Europe has "sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine," Donald Trump said to Congress in March. The president has "not been known for his statistical accuracy," said Al Jazeera, but "on this occasion, he may be right." 

How much Russian fuel does the EU import? 
Although EU imports of Russian fossil fuels have more than halved in monetary value since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the bloc "remains the largest importer," according to Russia Fossil Tracker, a project run by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air think tank. Russia is estimated to have made $238 billion from exporting fossil fuels to EU member states since the beginning of the war. 

Hasn't Russia been sanctioned? 
EU sanctions on Russian energy products include an embargo on all coal and seaborne oil imports but not pipeline gas and shipments of Russian liquefied natural gas. This exemption is because of concerns over the impact that a shortage might have on energy prices and because some member states fear stronger sanctions might lead to an escalation in the conflict, according to the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. In addition, there are illicit imports via Russia's "shadow fleet" of tankers, as well as a loophole for the importation of Russian oil products from third countries such as India and Turkey. 

How does that spending compare to EU support for Ukraine? 
The European Commission's calculations put EU financial assistance for Ukraine at $169 billion — far less than the revenue generated for the Kremlin by gas and oil exports. But the "comparison changes when looking at European assistance to Ukraine as a whole," said Euronews. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which tracks aid to Ukraine, puts the collective amount of financial support given or earmarked for the future by the EU institutions and all member states at $231 billion. This rises to $282 billion when support of other European nations, such as the U.K., Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, is included.

The Australian-made children's series "Bluey" is so adored by adults and children alike that it has spawned legions of think pieces since its debut in 2018. This time, the anthropomorphic Australian cattle dogs are making headlines regarding the show's distribution by Disney. The company mysteriously cut an episode called "Dad Baby" from its 2020 season but only in the U.S. Because no "official reason has been given for the censorship" by Disney, said Stuart Heritage at The Guardian, many speculate it's due to "delicate Americans."

'Difficult themes'
In "Dad Baby," 4-year-old Bingo finds an old baby carrier and climbs into it when her dad, Bandit, straps it on and explains what it's for. Bandit immediately suffers "pain in his back and feet, the inability to bend over, and constant hunger," said Kristina Behr at Parents. Meanwhile, mom Chili "relishes the fact that he's clueless about how to navigate real pregnancy." Six-year-old Bluey then talks Bandit into "delivering" Bingo in a kids' pool. 

The episode was uploaded to the show's official YouTube channel in May 2024 but remains missing from Disney+, possibly due to the "depiction of pregnancy and childbirth, which might be deemed too mature," said Adele Ankers-Range at IGN. But why only American kids have been deemed too sensitive for this subject matter when other episodes have addressed difficult themes like infertility and aging is unclear. It likely has to do with Disney's perception of American adults.

Outside pressure
It's hard not to "wonder if the episode's gender-swap premise has something to do with Disney's censoriousness," said Oli Welsh at Polygon. It's a shame because it's a "relatable, hilarious depiction of a pregnancy" that's actually "silly and inoffensive," said Sabina Graves at Gizmodo.

Disney certainly has reason to fear the right's reaction. The show's father figure has previously come under fire from religious conservatives because he "embodies almost all of the elements of the traditional mother," said Jeremy Pryor at The Blaze. And after a 2024 episode with a fleeting reference to a friend with two moms, critics like The Daily Wire's Megan Basham bemoaned the "destruction of something that was once wholesome."

But "Bluey" isn't a "political show at all," said Katie Notopoulos at The Atlantic. It's a "cartoon about the boring, beautiful moments of regular family life" that shouldn't become the "source of so much ugliness."