In my opinion by far the most important event occurring at the moment is the unfolding collapse of Ukraine. The front lines are breaking, the energy system is collapsing, and there is a funding crisis which the EU is finding it impossible to resolve. Against this background there is an ongoing power struggle in Kiev masquerading as an 'anti-corruption' campaign (it is no such thing) and there are growing signs that once prominent rats are jumping the visibly sinking ship (there are rumours that the Energy Minister has fled abroad following the lead apparently set by Umerov).

Meanwhile even the UK media talk about Zelensky's increasing disconnection from reality https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/18/zelensky-is-losing-touch-with-reality/

As it happens the latest word about Zelensky is that he is flying today to meet Witkoff in Istanbul, supposedly in order to get the negotiations with Russia - which just a week ago the Ukrainians were saying had been 'suspended' till the end of the year - restarted. No one I am aware of is asking the obvious question: why is Witkoff meeting Zelensky in Istanbul and not in Kiev?

In the midst of all this there are rumours the US is trying to get its own dialogue with Moscow restarted, though as always the actions of this administration contradict the rumours, with an unsuccessful ATACMS strike against Voronezh yesterday and with talk from Trump himself about his backing the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill, which has been brought back to life. It all looks confused and chaotic.

Meanwhile in Washington the Epstein scandal grows and grows.

So much to discuss....