Peter Neefs
@peterneefs.bsky.social
Observator
(Vrij allergisch voor Russische desinformatie. Bij voorbaat mijn excuses!)
(Vrij allergisch voor Russische desinformatie. Bij voorbaat mijn excuses!)
Pinned
Peter Neefs
@peterneefs.bsky.social
· Mar 18
On the latest episode of “The Foreign Affairs Interview,” Fiona Hill discusses Donald Trump’s admiration for Vladimir Putin—and why his push for warmer relations with Moscow is raising alarms across European capitals:
What Does Trump See in Putin?
A Conversation With Fiona Hill
fam.ag
Dit interview met Fiona Hill is echt fantastisch!
In minder dan 1u tijd legt ze uit wat er op het spel staat in Oekraïne, wat de banden zijn tussen Trump en Poetin, en hoe de wereldorde aan het veranderen is.
Zeer heldere analyse van iemand die Trump van dichtbij meemaakte in 1ste termijn.
In minder dan 1u tijd legt ze uit wat er op het spel staat in Oekraïne, wat de banden zijn tussen Trump en Poetin, en hoe de wereldorde aan het veranderen is.
Zeer heldere analyse van iemand die Trump van dichtbij meemaakte in 1ste termijn.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Zoals 🇺🇦 militair analist Oleksi Kopytko (voormalig adviseur van de Oekraïense minister van Defensie) een paar dagen geleden in de Belgische krant De Standaard over De Wever schreef:
"Zijn houding motiveert Rusland om de EU als geheel en België in het bijzonder onder druk te blijven zetten."
"Zijn houding motiveert Rusland om de EU als geheel en België in het bijzonder onder druk te blijven zetten."
December 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Zoals 🇺🇦 militair analist Oleksi Kopytko (voormalig adviseur van de Oekraïense minister van Defensie) een paar dagen geleden in de Belgische krant De Standaard over De Wever schreef:
"Zijn houding motiveert Rusland om de EU als geheel en België in het bijzonder onder druk te blijven zetten."
"Zijn houding motiveert Rusland om de EU als geheel en België in het bijzonder onder druk te blijven zetten."
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Trump is always grateful for a new reason to "be angry" at Ukraine. He gladly repeats Putin's lies. One can easily imagine how things would go if Putin attacked a NATO member. The post-truth US is not a reliable partner. US security guarantees are not worth much.
December 30, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Trump is always grateful for a new reason to "be angry" at Ukraine. He gladly repeats Putin's lies. One can easily imagine how things would go if Putin attacked a NATO member. The post-truth US is not a reliable partner. US security guarantees are not worth much.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Trump on the highly convenient Russian claims of a Ukrainian attack: "I learned about it this morning from President Putin, I was very angry about it." Putin and Trump are demonstrating how entirely worthless a Trump security guarantee for Ukraine would be.
Trump to a reporter: "You're saying maybe the attack didn't place? That's possible too I guess. But President Putin told me this morning it did."
December 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Trump on the highly convenient Russian claims of a Ukrainian attack: "I learned about it this morning from President Putin, I was very angry about it." Putin and Trump are demonstrating how entirely worthless a Trump security guarantee for Ukraine would be.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
A reminder: Russia doesn’t want/need Donbas; it isn’t historically/ethnically special. Ru wants all of Ukraine. Receiving the heavily fortified Donbas towns it couldn’t conquer for 11+ yrs on a silver platter from Trump would allow Ru an easier 2nd march on Kyiv. That’s what Pu is focusing on now.
December 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A reminder: Russia doesn’t want/need Donbas; it isn’t historically/ethnically special. Ru wants all of Ukraine. Receiving the heavily fortified Donbas towns it couldn’t conquer for 11+ yrs on a silver platter from Trump would allow Ru an easier 2nd march on Kyiv. That’s what Pu is focusing on now.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
JD Vance argues that having Muslims makes the UK and France too dangerous to have nukes, which will be great for US relations with India and Pakistan.
So if you’re keeping track, the Trump administration’s position on nuclear arms is:
North Korea: cool, nonthreatening
France and UK: bad, dangerous
So if you’re keeping track, the Trump administration’s position on nuclear arms is:
North Korea: cool, nonthreatening
France and UK: bad, dangerous
A case where the quote is even worse in context than out of context. JD is scaremongering about “Islamists” winning elections in the UK/France and then somehow militarily threatening the US. Saying we should hold Europeans and Africans to different moral standards but anti-wokely.
December 27, 2025 at 3:35 AM
JD Vance argues that having Muslims makes the UK and France too dangerous to have nukes, which will be great for US relations with India and Pakistan.
So if you’re keeping track, the Trump administration’s position on nuclear arms is:
North Korea: cool, nonthreatening
France and UK: bad, dangerous
So if you’re keeping track, the Trump administration’s position on nuclear arms is:
North Korea: cool, nonthreatening
France and UK: bad, dangerous
Reposted by Peter Neefs
this is the simple answer to people who keep saying NATO expansion matters. Sure, it matters because it presented an obstacle to Russian imperial ambitions. Putin didn't invade because he hated NATO expansion, he hated NATO expansion because he wanted to invade
December 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
this is the simple answer to people who keep saying NATO expansion matters. Sure, it matters because it presented an obstacle to Russian imperial ambitions. Putin didn't invade because he hated NATO expansion, he hated NATO expansion because he wanted to invade
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Alle maskers vallen af. De EU moet kapot, vindt Trump-trouwe Denktank. Waarom? Omdat de EU als enige nog een vuist maakt in de westerse wereld tegen de techgiganten en Amerikaanse monopoliehouders. Als dat geen schallend compliment voor de kracht van de EU is! nos.nl/l/2595747
Trump-denktank pleit openlijk voor einde Europese Unie
"Ik zie geen enkel toekomstscenario waarin Europa beter af is mét het voortbestaan van de Europese Unie dan zonder", zegt Nile Gardiner, Europadirecteur van de Heritage Foundation.
nos.nl
December 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Alle maskers vallen af. De EU moet kapot, vindt Trump-trouwe Denktank. Waarom? Omdat de EU als enige nog een vuist maakt in de westerse wereld tegen de techgiganten en Amerikaanse monopoliehouders. Als dat geen schallend compliment voor de kracht van de EU is! nos.nl/l/2595747
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Russia violates:
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
December 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Russia violates:
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
UN Charter
Nuclear NPT
Helsinki Accords
Belovezha Accords
Paris Charter
Budapest Memo
Black Sea Fleet Treaty
Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty
Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait
Karkiv pact
Etc
But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...
Reposted by Peter Neefs
It is essential to repeat this every day-- Ru isn't as strong as the Trump admin imagines it to be; Ru's victory is not a foregone conclusion at all and therefore helping Ukraine is the best way of achieving peace in Europe.
🇷🇺🇫🇮🇺🇦 “The Russian economy is actually not doing that well. They have zero growth, they are out of reserves, they have high interest rates and high inflation. And it’s not improving.”
- Alexander Stubb
President of Finland
- Alexander Stubb
President of Finland
December 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
It is essential to repeat this every day-- Ru isn't as strong as the Trump admin imagines it to be; Ru's victory is not a foregone conclusion at all and therefore helping Ukraine is the best way of achieving peace in Europe.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Russia already signed a treaty to not attack a NATO or EU member. It’s the UN Charter, and also forbids Russia from attacking anyone else.
Plus 1994 Budapest Memorandum and 2014-15 Minsk Agreements promise to not attack Ukraine.
Promising to not attack isn’t a concession, it’s baseline obligation.
Plus 1994 Budapest Memorandum and 2014-15 Minsk Agreements promise to not attack Ukraine.
Promising to not attack isn’t a concession, it’s baseline obligation.
December 22, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Russia already signed a treaty to not attack a NATO or EU member. It’s the UN Charter, and also forbids Russia from attacking anyone else.
Plus 1994 Budapest Memorandum and 2014-15 Minsk Agreements promise to not attack Ukraine.
Promising to not attack isn’t a concession, it’s baseline obligation.
Plus 1994 Budapest Memorandum and 2014-15 Minsk Agreements promise to not attack Ukraine.
Promising to not attack isn’t a concession, it’s baseline obligation.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Not only is the head of US intel aping Russian propaganda, it doesn’t make a lick of sense.
NATO/EU want to pull the US into direct war with Russia?!? The US is in NATO. The Russia-Ukraine war has been going for nearly 4 years. NATO could’ve gone to war but didn’t. If anything, been quite cautious.
NATO/EU want to pull the US into direct war with Russia?!? The US is in NATO. The Russia-Ukraine war has been going for nearly 4 years. NATO could’ve gone to war but didn’t. If anything, been quite cautious.
It’s impossible to overstate how much conspiracism drives the Trump regime’s agenda.
Here Tulsi Gabbard, the head of ODNI, claims that “NATO and the EU really want…to pull the United States military directly into war with Russia.”
Which is a Russian talking point, spread by conspiracy sites.
Here Tulsi Gabbard, the head of ODNI, claims that “NATO and the EU really want…to pull the United States military directly into war with Russia.”
Which is a Russian talking point, spread by conspiracy sites.
December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Not only is the head of US intel aping Russian propaganda, it doesn’t make a lick of sense.
NATO/EU want to pull the US into direct war with Russia?!? The US is in NATO. The Russia-Ukraine war has been going for nearly 4 years. NATO could’ve gone to war but didn’t. If anything, been quite cautious.
NATO/EU want to pull the US into direct war with Russia?!? The US is in NATO. The Russia-Ukraine war has been going for nearly 4 years. NATO could’ve gone to war but didn’t. If anything, been quite cautious.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine."
December 22, 2025 at 9:19 AM
"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine."
Reposted by Peter Neefs
why is it always “I’m against nuclear war so I think Ukraine should surrender” and never “I’m against nuclear war so I think states shouldn’t threaten nuclear war”
December 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
why is it always “I’m against nuclear war so I think Ukraine should surrender” and never “I’m against nuclear war so I think states shouldn’t threaten nuclear war”
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Putin spends hours and hours lecturing foreign visitors in public (Carlson) and private (Macron, Scholz, Witkoff) about his imperial views about Ukraine, and writes a 5,000-word article the summer before the invasion laying out these views, but surely he can't be serious and it's really about NATO.
Everything in this story is remarkable, besides this part:
"For three hours, Putin hosted Witkoff, who took notes as the president gave a lecture on the 1,000-year history of Russia"
They are so lucky that we are so stupid. Gullible. Unprofessional. Corrupt. Naive.
"For three hours, Putin hosted Witkoff, who took notes as the president gave a lecture on the 1,000-year history of Russia"
They are so lucky that we are so stupid. Gullible. Unprofessional. Corrupt. Naive.
Witkoff’s Other Backer in His Unlikely Diplomatic Ascent: Putin
The Kremlin release of an American prisoner and a Saudi backchannel bolstered the rise of Trump’s longtime friend.
www.wsj.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Putin spends hours and hours lecturing foreign visitors in public (Carlson) and private (Macron, Scholz, Witkoff) about his imperial views about Ukraine, and writes a 5,000-word article the summer before the invasion laying out these views, but surely he can't be serious and it's really about NATO.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Putin's foreign policy towards the West is always about status recognition. It seems to be a reaction to the West's failure to treat Russia with the respect that he thinks it deserves, because he so desperately wants Western states to treat Russia as what it isn't: a great power.
December 19, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Putin's foreign policy towards the West is always about status recognition. It seems to be a reaction to the West's failure to treat Russia with the respect that he thinks it deserves, because he so desperately wants Western states to treat Russia as what it isn't: a great power.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Putin said today that a Ukraine peace deal must "address the root causes" of the conflict and be "based on the principles" he laid out in a speech in June 2024. This image summarizes the key elements of that speech. 1/3
December 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Putin said today that a Ukraine peace deal must "address the root causes" of the conflict and be "based on the principles" he laid out in a speech in June 2024. This image summarizes the key elements of that speech. 1/3
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Russian leaders keep saying they aim to conquer Ukraine because they want it, and hope to get concessions from the West too.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
Putin Reaffirms Broad Military Goals for Russia in Ukraine
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Russian leaders keep saying they aim to conquer Ukraine because they want it, and hope to get concessions from the West too.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
EU governments agree on €90bn joint loan to Ukraine for 2026-27, structured through unprecedented use of enhanced cooperation.
24 member states in, 3 out (HU, CZ, SK). But the constitutional implications are significant. 🧵
24 member states in, 3 out (HU, CZ, SK). But the constitutional implications are significant. 🧵
December 19, 2025 at 7:29 AM
EU governments agree on €90bn joint loan to Ukraine for 2026-27, structured through unprecedented use of enhanced cooperation.
24 member states in, 3 out (HU, CZ, SK). But the constitutional implications are significant. 🧵
24 member states in, 3 out (HU, CZ, SK). But the constitutional implications are significant. 🧵
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Glass half full or half empty? Half empty bc parochial nationalisms & cowardice prevented use of 🇷🇺 frozen assets. Half full bc a critical mass haven’t reached point of collective suicide & stand by 🇺🇦 expect more collective action outside EU as enemies within proliferate
December 19, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Glass half full or half empty? Half empty bc parochial nationalisms & cowardice prevented use of 🇷🇺 frozen assets. Half full bc a critical mass haven’t reached point of collective suicide & stand by 🇺🇦 expect more collective action outside EU as enemies within proliferate
Reposted by Peter Neefs
We know the Russia are lying, because their lips are moving.
The truth is the complete opposite. The stronger the opposition, the sooner Russia stops its illegal war of aggression.
The truth is the complete opposite. The stronger the opposition, the sooner Russia stops its illegal war of aggression.
😵💫 Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin:
The United States has come to understand that continued military conflict will inevitably lead to Ukraine's defeat.
The United States has come to understand that continued military conflict will inevitably lead to Ukraine's defeat.
December 18, 2025 at 6:32 PM
We know the Russia are lying, because their lips are moving.
The truth is the complete opposite. The stronger the opposition, the sooner Russia stops its illegal war of aggression.
The truth is the complete opposite. The stronger the opposition, the sooner Russia stops its illegal war of aggression.
🤯🤯🤯
December 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
🤯🤯🤯
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Negotiations have been hopeless from the moment in Trump's Oval Office meeting w Zelenskyy when he let Putin see the US government was no longer on Ukraine's side in the war. I suspect most European leaders know that too, but still do far too little to defend UA & put more mil & econ pressure on RU.
The red line is what Russia views as its own border (from today's presentation of the defense minister Belousov). I think negotiations are hopeless at this point. First, the frontline needs to be stabilized.
December 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Negotiations have been hopeless from the moment in Trump's Oval Office meeting w Zelenskyy when he let Putin see the US government was no longer on Ukraine's side in the war. I suspect most European leaders know that too, but still do far too little to defend UA & put more mil & econ pressure on RU.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Trump offered to keep Ukr out of NATO and Pu rejects the offer saying Ru will take its "historic lands," diplomatically or militarily. Imperialist conquest, not pre-emptive war over NATO security concerns. It's disqualifying for any political scientist to continue insisting Mearsheimer got it right.
Putin plans on continuing the war.Russia doesn't want peace:
The goals of the special military operation will be completed.We would prefer to do it.But if the opposing country&their foreign patrons refuse to have a constructive discussion,Russia will achieve liberating its historic lands militarily
The goals of the special military operation will be completed.We would prefer to do it.But if the opposing country&their foreign patrons refuse to have a constructive discussion,Russia will achieve liberating its historic lands militarily
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Trump offered to keep Ukr out of NATO and Pu rejects the offer saying Ru will take its "historic lands," diplomatically or militarily. Imperialist conquest, not pre-emptive war over NATO security concerns. It's disqualifying for any political scientist to continue insisting Mearsheimer got it right.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
"Liberating its historic lands": as the Trump administration pretends peace is around the corner, Putin reminds us that for him, this war is about re-establishing the Russian empire. Ukrainians showed in 1991, when the whole country voted for independence, that they don't see themselves as Russian.
Putin plans on continuing the war.Russia doesn't want peace:
The goals of the special military operation will be completed.We would prefer to do it.But if the opposing country&their foreign patrons refuse to have a constructive discussion,Russia will achieve liberating its historic lands militarily
The goals of the special military operation will be completed.We would prefer to do it.But if the opposing country&their foreign patrons refuse to have a constructive discussion,Russia will achieve liberating its historic lands militarily
December 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
"Liberating its historic lands": as the Trump administration pretends peace is around the corner, Putin reminds us that for him, this war is about re-establishing the Russian empire. Ukrainians showed in 1991, when the whole country voted for independence, that they don't see themselves as Russian.
Reposted by Peter Neefs
Expectations management: There won't be a Ukraine deal anytime soon. This is what it would take to get Putin interested in negotiations:
1.) Territorial "presents" in Donbas.
2.) Ukrainian army below 100.000 men and strict limits on weapons.
3.) No functioning security guarantees.
1.) Territorial "presents" in Donbas.
2.) Ukrainian army below 100.000 men and strict limits on weapons.
3.) No functioning security guarantees.
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Expectations management: There won't be a Ukraine deal anytime soon. This is what it would take to get Putin interested in negotiations:
1.) Territorial "presents" in Donbas.
2.) Ukrainian army below 100.000 men and strict limits on weapons.
3.) No functioning security guarantees.
1.) Territorial "presents" in Donbas.
2.) Ukrainian army below 100.000 men and strict limits on weapons.
3.) No functioning security guarantees.