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I’m currently on leave away from Moscow. But before I left, I asked Russians about their hopes & their concerns.

submitted 3 days ago • 20 comments

First, a statue of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin appears in the Moscow Metro. Then a Kremlin adviser says that “from a legal standpoint the USSR still exists.” In Russia the past hangs over the present. My report from Moscow.

submitted 8 days ago • 46 comments

First, a statue of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin appears in the Moscow Metro. Then a Kremlin adviser says that “from a legal standpoint the USSR still exists.” In Russia the past hangs over the present. My report from Moscow.

submitted 8 days ago • 46 comments

From today’s Russian papers: “Moscow’s desire [not to alienate Trump] takes second place to its priority: a convincing victory in Ukraine.” One paper writes in detail about Russia’s economic problems. Plus, a Kremlin advisor claims “legally the USSR still exists.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 11 days ago • 17 comments

From today’s Russian papers: “Moscow’s desire [not to alienate Trump] takes second place to its priority: a convincing victory in Ukraine.” One paper writes in detail about Russia’s economic problems. Plus, a Kremlin advisor claims “legally the USSR still exists.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 11 days ago • 17 comments

In Moscow no hint of compromise. Russia continues to attack Ukraine. One Russian newspaper this week told European leaders to "breathe in the smell of the new world order." My thoughts on the last two weeks.

submitted 13 days ago • 21 comments

Russia continues to celebrate the Putin-Trump call. Today’s Russian papers: “Trump’s stance couldn’t be more advantageous to Moscow.” “Trump is our ideological partner.” Another paper tells European leaders: “Just breathe in the smell of the new world order.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 16 days ago • 20 comments

Today’s Russian papers react to the Putin-Trump call: * “Russia wins extra time” * “Memorandum instead of ceasefire.” * “Moscow continues to oppose a comprehensive ceasefire until a compromise is found…we’re talking about Ukraine making the compromises.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 17 days ago • 7 comments

After the Istanbul talks, little sign of compromise in today’s Russian newspapers. One paper: “The continuation of diplomatic efforts must not be accompanied by a drop in efforts to denazify & demilitarise what is left of Ukraine.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 18 days ago • 15 comments

2 days after Eurovision, Russia reveals who’ll represent it in the alternative Intervision Song Contest this autumn: pro-Kremlin pop singer Shaman, known for his support of the ‘special military operation’ (Russia’s war in Ukraine) & for song lyrics like “I am Russian, to spite the whole world”

submitted 18 days ago • 12 comments

After the Istanbul talks, little sign of compromise in today’s Russian newspapers. One paper: “The continuation of diplomatic efforts must not be accompanied by a drop in efforts to denazify & demilitarise what is left of Ukraine.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 18 days ago • 15 comments

I have no sauna at home. But I do have a piano. So here is my piano version of Sweden’s 2025 Eurovision entry Bara bada bastu (‘“Just take a sauna”). Congratulations to KAJ for placing 4th.

submitted 19 days ago • 16 comments

How I imagine Sweden is feeling after not winning Eurovision. I play a melancholic version of its entry Bara Bada Bastu.

submitted 19 days ago • 19 comments

Woke up this morning & tried to play Austria’s winning Eurovision song Wasted Love. Congratulations to JJ for a top performance. @eurovision.tv #Eurovision #EurovisionSongContest

submitted 19 days ago • 13 comments

‘Will he or won’t he?’ It's what we’ve been asking since Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine. Would he fly to Turkey to or stay home? Last night we got the answer: ‘no’ (or might that be ‘not yet’?) If talks make progress (eg on long-term ceasefire) might more senior figures join discussions..?

submitted 22 days ago • 17 comments

Today’s Russian papers claim Putin has “outplayed” Kyiv with his offer of direct talks. One paper concludes Trump “wants to be brought peace on a silver platter, or at least start of talks. Whoever runs to him first with this tray will be in the right in his eyes.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 25 days ago • 12 comments

Late on Saturday President Putin proposed holding direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul this Thursday. But Moscow has provided little detail. Today the Kremlin declined to say who might represent Russia at such negotiations.

submitted 25 days ago • 7 comments

Today’s Russian papers claim Putin has “outplayed” Kyiv with his offer of direct talks. One paper concludes Trump “wants to be brought peace on a silver platter, or at least start of talks. Whoever runs to him first with this tray will be in the right in his eyes.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 25 days ago • 12 comments

Near Moscow I observe the Battle for Berlin (a reenactment) & meet Katya. Her grandad was killed fighting Germany. Her son is fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine. "I tried to talk him out if it, but he hasn't listened to anyone since he was a kid."

submitted 30 days ago • 9 comments

Today’s Russian papers on Russia's economic problems: “Russians braced for unprecedented rise in utility bills”, “Saudi Arabia ready to reduce oil prices to $50. That threatens Russia with budget cuts” & “Russian authorities triple budget deficit forecast.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 32 days ago • 15 comments

Today’s Russian papers on Russia's economic problems: “Russians braced for unprecedented rise in utility bills”, “Saudi Arabia ready to reduce oil prices to $50. That threatens Russia with budget cuts” & “Russian authorities triple budget deficit forecast.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 32 days ago • 15 comments

It's that time of year again...I try to play (a bit of) all this year’s Eurovision Song Contest entries on the piano. All 37 of them. @eurovision.tv #Eurovision2025

submitted 68 days ago • 13 comments

In recent days Moscow and Pyongyang finally confirmed that North Korea had sent troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine (in Russia’s Kursk region). Time to recall what Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko told me last October when I raised the issue.

submitted 37 days ago • 14 comments

It doesn’t sound like Russia’s ready to end the war. One Russian paper today: “A ceasefire doesn’t mean we abandon our objectives anytime soon…it’s possible N.Korean soldiers will play a part in routing Ukraine's army.” Plus, Sergei Lavrov’s (long) list of conditions. #ReadingRussia

submitted 38 days ago • 13 comments

A few thoughts about Vladimir Putin's three-day May ceasefire.

submitted 39 days ago • 53 comments

More conditions? One Russian paper this morning: “For Moscow it’s crucial to secure a many-fold reduction in the size of the Ukrainian army & a major reconstruction of the Ukrainian political system.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 39 days ago • 19 comments

More conditions? One Russian paper this morning: “For Moscow it’s crucial to secure a many-fold reduction in the size of the Ukrainian army & a major reconstruction of the Ukrainian political system.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 39 days ago • 19 comments

My musical tribute to singer Clodagh Rodgers who has died at the age of 78. Clodagh represented the UK at Eurovision in 1971 with the song Jack in a Box. @ebu.ch @eurovision.tv

submitted 40 days ago • 9 comments

Russia’s government paper: “It’s practically a foregone conclusion the US will pull out of Ukraine talks.” Another paper: “The unity of the West is gone. Geopolitically it’s no longer an alliance. Trumpism has destroyed the Atlantic consensus confidently & quickly.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 43 days ago • 29 comments

One of today’s Russian papers reports: Russian history text books will feature Donald Trump’s “extraordinary peace efforts…and the remarkable changes in American domestic politics.” (so says one of the authors) #ReadingRussia

submitted 44 days ago • 14 comments

In one of today's Russian papers a Kremlin hawk, known for his anti-Western rhetoric, calls for cooperation with America. What we learn from Nikolai Patrushev’s interview to Kommersant. #ReadingRussia

submitted 45 days ago • 11 comments

Today's Russian papers on Donald Trump. One opinion: “Ideally Trump needs to stay in power after 2028.” Another paper: “No achievement yet that could earn a Nobel peace prize: not all international conflicts can be solved by а diplomatic cavalry charge.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 46 days ago • 12 comments