Doug Klain
@dougklain.bsky.social
Deputy Director for Policy and Strategy @razomforukraine.org | Nonresident Fellow @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social | Writing and speaking on Ukraine, America, and the global fight for democracy. Opinions mine 🫡
If Russia receives amnesty for the more than 170,000 war crimes being investigated by Ukraine, it would remove the legal and financial underpinning for the €140 billion reparations loan planned by the EU, says @razomforukraine.org's Yuliya Ziskina.
US peace plan: what could Ukraine compromise on?
Turning the document into something acceptable for Kyiv and its European allies will be a mammoth diplomatic undertaking
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
If Russia receives amnesty for the more than 170,000 war crimes being investigated by Ukraine, it would remove the legal and financial underpinning for the €140 billion reparations loan planned by the EU, says @razomforukraine.org's Yuliya Ziskina.
The president may have inherited the war, but he’ll own the peace. So let’s get it right.
November 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The president may have inherited the war, but he’ll own the peace. So let’s get it right.
Ukraine is fighting a war for its very survival. It’s unacceptable for their freedom to be jeopardized by bureaucratic infighting and incompetence in the US government.
November 23, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Ukraine is fighting a war for its very survival. It’s unacceptable for their freedom to be jeopardized by bureaucratic infighting and incompetence in the US government.
If you’re confused about the Trump administration’s position on this Ukraine deal, you’re correct.
Rubio now says it is *not* the position of the admin, just that it was *received* and is being shared with Ukraine.
Backlash in Washington has been intense and isn’t going away.
Rubio now says it is *not* the position of the admin, just that it was *received* and is being shared with Ukraine.
Backlash in Washington has been intense and isn’t going away.
November 22, 2025 at 11:54 PM
If you’re confused about the Trump administration’s position on this Ukraine deal, you’re correct.
Rubio now says it is *not* the position of the admin, just that it was *received* and is being shared with Ukraine.
Backlash in Washington has been intense and isn’t going away.
Rubio now says it is *not* the position of the admin, just that it was *received* and is being shared with Ukraine.
Backlash in Washington has been intense and isn’t going away.
“It is time for the Trump whisperers to start shouting.”
@financialtimes.com reporting that the Trump administration is leaving little room for Ukraine to negotiate. “We are not negotiating details,” Driscoll reportedly said. One official in the meeting called it “nauseating.”
@financialtimes.com reporting that the Trump administration is leaving little room for Ukraine to negotiate. “We are not negotiating details,” Driscoll reportedly said. One official in the meeting called it “nauseating.”
Trump envoys issue ultimatum to Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thursday
Hardline message over US-Russia plan at volatile meeting in Kyiv sparks alarm among European allies
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:31 AM
“It is time for the Trump whisperers to start shouting.”
@financialtimes.com reporting that the Trump administration is leaving little room for Ukraine to negotiate. “We are not negotiating details,” Driscoll reportedly said. One official in the meeting called it “nauseating.”
@financialtimes.com reporting that the Trump administration is leaving little room for Ukraine to negotiate. “We are not negotiating details,” Driscoll reportedly said. One official in the meeting called it “nauseating.”
Moment of Zen.
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
November 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Moment of Zen.
As always, @christopherjm.ft.com has details on the new Witkoff-Russia plan, which sounds the same as the old plan.
"Officials in Kyiv briefed on the plan said it closely aligned with the Kremlin’s maximalist demands and said it would be a non-starter for Ukraine without significant changes."
"Officials in Kyiv briefed on the plan said it closely aligned with the Kremlin’s maximalist demands and said it would be a non-starter for Ukraine without significant changes."
Story here with exclusive new details: The Trump admin and Russian officials have drawn up a sweeping new proposal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine that envisions major concessions from Kyiv and urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept it...
via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/2353...
via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/2353...
US and Russian officials draft new peace plan for Ukraine
Sweeping 28-point proposal would include territorial concessions and rollback of American military assistance
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
As always, @christopherjm.ft.com has details on the new Witkoff-Russia plan, which sounds the same as the old plan.
"Officials in Kyiv briefed on the plan said it closely aligned with the Kremlin’s maximalist demands and said it would be a non-starter for Ukraine without significant changes."
"Officials in Kyiv briefed on the plan said it closely aligned with the Kremlin’s maximalist demands and said it would be a non-starter for Ukraine without significant changes."
“Washington and its allies must give up the idea that there is some ultimate cost that would force Putin to retreat. That ship has sailed. As such, a new strategy must be identified.”
@cjcmichel.bsky.social argues trying to persuade Putin is pointless, and containment is the only realistic option.
@cjcmichel.bsky.social argues trying to persuade Putin is pointless, and containment is the only realistic option.
Putin Will Never Compromise on Ukraine
Russia’s president is too committed to his own fantasies to ever accept Ukraine’s independence.
foreignpolicy.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
“Washington and its allies must give up the idea that there is some ultimate cost that would force Putin to retreat. That ship has sailed. As such, a new strategy must be identified.”
@cjcmichel.bsky.social argues trying to persuade Putin is pointless, and containment is the only realistic option.
@cjcmichel.bsky.social argues trying to persuade Putin is pointless, and containment is the only realistic option.
Here's something you don't see every day—former Trump admin advisor Steve Cortes takes to @pravda.ua to weigh in on Ukraine's corruption scandal. He also writes that Zelenskyy and Yermak "must reach a reasonable resolution to the war with Russia" or risk losing US support for Ukraine.
This show won’t go on: America can’t trust Zelenskyy
The unfolding corruption scandal compels a reset
www.pravda.com.ua
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Here's something you don't see every day—former Trump admin advisor Steve Cortes takes to @pravda.ua to weigh in on Ukraine's corruption scandal. He also writes that Zelenskyy and Yermak "must reach a reasonable resolution to the war with Russia" or risk losing US support for Ukraine.
Early 20th century Chicago is seen here through the lens of the pioneering Japanese-American photojournalist, poet and artist Jun Fujita.
The man who shot Al Capone: Jun Fujita’s Chicago – in pictures
Disasters, riots, gangsters and construction … early 20th-century Chicago is seen here through the lens of the pioneering Japanese-American photojournalist, poet and artist Jun Fujita
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Early 20th century Chicago is seen here through the lens of the pioneering Japanese-American photojournalist, poet and artist Jun Fujita.
Reposted by Doug Klain
Just one example of how our power plants look after a missile strike. 80% of our production capacity just wiped out
November 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Just one example of how our power plants look after a missile strike. 80% of our production capacity just wiped out
Siding with Russia at the UN earlier this year was a terrible choice by the Trump administration that only emboldened Putin to continue his war on Ukraine. The United States shouldn't repeat that mistake.
Trump Administration Pushes to Weaken Ukraine Resolution on Russian Occupation at UN, Sources Tell Kyiv Post
Western allies are warning that the White House push to strip references to “territorial integrity” and “aggression” will undermine the international consensus.
www.kyivpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Siding with Russia at the UN earlier this year was a terrible choice by the Trump administration that only emboldened Putin to continue his war on Ukraine. The United States shouldn't repeat that mistake.
By giving Hungary a free pass to keep funding Russia's war on Ukraine, President Trump is undermining his own policy of pushing for peace in Ukraine. Hungary isn't trying to wean itself off Russian energy, it *doubled down* on Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine.
💥🇺🇸🇷🇺 The White House says Trump only gave Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian fossil fuels. But Orbán and his allies insist it’s “indefinite” and call anyone saying otherwise a liar. This chart sums up what’s wrong with Orbán’s pro-Kremlin policies and Russian energy dependency.
November 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
By giving Hungary a free pass to keep funding Russia's war on Ukraine, President Trump is undermining his own policy of pushing for peace in Ukraine. Hungary isn't trying to wean itself off Russian energy, it *doubled down* on Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine.
This is horrifying. Officials in the U.S. government sent men to be beaten, gassed, drowned, and sexually assaulted. Government spokespeople defend it.
‘You Are All Terrorists’: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:58 AM
This is horrifying. Officials in the U.S. government sent men to be beaten, gassed, drowned, and sexually assaulted. Government spokespeople defend it.
Olena's home was hit by a Shahed and she's asking folks to donate to Ukraine's crowd-funded air defense. On her recommendation I just donated to Come Back Alive's interceptor drone fundraiser and you should too. Find the link for "Dronefall" under her post here 👇
My home was attacked by the russian Shahed drone in one of the latest air raids.
If you appreciate my work, please help protecting my sky right now by donating for anti-Shahed fundraisers like Shahedoriz, Dronefall and FreedomSky, — or supporting the defenders in Pokrovsk.
If you appreciate my work, please help protecting my sky right now by donating for anti-Shahed fundraisers like Shahedoriz, Dronefall and FreedomSky, — or supporting the defenders in Pokrovsk.
November 6, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Olena's home was hit by a Shahed and she's asking folks to donate to Ukraine's crowd-funded air defense. On her recommendation I just donated to Come Back Alive's interceptor drone fundraiser and you should too. Find the link for "Dronefall" under her post here 👇
If President Trump wants to make progress on ending Russia's war in Ukraine, he should use tomorrow's meeting with Viktor Orban to push for Hungary to drop its veto over Ukraine's EU accession and stop buying Russian energy, writes James Batchik for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
Trump has an opportunity to unblock Ukraine’s EU accession in his meeting with Orbán
Getting Hungary to drop its opposition to Ukraine’s European Union accession would be a strategic coup for Ukraine, Europe, and Washington.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:31 PM
If President Trump wants to make progress on ending Russia's war in Ukraine, he should use tomorrow's meeting with Viktor Orban to push for Hungary to drop its veto over Ukraine's EU accession and stop buying Russian energy, writes James Batchik for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
Here's yet another sign that the anti-democratic movement is a global one, with authoritarians reaching out to strengthen each other across national boundaries. It's also a call for democrats across the world to band together.
Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to US President Donald Trump, told leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany — classified as an extremist party by German authorities — that he sees them as “bold visionaries” shaping the country’s future.
Trump adviser to Germany’s AfD: ‘We are in this together’
MAGA social media guru Alex Bruesewitz visited Berlin to make common cause with the far-right Alternative for Germany at a time when the party is seeking allies in the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Here's yet another sign that the anti-democratic movement is a global one, with authoritarians reaching out to strengthen each other across national boundaries. It's also a call for democrats across the world to band together.
Reposted by Doug Klain
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
I'm looking forward to this important conference at
@giwps.bsky.social on Russia's campaign to erase Ukraine and its people. The Kremlin still isn't interested in peace in part because this war isn't just about land or politics—it's genocidal in nature. giwps.georgetown.edu/events/inten...
@giwps.bsky.social on Russia's campaign to erase Ukraine and its people. The Kremlin still isn't interested in peace in part because this war isn't just about land or politics—it's genocidal in nature. giwps.georgetown.edu/events/inten...
Intent to Destroy: Confronting Russia’s Campaign to Erase Ukraine and Its People - Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
giwps.georgetown.edu
November 3, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I'm looking forward to this important conference at
@giwps.bsky.social on Russia's campaign to erase Ukraine and its people. The Kremlin still isn't interested in peace in part because this war isn't just about land or politics—it's genocidal in nature. giwps.georgetown.edu/events/inten...
@giwps.bsky.social on Russia's campaign to erase Ukraine and its people. The Kremlin still isn't interested in peace in part because this war isn't just about land or politics—it's genocidal in nature. giwps.georgetown.edu/events/inten...
Reposted by Doug Klain
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Yale lab reports mass killings in Sudan, calls for student activism
The Humanitarian Research Lab was told this week that over 10,000 people in Sudan were killed within three days.
yaledailynews.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Reposted by Doug Klain
New from 404 Media: you can't refuse to be scanned by ICE's new facial recognition app, according to internal DHS document I obtained. Photos captured by the app are stored for 15 years, including U.S. citizens. We've seen officers scanning faces w/ phones on streets
www.404media.co/you-cant-ref...
www.404media.co/you-cant-ref...
You Can't Refuse To Be Scanned by ICE's Facial Recognition App, DHS Document Says
Photos captured by Mobile Fortify will be stored for 15 years, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, the document says.
www.404media.co
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
New from 404 Media: you can't refuse to be scanned by ICE's new facial recognition app, according to internal DHS document I obtained. Photos captured by the app are stored for 15 years, including U.S. citizens. We've seen officers scanning faces w/ phones on streets
www.404media.co/you-cant-ref...
www.404media.co/you-cant-ref...
The Blue Angels flying over DC today!
October 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The Blue Angels flying over DC today!
It was great to moderate this #UkraineActionSummit panel on why U.S. security assistance to Ukraine is essential (and why it should resume). Thanks to Laura Cooper and @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social’s Amb. John Herbst for joining me!
October 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
It was great to moderate this #UkraineActionSummit panel on why U.S. security assistance to Ukraine is essential (and why it should resume). Thanks to Laura Cooper and @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social’s Amb. John Herbst for joining me!
Credit where it’s due, these sanctions are most welcome and sorely needed. Sanctioning Russian oil just as Ukraine is pounding its production is good policy to help end the war. Better policy is to keep escalating sanctions to make sure Moscow stays under pressure to make peace.
⚡️US imposes sanctions on Russia's oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil; Trump cancels meeting with Putin.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire, the U.S. Treasury announced on Oct. 22.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire, the U.S. Treasury announced on Oct. 22.
US imposes sanctions on Russia's oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil; Trump cancels meeting with Putin
"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’...
kyivindependent.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Credit where it’s due, these sanctions are most welcome and sorely needed. Sanctioning Russian oil just as Ukraine is pounding its production is good policy to help end the war. Better policy is to keep escalating sanctions to make sure Moscow stays under pressure to make peace.
Big day in the Senate as these bills passed through the Foreign Relations Committee:
-Sanctions on China for supporting Russia's war on Ukraine
-Strengthening the REPO Act to transfer frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine
-Designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
Time to pass them!
-Sanctions on China for supporting Russia's war on Ukraine
-Strengthening the REPO Act to transfer frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine
-Designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
Time to pass them!
October 22, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Big day in the Senate as these bills passed through the Foreign Relations Committee:
-Sanctions on China for supporting Russia's war on Ukraine
-Strengthening the REPO Act to transfer frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine
-Designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
Time to pass them!
-Sanctions on China for supporting Russia's war on Ukraine
-Strengthening the REPO Act to transfer frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine
-Designation of Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
Time to pass them!