I wonder how many people will suddenly learn about Lysenkoism today....

The presence of Russian drones in Polish airspace is the latest of a line of many such infringements and challenges of limits Russia has done to see what it can get away with. It's testing the red lines of European security.

Go Bills! That's how you start a season!

I had the opportunity to be on today's episode of The Big Story Podcast. There, I discuss the peace negotiations that have taken place and the likelihood of their success in Russia's War in Ukraine. Also found on Spotify, Apple, and other places: youtu.be/-j10sVtgxKo?...

Sberbank CEO Gref says Russia’s economy has reached technical “stagnation,” and he hopes the Central Bank won’t allow a recession. It could be a dire sign, but I suspect it’s mainly just part of the lobbying effort to get the key interest rate down from 18% to 12%. www.reuters.com/business/fin...

Happy start of the school year in Canada to those who celebrate (or mourn)!

Putin, speaking in China today, again confirmed nothing has changed. He wants a pliable Ukraine, one that will remain tethered to Russia in some way. He added he wants to undo the "Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models" also confirming his aims for his meeting in Alaska, to split US and Europe.

And look who shows up in light of Putin's comments earlier today!

Putin, speaking in China today, again confirmed nothing has changed. He wants a pliable Ukraine, one that will remain tethered to Russia in some way. He added he wants to undo the "Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models" also confirming his aims for his meeting in Alaska, to split US and Europe.

I had the opportunity to be on today's episode of The Big Story Podcast. There, I discuss the peace negotiations that have taken place and the likelihood of their success in Russia's War in Ukraine. Also found on Spotify, Apple, and other places: youtu.be/-j10sVtgxKo?...

Just finished an interview for The Big Story Podcast on the peace negotiations and Russia's War in Ukraine. It was great to be back on. It should be out tomorrow morning!

Russia plans to withdraw from Europe's anti-torture treaty. A formality given the extensive torture Russian forces have committed against Ukrainians and conditions in Russian prisons. That said, it is still a signatory to the UN anti-torture convention: publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/000...

⚡️Canada open to sending troops to postwar Ukraine, defense minister says. Canada’s Defense Minister David McGuinty expressed confidence in Canada’s operational capacity speaking on Aug. 25: "We’ve just come back from Ukraine. We’ve been able to assess and see more clearly what the needs are."

Vance's comments on Meet the Press show how little this administration understands Russia or Putin. Russia has not given any serious concessions. Saying that they understand they can't "install a puppet regime in Kyiv" is not a concession. (1/2)

Good to see Carney continuing support for Ukraine: www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

I'm working on two pieces. One reviewing the results of Trump's attempts re: peace in Russia's War in Ukraine and one reviewing the documentary Russians at War as a scholar of war crimes and issues of complicity. Im looking for potential landing spots for each piece. I welcome suggestions.

So, while Russia was intensifying its attacks on Ukraine the U.S. decided Ukraine should not attack Russia. www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

I'm working on two pieces. One reviewing the results of Trump's attempts re: peace in Russia's War in Ukraine and one reviewing the documentary Russians at War as a scholar of war crimes and issues of complicity. Im looking for potential landing spots for each piece. I welcome suggestions.

The militarization of Russian children continues: www.reuters.com/world/we-thr...

A good book to read would be David Shearer's Policing Stalin's Socialism. Just going to put that out there.

The militarization of Russian children continues: www.reuters.com/world/we-thr...

Maybe that would bring peace....oh wait...

A good book to read would be David Shearer's Policing Stalin's Socialism. Just going to put that out there.

Seems like things will be cooler next week. I feel it's a sign that some force is telling me to finally get outside to catch up on reading. Haven't done anywhere near enough over this summer. Perhaps that will be a nice break before the fall term starts in September.

I'm not surprised given the desire for peace over justice (and ultimately the challenge of hosting Putin if he actually does agree to meet Zelenskyy) but it's so clear that justice for war crimes will likely be something negotiated away. Putin and Russia still learn they can get away with it.

I see Putin is taking this seriously....

Welp, that honeymoon didn't last long. Who did he talk to from the Russian side last night?

Thanks again to CBC London and @browncbc.bsky.social for having me on this morning to discuss yesterday's meeting between European leaders, Zelenskyy, and Trump. Always a pleasure to be on!

I share Kevin's skepticism, but if it happens, this would be a massive coup.

As news is trickling out, it appears that while much was discussed, nothing firm was determined about security guarantees or territory re: Ukraine. Even the Russian response highlights "delegations" to continue to meet. Trump says Putin/Zelenskyy meeting in works. I'll believe it when I see it.

❗️explosions in Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava regions of Ukraine reported ❗️drone attack

The main bit from Yuri Ushakov on today’s Trump–Putin call: “They discussed the idea that it would be worthwhile to explore the possibility of raising the level of representatives from the Ukrainian and Russian sides—that is, those representatives who participate in the ongoing direct negotiations.”

The Kremlin confirms Trump–Putin call. “Putin and Trump discussed the idea of raising the level of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations. The presidents of Russia and the U.S. agreed to continue close contact with each other on the Ukrainian crisis and other current topics.” t.me/tass_agency/...

“Europeans were not present for the conversation.”

Zelensky has mastered Trumpian politics, it seems. www.ft.com/content/8dad...

And in case people were wondering if something may have changed for Russia - TASS reporting earlier today that Russia "categorically rejects" any military presence in Ukraine involving NATO countries. tass.ru/politika/248...

Trump on a hot mic on Putin: "I think he wants to make a deal for me. Do you understand? As crazy as it sounds."

And in case people were wondering if something may have changed for Russia - TASS reporting earlier today that Russia "categorically rejects" any military presence in Ukraine involving NATO countries. tass.ru/politika/248...

Can all pundits stop talking about the „dissasterous” last meeting in the Whitehouse. Because the last meeting between these two was this one in st Peter’s Basilica. And it was a trunaround moment. If you don’t know your facts and timeline don’t go on the news. Photo c/o BBC

Good question to Zelensky: What do you need in terms of security guarantees? "A strong Ukrainian military," Zelensky says — a useful point, because we *believe* that Moscow is still seeking some level of Ukrainian demilitarization.

Trump: "A lot of people were killed last week...for some reason..." Yes - that would be Russia continuing to strike civilian targets in Ukraine. Oh, and then shortly after, let's blame Joe Biden.

Putin spoke to Modi today, perhaps timed to remind the West that, for all their talk of isolating Russia, Moscow can still get the leader of almost 1/5 the world's population on the phone easily. (Throw in Xi, and that's good ties with states representing 1/3 of humanity.) t.me/news_kremlin...

And it's becoming clearer that Trump largely confirmed what the administration had already unilaterally removed from the table without negotiation and that Putin likely gave few concessions in the Alaska talks. Hence the "progress" they claimed.

11 people wounded in Kharkiv , Ukraine, including a kid, by Russian drone attack tonight, city mayor says. 12 apartment buildings are damaged .

There's a lot being made of Putin agreeing to a "NATO-like Article 5 type" of security arrangement for Ukraine, as per Witkoff's comments. 1) Until it's in writing, it means nothing. 2) There are reports Putin has since mentioned China instead as an option for security guarantees. (1/3)

Reuters has reported some of what was "agreed" to between Putin and Trump. Given how Trump has started repeating Russian talking points, I'd see it, until it's in writing, as Putin ready to offer some things more to win Trump over with no intention to follow through. www.reuters.com/world/china/...

Traveling to US with Zelenskyy: EU Commission President v/d Leyen, French President Macron, Finnish President Stubb, German Chancellor Merz, NATO Secretary General Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and UK Prime Minister Starmer have officially confirmed their participation.

It should be obvious that all Putin does in these meetings with Trump is play to Trump's narcissism and he then gets him on side. Today was a massive win for Putin and his broader goals in diplomacy.

Oh God, I read Conrad Black's opinion piece on the Alaska meeting in the National Post. That's a few minutes I'll never get back.