Bartłomiej Gajos
@bartekgajos.bsky.social
PhD. Historian. I work for the Polish think-tank Mieroszewski Centre, covering Russia and Ukraine. Currently based in Brussels.
Bergedorfer ’94: German minister blunt on NATO, Swiss expert warned on Ukraine, Polish envoy exposed Russia’s lack of goals. Putin & Kokoshin hinted post-91 borders were “unsatisfactory.” No one spoke of a NATO “promise.”
I unpack the story on my Substack:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/putin-at-b...
I unpack the story on my Substack:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/putin-at-b...
September 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Bergedorfer ’94: German minister blunt on NATO, Swiss expert warned on Ukraine, Polish envoy exposed Russia’s lack of goals. Putin & Kokoshin hinted post-91 borders were “unsatisfactory.” No one spoke of a NATO “promise.”
I unpack the story on my Substack:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/putin-at-b...
I unpack the story on my Substack:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/putin-at-b...
In March 1994, a group of politicians and experts gathered in St. Petersburg for a little-known event: the 101st Bergedorfer Gesprächskreis - a closed-door roundtable. The topic?
Russia’s internal situation and relations with NATO.🧵
LINK:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/st-petersb...
Russia’s internal situation and relations with NATO.🧵
LINK:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/st-petersb...
St. Petersburg 1994: When Putin Listened and the West Worried (Part I)
Russia’s democratic turn looked fragile. Western delegates said so — in front of Vladimir Putin.
bartekgajos.substack.com
August 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
In March 1994, a group of politicians and experts gathered in St. Petersburg for a little-known event: the 101st Bergedorfer Gesprächskreis - a closed-door roundtable. The topic?
Russia’s internal situation and relations with NATO.🧵
LINK:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/st-petersb...
Russia’s internal situation and relations with NATO.🧵
LINK:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/st-petersb...
Folks, I’m cooking something for you on my Substack - dropping tomorrow. In 1994, Putin, Sobchak, Ruhe, Meyer-Landrut, and others discussed the future of Russia and its relations with the West. The protocol from Bergedorfer adds a lot to our understanding of Putin and the Russian elite.
August 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Folks, I’m cooking something for you on my Substack - dropping tomorrow. In 1994, Putin, Sobchak, Ruhe, Meyer-Landrut, and others discussed the future of Russia and its relations with the West. The protocol from Bergedorfer adds a lot to our understanding of Putin and the Russian elite.
What came first: Russian imperialism or NATO enlargement?
This isn’t your mem historian’s take that traces every war back to the Neolithic.
We’re talking about formative political debates - those that shaped Putin’s worldview in the 1990s.
My📜 in Nationalities Papers.🧵
This isn’t your mem historian’s take that traces every war back to the Neolithic.
We’re talking about formative political debates - those that shaped Putin’s worldview in the 1990s.
My📜 in Nationalities Papers.🧵
August 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
What came first: Russian imperialism or NATO enlargement?
This isn’t your mem historian’s take that traces every war back to the Neolithic.
We’re talking about formative political debates - those that shaped Putin’s worldview in the 1990s.
My📜 in Nationalities Papers.🧵
This isn’t your mem historian’s take that traces every war back to the Neolithic.
We’re talking about formative political debates - those that shaped Putin’s worldview in the 1990s.
My📜 in Nationalities Papers.🧵
This from Navalnaya is troubling. “Crimea belongs to Ukraine, but de facto it’s in Russian hands. It becomes a complicated issue, millions of people have Russian passports… even Ukrainian authorities admit it’s complicated,”.
Normalization of occupation without openly endorsing?
Normalization of occupation without openly endorsing?
June 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
This from Navalnaya is troubling. “Crimea belongs to Ukraine, but de facto it’s in Russian hands. It becomes a complicated issue, millions of people have Russian passports… even Ukrainian authorities admit it’s complicated,”.
Normalization of occupation without openly endorsing?
Normalization of occupation without openly endorsing?
A much-needed panel on Russian opposition and society at RUTA.
Key takeaway: when Russian opposition leaders adapt to society as it is - imperial and apathetic in its majority - they risk replicating the regime.
@ervitz.bsky.social, Franziska Davies, V. Pekar.
Key takeaway: when Russian opposition leaders adapt to society as it is - imperial and apathetic in its majority - they risk replicating the regime.
@ervitz.bsky.social, Franziska Davies, V. Pekar.
June 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A much-needed panel on Russian opposition and society at RUTA.
Key takeaway: when Russian opposition leaders adapt to society as it is - imperial and apathetic in its majority - they risk replicating the regime.
@ervitz.bsky.social, Franziska Davies, V. Pekar.
Key takeaway: when Russian opposition leaders adapt to society as it is - imperial and apathetic in its majority - they risk replicating the regime.
@ervitz.bsky.social, Franziska Davies, V. Pekar.
Reposted by Bartłomiej Gajos
@bartekgajos.bsky.social Historien 🇵🇱 de l’ #URSS :
« Victory » Reoladed. Pourquoi les élites de #putinTheButcher combattent l’ #Ukraine 🇺🇦 avec le langage de la Seconde Guerre mondiale ? Ce n’est pas tous les jours qu’une élite 🇷🇺 (80 pers) publie un volume
📌🧵
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
« Victory » Reoladed. Pourquoi les élites de #putinTheButcher combattent l’ #Ukraine 🇺🇦 avec le langage de la Seconde Guerre mondiale ? Ce n’est pas tous les jours qu’une élite 🇷🇺 (80 pers) publie un volume
📌🧵
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
“Victory” Reloaded: Why Putin’s Elites Are Fighting Ukraine with WWII Language
It’s not every day that a Russian elite publishes a collective volume on WWII that reads like a policy memo for contemporary warfare against Ukraine - but in today’s Russia, nothing is accidental.
bartekgajos.substack.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
@bartekgajos.bsky.social Historien 🇵🇱 de l’ #URSS :
« Victory » Reoladed. Pourquoi les élites de #putinTheButcher combattent l’ #Ukraine 🇺🇦 avec le langage de la Seconde Guerre mondiale ? Ce n’est pas tous les jours qu’une élite 🇷🇺 (80 pers) publie un volume
📌🧵
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
« Victory » Reoladed. Pourquoi les élites de #putinTheButcher combattent l’ #Ukraine 🇺🇦 avec le langage de la Seconde Guerre mondiale ? Ce n’est pas tous les jours qu’une élite 🇷🇺 (80 pers) publie un volume
📌🧵
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
We have a new poll from the Levada on whom Russians consider the most outstanding figures of all time. Stalin remains at the top. Imagine if German officials or public praised Hitler’s strategic brilliance in 1938. Let me explain🧵
June 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
We have a new poll from the Levada on whom Russians consider the most outstanding figures of all time. Stalin remains at the top. Imagine if German officials or public praised Hitler’s strategic brilliance in 1938. Let me explain🧵
The 3rd edition of the Mieroszewski Roundtable has concluded.
We hosted three brilliant authors whose books contribute to the debate on Russia, China, Germany and global economy:
Michał Lubina,
Katja Hoyer,
Maximilian Hess.
My key takeaways:🧵
We hosted three brilliant authors whose books contribute to the debate on Russia, China, Germany and global economy:
Michał Lubina,
Katja Hoyer,
Maximilian Hess.
My key takeaways:🧵
June 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The 3rd edition of the Mieroszewski Roundtable has concluded.
We hosted three brilliant authors whose books contribute to the debate on Russia, China, Germany and global economy:
Michał Lubina,
Katja Hoyer,
Maximilian Hess.
My key takeaways:🧵
We hosted three brilliant authors whose books contribute to the debate on Russia, China, Germany and global economy:
Michał Lubina,
Katja Hoyer,
Maximilian Hess.
My key takeaways:🧵
We’ve just kicked off the Mieroszewski Roundtable. @ervitz.bsky.social is pressing Max Hess with tough questions on economic warfare and sanctions.
His key point: if we want to stop Russia, we need to start having a serious conversation about oil and gas.
His key point: if we want to stop Russia, we need to start having a serious conversation about oil and gas.
June 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
We’ve just kicked off the Mieroszewski Roundtable. @ervitz.bsky.social is pressing Max Hess with tough questions on economic warfare and sanctions.
His key point: if we want to stop Russia, we need to start having a serious conversation about oil and gas.
His key point: if we want to stop Russia, we need to start having a serious conversation about oil and gas.
Reposted by Bartłomiej Gajos
I was just sent this incredibly interesting article by @bartekgajos.bsky.social on SubStack.... He writes about the new book published in Russia about the "80th anniversary of the great victory".....
#History #WW2
open.substack.com/pub/bartekga...
#History #WW2
open.substack.com/pub/bartekga...
“Victory” Reloaded: Why Putin’s Elites Are Fighting Ukraine with WWII Language
It’s not every day that a Russian elite publishes a collective volume on WWII that reads like a policy memo for contemporary warfare against Ukraine - but in today’s Russia, nothing is accidental.
open.substack.com
June 9, 2025 at 11:54 AM
I was just sent this incredibly interesting article by @bartekgajos.bsky.social on SubStack.... He writes about the new book published in Russia about the "80th anniversary of the great victory".....
#History #WW2
open.substack.com/pub/bartekga...
#History #WW2
open.substack.com/pub/bartekga...
The 3rd edition of the Mieroszewski Roundtable is coming up.
Each year, we invite three top-notch authors whose books are relevant to today’s political landscape.
This year, we’re tackling: China–Russia relations, Germany’s Ostpolitik, economic consequences of the war.
More soon.
Each year, we invite three top-notch authors whose books are relevant to today’s political landscape.
This year, we’re tackling: China–Russia relations, Germany’s Ostpolitik, economic consequences of the war.
More soon.
June 8, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The 3rd edition of the Mieroszewski Roundtable is coming up.
Each year, we invite three top-notch authors whose books are relevant to today’s political landscape.
This year, we’re tackling: China–Russia relations, Germany’s Ostpolitik, economic consequences of the war.
More soon.
Each year, we invite three top-notch authors whose books are relevant to today’s political landscape.
This year, we’re tackling: China–Russia relations, Germany’s Ostpolitik, economic consequences of the war.
More soon.
What does a historian do on a Saturday evening? He searches for Stalin in a book allegedly written by members of the Russian Security Council. A new blog post will be available soon. If you haven't read the last one, check it out:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
June 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
What does a historian do on a Saturday evening? He searches for Stalin in a book allegedly written by members of the Russian Security Council. A new blog post will be available soon. If you haven't read the last one, check it out:
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
bartekgajos.substack.com/p/victory-re...
This book isn’t about history - it’s about what Putin’s elites are doing, and plan to keep doing, in Ukraine.
I used data science to analyze a WWII-themed publication by Russia’s Security Council.
The results are revealing - and chilling. Let’s dive in🧵
I used data science to analyze a WWII-themed publication by Russia’s Security Council.
The results are revealing - and chilling. Let’s dive in🧵
June 3, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This book isn’t about history - it’s about what Putin’s elites are doing, and plan to keep doing, in Ukraine.
I used data science to analyze a WWII-themed publication by Russia’s Security Council.
The results are revealing - and chilling. Let’s dive in🧵
I used data science to analyze a WWII-themed publication by Russia’s Security Council.
The results are revealing - and chilling. Let’s dive in🧵
Reposted by Bartłomiej Gajos
Bardzo polecam podcast Centrum Mieroszewskiego, w którym
@ervitz.bsky.social i
@bartekgajos.bsky.social opowiadają o usunięciu przez władze Rosji symboli z cmentarza katyńskiego w Miednoje.
Na końcu świetny dokument
@mieroszewskipl.bsky.social o Zbrodni Katyńskiej.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=CqTD...
@ervitz.bsky.social i
@bartekgajos.bsky.social opowiadają o usunięciu przez władze Rosji symboli z cmentarza katyńskiego w Miednoje.
Na końcu świetny dokument
@mieroszewskipl.bsky.social o Zbrodni Katyńskiej.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=CqTD...
Polihistor 2.0 #201: Zamiast Virtuti Militari - Stalin. Moskwa usuwa polskie symbole w Miednoje
YouTube video by MieroszewskiPL
m.youtube.com
May 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Bardzo polecam podcast Centrum Mieroszewskiego, w którym
@ervitz.bsky.social i
@bartekgajos.bsky.social opowiadają o usunięciu przez władze Rosji symboli z cmentarza katyńskiego w Miednoje.
Na końcu świetny dokument
@mieroszewskipl.bsky.social o Zbrodni Katyńskiej.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=CqTD...
@ervitz.bsky.social i
@bartekgajos.bsky.social opowiadają o usunięciu przez władze Rosji symboli z cmentarza katyńskiego w Miednoje.
Na końcu świetny dokument
@mieroszewskipl.bsky.social o Zbrodni Katyńskiej.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=CqTD...
A piece worth your time by Sergey Lebedev.
In the future, if we want to assess Russia’s political trajectory - both at the state level and within society - one of the key indicators should be its attitude toward the past.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In the future, if we want to assess Russia’s political trajectory - both at the state level and within society - one of the key indicators should be its attitude toward the past.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The USSR occupied eastern Europe, calling it ‘liberation’ – Russia is repeating the crime in Ukraine | Sergei Lebedev
In the post-Soviet states, statues can be removed and street names changed. But achieving sovereignty of memory is far harder, says exiled Russian novelist Sergei Lebedev
www.theguardian.com
May 19, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A piece worth your time by Sergey Lebedev.
In the future, if we want to assess Russia’s political trajectory - both at the state level and within society - one of the key indicators should be its attitude toward the past.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In the future, if we want to assess Russia’s political trajectory - both at the state level and within society - one of the key indicators should be its attitude toward the past.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Born in Ukraine, Medinsky chose to pledge allegiance to the Empire in Moscow. As a result, he has become a leading figure in anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
He headed the Russian "negotiating" team in Belarus, which was tasked with demanding Ukraine’s capitulation.
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/14/p...
He headed the Russian "negotiating" team in Belarus, which was tasked with demanding Ukraine’s capitulation.
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/14/p...
Putin Taps Kremlin Aide Medinsky to Lead New Istanbul Talks With Ukraine - The Moscow Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a delegation of senior officials to attend this week’s negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, according to a directive published by the Kremlin website W...
www.themoscowtimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Born in Ukraine, Medinsky chose to pledge allegiance to the Empire in Moscow. As a result, he has become a leading figure in anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
He headed the Russian "negotiating" team in Belarus, which was tasked with demanding Ukraine’s capitulation.
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/14/p...
He headed the Russian "negotiating" team in Belarus, which was tasked with demanding Ukraine’s capitulation.
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/14/p...
Given the communications ahead of the meeting, I'm rather sceptical that it will be serious, i.e. that we'll learn anything new beyond where the parties disagree.
But it will be serious if the US realises that Russia is negotiating in bad faith.
But it will be serious if the US realises that Russia is negotiating in bad faith.
‼️ The Russian delegation to the Istanbul talks will include Foreign Minister Lavrov and Putin's adviser Ushakov, - The Washington Post, citing sources in the Kremlin
May 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Given the communications ahead of the meeting, I'm rather sceptical that it will be serious, i.e. that we'll learn anything new beyond where the parties disagree.
But it will be serious if the US realises that Russia is negotiating in bad faith.
But it will be serious if the US realises that Russia is negotiating in bad faith.
On Russia's side, sending Dmitriev or Ushakov would be a failed feint, because, from a protocol standpoint, neither Zelensky nor Trump would agree to such a meeting. Putin has tangled himself up with the ceasefire around Victory Day and now finds himself in a weak position in terms of PR.
May 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
On Russia's side, sending Dmitriev or Ushakov would be a failed feint, because, from a protocol standpoint, neither Zelensky nor Trump would agree to such a meeting. Putin has tangled himself up with the ceasefire around Victory Day and now finds himself in a weak position in terms of PR.
🧵Why is Russian propaganda recently talking more and more about sanctions?
Because they prepare for what’s coming – and it’s going to hurt. A new EU energy plan. A bipartisan US sanctions bill. And a coordinated push to hurt Russia’s war economy. Here’s what you need to know👇
Because they prepare for what’s coming – and it’s going to hurt. A new EU energy plan. A bipartisan US sanctions bill. And a coordinated push to hurt Russia’s war economy. Here’s what you need to know👇
May 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🧵Why is Russian propaganda recently talking more and more about sanctions?
Because they prepare for what’s coming – and it’s going to hurt. A new EU energy plan. A bipartisan US sanctions bill. And a coordinated push to hurt Russia’s war economy. Here’s what you need to know👇
Because they prepare for what’s coming – and it’s going to hurt. A new EU energy plan. A bipartisan US sanctions bill. And a coordinated push to hurt Russia’s war economy. Here’s what you need to know👇
Will Putin meet Zelensky in Istanbul?
I don't think so. He’ll claim he slipped on a judo mat again and strained his spine.
But beneath the absurdity lies a very real diplomatic chess match. Let's unpack the weekend’s maneuvers.🧵
I don't think so. He’ll claim he slipped on a judo mat again and strained his spine.
But beneath the absurdity lies a very real diplomatic chess match. Let's unpack the weekend’s maneuvers.🧵
May 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Will Putin meet Zelensky in Istanbul?
I don't think so. He’ll claim he slipped on a judo mat again and strained his spine.
But beneath the absurdity lies a very real diplomatic chess match. Let's unpack the weekend’s maneuvers.🧵
I don't think so. He’ll claim he slipped on a judo mat again and strained his spine.
But beneath the absurdity lies a very real diplomatic chess match. Let's unpack the weekend’s maneuvers.🧵
I came across this quote and thought it was worth sharing:
“God has a special providence for fools, drunks, and the United States of America.” – attributed to Otto von Bismarck.
“God has a special providence for fools, drunks, and the United States of America.” – attributed to Otto von Bismarck.
March 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I came across this quote and thought it was worth sharing:
“God has a special providence for fools, drunks, and the United States of America.” – attributed to Otto von Bismarck.
“God has a special providence for fools, drunks, and the United States of America.” – attributed to Otto von Bismarck.
Cover of the Polish weekly "Wprost".
March 24, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Cover of the Polish weekly "Wprost".
1/ Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire if Russia complies. Meanwhile, the US resumed intelligence sharing & military support for Ukraine. This shifts the dynamics - what will Moscow do next? Let’s analyze.🧵
March 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
1/ Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire if Russia complies. Meanwhile, the US resumed intelligence sharing & military support for Ukraine. This shifts the dynamics - what will Moscow do next? Let’s analyze.🧵
Poland's deputy defence minister has announced that arms shipments from the US to Ukraine have resumed at the Polish port of Rzeszów.
Good news.
Good news.
March 12, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Poland's deputy defence minister has announced that arms shipments from the US to Ukraine have resumed at the Polish port of Rzeszów.
Good news.
Good news.