Varsity: Vladimir Kara-Murza explains how Cambridge shaped his political resilience, how solitary confinement became psychological torture
And why freeing 1,300+ Russian political prisoners must be central to any Ukraine peace settlement. 1/
Kara-Murza: Cambridge taught me to be independent.
Studying history at Trinity Hall (2000) gave him the mindset to understand the rise of dictatorships — and survive 11 months of solitary confinement. 2/
At 18, Kara-Murza worked for Boris Nemtsov and the Democratic Choice of Russia party.
He entered Russian politics a year before arriving at Cambridge. 3/
The Economist: US is pushing an Ukraine peace plan. But no one — not Ukraine, not Europe, not even Russia — has accepted it.
What’s in the deal, who’s resisting, and what happens if talks fail? 1/
The plan:
- Russia keeps most seized land de facto
- The US would recognize Crimea as Russian de jure
- Ukraine barred from NATO
- Sanctions on Russia lifted without conditions 2/
This initiative comes from the United States. 2/
In exchange, Ukraine would receive a ceasefire along current lines with no security guarantees. Sanctions would be lifted without mechanisms for enforcement. 3/
The Times: The UK is likely to drop plans to send thousands of ground troops to Ukraine [as expected!]
Officials fear Russia would escalate further into Europe if a ceasefire collapses [not a credible deterrence]. 0/
Also, the force of 30,000 troops are seen as "symbolic" and inadequate, drawing NATO into direct war [well, you can of course make it bigger; but the point stands, the UK troops would not be a credible stop for Russia]. 1/
Britain will offer air cover and logistics instead of ground forces. RAF jets would patrol Ukrainian skies, drones would monitor movements.
The UK troops, if deployed at all, would be limited to non-combat roles near Lviv [Western Ukraine], far from any frontline. 2/
Bild: Ukraine is preparing for the worst scenario — the end of US support.
Trump’s team presented a proposal that Washington frames as a now or never moment.
Translation: Ukraine intends to reject any proposal that sells Ukraine out and is willing to fight without U.S. 1/
Proposal recognizes Crimea as Russian territory and accept Russia's control over large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine in exchange for freezing the war along current front lines. 2/
Zelensky rejected the terms, saying it violates constitution. JD Vance said it's time for a yes or the US withdraws from negotiations. 3/
Reuters describes the differences between Witkoff’s and Ukraine-Europe’s peace plans:
de sure recognition of territory, removal of sanctions, security guarantees, and size of Ukraine's military [the real red line!].
The Ukraine-Europe’s proposals is also much more specific 0/
The US proposal includes de jure recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and de facto recognition of Russian control in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian-European response rejects recognition and defers all territorial discussions until a ceasefire. 1/
Witkoff’s proposal offers the removal of sanctions imposed since 2014 as part of the settlement.
Ukraine and the EU propose a gradual easing after a sustainable peace is achieved, with mechanisms to reimpose sanctions if Russia violates the terms. 2/