Jānis B
@janchibrugiks.bsky.social
Observing the horizon: global affairs – geopolitics, security, climate change, technology, democracy, EU and more – through a Baltic and European lens. Opinions are solely mine. 🇱🇻🇪🇺🇺🇦
Reposted by Jānis B
Te pat nav iespējams izvēlēties kādu vienu citātu ieskatam - visa saruna ir, manuprāt, ļoti laba. Ja man prasa, es to notaksētu par obligāto lasāmvielu.
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/america-an...
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/america-an...
America and the World
Talking with Martin Wolf
paulkrugman.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Te pat nav iespējams izvēlēties kādu vienu citātu ieskatam - visa saruna ir, manuprāt, ļoti laba. Ja man prasa, es to notaksētu par obligāto lasāmvielu.
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/america-an...
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/america-an...
Reposted by Jānis B
Ouch!
December 20, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Ouch!
Reposted by Jānis B
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
December 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
At about 1.30am .., a single page of text was presented to them: the EU would borrow the money on the capital markets against its shared budget.
The feared prospect of a veto by Russia-friendly countries [HU, SL and the CZ] was avoided by granting them an exemption from any repayment obligations 🔗🎁
The feared prospect of a veto by Russia-friendly countries [HU, SL and the CZ] was avoided by granting them an exemption from any repayment obligations 🔗🎁
How Friedrich Merz’s EU summit plan on frozen Russian assets backfired
France sided with Belgium, Italy and smaller states in backing joint debt for Ukraine instead
giftarticle.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
At about 1.30am .., a single page of text was presented to them: the EU would borrow the money on the capital markets against its shared budget.
The feared prospect of a veto by Russia-friendly countries [HU, SL and the CZ] was avoided by granting them an exemption from any repayment obligations 🔗🎁
The feared prospect of a veto by Russia-friendly countries [HU, SL and the CZ] was avoided by granting them an exemption from any repayment obligations 🔗🎁
The people described it as China's version of the Manhattan Project...
“The aim is for China to eventually be able to make advanced chips on machines that are entirely China-made,” one of the people said. "China wants the United States 100% kicked out of its supply chains."
“The aim is for China to eventually be able to make advanced chips on machines that are entirely China-made,” one of the people said. "China wants the United States 100% kicked out of its supply chains."
Exclusive: How China built its ‘Manhattan Project’ to rival the West in AI chips
In a high-security Shenzhen laboratory, Chinese scientists have built a prototype of a machine capable of producing cutting-edge semiconductor chips that power artificial intelligence, smartphones and...
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The people described it as China's version of the Manhattan Project...
“The aim is for China to eventually be able to make advanced chips on machines that are entirely China-made,” one of the people said. "China wants the United States 100% kicked out of its supply chains."
“The aim is for China to eventually be able to make advanced chips on machines that are entirely China-made,” one of the people said. "China wants the United States 100% kicked out of its supply chains."
Reposted by Jānis B
PM Tusk:
Now we have a simple choice. Either money today or blood tomorrow. And I am not talking about #Ukraine only, I am talking about Europe.
And this is our decision to make. And only ours. I think all European leaders have to finally rise to this occasion.
So this is all that I can say.
Now we have a simple choice. Either money today or blood tomorrow. And I am not talking about #Ukraine only, I am talking about Europe.
And this is our decision to make. And only ours. I think all European leaders have to finally rise to this occasion.
So this is all that I can say.
December 18, 2025 at 9:02 AM
PM Tusk:
Now we have a simple choice. Either money today or blood tomorrow. And I am not talking about #Ukraine only, I am talking about Europe.
And this is our decision to make. And only ours. I think all European leaders have to finally rise to this occasion.
So this is all that I can say.
Now we have a simple choice. Either money today or blood tomorrow. And I am not talking about #Ukraine only, I am talking about Europe.
And this is our decision to make. And only ours. I think all European leaders have to finally rise to this occasion.
So this is all that I can say.
Reposted by Jānis B
❗️German Chancellor Merz: This is a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine — and against Europe. If Ukraine falls, it will not stop there. Just as in 1938, the Sudetenland was not enough, Putin will not stop.
December 13, 2025 at 9:33 PM
❗️German Chancellor Merz: This is a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine — and against Europe. If Ukraine falls, it will not stop there. Just as in 1938, the Sudetenland was not enough, Putin will not stop.
Reposted by Jānis B
The EU has just published the final version of the Article 122 Regulation that, as of today, indefinitely immobilises the Russian assets.
It sets three key conditions to release the €210 billion:
1) Russia ends the war
2) Russia pays reparations to Ukraine
3) Russia is no longer an economic threat
It sets three key conditions to release the €210 billion:
1) Russia ends the war
2) Russia pays reparations to Ukraine
3) Russia is no longer an economic threat
December 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The EU has just published the final version of the Article 122 Regulation that, as of today, indefinitely immobilises the Russian assets.
It sets three key conditions to release the €210 billion:
1) Russia ends the war
2) Russia pays reparations to Ukraine
3) Russia is no longer an economic threat
It sets three key conditions to release the €210 billion:
1) Russia ends the war
2) Russia pays reparations to Ukraine
3) Russia is no longer an economic threat
Reposted by Jānis B
This excuse for invasion is not new.
In 1939, both Hitler and Stalin justified invading Poland by claiming it was “threatened” and that ethnic Germans and Russians needed protection
In 2022, Putin used the same logic — blaming NATO and the West while claiming to defend Russian speakers in Ukraine👇
In 1939, both Hitler and Stalin justified invading Poland by claiming it was “threatened” and that ethnic Germans and Russians needed protection
In 2022, Putin used the same logic — blaming NATO and the West while claiming to defend Russian speakers in Ukraine👇
December 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
This excuse for invasion is not new.
In 1939, both Hitler and Stalin justified invading Poland by claiming it was “threatened” and that ethnic Germans and Russians needed protection
In 2022, Putin used the same logic — blaming NATO and the West while claiming to defend Russian speakers in Ukraine👇
In 1939, both Hitler and Stalin justified invading Poland by claiming it was “threatened” and that ethnic Germans and Russians needed protection
In 2022, Putin used the same logic — blaming NATO and the West while claiming to defend Russian speakers in Ukraine👇
Reposted by Jānis B
Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.
Putin said Russia had taken Kupiansk weeks ago.
Today, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops there.
Today, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops there.
December 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.
Reposted by Jānis B
C'est fait : la Russie sera privée de ses actifs placés en Europe jusqu’à ce qu'elle cesse sa guerre d'agression et verse des réparations à l'Ukraine. Personne ne décidera à la place des Européens du sort de ces fonds.
December 12, 2025 at 6:28 PM
C'est fait : la Russie sera privée de ses actifs placés en Europe jusqu’à ce qu'elle cesse sa guerre d'agression et verse des réparations à l'Ukraine. Personne ne décidera à la place des Européens du sort de ces fonds.
Reposted by Jānis B
fascinating. do read !🧵
The European Union has triggered Article 122 to indefinitely immobilise the assets of the Russian Central Bank, worth a whopping €210 billion.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
December 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
fascinating. do read !🧵
Reposted by Jānis B
russia has struck another energy facility in Ukraine.
Another attempt to force us into surrender.
The answer is — keep calm and help protect the Ukrainian sky:
u24.gov.ua/nafo-dark-ni...
Another attempt to force us into surrender.
The answer is — keep calm and help protect the Ukrainian sky:
u24.gov.ua/nafo-dark-ni...
December 11, 2025 at 7:23 PM
russia has struck another energy facility in Ukraine.
Another attempt to force us into surrender.
The answer is — keep calm and help protect the Ukrainian sky:
u24.gov.ua/nafo-dark-ni...
Another attempt to force us into surrender.
The answer is — keep calm and help protect the Ukrainian sky:
u24.gov.ua/nafo-dark-ni...
November 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Jānis B
Join the Allies of Steel fundraiser for ground robotic systems, capable of evacuating the wounded, delivering equipment, and performing the most dangerous missions:
u24.gov.ua/allies-of-st...
Source: BBC News Ukraine
u24.gov.ua/allies-of-st...
Source: BBC News Ukraine
November 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Join the Allies of Steel fundraiser for ground robotic systems, capable of evacuating the wounded, delivering equipment, and performing the most dangerous missions:
u24.gov.ua/allies-of-st...
Source: BBC News Ukraine
u24.gov.ua/allies-of-st...
Source: BBC News Ukraine
Reposted by Jānis B
“Ukraine is the only country fulfilling NATO's destiny,”
chess grandmaster and political activist Garry Kasparov said passionately at the Halifax Security Forum.
@garrykasparov.bsky.social
chess grandmaster and political activist Garry Kasparov said passionately at the Halifax Security Forum.
@garrykasparov.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
“Ukraine is the only country fulfilling NATO's destiny,”
chess grandmaster and political activist Garry Kasparov said passionately at the Halifax Security Forum.
@garrykasparov.bsky.social
chess grandmaster and political activist Garry Kasparov said passionately at the Halifax Security Forum.
@garrykasparov.bsky.social
Reposted by Jānis B
This week, at an event, we debated whether Europe was a “player”, “playground” or “plaything”… but a new category emerges: we might not even been on the pitch. “Sidelined” is a word I’m hearing a lot and it’s not just about “the Plan”…
a bald man wearing a grey sweater stands in front of a no filter ucl sign
ALT: a bald man wearing a grey sweater stands in front of a no filter ucl sign
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
This week, at an event, we debated whether Europe was a “player”, “playground” or “plaything”… but a new category emerges: we might not even been on the pitch. “Sidelined” is a word I’m hearing a lot and it’s not just about “the Plan”…
Reposted by Jānis B
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
"..AI raters, workers who check an AI’s responses for accuracy and groundedness, told the Guardian that, after becoming aware of the way chatbots and image generators function and just how wrong their output can be, they have begun urging their friends and family not to use generative AI at all.."
Meet the AI workers who tell their friends and family to stay away from AI
When the people making AI seem trustworthy are the ones who trust it the least, it shows that incentives for speed are overtaking safety, experts say
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"..AI raters, workers who check an AI’s responses for accuracy and groundedness, told the Guardian that, after becoming aware of the way chatbots and image generators function and just how wrong their output can be, they have begun urging their friends and family not to use generative AI at all.."
Reposted by Jānis B
November 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposted by Jānis B
Dieser kurze Ausschnitt vom Chef des französischen Generalstabes, General Mandon @cemafr.bsky.social , sollte gehört werden.
Wir, Europa, sind nicht so schwach, wie wir immer tun. ☝️
Wir, Europa, sind nicht so schwach, wie wir immer tun. ☝️
“Today, Russia produces more defence equipment than it consumes on the front lines. It is clearly preparing for something else.
Collectively, Europeans are much stronger than Russia. That is why I think we must not be pessimistic.” — @cemafr.bsky.social
Collectively, Europeans are much stronger than Russia. That is why I think we must not be pessimistic.” — @cemafr.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Dieser kurze Ausschnitt vom Chef des französischen Generalstabes, General Mandon @cemafr.bsky.social , sollte gehört werden.
Wir, Europa, sind nicht so schwach, wie wir immer tun. ☝️
Wir, Europa, sind nicht so schwach, wie wir immer tun. ☝️
Reposted by Jānis B
Repeating daily since Trump was inaugurated 🫠
Dear Europe, especially Germany,
Stop obsessing over what Trump will or won’t do. Hoping & praying America will step up so we don’t have to is dangerously stupid.
Step up yourself, destroy Russia’s war economy, & give Ukraine what they need to win.
Europe must defend Europe.
Stop obsessing over what Trump will or won’t do. Hoping & praying America will step up so we don’t have to is dangerously stupid.
Step up yourself, destroy Russia’s war economy, & give Ukraine what they need to win.
Europe must defend Europe.
November 22, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Repeating daily since Trump was inaugurated 🫠
The prospect of diverting money intended for Ukraine to a US commercial project would be bad enough for European capitals. To make matters worse, the draft deal says Europe will “add” a further $100bn “to increase the amount of investment available for Ukraine’s reconstruction”.
🎁🔗 on.ft.com/3K2fJie
🎁🔗 on.ft.com/3K2fJie
Trump’s grab for Russian frozen assets puts EU Ukraine loan in doubt
Brussels blindsided by US plan for joint investment funds with Moscow and Kyiv
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The prospect of diverting money intended for Ukraine to a US commercial project would be bad enough for European capitals. To make matters worse, the draft deal says Europe will “add” a further $100bn “to increase the amount of investment available for Ukraine’s reconstruction”.
🎁🔗 on.ft.com/3K2fJie
🎁🔗 on.ft.com/3K2fJie