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Branko Milanović wrote that Russia was ruled by a dictator who needed an external conflict to remain in power and had signalled a desire to restore the Soviet sphere of domination. He said Finland and the Baltic countries therefore had reason to be afraid. #Russia #dictatorship #Finland #RU #FI #BY

The Latvian public has published a message from Sarmīte Cīrule, a combat medic of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in which she wrote that four years had passed since the start of her service two days ago. She had initially planned to serve for one or two years and had hoped that the war would have ended by then with a defeat for the Russian forces. Cīrule also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for saying that a Russian general had made a mistake and that Ukraine should have quickly lost the war. Cīrule reported that during the four years, she had experienced a lot, made new friends, and tested the loyalty of former friends and acquaintances. She thanked the people who had come to Latvia for the treats and support, saying that the help alleviates her struggle. She urged to help Ukraine, to endure to the end and to win, emphasizing that love gives her the strength to continue and that loyalty is her most important quality. Cīrule added that the finish line has not yet been reached and that the victory of supporters will be part of the common victory. #Ukraina #Cīņa #Mīlestība (translated)

Ilmārs Poikāns wrote that Russian media and diplomatic circles have reported on Vladimir Putin's offer to hold a trilateral meeting with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping next week or in the coming weeks to discuss Ukraine. According to Poikāns, neither Volodymyr Zelensky nor European leaders would be invited to the negotiating table. Poikāns described this initiative as an attempt to return to the logic of the 1945 great power agreements and to challenge Ukraine's right to determine its own future. He emphasized that such a precedent would be dangerous for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, as it could reinforce the belief that territorial borders can be changed through military force. Poikāns also warned that Russia could use the pause for the restoration of its army and military industrial base, but later make demands regarding buffer zones or the withdrawal of allied forces from the Baltic states. In his view, the proposal could be adapted to Trump's desire for a quick agreement, while Xi's involvement would attempt to make China a guarantor of Russia's gains. Poikāns pointed out that support for the division of Ukraine could significantly worsen China's relations with the European Union. He also suggested that the leak of this information before the U.S. midterm elections and Trump's expected visit to China could increase distrust among Kyiv, European capitals, and Washington. Poikāns stressed that talks about Ukraine without Ukraine would not be a peace process, but rather imposed capitulation. He urged Europe, especially the Baltic states, Poland, and the Nordic countries, to speed up the strengthening of military capabilities, as he believes that issues of European security should not be decided by great powers without European involvement. #Ukraina #Baltija #Starptautiskāsattiecības (translated)

The Cleveland Browns have taken the lead in the AFC North with a narrow 13-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens, while the Philadelphia Eagles continue to struggle with injury problems, and the New England Patriots secured a hard-fought win against the New York Jets. #NFL #ClevelandBrowns #Football (translated)

Dr. Coolfonpl wrote that Slovakia has fully commissioned the fourth nuclear reactor with a capacity of 470 MW. He stated that the investment cost about 3.4 billion euros and is expected to provide 3.5 TWh of energy annually. By comparison, he pointed out that the Baltic Power wind farm with a capacity of 1.2 GW was valued at around 4.7 billion euros, and he estimated its annual production at around 3 TWh, noting that it is non-dispatchable. https://t.co/XVi40uqeP1 #energetyka #energia #reaktory (translated)

A massive drone attack occurred in Saint Petersburg, causing a fire at one of the largest oil terminals in the Baltic region, while Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues into its fifth year and U.S. President Donald Trump is deciding on sanctions against Russia. #KarasUkrainoje #RusijosInvazija #EnergetikosSankcijos (translated)

Nacho Montes de Oca stated that Ukraine launched a massive long-range drone attack against St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region overnight. According to his post, the impacts hit a oil terminal and the main data center of VKontakte, as well as causing fires in several districts. He added that regional authorities reported the downing of dozens of drones and that restrictions at Pulkovo Airport delayed or canceled at least 46 flights. Montes de Oca noted that the terminal had an annual capacity of about 12.5 million tons and was an important point for transporting fuels via the Baltic and supplying the Russian fleet that exported crude oil. Although, according to him, the damage only affected part of the facilities, he stated that the fire in tanks and pumping systems temporarily suspended 100% of loading operations. He estimated that repairs would reduce Russian logistical capacity to export diesel by 15% to 20% for several weeks. Regarding VKontakte, which according to Montes de Oca had over 95 million active monthly users, the author stated that the data center provided communication, video, and access to public platforms, and was also integrated into state systems for education, health, and e-government. He added that NetBlocks recorded a drop in platform traffic to 56% of its normal level, about 44% less. In his analysis, the attack added to previous ones against Yandex data centers in Sasovo, Kaluga, and Vladímir, and could affect digital and state services. Montes de Oca indicated that the Ruchyi depot could store 114,000 cubic meters of fuel and supplied heavy and rail transport of the Leningrad Military District. He also stated that the Baltic ports supported Russian exports of crude and its derivatives. According to his post, Russia aimed to export between 3 and 3.5 million tons of diesel per month by the end of 2026, more than 10% of the global market, and damage to terminals and refineries would limit its income and export capacity. The author said that the offensive weakened the energy truce driven by Donald Trump and that Kiev had warned it would respond if Russia continued attacking Ukrainian infrastructure. He added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had confirmed that Starshield was not operating in Ukraine nor had it been enabled to guide Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, so, according to Montes de Oca, it was not used in the attack. #Ucrania #SanPetersburgo #GuerraUcrania (translated)

Billie Holiday, geboren als Eleanora Fagan (Philadelphia, 7 april 1915 – New York, 17 juli 1959), wordt algemeen beschouwd als een van de belangrijkste en invloedrijkste Amerikaanse jazz zangeressen. Billie Holiday was de dochter van gitarist Clarence Holiday (Baltimore, 23 juli 1898 - Dallas, 1 maart 1937) en Sadie Fagan (Baltimore, 16 augustus 1895 - New York, 6 oktober 1945). Haar vader was 16 en haar moeder 19 toen Billie Holiday als Eleanora Fagan geboren werd. De artiestennaam Billie ontleende de zangeres aan Billie Dove, een actrice die zij bewonderde. https://hvdommelen.nl/jazz/HolidayB.html

"My theory of victory is simple: we will block the initial attack. If the attack continues, we will stop it and thwart the enemy's advance. And if necessary, we will break the enemy's forces and the entire operational combat system directed against us," said Grinkevičs. #NATO #BaltijasAizsardzība #Grinkevičs (translated)