iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Maria Popova

💯 The great strategic mistake was letting an oil soaked dictatorship reconstitute its war machine. Ukrainians, Georgians, and many others have suffered for NATO’s mistake.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 1h

Former MI6 chief Scarlett said that the West didnt grasp how much Ru needed to be respected and treated as a great power equal to the US. I’d say the West actually understood and nearly embraced that idea. This was a huge mistake, actually. The West shouldn’t have construed Ru's desires as needs!

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The New Voice of Ukraine @english.nv.ua · 3h

Ukrainian child-rights advocate Mykola Kuleba and his Save Ukraine organization have been included on PRIO’s list of potential 2026 Nobel Peace Prize recipients for their work rescuing children affected by Russia’s war. The list is not an official list of nominees

english.nv.ua

Mykola Kuleba named among possible Nobel Peace Prize picks

Ukrainian child rights advocate Mykola Kuleba, founder and head of Save Ukraine, has been named among possible candidates for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize ahead of the winner’s announcement on Oct. 9, t...

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 18h

The stark reality is that Putin’s strategic goal is the EU’s destruction and Ru political control over as much of Europe as possible. Wherever he succeeds will be unfree, just like the Soviet Bloc was, and therefore any European who doesnt want to defend from Russia now is an enemy of freedom.

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TVP World @tvpworld.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

People across Europe are being targeted with seemingly innocuous offers of paid work, as Russia turns to locally recruited “disposable agents” to carry out surveillance, espionage, and sabotage.

tvpworld.com

How Russia recruits ‘disposable agents’ online for sabotage across Europe

TVP World journalists are among those who have received suspicious messages offering paid remote work.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If you’re curious and wondering what Putin said in Valdai, don’t waste your time. He spouted his usual nonsense and lies about how russia never attacked anyone and is the kindest, humblest nation in history, always victimized and threatened by its nefarious European neighbours.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Headline writers saying Putin "warned the West against escalation" should stop helping the russian dictator manipulate the narrative. He started the war. If he attacks more European countries, he'll be escalating. The West hasn't matched his escalation, let alone ever escalated.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Colby is a bottomless pit of bad ideas

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Matthew Downhour @matthewdownhour.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“I am a Dutch mother who did not give birth to children to send them to trenches!” Bad news the Russian Orthodox church is explicitly telling women to have children to send to trenches

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Trump working hard here to boost Carney’s approval rating to a perfect 100%!

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Russian propagandists love to claim other countries are jealous which is absurd. Why would anyone be jealous when russia is the absolute historical champion of sprouting governments that murder millions of their own people in various brutal inane campaigns?

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In the 1990s, Ru didn’t hold clean elections; the oppo rejected democracy; the constitution-writing process ended in a shootout; it leveled Chechnya, occupied parts of Moldova/Georgia, supported the aggressor in the Yugoslav wars. Still some fantasize about how it could've joined the EU. Laughable.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

He looks like he’s surrounded by the flames of hell in this video; quite fitting given his threats to murder more innocents.

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Khashoggi's Ghost @urocklive1.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Trump's hypocrisy on this makes his deference to Putin undeniably obvious.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

It's absurd that the self-styled proponents of "peace and diplomacy" and tireless opponents of arms and militarization criticize Ukraine--the side that has offered an *immediate and unconditional ceasefire*-- instead of Russia-- the aggressor who rejects it.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This a great explainer. I’ll add this: 1) many don’t realize that the reforms were necessary; they were formulated to deal w a real problem; they didn’t break anything that worked; the command economy was inherently flawed and falling apart. I’ll also add that…

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Elbridge Colby spent years insisting the US needs to throw Ukraine under the bus to decouple Russia from China but it turns out the more pressing policy need is to decouple Trump's lips from Xi's behind.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Lavrov told the UN today that Ru was forced to invade in 2022 because Ukraine was about to try to retake Donbas. First, 💯💯 false. But also, now you know the exact line he will use to justify Ru’s third invasion if Ukraine were to agree to give up all of Donbas in this round of useless "peace talks".

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Stop asking the Ukrainian president stupid, loaded, victim-blaming questions. There is nothing Ukraine can do for peace besides defeating Russia. Russia rejects peace and compromise and it offers only full occupation or complete domination.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Russia says the quiet part out loud at the UN-- they reject a ceasefire because they don't want Ukraine to rearm. Why? Clearly, because they don't want Ukraine to defend itself from their aggression. Their goal remains Ukrainian capitulation. Never forget that…

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Zelensky is always clear and on point. It is a travesty that some are accusing Ukraine of not wanting peace. It's like claiming a cancer patient rejects health and wants illness because they talk too much about the hospital and medications.

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ℝ𝕖𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕓𝕝𝕦𝕖 @rebelb1ue.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Look who has the cards now. At the UN General Assembly in New York, the leaders of Canada, France and Ukraine are doing what America used to do: building alliances.

Pic of Carny ( Canada) , Macron ( France), Zelensky (Ukraine)

The real leaders of the free world
America's seat is currently vacant

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Reposted by Maria Popova

European News @eunews.social · 22/09/2026

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said on Tuesday that French President Emmanuel Macron had agreed to start ‌talks with his country about joining a French nuclear deterrence initiative and that France has committed to boosting its presence in Latvia.

reuters.com

France agreed to open talks on Latvia joining nuclear deterrence initiative, Latvian leader says

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randy r. potts @thephatic.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

in terms of invasion potential, Moscow has not had a legitimate enemy to worry about since 1945; meanwhile, since 1945 Moscow has invaded many of its neighbors and wrought Gaza-level destruction

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qwasop.bsky.social @qwasop.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It's especially infuriating how it often gets paired with dismissal of other EE countries' concerns. "The Soviet Union ended 30 years ago, let it go already" vs "Russians are a bit jumpy because of Napoleon, completely understandable".

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The deepest, most serious mistake of the IR field is the concept of « Russia’s legitimate security concerns ». They don’t exist. Never have. Russia has not been threatened even vaguely in its entire post-1991 existence.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

This has been Ukraine’s compromise offer since March 2025. Russia keeps rejecting it. Anybody who tells you Ukraine/Zelensky are the obstacle to peace is a pro-Russian liar.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

He really wants to be Putin but might end up like Yeltsin 😂🤣

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The Europeans who now say they love their country but wouldn’t die defending it because you only live once are naive. They think they’ll love their life in Russian Europe as much as their current life. They have no idea that Ru occupation means rape, murder, expropriation, and daily humiliation.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Take note and block/report any accounts pushing Ritter, who is a transparent, unapologetic, and laser-focused Russian propagandist; he literally doesn’t talk about anything else. So if your priors tell you he has a point about something, you should revisit your priors.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The regime PR action sold to the international community as « Russian parliamentary elections » doesnt deserve your attention. It doesn’t involve any choice or competition of ideas and its outcome is not only predetermined but also irrelevant to how Ru is governed.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The Western Balkans watching Canada swoop in for EU associate membership

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Reposted by Maria Popova

Mark Carney @mark-carney.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Europe and Canada are each strong. Europe and Canada are even stronger together.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This serious geopolitical moment of Canada’s pivot to Europe is also super fun and entertaining. I love the positive vibe!

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Apt description. Continuing w the Ukraine analogy, Americans should note that he is speaking for a large majority of Canadians (70-85%) not for his party or elites or whatever. It’d be ironic/stupid if Americans, like Ru, delude themselves “true Canadians” don’t mind being taken by the US.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This sounds like Trump’s “Putin and Zelensky hate each other” refrain. Americans need to snap out of this idiocy. Attacking Canada is counterproductive to their national interests.

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Not That Rick Scott 🇨🇦 @shadowspar.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) here: "I think it's a terrible decision by Canada…Nothing wrong with them trying to develop trade partnerships with the European Union, but during this context of negotiations with the United States, I think it's a bad decision"

cnn.com

Republican lawmaker on the European Union’s offer to make Canada an associate member | CNN

CNN News Central’s Kate Bolduan speaks with Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) on the European Union’s invitation to Canada to become its first ever associate member amid the Trump administration’s esca...

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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 17/09/2026

⚡️'Powerful explosion' occurs near Polish border amid Russian drone attack on western Ukraine, Tusk says A Russian jet-powered drone crashed or struck a target about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Polish border during a Russian attack on western Ukraine, Polish authorities said on Sept. 17.

kyivindependent.com

'Powerful explosion' occurs near Polish border amid Russian drone attack on western Ukraine, Tusk says

The threat of another Russian incursion into Polish airspace prompted the Polish Air Force to scramble fighter jets.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Watching to see whether American politicians outside the Trump admin heard Carney’s main message— American bullying is driving Canada to a strategic pivot to Europe— and how they respond. Will they rally around Trump or denounce his Canadian policy as counterproductive to US national interests.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Both Canada and the EU are America’s closest allies and he’s angry and threatening them more than he’s ever threatened Putin.

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Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This morning russians struck an ordinary civilian intercity minibus near Nikopol with an FPV drone, killing at least 5 people‼️ First Person View drone excludes any accidents, they knew exactly what they were doing. Bloody terrorists!

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David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today is pub day for my book, "HOW RUSSIA WON: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and the Fight for America." Please watch this video and pass it on. It's time to reclaim the Trump-Russia narrative and recognize Putin is continuing his years-long war on America and Trump is complicit. HowRussiaWon.com

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

It’s striking how easily everyone understands that Trump’s hostility/pressure is responsible for Canada’s strategic pivot towards Europe but there are still those who don’t see that Russia’s hostility/pressure on Ukraine drove it gradually towards Europe/NATO.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

BTW, many Eastern European states, which have serious problems with grand corruption like the US, have established independent anticorruption agencies outside the executive’s control. The US should consider learning from the experience.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I just spent a few hrs talking to Canadian radio hosts abt the new Canada-EU relationship and stressed how Trump makes it hard for Canada and the EU to know whether the US is still an ally. And here's Carney w the perfect anecdote to illustrate the point. He’s a spectacularly effective speaker.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

And, btw, this is how Ru uses sports to push its agenda. Many hockey fans can’t bring themselves to admit Ovechkin is a Putinist because they don’t want to wonder whether the right thing is to then denounce him; instead, they blame Ukraine for getting invaded and parrot Russian propaganda.

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Maria Popova @popovaprof.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Yet another confirmation that Ovechkin is a Putinist. He makes his money in the West while supporting Russian imperialism and its desire to bring on the demise of the West.

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Kristian Kiehling @kristiankiehling.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Bettina Trump's public response to ProPublica's investigation into her receipt of a substantial gift from Umar Kremlev highlights the extent to which the US government has been infiltrated by the russians. If Americans want to save their country,they should demand the resignation of the government.

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Andrew Chakhoyan 🇺🇦 @andrewchak.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Russia is about to stage a countrywide Potemkin village farce and call it an election All facade. No substance 🤢🤮 My latest for the New York Post. nypost.com/2026/09/13/o...

nypost.com

Putin’s Kremlin gremlins are setting up a poll-temkin village across Russia in this week’s elections

Knock down this poll-temkin village.

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Roberta Metsola @president.europarl.europa.eu · 13/09/2026

A big week ahead at @europarl.europa.eu in Strasbourg 🇪🇺 From the State of the Union debate to welcoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, MEPs will keep pushing for concrete action: a stronger economy, a steadier voice in the world, and a safer Europe built on freedom, security and justice.

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