft agencies of their independence and potentially cripple efforts to tackle high-level corruption

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Ukraine Lawmakers Back Bill Weakening Anti-Corruption Agencies
Ukrainian lawmakers approved legislation that would strip the nation’s anti-corruption agencies of their independence and potentially cripple efforts to tackle high-level graft.
www.bloomberg.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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Joseph Stalin's cult of personality was dismantled by Soviet leaders in the 1960s — but thanks to Putin, his reputation is undergoing a dramatic revision

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Stalin Makes a Comeback in Putin’s Wartime Crackdown on Dissent
At Moscow’s central Taganskaya metro station, commuters stream past a newly-restored monument to a former ruler whose reputation is undergoing a dramatic revision in Russia: Joseph Stalin.
www.bloomberg.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:17 AM
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Exclusive: Ukraine’s new prime minister says she’s likely to seek more financing from the IMF as she sets out to shore up the nation’s fiscal needs with no end in sight to Russia’s war

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Ukraine’s New Premier Eyes Fresh IMF Loan for War-Racked Budget
Ukraine’s new prime minister said she’s likely to seek more financing from the International Monetary Fund as she sets out to shore up the nation’s fiscal needs with no end in sight to Russia’s war.
www.bloomberg.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:15 AM