1).
„Into the early 2000s, @realDonaldTrump continued to associate with Epstein, saying in a New York magazine profile [1] in 2002 that he was »a lot of fun« and »likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side«.
@ItsTheEnforcer @michaeldweiss 1).
„The veteran, Melvin Hurwitz (1925–2025) [1] [2], embraced the Ukrainian president and called him »the savior of the people«. Mr. @ZelenskyyUa told Mr. Hurwitz that he and his fellow WW II veterans had »saved Europe«.
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@ItsTheEnforcer @michaeldweiss @ZelenskyyUa 2).
Their embrace mirrored a connection that Presiden Biden made explicit in his remarks at the ceremony,
@ItsTheEnforcer @michaeldweiss @ZelenskyyUa 3).
in which he cast the allied effort to repel the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an extension of the battle for freedom in Europe that unfolded on Normandy’s beaches eight decades ago.
@michaeldweiss 1).
„On the morning of Feb. 28, [2025] Mr. Kellogg, Mr. Graham and several other Ukraine supporters met with Mr. Zelensky for a prep session at the Hay-Adams Hotel, a short walk from the White House.
@michaeldweiss 2).
There would be much tortured back story to contend with. During his first term, Mr. Trump had come to blame Ukraine, not the Kremlin, for the 2016 election interference that spawned the Russia investigation.
@michaeldweiss 3).
And it was his effort to have Ukraine investigate the Bidens that led to his first impeachment. In meetings, according to five aides, Mr. @realDonaldTrump would sometimes say of Mr. @ZelenskyyUa: »He’s a mother---er«.
@michaeldweiss 1).
„The risk of any direct military action between the West and Russia, especially in 2026, is extremely low [1].
@michaeldweiss 2).
Even if no longer fighting in Ukraine, Russia’s armies will need years to reconstitute. In any case Pootin – a risk-averse leader, for all his macho posturing – is unlikely to want to trigger an ever-wider war.
@michaeldweiss 3).
On the other hand, Europe can expect the »hybrid war« campaign of subversion, sabotage, disinformation and disruption to only increase [2].”
@Mariana_Betsa @alex_kokcharov 1).
On March 16, 2022, at approximately 10:00 AM UTC+2, the Russian military dropped two aerial bombs on the Drama Theater in Mariupol.
@Mariana_Betsa @alex_kokcharov 2).
Although a list had previously been compiled, indicating that over 1,200 people were inside the building, the exact number of casualties remains unknown. According to a statement from the Mariupol City Council in March 2022, 300 people died [1] in the theater.
@Mariana_Betsa @alex_kokcharov 3).
According to the Associated Press, approximately 600 people died [2]. The Ukrainian Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office (due to the Russian occupation headquartered in Dnipro [3]) reports the same number, additionally informing about 400 injured.
1).
„The EU’s recent decision to raise a €90 billion (£79 billion) loan to keep Kyiv funded into 2027 on the surface addresses the financial issue, but spending this money effectively is not always so easy, especially converting it into the weapons Ukraine needs.
2).
Even if war continues throughout 2026, though, it will be increasingly hard to sustain at the current level.
3).
The choices everyone is going to have to make are getting more painful – for Pootin (whether to mobilise reservists) or @ZelenskyyUa (whether to lower the conscription age).”
1).
„It is politically useful for Pootin to have an enemy, as this helps justify his continued militarisation of the Russian state and economy and the repression of dissidents as »traitors«. Europe is being lined up for that role.
2).
How far Pootin is motivated by political pragmatism and how far he really believes in a threat from the West is irrelevant. He will continue to see Europe as a threat, and one whose greatest strength lies in the solidarity within the EU, and between the EU and the UK.
3).
Any kind of lasting peace that can be negotiated for Ukraine will be ugly, unfair and will not lead to any great reconciliation with Pootin’s Russia.
The risk of any direct military action between the West and Russia, especially in 2026, is extremely low.