Russian massing on the Ukrainian border

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.

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

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

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

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.

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?"

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

Varian
Totally agree. Hit the them where it hurts.

"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…

Exactly!

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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?

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

Something I’ve been pondering on recently is would Russia be behaving so aggressively now if we hadn’t taken all of our troops out of Afghanistan?

LincsLass
Not like some countries ? No names mentioned- no pack drill.

Oh yes, I remember very well. It is a very different world now.

Kali2

What do you mean by 'decent allies'?

You know, if you see a friend or friends going headlong into a terrible, utterly destructive mistake- helping them along is not always the most 'decent' thing to do.

Helping be prepared if the worst happens is . Should Denmark just sit back and not help friends . while little friendly Russia is amassing troops on the Ukraine border.
Remember Poland and Czechia. 1938-45, 1948 to 1989.

UK withdraws British embassy staff from Kyiv.

I was under the impression that it was only the families of embassy staff that are being evacuated, not the staff themselves.

The BBC lunchtime news reported that Ukraine have told them that Russia has removed its diplomats from the Kiev