Bob Zoellick makes the case for using frozen Russian FX assets to help Ukraine. The need is clear and that someone of his stature (& IFI experience) advocates it is important. Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center

wsj.com/articles/russi…

Oh yes, there were also modern technologies for Russia, open arms for the Russian elites in the West, the city partnerships, the joint space station etcpp. - The stupid thing is that Putin's fairy tale of Russia's rejection is constantly parroted in the West. /2

Putin: We wanted dialogue. And what did we get besides the WTO, the G8, the NATO-Russia Act, the energy partnership, the tens of billions of investments, the disarmament of the Germans, the cultural exchange, our villas & yachts and all the useful idiots on our payroll?

Excellent analysis from Catherine Belton of Russian tactics to undermine the pro-European leadership of Moldova. Gives context to US sanctions this week against some of the Kremlin's allies and stooges. Eurasia Center

P.S. I’m not against diplomacy, including to end wars. I’m against dumb diplomacy. Don’t start negotiations by accepting the other side’s framing of the issue. And don’t forget the consequences for those whose lives are on the line, like the Ukrainians.

Veteran diplomat Steven Pifer takes down through analysis informed by experience some of the abstract (and fatuous) appeals to 'diplomacy' to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Those who speak in breezy abstractions about negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine usually have in mind pushing Ukraine to surrender people and land to Russian control. They seldom own up to what that means.
apnews.com/article/russia…

During the Korean War, Stalin's USSR accused the US of having conducted 'germ warfare' against North Korea and China. Fabrication then/fabrication now.

USG goes after corrupt Moldovans and some acting as Russian agents. Moldova is a Russian target with its pro-European President and economic vulnerabilities. Good to see the Administration taking names and going after them. Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center

home.treasury.gov/news/press-rel…

Good. Not a fan of Russian diamonds. Not a fan of trading in Russian diamonds.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has withdrawn its letter to Biden on US policy toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine that caused political backlash

Full statement from Rep. Pramila Jayapal:

While the Kremlin pushes its latest nonsense (accusations of a Ukrainian 'dirty bomb') and political posturing in Washington continues (from Right and Left), Ukrainian forces continue their advance.

washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/…

This call for US to 'provide' #Ukraine a “proactive diplomatic push ... to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire' is badly misguided.

Ceasefire now would leave #Russia occupying substantial Ukrainian territory when Moscow shows no readiness for serious negotiations. 1/3

P.S. to borrow from Barack Obama, I'm not against all negotiations. Just dumb ones. And it's dumb to accept Putin's terms for negotiating an end to the Russo-Ukraine War that he started and can't seem to win.