Interesting: a Ukrainian delegation headed by Umerov is also expected to arrive in Miami later this week for talks with Witkoff and Kushner, but no trilateral meeting is currently planned. Puts some pressure on the weekend meeting with the Russians. Do your thing, Florida sunshine! https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/trump-russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-putin-envoy-miami

Alarming headline from The Guardian, though the actual story is pretty light on details about this intimidation. Apart from Euroclear execs hiring private security + promised legal/economic retaliation against Belgium, we're left only with some anon speculation about the GRU.

the Guardian

Belgian politicians and finance bosses targeted by Russian intelligence over seized assets

Exclusive: Key figures at frozen assets depository among targets of intimidation campaign, say European intelligence agencies

"U.S. & Russian officials are expected to meet in Miami this weekend as part of the Trump admin’s push to bring an end to nearly four years of war." Will be interesting to see if the Kremlin can reject the 20-pt deal (assured) while convincing Trump that it's Kyiv's fault (jury's still out). https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/17/us-russia-ukraine-war-miami-00695305

wowzers

"congratulations, Mr. President!" "did you watch it?" "i did not, yeah, i will see it on the news." LOL

Oho: "Turkey is seeking to return S-400 air defense systems it bought from Russia nearly a decade ago. [...] Ankara is also seeking a refund for the billions of dollars it spent to buy the air defense system [...] raising the possibility of Turkey asking for a deduction from its oil and natural gas imports bill from Russia."

Bloomberg.com

Erdogan Asks Putin to Take Back Missiles to Win US Favor

Turkey is seeking to return S-400 air defense systems it bought from Russia nearly a decade ago, a move that would end a controversial deal that ro...

when it all went wrong

idea for a new Amazon show: Man in the High Castle, but it's set in the future and the U.S. is divided between Chinese America and Russian America, post-WW3. in this case, Russian America would be the weaker side, obviously.

Serbian President Vucic blames a vast conspiracy for derailing €750 million in potential investment tied planned Trump Tower hotel in Belgrade. (Jared Kushner walked away from the project amid an anti-corruption probe & mass protests.) Vučić vows criminal charges against the deal's saboteurs.

РБК

Вучич пригрозил ответственностью сорвавшим стройку отеля Кушнера в Сербии

Сербия потеряла около 750 млн потенциальных инвестиций после того, как зять прези...

what every small-time influencer dreams of shouting at his most loyal audience members