Mark MacKinnon
@markmackinnon.bsky.social
Senior International Correspondent for The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper. Now based in London, after stops in Moscow, Beijing and the Middle East. Author of The New Cold War (the book, not the thing).
Add me to your top-secret group chats!
Add me to your top-secret group chats!
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
⚡️ Update: 'Half of Kyiv without electricity' — 2 killed, 37 injured in 'serious' Russian attack.
Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrainian state grid operator Ukrenergo, told the Kyiv Independent that "transmission lines were damaged and almost half of Kyiv is without electricity."
Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrainian state grid operator Ukrenergo, told the Kyiv Independent that "transmission lines were damaged and almost half of Kyiv is without electricity."
'Half of Kyiv without electricity' — 2 killed, 37 injured in 'serious' Russian attack
One person has been killed and 11 others injured, including a child, amid a mass Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on Nov. 29, local authorities reported.
kyivindependent.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:25 AM
⚡️ Update: 'Half of Kyiv without electricity' — 2 killed, 37 injured in 'serious' Russian attack.
Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrainian state grid operator Ukrenergo, told the Kyiv Independent that "transmission lines were damaged and almost half of Kyiv is without electricity."
Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrainian state grid operator Ukrenergo, told the Kyiv Independent that "transmission lines were damaged and almost half of Kyiv is without electricity."
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
On Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Sam Mraiche
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social
Who is Sam Mraiche? Inside Alberta’s health care controversy
A Globe investigation into the provincial health agency’s dealings with a company whose contracts have come under scrutiny
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
On Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Sam Mraiche
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
on.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:11 AM
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
Huge news out of Ukraine. Many saw Andriy Yermak as more powerful than the President he served - and involved in the corruption that swirled around his office…
November 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Huge news out of Ukraine. Many saw Andriy Yermak as more powerful than the President he served - and involved in the corruption that swirled around his office…
Top Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin heads to Canada to push for Ottawa to open its doors to Russian dissidents at risk of being deported from the U.S. - and back into Putin’s prisons…
My report
My report
Russian opposition figures head to Ottawa to plea for dissidents in ICE detention centres
Anti-war Russians in detention at risk of deportation back to home country
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Top Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin heads to Canada to push for Ottawa to open its doors to Russian dissidents at risk of being deported from the U.S. - and back into Putin’s prisons…
My report
My report
Who gave Bloomberg a recording of the Witkoff-Ushakov call, and why?
@shaunwalker7.bsky.social evaluates the suspects, and their motives.
@shaunwalker7.bsky.social evaluates the suspects, and their motives.
Who leaked Witkoff’s call advising Kremlin on how to get Trump on side?
Bloomberg publishes extraordinary transcripts of secret discussions, but their provenance remains unclear
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Who gave Bloomberg a recording of the Witkoff-Ushakov call, and why?
@shaunwalker7.bsky.social evaluates the suspects, and their motives.
@shaunwalker7.bsky.social evaluates the suspects, and their motives.
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
@giorgiocafiero.bsky.social for @thenewarab.bsky.social: “Occupation and opportunity: Israel's strategy in post-Assad Syria” www.newarab.com/analysis/occ... Includes my thoughts:
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
@giorgiocafiero.bsky.social for @thenewarab.bsky.social: “Occupation and opportunity: Israel's strategy in post-Assad Syria” www.newarab.com/analysis/occ... Includes my thoughts:
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine on.ft.com/4ocMo2n
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggests Moscow would walk away from proposal that differs substantially from Alaska talks
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Russia signals it could reject modified US peace plan for Ukraine on.ft.com/4ocMo2n
Will Hezbollah respond to the Israel's latest assassination of one of its leaders?
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
Will Hezbollah respond to Israel's assassination of Tabataba'i?
Hezbollah considers response options after Israel's assassination of Tabataba'i, weighing military retaliation amid internal divisions and political ramifications.
today.lorientlejour.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Will Hezbollah respond to the Israel's latest assassination of one of its leaders?
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
"This latest attack, far from insignificant, adds to a series of blows the party has absorbed. Its forced passivity now leaves it in a precarious, if not embarrassing, position."
Giant gaps between the Witkoff-Dmitriev “peace plan” for Ukraine, which was unacceptable to Kyiv, and a new European draft, which the Kremlin won’t discuss, make it clear the war is unlikely to end soon.
My analysis
My analysis
Duelling peace plans show relief for Ukraine remains a long way off
Britain, France and Germany’s proposal aims to fill gaps in 28-point U.S.-Russian plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Giant gaps between the Witkoff-Dmitriev “peace plan” for Ukraine, which was unacceptable to Kyiv, and a new European draft, which the Kremlin won’t discuss, make it clear the war is unlikely to end soon.
My analysis
My analysis
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Israel's military has bombed Beirut for the first time since June, claiming to target a Hezbollah member in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
November 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Israel's military has bombed Beirut for the first time since June, claiming to target a Hezbollah member in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
It's the latest violation of a ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah a year ago, which Israel has broken with near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon.
"Moscow seeks unconditional surrender, not a mediated compromise, and certainly not subordination to Trump’s oversight."
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
Trump’s Peace Plan Favors Russia. Putin Still Won’t Accept It. - The Moscow Times
Opinion | The Ukraine war peace plan proposed by the Trump administration has, unsurprisingly, triggered a storm of reactions across the press, social media and among experts.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
"Moscow seeks unconditional surrender, not a mediated compromise, and certainly not subordination to Trump’s oversight."
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev on why he thinks the Witkoff-Dmitriev "peace plan" is doomed to fail...
When I interviewed @olgaborisovauk.bsky.social about the Naoko/Stoptime case last week she predicted that by repeatedly re-arresting them, the Kremlin was trying to pressure the band into leaving "as soon as there's a gap between this arrest and the next one."
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
Наоко и гитарист Stoptime Александр Орлов освободились после «карусельных» арестов и покинули Россию
Певица уличной группы Stoptime Диана Логинова (Наоко) и гитарист группы Александр Орлов покинули Россию после освобожден...
zona.media
November 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
When I interviewed @olgaborisovauk.bsky.social about the Naoko/Stoptime case last week she predicted that by repeatedly re-arresting them, the Kremlin was trying to pressure the band into leaving "as soon as there's a gap between this arrest and the next one."
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
They reportedly left Russia on Sunday.
“Putin’s propaganda has lost this generation of people.”
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
In Putin’s Russia, musicians face arrests for protest songs
Teenager’s alleged crimes were in anti-war lyrics she sang publicly at a dangerous moment for dissent
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
“Putin’s propaganda has lost this generation of people.”
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
How an 18-year-old street musician became a threat to the Kremlin - in a crackdown that had seen even one of Putin’s former advisors labelled a “foreign agent.”
My report
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
The women that brought him to power might be raising their collective eyebrows.
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The women that brought him to power might be raising their collective eyebrows.
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Canada's view on Africa also bears reporting.
Important coverage from the G20 @geoffreyyork.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan on.ft.com/486onFL
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan
EU and Nato leaders warn they must be given a voice on the most pivotal moment in the war
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan on.ft.com/486onFL
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Trump responded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's concerns about the US" peace plan" by saying the Ukrainian president should either accept the proposal or "keep fighting."
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
Trump says Zelenskyy “should like” peace proposal or “keep fighting”
Donald Trump responded to Volodymyr Zelensky's concerns about the U.S. "peace plan" by saying the Ukrainian president should either accept the proposal or "keep fighting."
euromaidanpress.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Trump responded to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's concerns about the US" peace plan" by saying the Ukrainian president should either accept the proposal or "keep fighting."
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/22/t...
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan puts Zelensky in a familiar spot. He can accept Moscow’s terms, or Ukraine can keep fighting a war few think it can win.
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
U.S. peace plan for Ukraine bears strong resemblance to Putin’s terms
The 28-point proposal finds Zelensky in a vulnerable political position, hurt by a corruption scandal
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan puts Zelensky in a familiar spot. He can accept Moscow’s terms, or Ukraine can keep fighting a war few think it can win.
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
It’s the same choice Ukrainians faced in February 2022 - so don’t expect the answer from Kyiv to be any different this time.
My analysis
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest
Exclusive: Images are first indication that Israel has used cluster munitions in nearly 20 years
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in its recent 13-month war in Lebanon, photos of munition remnants in south Lebanon seen by the Guardian suggest.
The images, which have been examined by six different arms experts, appear to show the remnants of two different types of Israeli cluster munitions found in three different locations: south of the Litani River in the forested valleys of Wadi Zibqin, Wadi Barghouz and Wadi Deir Siryan. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest
Reposted by Mark MacKinnon
'A source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said the plan was delivered to Mr. Zelensky only “after Witkoff agreed it with the Russians” and that the White House was now urging Mr. Zelensky to accept it.'
“It's positive only for Russia" - a source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office tells me Kyiv isn't impressed by the 28-point plan cooked up by Steven Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
U.S. peace plan calls on Ukraine to give up land, receives negative reaction from Kyiv
Peace plan was drafted by U.S. and Russian officials without any involvement from Kyiv
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
'A source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said the plan was delivered to Mr. Zelensky only “after Witkoff agreed it with the Russians” and that the White House was now urging Mr. Zelensky to accept it.'
“It's positive only for Russia" - a source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office tells me Kyiv isn't impressed by the 28-point plan cooked up by Steven Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
U.S. peace plan calls on Ukraine to give up land, receives negative reaction from Kyiv
Peace plan was drafted by U.S. and Russian officials without any involvement from Kyiv
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:10 PM
“It's positive only for Russia" - a source in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office tells me Kyiv isn't impressed by the 28-point plan cooked up by Steven Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...