Rutte is way off his mandate. NATO is not a participant and Rutte is voicing a position that is contrary to the position of the vast majority of NATO member countries. The loose canon should be replaced.
This man is morally insane and he should be handled accordingly. For Europe, work not with this administration but go it alone. Maintain effective contact with the opposition and prepare to be able to take tougher stance towards Trumps incompetence and evilry.
For Trump and his administration truth holds no value. Without truth there can be no trust. Without trust there can be no reliable alliance. Europe be warned.
A very good thread Max. Excellent analysis with essential insight into the EU consequences of the decision. Appreciated!
This analysis by @jeremycliffe.bsky.social is on the mark. Europe must face a new reality, put words to its conviction and actions behind it. For my Norway, we should reduce our exposure to the US financial markets and make a European industrial & defence mandate for our sovereign investment fund.
Italian Senator Carlo Calenda left Jeffrey Sachs literally speechless and shocked by calling him a liar and someone who repeats Russian propaganda narratives.
I believe this is exactly how public accountability should work - when a liar is called a liar.
On the other hand, Russia has no/have had no ability to escalate the conflict from their side. Russia has been sabre-rattling with various consequences over time, but they have maxed their position to their ability, irrelevant of the doings of the West. Be it heavy tanks, long reach missiles etc.
True statement: "Russia has repeatedly and consistently objected to European troops on Ukrainian soil because the Kremlin knows that this would spell the end of its territorial ambitions in Ukraine." They objected to a variety of implementations in the past. Its about time to see past the bluff.
Raskin doesnt hold back in his description of Nigel Farage, and rightly so.
A good commentary! Pragmatism without moral guidance is creating its own long term problems. Making a deal with the devil, has its costs even if it seems to make sense in the moment.
The US is trajecting towards non-democracy. The rules-based order is fading. Expect wars and the dictate of the strong in a majority of scenarios. Europe must draw a line and defend digital regulations and quantum leap on defence, industry, satellite & AI to secure autonomy.
I've put together a starter pack for smart voices on EU politics
I learned a lot from these accounts on Twitter
There are gaps - either because I've missed people or because they're not yet on BlueSky, so pls send suggestions and I'll amend periodically
go.bsky.app/2QjVmxC
Perfect quote!
Europe should establish a no fly zone over all non-contested regions of Ukraine. These are regions that Russia has made no claims to. Russia is not flying jets into these regions today due to the density of AA weapons. European jets could police and shoot down any missiles into this space.
European countries should insist that Ukraine joins NATO. With the U.S. under Trump being unreliable, Europe needs to lock arms with Ukraine. NATO membership for Ukraine is the most effective way to ensure this.
if you haven’t watched this speech in full by French senator, Claude Malhuret, it’s very very much worth the eight minutes of your time to take it in:
youtu.be/4ka9uYFebN0
There was only one person acting presidential in the Oval Office today: Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He stood up to bullies in a Kremlin-style shakedown.
What will it take to awaken the conscience of the country after such a shameful display?
Immoral Trump attacks Zelensky and demands war reparations from the victim of Russian aggression. Now the free world must respond in kind. American tariffs must be met with a doubling response. Europe must now bear the defence of Ukraine alone. No one can claim ignorance and turn a blind eye.
Trump's rule will create confrontations with friends rather than enemies, resulting in a lost American commitment to NATO and Article 5. Europe must sound the alarm after the Munich conference and work on a common army. Zelensky's reflections are a must read.
threadreaderapp.com/thread/18907...
To substantiate my previous tweet, more than 70% of Russia's pre-war material has been destroyed in 3 years of war. What is rolled out now is very old material, with enormous loss of Russian soldiers. To paraphrase Hemmingway; How did Russia loose this war? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.
Russia has lost this war. The magnitude of Ukraine's destruction of Russias pre-war arsenal will eventually be known. Russia does not have the capacity to uphold the intensity for much of 2025. Putin is gambling on a peace settlement with Trump to save him from visibly losing the war of attrition.
Norway. Thank you for you views and reports.
