In an article on X, River Monetary’s director of promoting, Sam Wouters, revealed that the Bitcoin Lightning Community processed an estimated $1.17 billion in quantity in November 2025, an all-time excessive.
https://t.co/5Kmor1eA1n
— Sam Wouters (@SDWouters) February 19, 2026
This huge surge indicators a important shift in community utilization from experimental micropayments to substantial institutional settlements.
Key Takeaways
The Milestone: Month-to-month quantity hit an estimated $1.1 billion throughout 5.2 million transactions in keeping with River Monetary information.
The Shift: Common transaction measurement practically doubled year-over-year to $223, pushed by alternate settlements somewhat than small retail purchases.
The Catalyst: Safe Digital Markets executed a singular $1 million switch to Kraken in below a second, proving high-value efficacy.
Why The Migration to Bitcoin’s Lightning Community?
Bitcoin is rising out of its “digital gold” narrative. As on-chain charges fluctuate successfully pricing out smaller transfers, the Lightning Community supplies the mandatory throughput for scalable commerce.
This utility is important as macroeconomic headwinds and potential fee hikes drive merchants to hunt capital effectivity.
Supply: River Monetary
The community is not only a playground for builders testing one-satoshi funds. It’s changing into monetary infrastructure.
Whereas whole transaction counts are literally down from the 2023 peak of 6.6 million, the financial worth settled has exploded. The market is maturing, prioritizing high-value pace over low-value quantity.
Uncover: Right here’s the subsequent crypto to blow up
Breaking Down the Numbers
River Monetary’s newest evaluation paints a bullish image of Layer-2 adoption. The estimated $1.17 billion in November quantity represents a roughly 400% improve year-over-year. Knowledge signifies the community is efficiently capturing industrial circulate.
Safe Digital Markets highlighted this capability by partaking a sending $1 million to crypto alternate Kraken through the lightning community earlier this yr. The settlement was on the spot.
Community capability, the overall cash locked to facilitate these funds, reached a report 5,606 BTC in December 2025, in keeping with information by Bitcoin Visuals.
Supply: Bitcoin Visuals
This liquidity depth is important for stopping cost failures on bigger transfers. Node operators like ACINQ and specialised infrastructure suppliers are stabilizing the grid, making five-figure transfers dependable.
What Does This Imply for Bitcoin Adoption?
The narrative is shifting from hypothesis to settlement. Sam Wouters forecasts the subsequent main quantity surge will come from AI brokers using Lightning for automated, high-frequency machine funds, opening a completely new financial system of autonomous monetary actors.
We’re seeing a broader pattern of financializing Bitcoin’s utility layers. Simply as Ledn is scaling Bitcoin-backed bonds for yield, Lightning is scaling Bitcoin for velocity.
The funds panorama is quickly integrating these Layer-2 options, evidenced by Ether.fi shifting client card merchandise to Layer-2 networks to bypass mainnet congestion.
Uncover: The very best new crypto in the marketplace
The submit Bitcoin Lightning Community Exceeds $1B in Month-to-month Quantity – A Main Layer-2 Win appeared first on Cryptonews.
Explosions reported at a fuel processing plant in Russia's Samara area<p>On February 21, explosions had been reported in Russia's Samara area, with the Neftegorsk fuel processing plant being attacked. Native authorities blamed Ukraine for the assault, and the aftermath of the explosions was recorded by NASA satellites.</p>
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has threatened to cease electrical energy provides to Ukraine if oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline shouldn’t be restored.
Supply: Telex, an impartial Hungarian information portal, citing Orbán at an occasion with activists of the Fidesz celebration within the metropolis of Bekescsaba, as reported by European Pravda
Particulars: Orbán was requested a number of questions by the viewers in regards to the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was broken by the Russians, however the Hungarian authorities blames Ukraine for the disruption in provides.
Orbán stated Ukrainians aimed to create financial chaos and an power emergency in Hungary and to deliver in regards to the defeat of the Fidesz celebration in April's elections.
Quote: "Chaos within the minds of Ukrainians is the trail to the opposition's victory within the elections."
Extra particulars: Orbán didn’t rule out that if Ukrainians fail to revive pipeline transit, Hungary would cease supplying electrical energy to Ukraine.
Quote: "A lot of the electrical energy comes into Ukraine from Hungary. If we cease this, dangerous issues may occur…
In fact, we make some errors, however you can not say we’re crude or brainless. We all know precisely easy methods to cope with such a state of affairs and we are going to cope with it. Anybody who bites us could have their tooth knocked out."
For reference: Hungary is a vital provider of electrical energy to Ukraine, with the share of imports from Hungary reaching 50% of Ukraine's total electrical energy import construction in February 2026. ExPro, a Ukrainian analytical company, estimates that in 2025 Ukraine imported about 1.4 million MWh from Hungary, which accounts for 42% of all imports.
Background:
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated he’ll transfer to cease his nation's electrical energy exports to Ukraine until Kyiv restores Russian oil transit to Slovakia by Monday 23 February.
Fico desires to ship a monitoring mission to the positioning of injury to the Druzhba pipeline within the Ukrainian metropolis of Brody to acquire an knowledgeable evaluation of the injury.
Ukrainians conclude their efficiency on the 2026 Olympic Video games<p>5 Ukrainian athletes competed in cross-country snowboarding and freestyle snowboarding on the 2026 Olympic Video games. The Ukrainian nationwide group took sixth place within the combined group freestyle snowboarding competitors.</p>
Ukraine's protection forces hit the Votkinsk Plant in Russia, which produces ballistic missiles. An oil refinery, a gasoline depot, and a UAV workshop have been additionally hit.
The Ukrainian Protection Forces struck essential military-industrial complicated and logistics amenities of the Russian troops utilizing FP-5 "Flamingo" cruise missiles. This was reported by UNN as regards to the Normal Workers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Particulars
The strike on the military-industrial complicated enterprise "Votkinsk Plant" within the metropolis of Votkinsk (Udmurt Republic, Russia) was carried out by items of the Missile Forces and Artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the evening of February 21. A fireplace was recorded on the territory of the plant. The outcomes are being clarified.
The "Votkinsk Plant" has the next capabilities: manufacturing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) RS-24 "Yars", "Yars-S", "Yars-M", ballistic missiles ZM-30 (R-30) "Bulava" for submarines of challenge 955A "Borey-A"; ballistic missiles kind 9M723-1 for OTRK "Iskander-M" and 9-S-7760 for the aviation missile complicated "Kinzhal"
– reported the Normal Workers.
As well as, in response to preliminary info, items of the Protection Forces hit the Neftegorsk oil refinery within the Samara area of Russia, which is concerned in assembly the wants of the Russian occupation military.
Within the quickly occupied territory of Donetsk area, an enemy gasoline and lubricants depot (Donetsk metropolis) and a workshop for the manufacturing and upkeep of UAVs (within the space of Nova Karakuba settlement) have been hit.
Within the settlement of Polohy (TOT Zaporizhzhia area), the Protection Forces struck a warehouse of fabric and technical technique of the occupiers.
Recall
On the evening of February 21, explosions occurred in Russian Udmurtia on the territory of the strategic "Votkinsk Plant". Workshops No. 22 and No. 36, the place the ultimate meeting of missile know-how is carried out, have been hit.
Securities and Trade Fee (SEC) management unveiled a concrete plan for an “innovation exemption” at ETHDenver Wednesday, signaling a realistic however cautious pathway for buying and selling tokenized securities in U.S. markets.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins and SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce in Dialog by: – @HesterPeirce, SEC Commissioner – @SECPaulSAtkins, thirty fourth Chairman of the @SECgov – @PallerJohn from @EthereumDenver, @opolis, @BufficornV & @SporkDao "We aren’t trying to harm or break something, the… pic.twitter.com/KDE7NcXu7s
— ETHDenver (@EthereumDenver) February 18, 2026
SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce detailed an incremental framework that permits crypto corporations to facilitate restricted buying and selling of blockchain-based conventional belongings, successfully making a regulatory sandbox for Actual World Property (RWAs).
Uncover: The most effective meme cash
Fast Takeaways
The Exemption Deal: The proposal permits issuers to collaborate with specialist switch brokers to whitelist token holders for onchain buying and selling.
Quantity Limits: The “innovation exemption” will probably embody strict quantity caps and momentary length durations to check stability.
Market Demand: Tokenized inventory curiosity is exploding.
Why The SEC Is Appearing Now
The company is enjoying catch-up with market actuality. During the last 12 months, TradFi giants have aggressively moved towards blockchain settlement.
Nasdaq Nasdaq desires to replace its guidelines so some shares and exchange-traded merchandise can exist in both a traditional digital type or as blockchain-based tokens.
Buying and selling would work the identical manner it does right this moment.
The one distinction is that blockchain expertise would assist deal with record-keeping and settlement behind the scenes. is already searching for approval to commerce tokenized equities alongside conventional shares.
Actual-world asset tokenization is now not a distinct segment dialog. As of early 2026, tokenized RWAs have crossed $20B+ in on-chain worth (@RWA_xyz), with rising participation from world establishments and controlled market operators. What’s modified is the main focus. Much less… pic.twitter.com/7awguJmtAm
— EDENA Capital (@Edenaofficial) February 14, 2026
This follows the SEC’s January 2026 clarification, which established that the financial actuality of an asset determines its standing, not the expertise used.
This regulatory readability is essential for product issuers, paving the way in which for much more main ETF launches and staking merchandise from corporations like Grayscale and Canary Capital.
Particulars on the ‘Incremental’ Method
Don’t anticipate an in a single day revolution. Commissioner Peirce described the exemption as a “modest” step, evaluating the present state of tokenized securities to purchasing an “deserted storage unit.”
“Tokenized securities are nonetheless securities,” Peirce reiterated. The brand new framework focuses on integrating expertise with out dismantling investor protections.
Underneath the plan, issuers can take a look at novel platforms, probably DeFi Automated Market Makers (AMMs) on permissionless chains, supplied they preserve strict compliance with disclosure and custody guidelines.
This measured method contrasts sharply with different world jurisdictions.
Whereas the U.S. makes an attempt to combine crypto rails, authorities elsewhere are clamping down, with Russia shifting to dam overseas crypto exchanges fully.
What This Means For Merchants
That is the inexperienced gentle for institutional-grade RWAs. If accepted, this exemption bridges the hole between “crypto native” belongings and conventional finance.
For merchants, this indicators that liquidity for tokenized treasuries and equities will probably transfer on-chain in a regulated method.
That is notably bullish for ledgers optimized for RWA operations, a sector the place XRP is at the moment aggressive in establishing infrastructure.
Nevertheless, dangers stay. Regulatory consultants warn that “artificial” tokenized securities, these in a roundabout way sponsored by the issuer, might be categorised as security-based swaps, carrying increased counterparty dangers.
It’s a stark reminder of the dangers famous by Christine Lagarde relating to digital belongings working with out clear frameworks.
Anticipate formal rulemaking for these crypto capital-raising pathways by mid-2026.
Generally when you’re chatting with the fourth-place finisher of Survivor 49, it’s laborious to know with whom you’re talking. Is it Rizo Velovic, a considerate, introspective, and emotional younger man who locations household above all else and could be diminished to tears on a second’s discover? Or is it The Man The Fable The Legend R-I-Z-G-O-D RizGod Child, a brash, self-mythologizing cartoon character of a goofball completely constructed for the social media influencer age?
Opposite to what individuals might consider watching the latter on tv screens, Rizo is self-aware sufficient to acknowledge that the RizGod is pure “shtick” he employs for enjoyable. Which is why he was shocked to be taught that one other colourful character he can be sharing the island with on Survivor 50 (premiering Feb. 25 on CBS) was fully the identical each on and off digital camera.
Rizo additionally is aware of that the RizGod persona more than likely falls into both adore it or detest it camps amongst followers — and that these sturdy reactions are precisely what bought him forged on back-to-back seasons. We spoke to each Rizo and RizGod — neither of whom was allowed to disclose his placement or any specifics about his earlier sport throughout pre-game press because it had not but aired — in Fiji simply days earlier than filming on Survivor 50 started, and the 26-year-old got here out firing.
(That is one in every of 24 deep-dive, on-location interviews with the Survivor 50 forged. Hyperlinks to the opposite interviews can be posted on the backside of this text as they turn into accessible.)
Rizo Velovic of 'Survivor 50'.
Robert Voets/CBS
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Alright, Rizo, inform me why you're going to win Survivor 50.
RIZO VELOVIC: Truthfully, I feel if I can replicate what I did on 49 and do it with a number of the greats, I can’t solely win Survivor 50, however hopefully cement myself as one of many best to ever play. I feel my allure and my capability to do no matter it takes to win goes to come in useful, particularly with all these connections and all people realizing all people out right here. So I really feel like I bought the drive and the center to win Survivor 50.
How does it really feel mentally, emotionally and bodily to be again out right here just some weeks after enjoying?
To be precise, it's been 9 days for me. And I feel actually, in a bizarre method, I'd really desire this. I'd desire doing Survivor back-to-back with no person seeing me play. I can't think about how Kyle and Kamilla really feel popping out right here after all people simply watched them play, and with out giving something away, I really feel like if individuals watched me play, they wouldn't need to play with me now.
So I’m excited to do that as a result of I feel this might be the one alternative that I wouldn't be a “risk.” I imply clearly we're all threats as a result of we're all on Survivor 50, however I'm tremendous pumped mentally. I don't suppose my thoughts has left the sport. Bodily, I really feel good. I did lose numerous weight. And I used to be already a thin man, in case you keep in mind [from meeting before Survivor 49], and I didn't have so much to lose, so I didn't acquire that again.
After which emotionally, I'm tremendous blessed and tremendous excited. I keep in mind after we talked on 49, I advised you the way large of a fan I’m, and I actually keep in mind the premiere of 48 voting as a fan. I didn't even know I used to be on 49 at that time. I'm actually voting on what I would like on 50. I then play 49 after which now I'm on 50! I imply, I'm nonetheless a fan, however I'm not a fan. I’m that participant that basically the followers voted for what they wished. I basically put myself on this place to vote the sport that I wished to play. So I'm tremendous excited, in truth.
Rizo Velovic on 'Survivor 50'.
Robert Voets/CBS
What are you going to inform your new tribe mates about your sport in 49 once they inevitably ask you?
I actually suppose it hurts me extra to lie about it than be truthful. As a result of with all people realizing all people on this forged, in addition to the three those that haven’t performed with somebody. These three individuals are Chrissy, Genevieve, and Jonathan. So basically all people has anyone that they know. So for me as an unknown commodity, the one factor that make me extra threatening is to lie about how I did on 49.
As a result of I'm on Survivor 50 for a purpose, so I'm going to be truthful for the way I did. Now, am I going to enter intricacies of what I did within the sport? Completely not. Not vital. However when it comes to my placement, when it comes to my play type, I feel it'd be foolish for me to lie as a result of if I simply say, “Oh my God, I'm a brilliant fan! I'm so glad to be right here! I can't consider they picked me!” — that's all bullsh—!
If we take into consideration the individuals which are not right here, they picked me over Malcolm, they picked me over Jerri, you understand what I imply? It'd be silly to say, “I simply bought fortunate to be right here.” So I can be truthful and that’s my plan.
All that the opposite gamers have seen of you is you calling your self the person, the parable, the legend. How do you suppose you getting such a outstanding edit in that 49 trailer impacts you right here?
Yeah, so I want I can present you the video as a result of I didn't know if I used to be going to even be on the trailer, however I invited all my household and my buddies over. I used to be like, “Yo, let's file this.” Actually as quickly as I noticed myself on the TV, all of us simply began screaming. I didn't even know what I stated. After which I play it again and thoughts you, I do know I'm going to be on 50 right now, I'm like, “Holy f—! I simply bought my entire shtick as a brilliant fan!”
I don't recall a time somebody ever identify dropped themselves within the preview, and I did my entire shtick and I'm like, “That is nice!” However then I used to be like, “F—, all these individuals which are going to be on 50 are going to know that I name myself this!” To be sincere, I'm actually not as fearful about it because it may appear as a result of once I take a look at the gamers right here, I can wager my backside greenback that Ozzy didn't watch the preview, Colby didn't watch the preview — half of those individuals didn't watch the preview.
The one those that I'm fearful about is all of the new-era individuals. And to be fairly sincere, these are the individuals I don't need to align with anyhow. I need to align with pre-new-era individuals as a result of I really feel like all of the new-era individuals are so intermingled with one another at these charity occasions and these meet and greets — I haven't had the chance to try this. So whenever you ask me about my edit within the preview, I'm honored as a result of it's like, dude, that preview was all about me! In case you see the discourse on-line, it's both all of them love the RizGod or they hate the RizGod. That's why I'm sort of right here. Truthfully, I'm actually not fearful about it.
Colby Donaldson, Genevieve Mushaluk, Rizo Velovic, Angelina Keeley, Quintavius "Q" Burdette, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Kyle Fraser, Aubry Bracco of the Vatu tribe on 'Survivor 50'.
Robert Voets/CBS
When did they method you about going back-to-back?
After the sport wrapped up, we have been going to go away Ponderosa and actually two hours earlier than we left for the airport, I get pulled to the facet by manufacturing and Jeff Probst is on the pc and I'm like, Oh my god, Jeff Probst simply checks on everybody. That is regular. I'm like, “What's up, Jeff?” We're finest buddies at this level.
After which he does this Jeff Probst spiel about “Blah blah, blah, blah, blah, it's very uncommon that we do that however how would you love to do it back-to-back on Survivor 50?” And I actually thought he was joking. I used to be like… as a result of I'm going to go along with my RizGod shtick right here… after all after the season wrapped up, I'm like, They bought to ask me for 50! However on the similar time, to truly have it occur is unreal. So when he requested me, I began crying as a result of I used to be like: Holy f—, Jeff Probst is asking me to…. It's one factor to return again on Survivor, however Survivor 50 is probably the most anticipated season of all time.
I did 49, and the explanation why I got here on to Survivor was to symbolize for my household, to encourage my brother, and to play for a rustic the place we have been by no means represented, and now there's going to be a yr stuffed with Rizo on TV! So I used to be tremendous pumped, tremendous stoked.
I keep in mind going house and all my household's crying on the airport, and I'm like, “F–, now I'm crying!” After which I inform them to cease crying as a result of I'm leaving in 9 days once more to play Survivor 50. And it was such a surreal second.
Rizo Velovic on 'Survivor 50'.
Robert Voets/CBS
Something you remorse about your first time enjoying?
Truthfully, Dalton, under no circumstances. I swear to God, under no circumstances. Within the 9 days house, I mirrored on my expertise and what I got here to do, and I felt like I did that. And for me, 50 is actually only for enjoyable, you understand what I imply? I'm right here with individuals I idolized rising up and I'm right here to stamp my legacy as a result of I advised you this in 49: I wished to play Survivor, not simply to play it, however to be one of many best of all time. And I really feel like Survivor 50 goes to present me that chance to try this. So I go away 49 tremendous pleased and now I'm hopefully going to go away Survivor 50 even happier.
What's your largest weak spot on this sport?
I feel my weak spot is I didn't anticipate how deeply I cared about strangers enjoying this sport the primary time.
How do you navigate that the second time?
I feel the second time for me is likely to be a little bit bit simpler as a result of I grew up watching these individuals and I do know their tales. If you play Survivor, or something for the primary time, and also you share that have with those that even have by no means achieved it, you bond over that.
I keep in mind going house and telling my girlfriend about this, that and the third, and he or she's like, “I don't care.” We've been collectively for six years. I'm like, “Babe, I'm telling you, that point on the island, it actually bonds you with individuals.” And I feel for me, the lore of bonding with Colby Donaldson, the place I grew up watching you and I do know what your story is…. Granted, for some individuals it's been 20 years since they performed, so clearly so much has modified, however I feel I can sort of stability that out a little bit bit this time round.
7:23 The Forged of ‘Survivor 50’ Reveals Who They Need to Vote Out First
How a lot pre-gaming have been you capable of get achieved in these 9 days?
Dude, none. Properly, so what I’ll say is, I imply, I'm a fan, so I don't give a f— on Twitter. The entire forged was leaked actually 48 hours earlier than we bought right here. So when it comes to digging, I went on individuals's Instagram followers and Twitter followers and see who adopted who. However for me, I had no luxurious of pre-gaming as a result of I didn't inform anyone I used to be on 50.
After which 24 hours earlier than I fly out, my identify leaked and I'm like, “Dude, they're going to kick me out of fifty! How the f— does this man know?” And I used to be shaking in my boots, so I then go on Reddit as a result of I used to be like, “Properly, if I'm leaked, then all people else that has been leaked must be proper.“ And lo and behold it's true. So I didn't do any pre-gaming. I'm positive different individuals have.
How do you deal with that?
I’m hoping {that a} FaceTime name that these individuals had during the last yr means nothing after we're on the island.
You stated you grew up watching these individuals. Who’re you fanboying over?
I advised you final time that Survivor: Tocantins was my old flame, and it’s. And the truth that I'm on an island of Fiji with Coach Benjamin Wade is unreal to me, as a result of watching that Exile episode as a child and seeing Coach simply deteriorate within the desert of the Brazil, after which I'm going via LAX and Coach is simply randomly doing Tai Chi and I'm like, Dude, he's really like this! I assumed it was a joke. RizGod is a joke. He's really… I don't know what the phrase is. He's insane. He's loopy. I didn't anticipate Coach to truly be how he was on the present. What you see is definitely what you get with him. It's f—ing unreal!
When Jenna Lewis first performed Survivor, I didn't even know how one can stroll but. However actually, I'm not fanboying the place I'm like, “Oh my God, let me bow all the way down to you.”
Charlie Davis, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, Dee Valladares, Savannah Louie, Rizo Velovic, and Tiffany Ervin on 'Survivor 50'.
Gail Schulman/CBS
Who do you need to work with and who’re you a little bit apprehensive about?
I stated earlier I need to work with extra of the pre-new-era individuals personally. I'll provide you with two males and two girls that I need to work with. On the prime of the record is Chrissy Hofbeck and Genevieve, which I suppose sort of counteracts that, however I'll let you know why. Out of all people on this forged, there are solely three those that have by no means performed Survivor with anyone else. These are Chrissy, Genevieve, and Jonathan. Jonathan, I’ve no curiosity of working with. So we'll X him out. That leaves Genevieve and Chrissy.
To not go a lot into how I performed 49, however how I view Survivor, I really feel like I can relate much more to Genevieve and Chrissy. And with numerous pre-gaming and relationships that stem 20 plus years, I must go to individuals — and granted, Chrissy and Genevieve are in all probability intermingled within the alumni — however they in all probability are searching for individuals to work with. And if I could make myself as a sizzling commodity to them, we are able to do injury.
I take a look at Chrissy and I feel she was robbed, to be sincere. And I do know individuals throw that s— round all people like saying Sam was robbed. Chrissy was genuinely robbed. I take a look at this forged, it's individuals which are attempting to get a second probability. It's individuals which are attempting to appropriate their errors. It's those that don't need to spoil their Survivor status. After which there are people who find themselves attempting to cement themselves as one of many best. I feel Chrissy is attempting to in all probability appropriate a few of her errors. And granted numerous the errors she had wasn't actually her fault.
She will't management Ben discovering all these idols. She will't management the ultimate 4 fire-making. So I feel Chrissy has a fireplace beneath her ass, and I need to assist Chrissy mild that fireside. And I feel we might do very well collectively. Not like I performed something like Ryan Ulrich, however I feel we are able to have that very same related dynamic as a result of though I’ve this RizGod shtick, my ego isn't as large as numerous these individuals's egos out right here. Like, f—ing Q nonetheless thinks he gained 46. And I'm considering “Q, what the f— world are you speaking in? What world do you suppose you're this nice participant?” I like Q, simply to not play with. So Chrissy is anyone I actually need to work with. She's the highest. After which Genevieve is simply somebody strategically that I’d have numerous similarities with.
Rizo Velovic of 'Survivor 50'.
Dalton Ross
And the boys you most need to work with?
For the boys, my primary — which goes to be tremendous humorous and I do know the net neighborhood hated him — is Joe from 48. And the reason being quite simple, Joe is predictable and dependable to the soil. Why would I not work with that? Joe actually went on 48 and stated, “I'm enjoying for Eva.” Play for me, Joe! Please play for me! And I really feel like me and Joe may relate on many ranges and I’d like to work with Joe. After which for the following man I’d've stated Christian Hubicki, however actually, the truth that there's three David Vs. Goliath individuals right here, and I do know they're all buddies and Mike White put them each on The White Lotus and they’re diehard for one another [changes that].
So I’d say the following man is actually Charlie. He's one other individual that has three individuals from his season, and granted, I don't know the inside workings, however he appears not linked to Tiff and Q. He's extra buddies with Liz, Kenzie, Venus, no matter. So I really feel like Charlie and I’ve numerous similarities. We're additionally the 2 youngest individuals on this forged. And strategically, we additionally see so much eye to eye.
And I additionally suppose he's sort of within the Chrissy boat the place he has so much to show, as a result of I don't need to say Charlie was robbed, however he mismanaged Maria and that value him the sport. I really feel like he thinks he was robbed and he needs to show that he ought to have gained. So the explanation why I need to work with Chrissy is the explanation why I’d need to work with Charlie. A whole lot of parallels there.
Who makes you cautious?
If I needed to decide one man and one lady, the person I wouldn't need to work with is Q, as a result of I can deal with numerous egos — ego administration is what I'm calling Survivor 50 for me — however I simply don't know if I can deal with Q's ego for that lengthy. Revisionist historical past to me is one thing I can't do. And I feel Q has numerous revisionist historical past.
After which for the ladies, actually, and it may very well be recency bias, but it surely's Kamilla. Kamilla performed an incredible sport in 48. I had a binge watch of 48 earlier than 50. I noticed how she performed. The edit confirmed that Kamilla was loyal to Kyle, however then watching press and every little thing, it doesn't actually appear that method an excessive amount of. Kamilla was sort of loyal to no person. And I want somebody that's loyal and I want those that I can predict their actions. And I don't suppose I might predict Kamilla, she's sort of in every single place. She was like a secret murderer and was very open in her confessional saying, “I'll throw anyone beneath the bus. I don't care.” I don't need to work with that. So if I needed to say two individuals I wouldn't need to work with, it's Kamilla and Q.
You didn't point out Savannah in any respect. What's your relationship like together with her?
I don't need to go an excessive amount of into it. I can't actually say a lot, however what I’ll say is I’m not shocked to see her right here on 50 with me.
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DSV Brigade stopped Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group close to Pokrovsk, three occupiers eradicated<p>The 147th separate artillery brigade of the seventh Airborne Assault Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stopped the advance of an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group north of Pokrovsk. 155-mm caliber hearth eradicated three occupiers, and three extra had been critically wounded.</p>
As Russia's full-scale invasion enters its fifth yr, Ukraine has proven extraordinary resilience. On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have denied Moscow a decisive victory. At residence, society continues to operate regardless of day by day assaults. Diplomatically, regardless of uncertainties coming from Washington, Kyiv has secured sturdy political, navy, and monetary backing from most of Europe and North America.
But, past the Euro-Atlantic house, the image is extra complicated. In a lot of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Ukraine has typically encountered cautious engagement reasonably than clear political alignment. Many governments have condemned violations of sovereignty in precept, however have averted deeper engagement.
When Battle Turns into Routine
Because the conflict enters its fifth yr, one other structural problem emerges: normalization. Within the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion, photos of destroyed cities and displaced civilians dominated international headlines. Immediately, significantly in areas geographically distant from Europe, the conflict more and more dangers turning into a part of the background of worldwide politics. It dangers being absorbed right into a crowded international agenda marked by conflicts within the Center East, tensions surrounding Iran, and intensifying US–China rivalry.
This normalization doesn’t essentially sign assist for Moscow. It displays distance, urgent home priorities, and a crowded international agenda formed by financial instability, local weather pressures, nice energy pressure, and regional conflicts. Nonetheless, the political impact is critical. When a conflict turns into routine, neutrality carries fewer reputational prices. For Ukraine, which means that engagement with the International South can’t rely solely on ethical readability or authorized precept; it requires persistent diplomacy that frequently explains why the results of territorial conquest in Europe prolong far past the area.
Recognizing this hole throughout wartime requires strategic readability. Lengthy wars take a look at not solely navy energy but in addition diplomatic stamina. International locations of the International South might not present navy or monetary help on the dimensions of Ukraine's European companions, but their significance shouldn’t be underestimated. Their demographic weight, regional management, and voting energy in multilateral establishments give them important affect over how the conflict is mentioned and understood globally. Partaking persistently with nations akin to Indonesia, Brazil, and India issues as a result of they form regional agendas and broader coalitions throughout the growing world. Sustained diplomatic outreach to those states strengthens Ukraine's international place over the long run.
Totally different Political Grammars
One motive for the cautious stance in elements of the International South lies within the language of diplomacy. Ukraine's worldwide messaging has understandably targeted on defending the rules-based order, democratic solidarity, and European safety. These arguments resonate powerfully in Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and doubtless Washington. They’re morally and legally sound.
Nevertheless, in lots of societies formed by decolonization, non-alignment, and improvement struggles, political discourse follows a special grammar. Historic reminiscence in these areas is marked by colonial domination, Chilly Battle intervention, and uneven international hierarchies. Overseas coverage is usually guided much less by institutional alignment and extra by sovereignty, autonomy, and financial stability. In some circumstances, cautious positioning displays deliberate strategic hedging for autonomy, reasonably than easy misperception.
A Lesson from Jakarta
Indonesia gives a telling instance. It’s the largest nation in Southeast Asia, a G20 member, and a number one voice within the International South. But Ukraine's diplomatic presence there has lacked continuity. The Ukrainian embassy in Jakarta has been with out a resident ambassador since February 2025. At a time when sustained engagement is important, extended gaps in high-level illustration ship an unintended sign about priorities.
Diplomacy just isn’t solely about UN votes or official statements. It’s about presence, relationships, and constant engagement. In Indonesia, as in different elements of the International South, political affect is constructed over time by universities, youth organizations, media networks, and civil society platforms. With out secure management and institutional depth, principally coming from the Ukrainian representatives there, outreach stays episodic and perceived as a "one-off occasion".
Presence Over Statements
On the similar time, Russia has invested in long-term narratives. Moscow frequently invokes historic ties relationship again to Soviet-era cooperation with post-colonial states. In Indonesia, Russia emphasizes shared recollections of Chilly Battle solidarity, protection cooperation, and academic exchanges. Russian cultural outreach, media content material, and scholarship packages goal youthful generations, shaping perceptions step by step reasonably than by headline diplomacy alone. This method displays a long-standing Russian understanding that affect in post-colonial societies is constructed by reminiscence, training, and narrative continuity reasonably than short-term political or financial incentives.
This distinction is telling. Ukraine and lots of of its Western companions have a tendency to focus on official positions, encouraging governments to take clearer public stances and to uphold worldwide norms persistently. Russia, by comparability, invests patiently on the societal stage. It reinforces narratives of historic closeness, expands cultural and academic packages, and targets youthful generations by long-term outreach. Affect in these contexts is constructed much less by statements and extra by sustained presence and familiarity over time.
Recalibrating Ukraine's International Message
Luckily, there’s nonetheless house for recalibration.
First, Ukraine can extra intentionally join its wrestle to anti-imperial traditions that resonate throughout a lot of the International South. Russia's aggression is a transparent case of territorial conquest geared toward undermining borders, identification, and political company. In lots of African and Asian states, sovereignty was achieved by tough struggles towards empire. Presenting Ukraine's resistance in that context speaks on to historic experiences that stay politically highly effective immediately. On the similar time, messaging that frames the conflict primarily as a protection of "European civilization" might resonate strongly inside Europe however can unintentionally create distance elsewhere, the place audiences don’t see themselves mirrored in that narrative. A broader framing centered on sovereignty and resistance to domination travels extra successfully throughout areas.
Second, diplomatic messaging ought to persistently deal with materials penalties. For a lot of governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, meals safety, fertilizer provide, power volatility, and debt vulnerability are fast political considerations. The disruption of Ukrainian grain exports affected markets far past Europe. Demonstrating how Ukraine's survival contributes to international meals stability and financial predictability makes the conflict related to home priorities.
Third, sturdy relationships require long-term institutional presence. Excessive-level visits and symbolic summits matter, however they can’t change regular, on-the-ground engagement. Sturdy embassies with secure management, expanded educational exchanges, partnerships with native media, youth initiatives, and Monitor II dialogues in key regional hubs assist construct familiarity and belief over time. That is additionally an space the place Ukraine's allies can play a constructive function. Companions akin to the UK, the European Union, and EU member states like Poland typically have deeper institutional networks and long-standing ties in elements of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Coordinated outreach may help Ukraine entry platforms, strengthen connections, and interact potential companions extra successfully. Constant presence, supported by coalition diplomacy, alerts long-term dedication.
Fourth, outreach ought to acknowledge regional variety. The International South just isn’t a single political bloc. In elements of Africa, sovereignty is usually mentioned when it comes to safety from exterior intervention. In a lot of Asia, stability and financial progress dominate strategic pondering. In Latin America, resistance to great-power coercion carries explicit weight. Tailor-made narratives display attentiveness with out compromising precept.
Conclusion: Narrative as Strategic Terrain
None of this implies distancing Ukraine from Europe or weakening the ethical readability of its trigger. Ukraine's strongest asset stays the legitimacy of its wrestle towards unprovoked aggression. The target is to not alter that substance, however to speak it in ways in which resonate throughout totally different political and historic contexts.
Latest expertise in Indonesia illustrates how simply diplomatic engagement might be reframed in aggressive data environments. A proper communication from the Ukrainian Embassy, meant to convey Ukraine's place, was publicly portrayed by the Russian ambassador as interference in Indonesian home affairs. No matter intent, such episodes create openings for counter-narratives and shift consideration away from the central problem of Russian aggression. In nations the place sovereignty is a deeply guarded precept, even well-intentioned strain might be recast as exterior intrusion.
Whereas Ukrainian victory on this conflict will proceed to rely upon navy energy, financial resilience, and political unity, it can additionally rely upon whether or not Ukraine can maintain belief and credibility far past its fast companions. In lots of elements of the International South, perceptions are formed step by step, by long-term presence and cautious engagement. Defending Ukraine's narrative from distortion and making certain that its wrestle is known by itself phrases is not peripheral diplomacy. It’s a part of the conflict itself.
Radityo Dharmaputra, a lecturer in Worldwide Relations at Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, a senior researcher on the college's Centre for European and Eurasian Research
(@EthereumDenver) February 18, 2026
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