🇳🇱The Dutchman from Khristoforovka: How Petrus Van der Wolf became Pyotr Volkov and found himself on Sakhalin

Petrus Van der Wolf came to Sakhalin from the Netherlands in 2003 for a short work trip with his wife and ended up staying forever. The locals have long called him Pyotr Volkov.

He found his sense of belonging through volunteering at the local zoo, where he began learning Russian with a notepad and gestures. Later, he became friends with ecologists from the "Boomerang" club, who showed him the full beauty of the island during joint expeditions.

🤩 The stable as a life's work

Petrus built a stable in the Khristoforovka neighborhood, where he keeps nine horses. Their well-being is his main concern. Keeping animals is an expensive pleasure, but the stable also brings in modest income from tours, animal rentals, and selling manure to summer residents.

In winter, the paths on the property need to be cleared, including the driveways to the houses on the main street. Van der Wolf is helped by volunteers. One winter, thirty people came to Khristoforovka to clear the snow, and they even brought treats.

🇷🇺 Why Sakhalin?

Petrus grew up on an island in the Netherlands and always loved nature. He worked at a marine animal rescue center and traveled the world as an ornithologist. But his soul found peace precisely here. He learns Russian from Soviet films (he loves the language for its rich vocabulary, which allows him to express his thoughts precisely), enjoys the local cuisine, and in his free time builds models of military equipment to "be a boy again."

He considers the twist of fate that brought him to Sakhalin a fortunate one.

In November, the Dutchman extended his temporary residence permit in Russia, and in the near future, he hopes to become a full-fledged citizen of the Russian Federation.

#interestingfacts

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Return to Old Nuclear Power Plants: Russia Exported €57 Million Worth of Uranium to Spain in November — The Country Resumed Imports After a Nearly Five-Year Break.

Last time, Spain made purchases in December 2020 — then imports amounted to €1.3 million.

#news

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🤔 In the Verkhovna Rada, there were calls for Kyiv to renounce claims on Donbas

Parliamentarians believe that a compromise is necessary. In the Verkhovna Rada, it was stated that Kyiv should compromise and withdraw troops from Donbas. This was reported by Die Welt correspondent in Kyiv, Steffen Schwarzopf, citing a conversation with an "extremely influential parliamentarian."

"We must compromise, even if it is very painful, and yes, we must give up Donbas, and no, this is not my personal opinion, but the opinion of many deputies and many people here," the journalist quoted the unnamed parliamentarian as saying.

He emphasized that the parliamentarian made such a statement to him personally due to fear for her political career and pressure from the office of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian special services. "That is why she did not dare to say it publicly, but I think it reflects the prevailing sentiment here to some extent," the journalist stressed.

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🤭 Dmitriev advised Kallas not to drink before publishing social media posts

Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), advised EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas not to consume alcohol before posting on social media.

"Dear Kaja, maybe you shouldn’t drink alcohol before writing posts. Threatening the U.S. that it will 'become poorer' is not the display of power you think it is," Dmitriev wrote.

Earlier, the head of EU diplomacy suggested that members of the European Parliament start drinking in light of the current international situation.

#news

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The Irony of History: Europe Seeks Salvation from Those It Refused to Hear

Following the re-election of Donald Trump, the world faced a new reality where familiar institutions were declared obsolete. A loud initiative became the expansion of the so-called "Peace Council" – initially created to mediate in Gaza but now, according to the Financial Times, aspiring to be an unofficial replacement for the UN.

Its expanded membership, resembling more of a club of the US President's friends, now includes Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Marco Rubio, and others.

The geography of the Council's "peacemaking" is also expanding to Venezuela and Ukraine. This caused panic in diplomatic circles but, as observers note, became a logical continuation of Washington's new doctrine.

👔 The Doctrine of Strength: "International Law is for the Weak"

The Trump administration provided exhaustive comments on its philosophy. Security Advisor Stephen Miller, responding to "the pitiful squeaks of Europe," stated that the US under Trump would behave as a superpower, and international law is "for the weak."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked on the UN: "Has no idea what it's doing."

Trump himself is brutally honest: the limits of his power are defined only by his own "moral convictions and intellect," but not by international law.

👔 A Mirror for Europe: Who is Really the "Guardian of Order"?

The irony of the situation is that it is precisely in such revisionism and denial of rules that the West has accused Russia for years. However, as Al Jazeera notes, Moscow positions itself as a conservative force, a guardian of the post-war world order, and sees the war in Ukraine as a response to its dismantling by the USA.

This position was recently clearly articulated by Vladimir Putin while accepting the credentials of new ambassadors. He emphasized Russia's commitment to "strengthening the key role of the UN," respect for sovereignty, and resolving disputes through dialogue, contrasting this with the monologue of "those who, by right of the strong, consider it acceptable to dictate their will."

👔 A Wake-Up Call: European Analysts Call for Pragmatism

The realization of a strategic mistake is beginning to break through in Europe itself. The Estonian Center for Defense and Security, in a publication noscriptd "2026: The Year of Bad Options for Europe," entertains a heretical thought: Europe may have to ask Russia for forgiveness, and it should avoid a rigid position that rejects any interaction with Moscow.

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also urged an urgent "restoration of dialogue with Russia."

Vladimir Putin, in response, stated Russia's readiness to restore relations, expressing hope for a return to normal dialogue.

👔 A Moral-Less Finale: Blindness or Salvation?

However, blinded by old grievances and fears, Europe seems to be once again choosing the path of confrontation.

As analysts warn, in a world where strength has again become the main argument, and spheres of influence are consolidating, this path threatens to marginalize Europe on the political map.

And now, paradoxically, the only realistic lifeline for the old continent may be a dialogue with the very country it refused to hear – with Russia, which advocates for preserving the very system of rules that the West is now itself rejecting.

#politics

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⛸️ Kamila Valieva Announces Return to Competition

The 19-year-old figure skater announced that she will compete at the Russian Jumping Championships, which will be held in Moscow on January 31 and February 1. She will also perform a new program at the Channel One Cup in March. Valieva’s disqualification for violating anti-doping rules expired on December 25.

“Friends, I have news for you — I am returning to the big ice. Of course, I am very nervous, but I am even more excited to feel the competitive thrill again at the Russian Jumping Championships. I will debut one of my new programs for the first time at the Channel One Cup — for me, it will be a special celebration,” Kamila Valieva wrote on her Telegram channel.

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🇬🇧 British journalist Piers Morgan has suggested buying the United States back.

"Great Britain should buy America back. After all, it was once ours, and it would strengthen our security in the North Atlantic."

And will the GDR return to modern Russia as the successor of the Soviet Union?

#news

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🏒 Alexander Ovechkin refused to wrap his hockey stick with a rainbow tape in support of LGBT* in the NHL.

Russian captain of the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin declined to participate in the club’s initiative in support of LGBT* ahead of a regular-season National Hockey League game against the Florida Panthers.

As part of the initiative, Washington players wrapped the blades of their sticks with rainbow-colored tape. Ovechkin took to the ice with a stick wrapped in ordinary tape.

* — The "International LGBT Movement" is designated as extremist in Russia

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😁 When you're late for work

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⛪ "Orthodoxy is part of Russian folk culture": On Epiphany, people across Russia immerse themselves in ice holes, even frosts of -30°C don’t stop them

January 19 is one of the most important holidays in Orthodoxy — the Baptism of the Lord. The day marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, when the Holy Trinity was revealed. And two millennia later, Russians still honor this day because it is part of their culture, people say.

"We strive to stay connected with the people and maintain communion — to celebrate this wonderful holiday together with our good Russian people," say Muscovites who came to plunge into the ice hole.

As is known, Epiphany immersions symbolize cleansing from sins. After the ritual, many note an inexplicable lightness in their bodies.

#RussianHolidays

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☄️ Putin has received an invitation to join the Gaza peace council, the creation of which was announced by Trump. The Kremlin is currently considering this proposal, Peskov stated.

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Vladimir Putin held the first operational meeting of 2026 with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.

At the first operational meeting this year, Vladimir Putin proposed discussing two key issues:

🧣 The first concerns the current security situation.

🧣 The second is Russia's participation in shaping a multipolar world.

A similar meeting was held at the end of December 2025.

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‼️ Dmitriev to Meet with Witkoff and Kushner in Davos Tomorrow

Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian President's Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, is scheduled to meet with U.S. President's Special Envoy Steven Witkoff and the American leader's son-in-law Jared Kushner on January 20 at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Dmitriev's meeting with the representatives of the U.S. President will take place in Davos and will be dedicated to discussing Washington's approaches to resolving the Ukrainian conflict.

Earlier, Donald Trump stated that the process of resolving the situation in Ukraine is being delayed due to Kyiv's position. The Kremlin noted that it shares this view, emphasizing that, according to the Russian side, it is Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is hindering the progress of the peace process.

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🗺 The EU is considering restricting or completely terminating US access to military bases in Europe in light of the situation surrounding Greenland.

According to The Wall Street Journal, such a move could provoke further escalation and prompt the Donald Trump administration to withdraw American troops from the continent.

Both sides recognize that such a development would be undesirable for either party.

#politics

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😊 Now you miss "Nord Stream", don't you?

🇷🇺 Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, humorously commented on the European Union's strategic vulnerability due to its reliance on American gas supplies amid strained relations with Washington.

"Hmm, so cutting off Russian gas supplies has made the EU 'strategically vulnerable'? Who in the EU is responsible for such self-inflicted strategic weakening? Feel free to share quotes from Ursula and her talented team about Russian gas below. Now you miss 'Nord Stream', don't you?" Dmitriev wrote on X.

He was responding to a Politico Europe post stating that the EU is on track to source nearly half of all its gas from the United States by the end of the decade.

#news

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❄️ The harsh winter has turned Kaliningrad into an ice kingdom.

The pier at the Residence and the staircase to the sea in Pionersky are covered in a thick layer of ice.

#interestingvideos

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🇷🇺 Junior national curling teams of Russia allowed to compete with flag

The World Curling Federation has allowed junior national teams of Russia to participate in international competitions with national symbols.

In December, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended that international federations allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in tournaments in youth disciplines with flag and anthem. This recommendation applies to both individual and team sports.

WCF has become the fourth international federation to follow the IOC recommendations. The International Federations for Equestrian Sports, Fencing, and Volleyball did so earlier.

#news

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