Russian massing on the Ukrainian border

I think so, Maybee.
This has been simmering for years.

I think it is worrying about what Putin is up to. No, the 'partygate; is not by any means on its own more important. However, are these people that held parties during lockdown capable of making decisions with regard to this trouble?

Worrying that “Businessinsider” is reporting that 14 ministers in Johnson’s government including Johnson, have received donations linked to Russia.

We so need a new government.

Listening to comment on Russia.

West should start sanctioning Russian oligarchs, and freeze their money.

But real problem is that a minimum 1/4 of ministers have taken cash from oligarchs, so at the very least should be recused from any discussion about applying these sanctions.

The problem apparently is that politicians are scared of Putin, who is seen as a threat to individuals lives.

Magnitsky Act is a good place to start, helped by Raab.

I think a lot of politicians on all sides of the house are tarred with this particular brush. Barry Gardiner and the Chinese connection? Not that we've heard much about that as I guess its been hushed up and silenced with everything else that's going on. All politicians are a shifty if they get the chance,

No one ever defeats the Russians and they know it. The Americans are wasting their time and playing a dangerous game but you have Biden who has vested interests in arms and warfare at the end of his lifespan so anything could happen. Hope the Chinese keep away that’s all.

They will probably launch an attack on Taiwan while the West is running around like headless chickens . Perhaps they are in league, and Ukraine is a diversion to catch the West, the US in particular off guard? Who knows.

Jaberwok
The Russians and the Chinese have got very very friendly lately.
The scenario you paint reminds me of the magicians trick: your concentrated on his right hand while his left is playing the trick.

Exactly!

"It’s clear how to stop Putin. Go after his money in the West. I’ve spent 10 years advocating for Magnitsky Acts and there are 34 countries that have them. If we use them to freeze his assets (via his oligarch trustees) he will scream “uncle” so fast it will make your head spin. "

Bill Browder

twitter.com/lbc/status/148…

Varian
Totally agree. Hit the them where it hurts.

It isn’t “them” it is Putin. It is his money. He has amassed a vast fortune.

Meanwhile, Vitali Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxer turned mayor of Kyiv, dismissed German military support to Ukraine as a “joke” yesterday.

Speaking after Berlin said it was sending 5,000 helmets to Ukraine, Mr Klitschko said: “What will they send next? Pillows?"

Times reporting that the opportunity to sanction Russia through getting at Putins money, but it is being stymied by what USA is calling Londongrad - so much of Putins money is being held by the oligarchs sitting tightly in London and nothing being done by the uk government.

Johnson getting involved - phoning Putin, visiting Ukraine etc is a very high risk strategy given the embarrassing shambles he made of everything as a foreign minister.

I would much rather he shut up and let the adults sort it out

Whitewavemark2

Johnson getting involved - phoning Putin, visiting Ukraine etc is a very high risk strategy given the embarrassing shambles he made of everything as a foreign minister.

I would much rather he shut up and let the adults sort it out

Probably ringing for instructions, Wwmk2. He's quite deeply involved with Russia.

twitter.com/WriterJackWhite/status/1480249429525516290

Maybe Johnson is going to meet Putin avert the war and become a hero because he is Putins preferred PM?

On the news at lunchtime Tobias Ellwood was saying this plays to Putin's ego because he wants Russia to see how important he is - British Prime Ministers phoning him and even hopping on planes to see him.

^ and even hopping on planes to see him.^

Ooooh, Has Liz brought it back from Australia then?

The Chinese have apparently asked Putin not to start a war before the end on the winter Olympics, to be held in China from 4 February 2022 – 20 February 2022

I would sooner believe this man than Biden, who after all is a possible war monger. After all it’s direct from Ukraine not America. It’s ok America is thousands of miles away, they don’t care who they stir up.

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ukraine-president-hits-out-at-e2-80-98panic-e2-80-99-over-russia-as-putin-says-west-has-ignored-his-demands/ar-AATg7FO

Lincslass

I would sooner believe this man than Biden, who after all is a possible war monger. After all it’s direct from Ukraine not America. It’s ok America is thousands of miles away, they don’t care who they stir up.

Believe Johnson or Putin??

??? Blimey

Believe the Ukrainian President, as he speaks in this news report, saying it’s the same as before but the west including Biden and Johnson are hyping things out of proportion, and are causing problems themselves. I said nothing about supporting Putin , Biden Or Johnson,

One massive issue is the masses of dirty Russian money stored in London, with the previous approval of the Conservative Party, and further enabled by Brexit.