Raimonds Bricis

Russian services have penetrated everywhere and deeply into the West; here is a very good article from Danish investigative journalists. danwatch.dk/droneangreb-...

Russia will not rest until it is stopped and defeated in Ukraine.

jamestown.substack.com/p/russian-fo...

NATO and Latvia 🇱🇻 host joint exercise to enhance defence readiness against threats on Latvian border

www.ncia.nato.int/newsroom/new...

“History warns us to think twice. The Baltic nations know what “only de facto” Russian occupation means — and that “temporary” can last half a century.”

on.ft.com/3UsRc7E
FT: Baltic states know Russian occupation is never temporary

The Kremlin has a bad track record of keeping its promises and sticking to its commitments.

Well done!

Latvia secures exclusive contract to deliver advanced drones to Ukraine.

The procurement competition attracted the interest of 163 entrepreneurs from 57 member states of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group.

eng.lsm.lv/article/soci...

“Russia is not just Ukraine’s problem. It is a systemic threat to the international order,” writes Latvia’s foreign minister Baiba Braže.
econ.st/4mNRcMo

It’s time to call it out - the so-called MEP Fidias Panayiotou is actively spreading Russia’s disinformation narrative.

He’s done so for too long, largely unchallenged.

Also, his 9 May visit to Moscow’s Red Square with red carnations is one of many examples.

To reflect upon…

A NATO Plane Tracks and Dodges Russia in the Baltic Sea The assignment was part of a new program aimed at suspected Russian sabotage. None has occurred since NATO began patrols.

Recently, the French Navy's Atlantique 2 patrolled above the Baltic Sea.

"Russian forces attempted to jam the plane’s GPS, & at one point, another Russian warship locked on to the plane with radar, a warning that it could open fire. Russian naval ships & a submarine were visible in the sea below."

FT: Trump threatens secondary tariffs on Russian oil if no deal on Ukraine

www.ft.com/content/784b...

Inside Russia’s Gazprom: can the ailing energy giant be revived? The gas and oil company is struggling to recover from record losses after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine destroyed its business model

It's worth remembering that Gazprom's profits funded the Kremlin's main propaganda channel (NTV), built Russia's third-largest bank, &, before 24 February 2022, secured major influence in international sports (and it still plays a significant role in local sports today).

www.ft.com/content/5da4...

Inside Russia’s Gazprom: can the ailing energy giant be revived? The gas and oil company is struggling to recover from record losses after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine destroyed its business model

The Financial Times highlights that "Gazprom's monopoly is built around a simple premise: pump cheap gas at a high price to Europe and funnel the profits into the Kremlin's domestic and geopolitical ambitions."

www.ft.com/content/5da4...

Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has destroyed Gazprom's business model.

www.ft.com/content/5da4...

President Donald Trump’s pick as NATO ambassador reassured senators at his confirmation hearing on Tuesday that the Trump administration’s commitment to the military alliance was “ironclad.”

apnews.com/article/matt...

Ursula von der Leyen: "Europe is ready to assume its responsibilities. ReArm Europe could mobilise close to EUR 800 billion for a safe and resilient Europe. We will continue working closely with our partners in NATO. This is a moment for Europe. And we are ready to step up."

It’s Monday.

Europe’s rescue mission on Ukraine: keep Trump engaged

“The PM [Starmer] will bring people together and politely make sure they realise that there is only one negotiation in town — and that’s President Trump’s.”

on.ft.com/41OdWDD

Today’s news in Russia.

However, these general data do not answer the key question—can negatively inclined opinion leaders truly influence public perception and emotions?

In my social media feeds, the message of support remains overwhelmingly dominant: #StandWithUkraine!

5/5

Although these numbers represent only the tip of the iceberg, one fact is undeniable—X is the dominant platform for these discussions.

Interestingly, BlueSky, with 6.6%, is the second most widely used platform.

4/5

Among the ten most influential authors generating the highest engagement, one remains neutral, two are positive, and seven express a negative attitude toward President Zelensky.

3/5

Data shows that over the past 24 hours, the word "Zelensky" (without translations) has been mentioned 8.4 million times in English and published by 850,000 unique authors.

2/5

Much has already been said about yesterday's events at the White House.

Just now, the president arrived in London, where he was warmly welcomed by the British Prime Minister.

Tomorrow, Zelensky is scheduled to meet with King Charles.

But what about the online space?

1/5

"Don't 'give Russia what they want," says EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Read: kyivindependent.com/kallas-decri...

Financial Times: Zelenskyy offers to step down in exchange for peace and Ukraine’s Nato membership

on.ft.com/41aIMoo

The Economist:

“NATO has been the world’s most successful alliance: its disappearance is hard to imagine. But the old things have passed away; all things have become new. Europe needs to face up to that before it is too late.”

www.economist.com/leaders/2025...

Europe delivers.

Evil…

Evil…