Dr Alina Polyakova
Dr Alina Polyakova
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Dr Alina Polyakova
@apolyakova
President & CEO Prof former Berkeley PhD, Russia, Europe, democracy, tech policy. Views my own.
Washington DCJoined December 2008
Dr Alina Polyakova’s Tweets
We are stepping up our support for Ukraine.
For the first time, the EU will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and equipment to a country under attack.
We are also strengthening our sanctions against the Kremlin.
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NEW: Russian amphibious assault forces have landed just over 30 miles south of Ukrainian city of Mariupol and are advancing toward the city: senior U.S. defense official.
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Probably too early to say, but looks like we are moving towards a total isolation of Russia from the int’l community. This will take Russia back decades. The blame can be put on Vladimir Putin and his regime. A sad predicament for Russian people. Did not have to be this way.
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Scholz’ “whatever it takes” moment
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Teri Schultz
@terischultz
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Putin didn't count on this. Europe's largest economy will abruptly increase its annual defense spending *above* the #NATO target of 2%/GDP.
"What needs to be done to keep the peace will be done," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tells parliament, "and Germany will do its bit."
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But it doesn’t matter because now we know that’s it’s just one man in control
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Daniel Fried
@AmbDanFried
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Open dissent within the Russian government against Putin's war.
https://france24.com/en/live-news/20220227-russian-official-apologises-for-war-in-ukraine-at-un-climate-meet…
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Incredible. I am so deeply impressed w how fast German policy has moved 180 degrees. Germany, the reluctant leader for decades, is reluctant no longer. A new day.
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Guy Chazan
@GuyChazan
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The Ukraine war has triggered a sea change in German defence policy, with Scholz announcing a new €100bn investment fund for the Bundeswehr. Germany will from now on spend more than 2% of GDP on defence every year. https://zdf.de/nachrichten/video/sondersitzung-bundestag-scholz-ukraine-100.html#xtor=CS5-281…
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Kharkiv now totally controlled by Ukraine again, acc to local administration. Local head Oleg Sinegubov says Russian soldiers "abandoning vehicles and surrendering in groups"
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“усатое хуйло” = Lukashenka
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Illia Ponomarenko
@IAPonomarenko
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Белорусы, судя по всему, ваше усатое хуйло может принять решение тоже полноценно направить белорусские войска против Украины, ибо наступление России идёт плохо.
Срочно говорите с родственниками-знакомым военными, пусть не подчиняются и остаются дома.
Их кровь здесь не нужна.
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Ban Russia from SWIFT now! Stop taking about “effectiveness “. The symbolism of this move is vitally important to Ukrainians.
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Finland, Sweden to receive enhanced access to NATO intel over Ukraine – http://EURACTIV.com This is such great news. Step by step towards NATO membership.
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How NATO can help Ukraine more:
1. transport wounded Ukr troops for treatment 2.set up humanitarian operations in Ukr (not just outside Ukr) 3.refuel Ukr planes in NATO countries 4.provide logistics for getting security assistance from NATO countries to Ukr quickly
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There’s no time to wait: Putin is counting on his war chest to fare through Western sanctions, and we need to wipe it out
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Joe Weisenthal
@TheStalwart
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"The U.S. is weighing sanctions on Russia’s central bank, according to people familiar with the matter, a move that would target much of the $643 billion reserves that President Russian Vladimir Putin had amassed..." https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-26/u-s-weighs-sanctions-on-russia-s-central-bank-over-ukraine?sref=vuYGislZ… from @SalehaMohsin
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Fantastic news on EU agreeing to ban Russia from SWIFT: This should be absolute, no carve outs, and it will affect the Russian people - who need to wake up from the stupor of propaganda
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Does anyone know anyone who lives in the Sherry Hall or High View Towers apartment buildings next to the Russian embassy compound on Wisconsin Ave in DC? and I need to borrow your roof deck to project a Ukrainian flag onto the embassy! Please DM with tips!
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As Ukrainian defenders heroically repel Russian invaders, humanitarian situation is worsening. There are reported shortages of medicines, including tactical medicine kits, fuel, in some places, even food. The world must step up and help Ukraine with that
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Zelensky drinking coffee and chatting with his fellow Kyiv defenders this morning.
Imagine what a moral boost it must be for these troops to have the freakin’ president literally fighting next to you.
What a badass.

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This is a very dangerous development- if the dam is destroyed it would cause huge damage to Kyiv and produce a domino effect of floods across the country.
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Nika Melkozerova
@NikaMelkozerova
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At 3-50 a.m. Ukrainian air defense systems shot down the Russian missile, heading in the direction of Kyiv Dam, Ukraine's Ministry of Infrastructure reported. "The destruction of Kyiv damn could cause a flood that would destroy several districts of Kyiv. #StopPutin
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If you know anyone from Ukraine
that has crossed over into Poland
, Slovakia
or Hungary
and needs help, please reach out.
Numerous friends in Poland are offering help including rides from the border, places to stay etc.
DM's are open.
Please RT to amplify.
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And you ask and you shall receive: thank you
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Hans von der Burchard
@vonderburchard
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Breaking: German government just decided to deliver 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" surface-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine to support the country against Russian attack.
"The weapons will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible," spox said.
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Breaking: German government just decided to deliver 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" surface-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine to support the country against Russian attack.
"The weapons will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible," spox said.
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Germany is taking a decisive stance: halt to NS2, now support for SWIFT ban on Russia. Hopefully a shift on security assistance is next
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Must read from fellows “In the past, Putin privileged the security services over the military.” But the war in Ukraine has changed that
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Good news. Now more Allies should follow the US lead and support Ukraine with weapons and security. Biden approves $350 million in military aid for Ukraine
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Western companies have provided an online space for Russians to get information about the atrocities their government is committing in Ukraine. The Kremlin is moving aggressively to hide the truth through censorship
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Adam Satariano
@satariano
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NEW: As Russia attacks Ukraine, authorities in Moscow are intensifying a censorship campaign at home against the world’s biggest tech companies. https://nytimes.com/2022/02/26/technology/russia-censorship-tech-giants.html?referringSource=articleShare…
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What we need 1) humanitarian corridors 2) special forces (they’ve trained for this and are ready to go) 3) psyops to get Russian forces to mutiny. 4) no fly zone. Or we can wait until we have 5m refugees and do it anyway.
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More weapons to Ukraine!
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Thank you Italy!!
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Enrico Letta
@EnricoLetta
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Mario Draghi confirmed
will support banning Russia from #SWIFT.
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First time ever more Swedes in favour of membership (41%) than against (35%). Undecided 25%.
I predict Finnish figures to have an even bigger shift.
Efter Rysslands invasion: Fler svenskar för ett Natomedlemskap | SVT Nyheter
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These are boys. Russian boys, whom Putin is sending to a war that no one wants to die.
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1/ We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world. We also continue to apply labels to additional Russian state media. These changes have already begun rolling out and will continue into the weekend.
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for your callers who were asking about this!
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José Andrés
@chefjoseandres
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We are arriving to Poland to see what we can do! @WCKitchen #ChefsForUkraine twitter.com/pmenonifpri/st…
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WATCH NOW -
joins & Jeff Rossman to discuss Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine and what is at stake for the Ukrainian people, , and the countries on the borders of Eastern Europe.
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Excellent: Swiss freeze bank accounts of Russians on EU sanctions list
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Back in 2014, I wrote about how Russia uses narratives about protecting Jews and fighting fascists to justify war in Ukraine. Not much has changed even though Ukraine has had a Jewish president (whom Russia is trying to assassinate)
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For those asking how you can help Ukraine: here is a list of legitimate organizations that you can donate to. Please share!
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Here's a list of recommendations on how to support Ukraine in its struggle against pure evil coming from Russia. Also, a list of charities you might want to donate:
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Taiwan signs on to US chip export block. Important.
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Danil Bochkov / 博奇科夫
@danil_bochkov_
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Strengthening sanctions, concrete defense assistance and an anti-war coalition have just been discussed with . Grateful to
for the strong support to
!
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We ignored warnings from Poland, Baltics and others about the danger of Putin’s regime, and we are paying a high price: “The blood of our Ukrainian neighbours, friends and brothers demands that we react decisively.” From
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But a few years is still a long time. Putin likely banking on high energy prices (can export less), support from China, and that Europe w its energy needs will blink first if the gas tap is turned off.
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Rob Person
@RTPerson3
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So what does this all mean? It means that Russia has the reserves to withstand sanctions/recession for a while (a few years at best) but not forever. They do not have an infinite piggy bank, and many of the things they will have to spend on will burn up cash fast. 22/
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Let’s add the Russian Central Bank to that list
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Daniel Fried
@AmbDanFried
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The EU sanctions Putin and Lavrov. I hope the Biden Administration will do the same. twitter.com/EuromaidanPres…
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“This is not the moment for wobbliness and weakness," "What the Russians have done has rewritten the rules of the European security order and it will have global consequences.”
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LISTEN NOW - joins to explain how Europe must respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Feb 24·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Russia Invades Ukraine



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Дмитрий Муратов, главред «Новой газеты», лауреат Нобелевской премии мира:
— Этот номер «Новой газеты» мы выпустим на двух языках — украинском и русском. Потому что мы не признаем Украину врагом, а украинский язык — языком врага. И никогда не признаем
http://amp.gs/jZO6A
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“On a daily basis, Russian financial institutions conduct about $46 billion worth of foreign exchange transactions globally, 80 percent of which are in U.S. dollars…The vast majority of those transactions will now be disrupted.”
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Russia reports that RT is under a cyberattack. Good! Several hours of no brainwashing
"RT sites have been under DDoS attacks since Thursday evening, February 24. According to reports, the attacks began at 17:00 Moscow time and continue to this day," the RT Telegram channel says
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Putin is staging a coup against Ukraines democratically elected government.
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Polish authorities banned the broadcasting of several Russian TV channels, including RT
Every single country that is against war crimes needs to do the same. Disrupt Russia's information warfare
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Why the sanctions announced today are much worse than a SWIFT ban
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Catherine Belton
@CatherineBelton
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Replying to @samagreene
Sam -- the sanctions on the state banks cutting them off from $ transactions are much more severe than any SWIFT cut off. There will be a run on the banks, the CBR will be forced to bail them out. The reserves are big but not endless and it's not clear how they withstand this.
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Has everybody in Moscow understood that Putin has just killed the Nato Russia Founding Act? That Nato would now be free to deploy unlimited troops in all new Nato members since 1997, including even nuclear weapons?
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Ukrainian soldiers are real heroes. For more than 16 hours they are resisting a much stronger enemy. They are on their own land and fight fiercely to protect it, as well as lives of millions of innocent civilians. History is being made now. I am proud of my Ukraine 
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Excellent: Sberbank and VTB are on the US sanctions list. EU should follow suit https://whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/24/fact-sheet-joined-by-allies-and-partners-the-united-states-imposes-devastating-costs-on-russia/?utm_source=twitter… via
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TODAY 2:30 PM EST - join & to react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the United States, Europe, and should respond.
Feb 24·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Russia Invades Ukraine



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In addition to VTB bank, Sberbank has to be on the list
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EU officials tell me: At this point Germany and Italy are the main opponents for disconnecting russia from swift and this "key to decision" depends on them. And they are pressured to agree.
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Biden on SWIFT: the sanctions the US has imposed on Russian banks go beyond SWIFT
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Biden: “This was never about security concerns on their part. It was about aggression and Putin's desire for empire by any means necessary…Putin will be a pariah on the international stage.”
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CEPA
@cepa
·
TODAY 2:30 PM EST - @AndreiSoldatov @kvolker @AmbDanFried @McFaul join @apolyakova & @geyshapaola to react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the United States, Europe, and @NATO should respond. https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1MnxnkXgNoEKO?s=20…
Feb 24·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Russia Invades Ukraine



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CEPA
@cepa
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TODAY 2:30 PM EST - @AndreiSoldatov @kvolker @AmbDanFried @McFaul join @apolyakova & @geyshapaola to react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the United States, Europe, and @NATO should respond. https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1MnxnkXgNoEKO?s=20…
Feb 24·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Russia Invades Ukraine



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TODAY 2:30 PM EST - join & to react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the United States, Europe, and should respond.
Feb 24·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Russia Invades Ukraine



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Time to use our offensive cyber capabilities against Russia. https://nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/biden-presented-options-massive-cyberattacks-russia-rcna17558… via
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Russian forces seize Antonov airport right outside Kyiv. I don’t even have words
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This is so sick and brutal. Don't need to make the connection to another time in history when deaths were hidden with ashes.
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Julia Ioffe
@juliaioffe
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What will happen when the body bags start coming home to families in Russia, you ask?
Putin's thought of that, too: mobile crematoria.
(Crazy scoop from @Nat_Vasilyeva!)
https://telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/02/23/russia-deploys-mobile-crematorium-follow-troops-battle/…
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At the end of the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, one of my colleagues said that we must turn Putin's successful tactical into his strategic defeat. We did not do so then. We must do so now.
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Czech Republic said it is suspending granting visas to Russian citizens. Other countries should follow suit. Next steps: kick out Russia from international organizations. Freeze their assets in the West. Impose sanctions on energy sector. Act now.
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Thank you Poland for keeping the borders open and helping the Ukrainian people.
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We have known for a long time who we are dealing with in the Kremlin: a thug, a tyrant, a brutal autocrat who doesn't care about his own people. This will end badly for the Russian people and they only have Putin to blame.
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Kyiv will soon be “kettled” - encircled by Russian forces. One possibility for Putin’s ultimate plan: reinstate Viktor Yanukovych, ex president who fled to Russia in 2014, as “rightful” leader of Ukraine. Zelenskiy, many others to be arrested/tried in “anti-Maidan” operation. 1/
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All the US media are trying to rationalize Putin’s decision - please stop. It’s all excuses for a massive military invasion. It was never about NATO, it’s about destroying Ukraine because it wanted freedom. Simple as that.
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We have gone past the point of sanctions, the economic threat didn’t deter Russia. Putin has shown that he only understands hard power. We can’t sleep walk into WW3. Ukraine needs weapons, air missile defenses, economic aid. Now is the time, not when thousands are dead
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An "endless" column of armor outside Sumy "heading toward Kyiv," the man filming says.

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In the decades of peace in Europe, we have become complacent in our comfort. Couldn’t imagine a war on European soil. But here it is. Today, complacency must end. Policies must change. No more illusions about Putin as a “rational actor” who engages in diplomacy
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Thank you - the world has changed. Europe and Germany must change too. We can never take peace for granted. It’s not a given.
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A. Kramp-Karrenbauer
@akk
·
We have forgotten the lesson of Schmidt and Kohl that negotiation always comes first, but we have to be militarily strong enough to make non-negotiation not an option for the other side.
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“Das ist Putins Krieg”, this is Putin’s war, says German chancellor Olaf Scholz . War in Europe.
But we in the West have enabled him for many years. Especially Germany, my country.
I am angry and ashamed and my heart is breaking for Ukraine.
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Ich bin so wütend auf uns, weil wir historisch versagt haben. Wir haben nach Georgien, Krim und Donbass nichts vorbereitet haben, was Putin wirklich abgeschreckt hätte.
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What I still can't understand is why? Why is Putin doing this? Why?
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Time to push the go button. Thank you
for the assertive leadership
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toomas hendrik ilves
@IlvesToomas
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UK ready to launch retaliatory cyber-attacks on Russia, defence secretary tells MPs https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/russia-ukraine-cyber-attack-ben-wallace-b2019836.html…
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We worked closely with Germany to stop the Nord Steam 2 pipeline. Germany has been a leader on efforts to respond to Russian aggression and announced strong actions yesterday. Today, I am sanctioning Nord Stream 2 AG, its CEO, and its corporate officers.
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Putin, who doesn’t care about the Russian people, is abusing our caution to not do anything to bring economic pain to the population. We are not going to have a choice: it’s time to impose some real pain
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Madeleine K. Albright is right:
“Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine would ensure Mr. Putin’s infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable.”
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Putin believes that time is on his side—that if he continues to squeeze Kyiv but avoids a large-scale invasion, the United States and Europe will eventually grow weary of a protracted struggle for Ukraine's freedom, write and .
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Washington’s savvy diplomacy has resulted in an impressive united front among the US and its allies...if this approach succeeds, the reward may be a twilight struggle both for Ukraine’s freedom and against Putin’s aggression more broadly.
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"The West must not give Putin the sphere of domination he demands in Europe. That starts with supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty over the long term and not merely as long as Putin threatens all-out war"
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and I map out the "long grind" scenario in Ukraine and how the US/Europe should prepare. Europe must take the lead to ensure Ukraine's economic resilience, while the US should rally allies on security assistance
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How to beat Putin in his long game in Ukraine: "the EU should explore opening the door to Ukrainian membership. Europeans who are skeptical at the prospect would be apt to remember that the protests on Kyiv’s Maidan in 2013 began under EU flags."
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Russian state TV often offers a preview of Kremlin thinking or is used to test ideas/narratives. Both are equally worrisome here
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BREAKING: Japan imposes individual sanctions on Russia and bans the issuance of Russian bonds
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Between the US announcement, what I expect the EU sanctions to cover (sovereign debt restrictions at least) and the German NS2 decision, this is a solid interim Western response to Putin’s moves yesterday.
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Daniel Fried
@AmbDanFried
·
Biden just announced a solid interim set of sanctions. “Full blocking sanctions” is an important (strong) level of sanctions. Sanctions on sovereign debt (sounds like on the secondary market too) and on Putin’s circle also good. Right mix of action while holding more in reserve. twitter.com/ak_mack/status…
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The Biden Administration has done an impressive diplomatic job coordinating the allies. And Germany took the difficult step of stopping Nord Stream 2.
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Also says that US believes that Putin is poised to go further, with more sanctions to come if so.
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In response to renewed Russian aggression in Donetsk & Luhansk, the EU will sanction:
- those involved in the illegal decision
- banks financing Russian operations
- Russia’s access to EU capital markets,
- trade from the breakaway regions
Stay tuned.
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LIVE NOW - 
& discuss the impact of Putin's recognition of Luhansk & Donetsk, Russia’s escalating military presence in Ukraine, and how the West has responded.
Feb 22·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Putin Marches on Ukraine



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Feb 22·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Putin Marches on Ukraine



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Russia finally admits that NS2 is a political project and that it weaponizes energy exports to pressure and influence Europe
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Dmitry Medvedev
@MedvedevRussiaE
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has issued an order to halt the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Well. Welcome to the brave new world where Europeans are very soon going to pay €2.000 for 1.000 cubic meters of natural gas!
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HAPPENING SOON 1PM EST - 
& discuss the impact of Putin's recognition of Luhansk & Donetsk, Russia’s escalating military presence in Ukraine, and how the West has responded.
Feb 22·CEPA·
CEPA LIVE: Putin Marches on Ukraine



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"The Russian strategy for many years, including in Ukraine, has been to test the ground: to take one step forward, assess the reaction, and then recalibrate based on that reaction," explains to how Russia is using hybrid warfare to test the West's resolve.

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