In Berlin today for event organised by @libmod.de & @bertelsmannst.bsky.social discussing how EU states can better support Ukraine’s EU integration - even amid war. Pleased that my briefing on Ireland’s approach forms part of the wider document.

I spoke with Pat Kenny about the Kremlin wish list wrapped in a Trump ultimatum Ukraine loses land, security, sovereignty Russia is rewarded and indemnified Europe is cut out of its own security architecture And Trump seeks to profit from it all www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/we-...

Ex-Reform leader Nathan Gill has just been jailed for 10.5 years for taking money to push Moscow’s line in the European parliament. So when Nigel Farage echoes Kremlin narratives… is it sponsorship or sincerity, and which is worse?

Just arrived in Berlin for meetings on Ukraine’s path to the EU. First thing I see? A headline that even my poor German picks up – with strong Molotov–Ribbentrop undertones.

More evidence that the Trump/Witkoff “peace plan” for Ukraine came straight from the Russians - it uses Russian syntax. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

On RTÉ's PrimeTime I pointed out that the 28-point “peace plan” is nothing of the sort Russia wins. The U.S. profits. Europe is undermined. And Ukraine is carved up with no reliable security guarantees. A surrender document dressed as diplomacy.

Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.

The world's leaders will gather this weekend in South Africa at the G20 summit. Trump isn’t happy with host nation South Africa but DCU's Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social reckons his absence will be “damaging but not crippling” Read in @thejournal.ie: launch.dcu.ie/4oNu4hz

Leaked details of a US–Russia plan suggest Trump is seeking unilateral Ukrainian capitulation with no real security guarantees. Europe wasn’t even consulted as its security architecture is rewritten over its head. I'll discussed this Rachael English @news.rte.ie www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

On TRT World I explained why language is political in Latvia Soviet rule brought Russification, deportations and a major influx of Russians By 1991, only half the population spoke Latvian Now non-citizens who have not passed a Latvian language test face expulsion

In historic Lukiškės Prison, the Mayor of Vilnius tells us about the city's new defence plan that includes barriers to block roads and disrupt potential enemy advances, protection against drones, a network of shelters and evacuation plans. #defendingdbaltics

Looking forward to today’s discussions at #DefendingBaltics in Vilnius The Chiefs of Defence from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania set the tone in the opening session After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the question isn’t if the region is at risk, but whether Europe can react fast enough

In Vilnius to give a keynote address today at the “Not Only Putin: Russian Culture and Imperialism" conference. A reminder that the imperial mindset long predates and outlasts any one leader. Imperialism isn’t a glitch in the system - it is the system.

Heading to Lithuania to deliver a keynote address on Russian imperialism. Organisers reassure us that “Belarusian balloon activity” has eased and Vilnius airport will hopefully not be closed again today. A very 2025 travel advisory!

Putin won’t back down now or seek real talks. Why would he? Trump’s behaviour has emboldened him, the EU hasn’t filled the gap, and Russia’s allies - China, North Korea - sustain the war Until Putin fears losing, he’ll keep fighting My @euronews.com interview www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/w...

Reviewing the week on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor we discussed Ireland's presidential election, Russia's war in Ukraine, Trump's hubris and the unstable ceasefire in Gaza. Listen back here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Trump posts AI video showing him literally dumping shit on America

Delighted to take part today with @tanyalokot.bsky.social and Romania's Ambassador to Ireland in this PSAI roundtable devoted to my book on Russian Imperialism. It traces how empire shaped the fate of Russia’s neighbours - from tsarist conquests to Soviet rule and today’s relentless aggression.

I'll be speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk at 11 as Zelenskyy meets Trump in the White House today Trump’s “very productive” call with Putin and newly announced meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest will cause alarm in Kyiv and the EU about yet another Trump pivot

I'm quoted in @irishtimes.com re how Jack Lynch turned hurling and football medals into political capital. Jim Gavin showed that not every champion can do the same. Different games, very different rules. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Shared some thoughts with @newsweek.com on Ireland’s new U.S. travel guidance Irish travellers rarely make decisions based solely on official advisories - they read situations for themselves. Still, scenes of unrest in Chicago can influence perceptions and plans www.newsweek.com/ireland-trav...

If you’re ever in the mood for a 40min survey of Irish foreign policy you might enjoy this: youtu.be/hv5ggSV2-vQ?... Me in conversation with Prof James Jer-Lindsay. Bring a salt shaker. 😆

A pleasure to join ClareFM’s "In Profile" We covered everything from my early schooling to current research, hurling, music, early forays into the communist and post-communist world, working in the Caucasus and Central Asia and my fascination with cemeteries! www.facebook.com/clarefmradio...

Thirty years ago, we celebrated Eastern Europe’s democratisation Now democracies are autocratising The real threat isn’t only external. It’s the cancer of authoritarianism growing from within

On Euronews I highlighted that Ukraine isn’t just Europe’s shield - it’s also its teacher. What Ukraine learns - and invents - today will shape how the EU and NATO deter Russia tomorrow.

In this edition, we discuss the EU proposal for a 'drone wall' of detection and interception systems & zoom in on the ongoing anti government protests in Serbia. #BrusselsMyLove

The short film, 'Why Wouldn't You?', created by the DCU Irish Refugee Integration Network (IRIN) and Sanctuary, has been selected for the 14th Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival, taking place October 3-5. Read more here: launch.dcu.ie/42maAYe

Delighted to join host Méabh McMahon and fellow panelists Ilke Toygür and Matthew Robinson for the final episode of "Brussels, my love?", which will be broadcast on Euronews throughout this weekend Russia, Ukraine, drone walls, European security, Serbia, MAGA, Sarkozy - we covered a lot of ground!

A decisive victory in #Moldova for the pro-EU government against a Moscow-leaning alliance - despite Russian money, interference & disinformation. I’ll discuss the significance of this on RTÉ's "News at One" shortly after 1pm

A presidential candidate in Ireland has claimed that Germany’s recent increase in defence spending echoes Nazi rearmament during the 1930s. I explain here why that parallel is not just misleading but simply wrong. Full article: irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41712842.html

On TRT World I noted that the UN is only as strong as its members’ political will. Its flaws are real, but the deeper problem is division and bad faith among states with veto powers. Preventing mass murder and annexation in Palestine & Ukraine are defining tests for the UN.

Ireland’s donation of vehicles & de-mining robots to Ukraine is welcome Modest contributions like this save lives & sustain frontline operations However, strong collective EU action is needed to counter Russia’s escalating drone & missile strikes See www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...

The UN turns 80 but still can’t deliver on its core mission. On @aljazeera.com I noted its strength as a global forum - yet it remains hobbled by structural flaws and political pressures from bad actors. #UN80

Getting ready to speak to speak to @aljazeera.com about the current state of world politics and challenges for the UN at 80.

Enjoyed talking with Jerry O'Sullivan on Radio Kerry today about mounting challenges faced by European democracies Just 12% of humanity lives in a liberal democracy and this relatively recent regime-type faces ever-growing autocratic and military threats www.radiokerry.ie/podcasts/ker...

Appreciate Senator Tom Clonan’s review of my new book in The Irish Times. "Unfinished Empire" shows how Russian imperialism has shaped the fate of its neighbours, from the tsarist conquests to Soviet domination and today’s relentless aggression.

The Pentagon is blocking Ukraine from using long-range missiles to hit Russian military targets. No wonder Putin still thinks he can win the war www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

I spoke to IrelandAM about the recent summits in Alaska and DC As Trump praises Putin’s "readiness to negotiate" over Ukraine’s "prime territory" Russia unleashes record drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities It's what happens when real estate developers meet realpolitik practitioners

This really is such a timely and incisive publication - recommended for all students of international relations - or anyone just interested in what is going on in the world right now.

Spoke with @thejournal_ie about the importance of Ukraine's Donbas region I learned a lot while lecturing at the university in Donetsk Students and faculty were forced to relocate to Mariupol following the first Russian invasion (2014) and to Kyiv in 2022 www.thejournal.ie/explainer-uk...

My comments in today's South China Morning Post on the Alaska and DC meetings between Trump, Putin, Zelenskyy and other European leaders

A second printing of "Unfinished Empire" is already out! The updated back cover features a selection of wonderful endorsements. Delighted to see my book resonating and grateful to everyone who has read, supported, or engaged with it so far!

On RTÉ's "News at One" at 1pm I'll discuss the meetings today between Zelenskyy, Trump and European leaders Trump measures success in days and headlines; Putin measures it in years and strategic gains One man seeks a quick deal; the other seeks to reshape Europe’s security map for decades

Death toll from Russian attack on residential area in Kharkiv rises to 5, including toddler and teenager The youngest victim was just 18 months old when Russian Geran-2 drones struck a 5-story apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 20 others euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/18/d...

Polish cartoonist ‪@andrzejrysuje.bsky.social‬ Ukraine may give Putin a bit of land Exactly that much

The choreography told the story Trump waiting on the tarmac, red carpet and clapping for Putin Press conference opened by the guest, not the host, who spoke for twice as long and took no questions. Trump thanked "Vladimir" nine times in his uncharacteristically terse 600-word speech For what?

Getting through Donnacha Ó Beacháin’s great book on the history of Russian colonialism of Ukraine, other former Soviet ‘members’ & conquests within Russian borders. Let it be said ⁦‪@DonnachaDCU‬⁩ pulls no punches. It’s what The Donald should have read before meeting Putin

As predicted nothing from Trump-Putin act of theatre bar expressions of mutual admiration No ceasefire - just more talk about meeting Russia's concerns about "root causes" Trump to act as Putin's messenger calling Europe to pass on Russia's well-known wish list #AlaskaSummit

Today's Russia-US Alaska summit puts the fate of Ukraine 'in Trump and Putin’s hands'. DCU's Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social warns the summit could range from an empty handshake to a startling alignment with Kremlin demands. Read in @thejournal.ie: launch.dcu.ie/3HbjIaU