@gbaznik.bsky.social
International Relations & History, focused on conflicts in MENA & Europe, secessionist movements, & politics. Maps, news, & travel junkie.
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European Commission: Ukraine makes moderate progress in freedom of speech – Enlargement Package #Ukraine
European Commission: Ukraine makes moderate progress in freedom of speech – Enlargement Package
The European Commission, in its annual report Enlargement Package, which was published on Tuesday in Brussels, states that Ukraine is between a certain and moderate level of preparation regarding freedom of speech.
en.interfax.com.ua
November 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
European Commission: Ukraine makes moderate progress in freedom of speech – Enlargement Package #Ukraine
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⚡️ Gen. Drapatyi to head new task force amid Ukraine’s military controversial corps reorganization.
The announcement comes amid long-documented tension between Syrksyi and the 42-year-old Drapatyi, one of Ukraine's most highly-regarded generals.
The announcement comes amid long-documented tension between Syrksyi and the 42-year-old Drapatyi, one of Ukraine's most highly-regarded generals.
Gen. Drapatyi to head new task force amid Ukraine’s military controversial corps reorganization
The announcement comes amid long-documented tension between Syrksyi and the 42-year-old Drapatyi, one of Ukraine's most highly-regarded generals.
kyivindependent.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
⚡️ Gen. Drapatyi to head new task force amid Ukraine’s military controversial corps reorganization.
The announcement comes amid long-documented tension between Syrksyi and the 42-year-old Drapatyi, one of Ukraine's most highly-regarded generals.
The announcement comes amid long-documented tension between Syrksyi and the 42-year-old Drapatyi, one of Ukraine's most highly-regarded generals.
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⚡️Hungary says Putin has nothing to fear from the ICC warrant if he comes to Budapest for the summit with Trump.
FM Péter Szijjártó said Hungary will “respectfully welcome" Putin.
FM Péter Szijjártó said Hungary will “respectfully welcome" Putin.
October 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
⚡️Hungary says Putin has nothing to fear from the ICC warrant if he comes to Budapest for the summit with Trump.
FM Péter Szijjártó said Hungary will “respectfully welcome" Putin.
FM Péter Szijjártó said Hungary will “respectfully welcome" Putin.
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⚡️Estonia summons top Russian diplomat after helicopter violates Estonian airspace.
Estonia summoned the Russian charge d’affaires at Moscow's embassy in Tallinn on Sept. 8 after a Russian MI-8 helicopter violated Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X.
Estonia summoned the Russian charge d’affaires at Moscow's embassy in Tallinn on Sept. 8 after a Russian MI-8 helicopter violated Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X.
Estonia summons top Russian diplomat after helicopter violates Estonian airspace
The incident, which Tsahkna said was the third of its kind in 2025, occurred near Vaindloo Island, located approximately 28 km north of Estonia's mainland in the Gulf of Finland.
kyivindependent.com
September 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
⚡️Estonia summons top Russian diplomat after helicopter violates Estonian airspace.
Estonia summoned the Russian charge d’affaires at Moscow's embassy in Tallinn on Sept. 8 after a Russian MI-8 helicopter violated Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X.
Estonia summoned the Russian charge d’affaires at Moscow's embassy in Tallinn on Sept. 8 after a Russian MI-8 helicopter violated Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X.
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⚡️ Ukraine detains fugitive lawmaker suspected of collaboration with Russia.
The Kyiv Independent's law enforcement source identified the suspect as Fedir Khrystenko, a 41-year-old lawmaker and a former member of the now-banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform — For Life.
The Kyiv Independent's law enforcement source identified the suspect as Fedir Khrystenko, a 41-year-old lawmaker and a former member of the now-banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform — For Life.
Ukraine detains fugitive lawmaker suspected of collaboration with Russia
The Kyiv Independent's law enforcement source identified the suspect as Fedir Khrystenko, a 41-year-old lawmaker and a former member of the now-banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform — For Life...
kyivindependent.com
September 6, 2025 at 1:53 PM
⚡️ Ukraine detains fugitive lawmaker suspected of collaboration with Russia.
The Kyiv Independent's law enforcement source identified the suspect as Fedir Khrystenko, a 41-year-old lawmaker and a former member of the now-banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform — For Life.
The Kyiv Independent's law enforcement source identified the suspect as Fedir Khrystenko, a 41-year-old lawmaker and a former member of the now-banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform — For Life.
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⚡️Norway pledges $8.5 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026.
The move underscores Norway’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow.
The move underscores Norway’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow.
Norway pledges $8.5 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026
The move underscores Norway’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow.
kyivindependent.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:03 PM
⚡️Norway pledges $8.5 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026.
The move underscores Norway’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow.
The move underscores Norway’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow.
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⚡️ Romania suspects Russian sabotage behind Azeri crude oil contamination, Romanian media reports.
Romania reportedly suspects Russian sabotage behind Azeri crude oil contamination
The crude mixed with organic chloride, which was transported through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, could have seriously corroded infrastructure at OMV Petrom’s Petrobrazi refinery, potentially trig...
kyivindependent.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
⚡️ Romania suspects Russian sabotage behind Azeri crude oil contamination, Romanian media reports.
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Tsunami alert issued for Pacfiic islands after magnitude-8 earthquake
Tsunami alert issued for Pacfiic islands after magnitude-8 earthquake
Hazardous waves from strong magnitude 8 quake are possible on the coast of Russia and Japan, USGS says
A tsunami alert has been issued for Pacific islands, Russia and Japan after a magnitude 8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey says.
The quake was shallow and strong enough to cause waves or a tsunami, it said. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Tsunami alert issued for Pacfiic islands after magnitude-8 earthquake
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⚡️Update: Ukrainians take to streets for 4th day as Zelensky backtracks on anti-corruption law.
Ukrainians on July 25 joined mass protests for the fourth day in a row, calling on the government to restore independence to the country's anti-corruption agencies.
Ukrainians on July 25 joined mass protests for the fourth day in a row, calling on the government to restore independence to the country's anti-corruption agencies.
Ukrainians take to streets for 4th day as Zelensky backtracks on anti-corruption law
Ukrainians on July 25 participated in mass protests against a controversial new law impacting anti-corruption agencies for the fourth day in a row. President Zelensky earlier addressed criticism of th...
kyivindependent.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
⚡️Update: Ukrainians take to streets for 4th day as Zelensky backtracks on anti-corruption law.
Ukrainians on July 25 joined mass protests for the fourth day in a row, calling on the government to restore independence to the country's anti-corruption agencies.
Ukrainians on July 25 joined mass protests for the fourth day in a row, calling on the government to restore independence to the country's anti-corruption agencies.
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⚡️BREAKING: Zelensky signs law destroying independence of Ukraine's key anti-corruption bodies.
President Zelensky approved the law on July 22 despite large-scale protests against the law, which critics say undermines years of pro-democracy reforms.
President Zelensky approved the law on July 22 despite large-scale protests against the law, which critics say undermines years of pro-democracy reforms.
UPDATE: Zelensky signs law destroying independence of Ukraine's key anti-corruption bodies
President Volodymyr Zelensky approved the law on July 22 despite large-scale protests against the law, which critics say undermines years of pro-democracy reforms.
kyivindependent.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM
⚡️BREAKING: Zelensky signs law destroying independence of Ukraine's key anti-corruption bodies.
President Zelensky approved the law on July 22 despite large-scale protests against the law, which critics say undermines years of pro-democracy reforms.
President Zelensky approved the law on July 22 despite large-scale protests against the law, which critics say undermines years of pro-democracy reforms.
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⚡️ Update: NABU head asks Zelensky to veto bill destroying independence of anti-corruption agencies.
NABU chief Semen Kryvonos warned that the bill recently passed by the parliament threatens Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration efforts.
NABU chief Semen Kryvonos warned that the bill recently passed by the parliament threatens Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration efforts.
BREAKING: Ukraine's parliament passes bill destroying independence of key anti-corruption bodies
The legislation grants the prosecutor general new powers over investigations led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and cases led by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's ...
kyivindependent.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM
⚡️ Update: NABU head asks Zelensky to veto bill destroying independence of anti-corruption agencies.
NABU chief Semen Kryvonos warned that the bill recently passed by the parliament threatens Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration efforts.
NABU chief Semen Kryvonos warned that the bill recently passed by the parliament threatens Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration efforts.
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⚡️Slovakia agrees to approve EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia, Fico says.
Slovakia is ready to approve the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia after vetoing the measure six times, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on July 17.
Slovakia is ready to approve the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia after vetoing the measure six times, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on July 17.
Slovakia agrees to approve EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia, Fico says
All negotiating options have been exhausted for now, and continuing our blocking position would now endanger our interests," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.
kyivindependent.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:35 PM
⚡️Slovakia agrees to approve EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia, Fico says.
Slovakia is ready to approve the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia after vetoing the measure six times, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on July 17.
Slovakia is ready to approve the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia after vetoing the measure six times, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on July 17.
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⚡️Ukraine's ambassador to US will be replaced, foreign minister confirms.
"She is extremely effective and charismatic, but surely every diplomat has a rotation cycle," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said of Ambassador Oksana Markarova.
"She is extremely effective and charismatic, but surely every diplomat has a rotation cycle," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said of Ambassador Oksana Markarova.
Ukraine's ambassador to US will be replaced, foreign minister confirms
"She is extremely effective and charismatic, but surely every diplomat has a rotation cycle," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said of Ambassador Oksana Markarova.
kyivindependent.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:25 PM
⚡️Ukraine's ambassador to US will be replaced, foreign minister confirms.
"She is extremely effective and charismatic, but surely every diplomat has a rotation cycle," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said of Ambassador Oksana Markarova.
"She is extremely effective and charismatic, but surely every diplomat has a rotation cycle," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said of Ambassador Oksana Markarova.
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⚡️EU to impose 'toughest' sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says.
EU to impose 'toughest' sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says
"This (war) cannot continue; it must stop. To achieve this, in coordination with American senators, Europe is preparing to introduce, based on French proposals, the toughest sanctions we have imposed ...
kyivindependent.com
July 8, 2025 at 4:58 AM
⚡️EU to impose 'toughest' sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says.
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After yesterday’s phone call with Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russian leader has no intention of ending the war in Ukraine. “I’m very disappointed,” Trump told reporters.
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
Trump says he made ‘no progress’ with Putin on ending the war in latest call — Meduza
U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of ending the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing Trump’s remarks.
meduza.io
July 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
After yesterday’s phone call with Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russian leader has no intention of ending the war in Ukraine. “I’m very disappointed,” Trump told reporters.
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
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BREAKING Loud explosions rang out in Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist heard.
It came shortly after Israel's army warned of a new missile salvo from Iran and advised the public to take cover until further notice
It came shortly after Israel's army warned of a new missile salvo from Iran and advised the public to take cover until further notice
June 16, 2025 at 1:50 AM
BREAKING Loud explosions rang out in Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist heard.
It came shortly after Israel's army warned of a new missile salvo from Iran and advised the public to take cover until further notice
It came shortly after Israel's army warned of a new missile salvo from Iran and advised the public to take cover until further notice
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The Israeli government doesn't care about what happens to Iran once the IRGC threat is neutralised by shattering the Iranian state. Netanyahu probably views postwar Iran as a problem for US, China and the EU to fix.
This is not a repeat of American wars in the region.
It's much worse.
This is not a repeat of American wars in the region.
It's much worse.
June 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The Israeli government doesn't care about what happens to Iran once the IRGC threat is neutralised by shattering the Iranian state. Netanyahu probably views postwar Iran as a problem for US, China and the EU to fix.
This is not a repeat of American wars in the region.
It's much worse.
This is not a repeat of American wars in the region.
It's much worse.
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Russia’s newly created gulag system for Ukrainian children.
A Canadian-funded Hala Systems company has mapped 136 Russian concentration camps holding abducted Ukrainian children. Some are over 3,000 km from Ukraine—in Siberia. The children are required to participate in regular military drills.
A Canadian-funded Hala Systems company has mapped 136 Russian concentration camps holding abducted Ukrainian children. Some are over 3,000 km from Ukraine—in Siberia. The children are required to participate in regular military drills.
Satellite data shed light on Russia’s modern-day gulags for Ukrainian children
A Canadian-funded effort is tracking the movements of Ukrainian children taken during wartime
www.theglobeandmail.com
May 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Russia’s newly created gulag system for Ukrainian children.
A Canadian-funded Hala Systems company has mapped 136 Russian concentration camps holding abducted Ukrainian children. Some are over 3,000 km from Ukraine—in Siberia. The children are required to participate in regular military drills.
A Canadian-funded Hala Systems company has mapped 136 Russian concentration camps holding abducted Ukrainian children. Some are over 3,000 km from Ukraine—in Siberia. The children are required to participate in regular military drills.
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Thanks to @us.theconversation.com for publishing well-researched, very informative articles such as this one theconversation.com/russias-inva...
Russia’s invasion united different parts of Ukraine against a common enemy – 3 years on, that unanimity still holds
Ukraine has a sizable minority of Russian speakers, largely in the east. They also overwhelmingly blame Russia for hostilities.
theconversation.com
May 21, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Thanks to @us.theconversation.com for publishing well-researched, very informative articles such as this one theconversation.com/russias-inva...
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Putin ordered the ceasefire from midnight on May 8 through May 11 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Moscow Says It Will Honor Victory Day Ceasefire Despite Ukraine’s Rejection - The Moscow Times
The Kremlin said Tuesday it still plans to honor a 72-hour ceasefire unilaterally proposed by President Vladimir Putin during this week’s Victory Day celebrations, despite Ukraine’s rejection of the t...
www.themoscowtimes.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Putin ordered the ceasefire from midnight on May 8 through May 11 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
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⚡️Kremlin spokesman claims 'progress' in peace talks but says energy ceasefire period has expired.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the one-month period for a ban on energy infrastructure strikes had expired.
kyivindependent.com/kremlin-talk...
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the one-month period for a ban on energy infrastructure strikes had expired.
kyivindependent.com/kremlin-talk...
Kremlin spokesman claims 'progress' in peace talks but says energy ceasefire period has expired
"There are already some developments, but, of course, there are still many complicated discussions ahead," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
kyivindependent.com
April 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
⚡️Kremlin spokesman claims 'progress' in peace talks but says energy ceasefire period has expired.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the one-month period for a ban on energy infrastructure strikes had expired.
kyivindependent.com/kremlin-talk...
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the one-month period for a ban on energy infrastructure strikes had expired.
kyivindependent.com/kremlin-talk...
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In fact, it is offensively ridiculous to think that any but a handful of people disappeared by ICE will be able to file habeas corpus, because it relies on them having informed families with connections to available knowledgeable lawyers with time and resources to act instantly.
How the FedSoc judges on SCOTUS want you think habeas corpus works:
a man sitting at a desk with a box of boise paper in front of him
ALT: a man sitting at a desk with a box of boise paper in front of him
media.tenor.com
April 8, 2025 at 12:56 AM
In fact, it is offensively ridiculous to think that any but a handful of people disappeared by ICE will be able to file habeas corpus, because it relies on them having informed families with connections to available knowledgeable lawyers with time and resources to act instantly.
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Berlin seeks to detach from US as an energy supplier
Berlin seeks to detach from US as an energy supplier
German politicians of all parties still think setting up 4 LNG terminals mostly supplied by the US was the right decision.
dlvr.it
April 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Berlin seeks to detach from US as an energy supplier
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Btw, because I see a ton of people claiming that there's no trade w Ru at all because of the sanctions. This isn't true. In 2024, there were 3.5bln of trade w Ru. I bet there are many tariffed countries that do less trade w the US. ustr.gov/countries-re...
Russia
ustr.gov
April 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Btw, because I see a ton of people claiming that there's no trade w Ru at all because of the sanctions. This isn't true. In 2024, there were 3.5bln of trade w Ru. I bet there are many tariffed countries that do less trade w the US. ustr.gov/countries-re...