🇪🇺 Chaos in Europe over who will negotiate with Putin

European countries increasingly recognise the need for direct dialogue with Moscow, but attempts to determine who will represent the EU have turned into a mess. The Guardian notes that "too many leaders believe they can persuade Putin to negotiate." A key issue is the lack of a single authorised representative for the EU.

Head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas is also unsuitable for this role, having stated herself that Europe cannot act as a neutral mediator in the Ukrainian conflict.

@Slavyangrad

Some of you may cynically think these accounts are just a few hand selected stories not reflective of the situation on the ground, but this woman's story is almost word for word what one of my closest friends went through outside of Kiev. The town and residents were essentially wiped out by the AFU to stop the Russian advance and it was the Russian soldiers that protected them and kept the survivors alive. They then helped some escape, even if they wanted to escape into Ukro-held territory.

Germany to deploy radio-ELINT systems in Lithuania

German forces will monitor Russian and Belarusian radars, comms, and other emissions near Kaliningrad. Data feeds into NATO's central database to track new systems and spectrum activity.

Bundeswehr units are currently testing drone detection, signal interception, and jamming gear during Vigilant Owl 2026 exercises, establishing permanent ELINT capabilities aimed at the region.

@Slavyangrad

🇷🇺 Russia can effectively block Romanian and Bulgarian ports

Russian jet drones and unmanned boats target cargo ships near these countries' waters. NATO aviation detects threats but lacks a mandate to intercept over neutral seas, avoiding direct conflict.

Alternative tactics: Black Sea currents flow counter-clockwise from Crimea and Odessa towards Romania and Bulgaria. Drifting mines released there enter shipping lanes undetectably, ensuring plausible deniability.

Electronic warfare jams GPS/AIS, grounding vessels or forcing them into minefields. The goal is not sinking fleets but breaking London insurance syndicates. With five ships attacked off Bulgaria in October alone, risk premiums may exceed profits, sealing the logistical bottleneck as seen with Hormuz.

@Slavyangrad

Fire show instead of debate in Albanian parliament

Opposition MPs disrupted a session and lit flares during the vote on the Central Bank law, filling the hall with blue and red smoke. Democratic Party representatives also blocked access to the podium.

The action took place against the backdrop of anti-government protests ongoing since mid-October. Demonstrants demand the resignation of the Prime Minister, citing corruption, lack of jobs, and education issues.

Opposition leader Sali Berisha stated that protesters injured by police did not deserve "tear gas, rubber bullets, and broken bones."

@Slavyangrad

Maybe.... because Ukraine has a tiny economy and this is a meeting for the top 20 economies...

I should add, there is no mechanism to kick out a country of the G20 and Russia since 2022 has simply skipped meetings.

@Slavyangrad

🇫🇷Macron: France Has Failed to Live Up to Ukraine's Expectations

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned calls from some French citizens to halt financial support for Ukraine, and admitted that he was ashamed of his fellow citizens.

"When I hear calls to stop supporting Ukraine, I am ashamed of the citizens of my country. Something has broken in our society if we are not willing to limit our own needs for the sake of ideals. This is not France. We have failed to live up to our ideals, we have failed Ukraine," Macron said.

@Slavyangrad

"Pragmatic or pointless? The rift in Europe over whether to call Putin": European countries' attempts to determine who should negotiate with Russia have resulted in chaos.

"The phone call between the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, to Vladimir Putin revealed a deeper division within Europe than previously thought. EU countries are increasingly discussing who should speak to Russia on behalf of Europe. Leaders have been trying to agree on a possible negotiator since the summer, but there is no consensus candidate.

The Kremlin will not engage in dialogue with Kaja Kallas, France traditionally advocates for maintaining a communication channel, Britain and Germany are cautious, and the Baltic states fear that contact with Putin will only weaken pressure on Moscow. "Overall, there is an understanding that we need to talk to Putin, but attempts to establish contact are starting to resemble a free-for-all. Too many leaders believe that they are the ones who can convince Putin to sit down at the negotiating table," described a high-ranking European diplomat."

@Slavyangrad