December 28, 2025

 Sunday. We left around 11:45 from De Proloog, Amerongen. Focus. Sunny and cool, but no longer cold, thanks in part to a much weakened wind. Through woods and along farms below Amerongen and Leersum toward Darthuizen, Sandenbrug, and Doorn. Walkers, taking advantage of the day, not too many cyclists. Asphalt alternating with unpaved, so much focus on what was in front, sometimes paired with more effort to avoid being blinded by the low sun. An occasional glance sideways to the small fields and farms resting in the sunlight. Ruiterberg, then right toward a beautiful part through the Boswachterij Leersum. On the other side of the freeway, below Scherpenzeel and Renswoude, asphalt with just very light traffic, the narrow trail alongside the Valleikanaal, and the dike of the Grebbelinie. Then past Veenendaal, right and up back to Amerongen. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president visiting Florida for talks with his U.S. colleague. The latter called the Russian president ahead of the meeting and they'll talk again when it's done. Supposedly European leaders will contribute by telephone too. Normally an American president touching base with all the major players would be how it is done; it's just that this particular president seems incapable of putting equal pressure on all involved. Europe gets plenty of demands, warnings, and criticism, and everyone knows how the Americans pressure Kyiv to accept an unacceptable peace. Moscow, however, rarely has to worry about Washington following through on an ultimatum, if one is even forthcoming. There are many ways to signal to the Kremlin that it can't expect to get its way here, but until the Americans will start employing some of these options (resumption of military aid to Ukraine would be excellent, for example) Russia will not budge, and the war will continue.