Trump thinks he made a brilliant deal with Putin about diesel exports from Russia. But Russia planned to allow some diesel exports anyway. Putin managed to sell it as a gift to Trump. This is from 3 days ago:

I would laugh but it‘s actually not that funny

To be fair, Ukraine was always the topic where I agreed most with Boris Johnson, and where he did a fairly good job in supporting Ukraine even before the 2022 invasion as PM.

'how it started' - 'How it is going'- Boris Johnson, Trump & Ukraine edition:

Well.

Finally read the new AfD strategy paper on Europe. It casts 2029 as a “historic window” to reorient the EU’s foundations through Treaty change, with a right-wing majority in the EP and a German government with AfD participation both within reach. Thread on some notable points:

Theatre of the absurd! Trump announces US will buy diesel from russia even though he signed a law mandating sanctions for any country buying russian energy. Meanwhile russia actually has a diesel export ban because they can’t meet domestic demand.

As the Americans like to say, there ain't no such thing as a free lunch (and much less free diesel)...

It really was brutal during the hight of the Eurozone crisis.

With all the attention on the bond markets in recent weeks, it should of course also be noted that Greek 10y bonds now have lower yields than either Italy, France or the UK, with only Germany still faring (substantially) better. How times have changed.

Another 'wow the Eurozone crisis is a long time ago'-moment - Greek (seasonally adjusted) youth unemployment has now fallen below EU average, something that would have seemed absurd 10 years ago:

Very sad news. UK in a Changing Europe was one of the most influential voices in the Brexit debate and beyond, and I always enjoyed working with all the colleagues there. Here is to all what was achieved, and hoping the signalling that there is more to come bears out!

In a recent conversation we talked about how killing FCAS and MGCS might be better now than under different governments in 🇫🇷 and 🇩🇪 that may seek to make wider points about European defence cooperation. Still, a huge waste of time this dalliance, this dance… leading to nothing.

This is where we are. Live stream executions for Maga porn. Such barbarism is not easily wiped away.

Utter barbarism. Like watching the reverse evolution of man into beast.

MFF negotiations also usually involve at least one failed summit. With Spain’s election now called for 29 November (which happened after our conversation) Costa has even less room for manoeuvre to steer the negotiations towards agreement.

My view: Costa’s approach is well suited to strategic debate, but struggles when technical details require political ownership. And if anything, the MFF negotiations are all about technical details, with opposing camps currently in deadlock and with every number creating winners and losers.