Tomek Jankowski
@tomekjankowski.bsky.social
Author, analyst, historian
A small and frustrated (and increasingly isolated) man issues threats his country cannot back up. Without its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal, Russia is a 3rd-rate power. Nothing in its economy is competitive and its friends are more anti-Western than pro-Russian.
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
Peace in Ukraine no closer as talks between US and Russian officials end without compromise
Putin warns his country is ready to fight Europe ‘right now’ if necessary and accuses it of blocking peace efforts
www.irishtimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A small and frustrated (and increasingly isolated) man issues threats his country cannot back up. Without its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal, Russia is a 3rd-rate power. Nothing in its economy is competitive and its friends are more anti-Western than pro-Russian.
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
A former British ambassador to the USSR talks about Putin's weaknesses: inews.co.uk/news/world/u...
I was the UK's last Soviet Union ambassador - here's how Putin can lose
These are dangerous times for Putin, according to Sir Rodric Braithwaite, a former British diplomat who has seen firsthand how Russia can unexpectedly turn on apparently powerful leaders
inews.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A former British ambassador to the USSR talks about Putin's weaknesses: inews.co.uk/news/world/u...
Russia watcher Brian Whitmore of the Atlantic Council shares some (tempered) optimism about Ukraine's chances: www.powervertical.org/2025/10/17/h...
HOW UKRAINE WINS THE WAR
powervertical · HOW UKRAINE WINS THE WAR how ukraine wins the war The war is going to be long. It will be decided on the battlefield. And a breakthrough for either side is very unlikely, at l…
www.powervertical.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Russia watcher Brian Whitmore of the Atlantic Council shares some (tempered) optimism about Ukraine's chances: www.powervertical.org/2025/10/17/h...
Not a traditional Christmas market per se, but an experience... Skopje, North Macedonia: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B876...
Experience the Magic of Christmas in Skopje: A Walking Tour of the Festive Lights
YouTube video by CinematicXplorer
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Not a traditional Christmas market per se, but an experience... Skopje, North Macedonia: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B876...
There are strong indications that Putin was lying yesterday when he claimed Russian forces have taken Pokrovsk, and indeed he seems now to be dialing back that claim. Likely the point was to trick the Trump administration into believing a fait accompli had been obtained. www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...
Russia-US talks on Ukraine peace plan 'constructive' but 'no compromise' reached on territory, says Kremlin
The meeting at the Kremlin between Putin and US envoys Witkoff and Kushner about proposals to end the war in Ukraine lasted almost five hours.
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 AM
There are strong indications that Putin was lying yesterday when he claimed Russian forces have taken Pokrovsk, and indeed he seems now to be dialing back that claim. Likely the point was to trick the Trump administration into believing a fait accompli had been obtained. www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...
Today's Christmas market: Sibiu/Nagyszeben/Hermannstadt in Romania. This is an American family exploring Sibiu. Like Poland, Christmas markets have become a big tourist draw for Romania. For me, Transylvania is one of Europe's most beautiful regions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRYl...
Exploring Sibiu’s Magical Christmas Markets | Romania’s Fairytale Winter Town!
YouTube video by Gabbett Family Travels
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Today's Christmas market: Sibiu/Nagyszeben/Hermannstadt in Romania. This is an American family exploring Sibiu. Like Poland, Christmas markets have become a big tourist draw for Romania. For me, Transylvania is one of Europe's most beautiful regions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRYl...
We've been seeing this same headline for 4 years now: "Talks continue but meanwhile, more Ukrainian civilians die in targeted Russian attacks." www.bbc.com/news/article...
Four dead in Russian attack as diplomatic efforts to end war continue
As US negotiating teams continue to hold talks with Moscow and Kyiv, Russia's attacks on Ukraine continue.
www.bbc.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
We've been seeing this same headline for 4 years now: "Talks continue but meanwhile, more Ukrainian civilians die in targeted Russian attacks." www.bbc.com/news/article...
Putin's core problem is that he's incompetent. He inherited a weakened post-Soviet Russia but blew the chance to strengthen it. His politics are archaic and abhorrent, and they have only delivered failure. Russia's fate under Putin is to be a Chinese vassal. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Putin is losing his grip on Eastern Europe
As Bulgaria and Serbia tread carefully between Moscow and the West, Russian oil exports slump
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Putin's core problem is that he's incompetent. He inherited a weakened post-Soviet Russia but blew the chance to strengthen it. His politics are archaic and abhorrent, and they have only delivered failure. Russia's fate under Putin is to be a Chinese vassal. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Moldova had to scramble jets and close its airspace yesterday because of Russian drones, but it is a beautiful place to visit. www.traveloffpath.com/this-stunnin...
This Stunning Country Is One Of The Fastest-Growing Destinations In Europe For 2026
An underrated Eastern European country famous fro its Soviet heritage and vast wine cellars, Moldova is Europe's hottest new find.
www.traveloffpath.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Moldova had to scramble jets and close its airspace yesterday because of Russian drones, but it is a beautiful place to visit. www.traveloffpath.com/this-stunnin...
There was a lot of press about this back when the Russian invasion began, but just in case you haven't heard this (in the Anglophone world)... www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqeJ...
Shchedryk / Щедрик. Carol of the Bells. Original Ukrainian Version with English and Ukrainian Lyrics
YouTube video by Eileen
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:13 AM
There was a lot of press about this back when the Russian invasion began, but just in case you haven't heard this (in the Anglophone world)... www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqeJ...
Several Eastern European states have been saying this for some time now: Putin is following in very worn tracks, in the footsteps of tsars and Stalin. None of what is happening in Ukraine is new from the standpoint of Russian behavior: Finland, the Baltics, Poland, etc. thehill.com/opinion/inte...
thehill.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Several Eastern European states have been saying this for some time now: Putin is following in very worn tracks, in the footsteps of tsars and Stalin. None of what is happening in Ukraine is new from the standpoint of Russian behavior: Finland, the Baltics, Poland, etc. thehill.com/opinion/inte...
Mark Galeotti comments on the corner Putin has painted himself into.
Russia’s next move: which Putin will turn up to the peace talks?
Warmonger, diplomat, accountant or mischief-maker? My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Warmonger, diplomat, accountant or mischief-maker? My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Russia’s next move: which Putin will turn up to the peace talks?
The Russian leader could play diplomat, accountant or mischief-maker when Steve Witkoff’s US delegation arrives in Moscow
www.thetimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Mark Galeotti comments on the corner Putin has painted himself into.
If there's one thing Poles can't stomach -- even the nationalist ones -- it's....
💥Wow: Polish president Karol Nawrocki CANCELS his December 4 Budapest meeting with Viktor Orbán over the Hungarian PM’s Kremlin visit and Hungary doubling down on Russian energy. Is Poland’s populist right finally waking up to Orbán’s real allegiances? We'll see. Statement: x.com/marcin_przyd...
November 30, 2025 at 7:49 PM
If there's one thing Poles can't stomach -- even the nationalist ones -- it's....
Reposted by Tomek Jankowski
1/ “Russia successfully exports corruption to penetrate power structures – the judiciary, the security system, the electoral processes...It is no coincidence that Russia controls the oil refineries of both Serbia and Bulgaria, Russia did so to prevent potential investments from the West”. No. N-O. ⬇️
Corruption is Russia's biggest foreign influence tool - European Western Balkans
We witness the drone attacks and Russian disinformation campaigns almost every day, these are multi-layered, “invisible wars”, the most dangerous of which is the one that is fought for the minds and h...
europeanwesternbalkans.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
1/ “Russia successfully exports corruption to penetrate power structures – the judiciary, the security system, the electoral processes...It is no coincidence that Russia controls the oil refineries of both Serbia and Bulgaria, Russia did so to prevent potential investments from the West”. No. N-O. ⬇️
Today's Christmas market: Pécs, in southwestern Hungary, a place very dear to my heart. This market is relatively new (~30 years old), but the city has since embraced public festivals and events. This is in the main square, Széchenyi Tér/Square. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vtt...
🎄 Pécs, Hungary Christmas Market Tour 2024 🎄
YouTube video by Tito Slack
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today's Christmas market: Pécs, in southwestern Hungary, a place very dear to my heart. This market is relatively new (~30 years old), but the city has since embraced public festivals and events. This is in the main square, Széchenyi Tér/Square. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vtt...
Remember, Putin's war in Ukraine is now about a few more square miles (km) of land; it's about empire. He has said bluntly in public speeches that Russia's borders will stop only where they can go no further. moldova1.md/p/63156
Moldova remains under Russian hybrid pressure, prompting the defense minister to urge stronger interstate partnerships in South-Eastern Europe
The Republic of Moldova continues to face hybrid pressures and risks that manifest in various ways. These include the illegal stationing of Russian troops in the Transnistrian region, instances of inf...
moldova1.md
November 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Remember, Putin's war in Ukraine is now about a few more square miles (km) of land; it's about empire. He has said bluntly in public speeches that Russia's borders will stop only where they can go no further. moldova1.md/p/63156
Putin's war against Ukraine is a war of extermination. Originally (in 2022), the intent was only to exterminate the Ukrainian state and slowly, Ukrainian culture too. It's just that Putin is incompetent so now he resorts to throwing bombs at individual Ukrainians. thehill.com/policy/inter...
thehill.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Putin's war against Ukraine is a war of extermination. Originally (in 2022), the intent was only to exterminate the Ukrainian state and slowly, Ukrainian culture too. It's just that Putin is incompetent so now he resorts to throwing bombs at individual Ukrainians. thehill.com/policy/inter...
Today's Xmas theme: the Christmas Market of Brno, the capital of Czechia's Moravia region: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1J9...
2024 Christmas Capital of Europe - Brno, Christmas Markets Brno 2024
YouTube video by Travel with Pavel
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Today's Xmas theme: the Christmas Market of Brno, the capital of Czechia's Moravia region: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1J9...
Slide show: some memories of Soviet Bloc-era cars. There are collector clubs today which race these or put on parades and car shows. www.msn.com/en-xl/news/o...
MSN
www.msn.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Slide show: some memories of Soviet Bloc-era cars. There are collector clubs today which race these or put on parades and car shows. www.msn.com/en-xl/news/o...
The odd thing is that European nationalists seem to see the economy as only based on raw materials extraction. What industrial revolution? I know they don't like capitalism because it devolves decision-making to others -- when they need to control everything. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Hungary's Orbán seeks more Russian oil and gas at Kremlin talks with Putin
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has met Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks at the Kremlin
abcnews.go.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The odd thing is that European nationalists seem to see the economy as only based on raw materials extraction. What industrial revolution? I know they don't like capitalism because it devolves decision-making to others -- when they need to control everything. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
This is both embarrassing and politically damaging for Zelensky, but: 1. The Ukrainian government itself caught and exposed this, and 2. Again, there is nothing like this in the Russian government. This is democracy in action. It works, and is worth fighting for! www.bbc.com/news/article...
Andriy Yermak: How Zelensky's right-hand man fell from power
A widening corruption scandal forced Ukraine's second most powerful person, Andriy Yermak, to resign.
www.bbc.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This is both embarrassing and politically damaging for Zelensky, but: 1. The Ukrainian government itself caught and exposed this, and 2. Again, there is nothing like this in the Russian government. This is democracy in action. It works, and is worth fighting for! www.bbc.com/news/article...
Zakopane is a city in Poland's southern mountains and it is the capital of a unique "highlander" culture that Poles both make fun of while also admiring -- especially at Christmas. Today the city has a big ski industry and its folks styles are popular at Christmas. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwwm...
A walk through a Christmas wonderland. Zakopane
YouTube video by Freedom with Mike.
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Zakopane is a city in Poland's southern mountains and it is the capital of a unique "highlander" culture that Poles both make fun of while also admiring -- especially at Christmas. Today the city has a big ski industry and its folks styles are popular at Christmas. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwwm...
I've watched Warsaw bloom into a beautiful city. It really is worth a visit. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I've watched Warsaw bloom into a beautiful city. It really is worth a visit. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
This is just purely disgusting but what can you expect? When the leader of the country decides to do something that gets hundreds of thousands killed, well, why not make some money off it? This is a society in moral collapse. platformraam.nl/artikelen/29...
The business of death: how war and sanctions changed Russia's funeral industry
platformraam.nl
November 28, 2025 at 2:57 AM
This is just purely disgusting but what can you expect? When the leader of the country decides to do something that gets hundreds of thousands killed, well, why not make some money off it? This is a society in moral collapse. platformraam.nl/artikelen/29...
When you're a boot-licker, you sometimes get unexpectedly summoned to the boss' place to do some boot licking. It's a job hazard.
Meanwhile, Orbán’s press office responded to my scoop by saying they would inform the press about the prime minister’s trips “in due time” — even as pro-Orbán media began publishing articles based on my report about the upcoming meeting.
🇭🇺✈️🇷🇺 SCOOP: Viktor Orbán will meet Putin in Moscow on Nov 28, a reliable source familiar with details of the trip told me. No official confirmation yet. They’ve met 3 times since 2022 & 14 times in total.
More in @vsquare.bsky.social’s newsletter on Thursday—subscribe here: vsquare.org/newsletter/
More in @vsquare.bsky.social’s newsletter on Thursday—subscribe here: vsquare.org/newsletter/
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
When you're a boot-licker, you sometimes get unexpectedly summoned to the boss' place to do some boot licking. It's a job hazard.