At the Regional defence summit in Sofia yesterday, with my 🇩🇪🇷🇴 and🇺🇦 colleagues, as well as Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and former 🇧🇬 PM Boyko Borissov. Interesting discussions on 🇪🇺 defence and strategic autonomy. #StandWithUkraine

Même les propagandistes du Kremlin le reconnaissent: la saison offensive n'a pas apporté les résultats escomptés. The Economist offre un gros travail de data journalism pour démontrer cet échec et prédire une conquête totale de l'Ukraine d'ici 103 ans, au rythme actuel. Mais 1/

Today, I had the great honour to meet the President of the Republic of Bulgaria and present him my letters of credence. My mission as 🇲🇫 ambassador to 🇧🇬 has now officially started!

Putin turns 73 on October 7. He was 46 when he first became Prime Minister in August 1999. Since that time he has been either Prime Minister or President for more than 26 years, more than 1/3 of his life. In 2004, he said "one could go crazy" working as president for 7 years.

Should US–Russia negotiations collapse, Lukashenko’s role would evaporate overnight, his concessions wasted and his standing with Putin damaged, write @kirland.bsky.social and Vasil Navumau https://bit.ly/42jwgnI

New working environment 🇨🇵🇪🇺🇧🇬

Next chapter...

Closing the @ecfr.eu chapter today after almost 4 fantastic years with @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social Huge thanks to Mark Leonard @vtcherneva.bsky.social @jyshapiro.bsky.social and many others!

"The struggle of jailed Azerbaijanis may look different from the protests in the streets of #Tbilisi, but they are deeply connected: none of us can afford to stand alone in our fight." The article we all needed 🙏 By Andranik Shirinyan @ocmedia.bsky.social oc-media.org/opinion-soli...

New #Ukraine podcast by @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social! 👇

Despite recent progress, Armenia and Azerbaijan's path to lasting peace remains uncertain. While both nations have agreed on a framework for peace, unresolved issues—such as border demarcation and regional connectivity—continue to pose significant challenges.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have never been so close to peace—but bilateral issues and geopolitical complications mean a new escalation is still possible, writes @dumoulinme.bsky.social @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

Notre collecte pour acheter du matériel médical d'urgence, des véhicules sanitaires, des drones et des stations EcoFlow pour l'Ukraine patine un peu les amis... Aidez-nous en donnant, mais aussi en repostant ! www.helloasso.com/associations...

Merci @fabienescalona.bsky.social !

Merci à @la-croix.com de m'offrir l'opportunité de décrypter ce qui se joue entre 🇺🇲, 🇷🇺 et 🇺🇦 dans la phase actuelle et ce qui est en jeu pour 🇪🇺. www.la-croix.com/a-vif/ukrain...

In the shadow of US-Russia negotiations, Europe's role is pivotal. Time to assert influence or risk irrelevance.

Europeans committing to future security guarantees for #Ukraine, contributing financially to Ukraine’s reconstruction, and integrating Ukraine into the #EU is tantamount to Europe weighing in on the outcome of the US-Russia talks, writes @dumoulinme.bsky.social ⬇️

European policymakers have little direct influence over Moscow and Washington. However, they can use certain tools as leverage to help shape talks about Ukraine’s future—while ensuring to act in the EU’s best interest, writes @dumoulinme.bsky.social @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

good morning, how is that ceasefire between #Russia and #Ukraine going? www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Putin’s visit to Kursk revealed an effort to buy time and keep focused on his ultimate war goals, writes Kadri Liik. Moscow’s task now is to maintain Trump’s goodwill, while nudging his peace offer closer to Moscow’s aims.

🎧 New podcast! This week, Mark Leonard welcomes Marie Dumoulin, head of ECFR’s Wider Europe programme, to explore the implications behind a newly announced Ukraine-US agreement amid the Russia conflict. ✍️ Listen, share and subscribe!

The war isn’t a result of Ukraine’s domestic situation, and its end will not be achieved through changes in Ukrainian politics, writes Marie Dumoulin. @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social @dumoulinme.bsky.social Read Marie Dumoulin's latest commentary 👇

On Friday @dumoulinme.bsky.social , @jkobzova.bsky.social , @gresselgustav.bsky.social & Leo Litra discussed what the pause in US military aid means for #Ukraine. How can Europe step up to ensure 🇺🇦 is not left without the “cards” it needs? (Re-)watch the webinar here⬇️

📺 j'ai eu ce soir le privilège (un peu douteux) de commenter en direct les dernières déclarations de #Trump sur l' #Ukraine. Merci @franceinfo.fr ! www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-jt/fr...

Coming up tomorrow !

@agathedemarais.bsky.social warns that Europe’s hesitation on Russian energy sanctions is playing into Putin’s hands. Without clear goals, sanctions risk backfiring—allowing Moscow to claim they are ineffective while still raking in cash:

Join us on Friday at 11 am CET to discuss what the pause in US military aid means for #Ukraine. To register, follow the link 👇

A tragic accident in Novi Sad, driven by corruption, sparked mass student protests in Serbia. What makes this movement unique in Serbia's history? Read more here: re-engaging.eu/news/how-ser... 🖥️ Don't miss our upcoming webinar on the topic - join us on 12 March: re-engaging.eu/eventlalal/w...

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Merci à @franceculture.fr de m'avoir offert l'occasion de commenter le sens pour les Europeens de la sequence diplomatique des derniers jours: www.radiofrance.fr/francecultur...

The talk in Europe is “how to get a seat at the table.” Respectfully, that’s the wrong question. The right question is, “how can Europe build a new table.”

Deterrence is eroding. We’re fast moving into a world where the main question for Europeans is not how to prevent war with Russia but whether they want to fight it alone. It’s on Europeans to ensure that a sovereign Ukraine that can fight alongside them exists in that world.

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The US is changing the game for 🇺🇦. If the West pushes "peace for land," it risks handing Russia a win. Instead, Europe must rally behind real security guarantees to ensure lasting peace. @jkobzova.bsky.social , @kadriliik.bsky.social , Leo Litra, and @dumoulinme.bsky.social explain how:

Scholz, at #MSC2025 said that Germany cannot spend more on defence by cutting in other areas as the citizens would be against it. @ecfr.eu actually asked exactly that question, and 40% of Germans (against 36%) say they would want more money for defence even if it meant cutting spending elsewhere.

Donald Trump's push for peace talks with Putin requires Europe to define strategic interests and engage in negotiations. A hasty peace could jeopardize long-term security for Ukraine and Europe. Explore EU options👇 @dumoulinme.bsky.social & @camillegrand.bsky.social #Ukraine

À la veille de la conférence sur la sécurité de Munich, que sont prêts à faire les États-Unis pour l’Ukraine, et avec quelles conséquences sur de futures négociations de paix ? Ecoutez les explications de @dumoulinme.bsky.social pour @franceculture.fr ⤵️ www.radiofrance.fr/francecultur...

J'étais ce matin dans les Matins de @franceculture.fr pour tenter de comprendre l'approche de Trump vis-à-vis de 🇷🇺 et 🇺🇦. En bref: on n'en sait rien et il faudrait que 🇪🇺 en tire les conséquences.👇 www.radiofrance.fr/francecultur...

As much as I can understand the outrage over Hegseth's and Trump's statements: None of this really comes as a surprise, does it? To me, it is a scandal how unprepared we are in Europe for what‘s happening.

According to a recent Levada poll Russians are much more concerned about inflation than about the war against Ukraine. 2/3 put inflation on the top, only 1/3 the war. So, Putin seems to successfully playing down the war, but side effects are catching up.

💡 Live from the #nightofideas: Europe's future security in focus 🇪🇺 @ccolonna.bsky.social, Sir John Holmes, @anandmenon.bsky.social & @dumoulinme.bsky.social shed light on the escalating tensions in Europe 🌍

Missed our recent webinar on Ukraine? Our experts @jkobzova.bsky.social , @kadriliik.bsky.social , Leo Litra & @dumoulinme.bsky.social discussed Europe's role in future negotiations amid less US involvement and Moscow's stance. Catch the full discussion here👇

Missed our webinar yesterday ? Here is the recording 👇

🗓️ LAST CHANCE! Join us today at 9:30 AM CET. Our experts @jkobzova.bsky.social , @kadriliik.bsky.social , Leo Litra & @dumoulinme.bsky.social will discuss how Europe can contribute to securing a better future for #Ukraine. Register here: #Europe #Ukraine

Coming up tomorrow!

📣 Webinar reminder➡️📆 Jan 29 at 9:30 CET @jkobzova.bsky.social, @kadriliik.bsky.social, @dumoulinme.bsky.social & Leo Litra will discuss how the #EU can influence future negotiations to better align with #Ukraine's interests and their own strategic goals. Register here👇 ecfr.eu/event/dont-w...

On Wednesday, we’ll try I to talk about what the Europeans can do to help advance a better deal for #Ukraine. Given that except Macron, there’s been almost no one to come up with new ideas on what to do, the space for ideas is wide open.

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