Russian massing on the Ukrainian border

Nothing is straightforward black and white as regards Russia and its former territories. There are a significant number of Russians living in the Ukraine which complicates things quite considerably. Northern Ireland comes to mind for some reason. We have demonstrations by Ukrainians in my country drumming up support. It’s a mess. Johnson and his American buddies don’t really help.

Macron has apparently brokered an agreement for Biden and Putin to hold discussions. Let’s hope for some grown up behaviour.

winterwhite

The so Called “Russia report” was a report produced by our Intelligence and Security Committee.

This was produced in 2019, but Johnson refused to publish it for his own Brexit reasons until July 2020 (I think).

There were recommendations in the report after it was discovered that Russia interfered extensively in the Brexit referendum as well as the Scottish referendum.

The committee said that the U.K. is one of Russia's top targets.

The committee further said that it had been unable to pursue any evidence into the Brexit interference because the government would not authorise it doing so.

The government has also refused to accept and act on the recommendations by the committee.

The Russia Report.

Its release was delayed by 9 months (from autumn 2019 to July 2020) to enable Johnson to fight the 2019 GE without being tarred by it.

www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2020/07/isc-russia-report-key-points-and-implications

The link is to one of the many analyses of the report. A search will find a pdf copy, but I can't find a link to copy.

Worth reading again in view of what is happening today and Johnson's many Russian connections (and those of his associates)

Oh fingers crossed, Vegansrock, for more adult behaviour, but I fear that our PM will never back any solution proposed by Macron.
Many thanks for explanations about the Russia report, Whitewave and Maisie. The nation needs to be reminded more loudly of this.

winterwhite

Oh fingers crossed, Vegansrock, for more adult behaviour, but I fear that our PM will never back any solution proposed by Macron.
Many thanks for explanations about the Russia report, Whitewave and Maisie. The nation needs to be reminded more loudly of this.

I don't think that our PM's backing is particularly needed for any solution proposed by anybody. The UK is just a bit player. The EU & US are more important.

Quite agree, Maisie but BJ is sounding so aggressive and winding up constantly winding up Joe Biden that I feel worried. Also of course he can't bear playing a bit part yet doesn't want to stand on the sidelines because he doesn't want any return to his domestic problems.

winterwhite

Quite agree, Maisie but BJ is sounding so aggressive and winding up constantly winding up Joe Biden that I feel worried. Also of course he can't bear playing a bit part yet doesn't want to stand on the sidelines because he doesn't want any return to his domestic problems.

He trying to appear the big democrat, fighting for freedom in Ukraine, while being the dictator at home.

Anything to distract from domestic politics.

As if we haven’t been through so much, covid and now the storms. And when I think things can’t get any worse I can’t stop thinking of the poor people in the Ukraine that are probably going to have to fight for their freedom. I can’t imagine how they’re feeling but am in awe of their bravery.

MayBee70

As if we haven’t been through so much, covid and now the storms. And when I think things can’t get any worse I can’t stop thinking of the poor people in the Ukraine that are probably going to have to fight for their freedom. I can’t imagine how they’re feeling but am in awe of their bravery.

I am in awe of the 78 year old Ukrainian woman who is learning to shoot to defend herself and family. It's hard to imagine having to do that in old age.
The Ukrainians must be living on edge all the time wondering when.

??

Laura Kuenssberg Translator
@BBCLauraKT
BREAKING: Russia has warned Boris Johnson that if the UK imposes sanctions, it will respond by cancelling all donations to the Tory Party x

I feel so sorry for the Ukrainian people, they must be terrified about the prospect of war.

Whitewavemark2

??

Laura Kuenssberg Translator
@BBCLauraKT
BREAKING: Russia has warned Boris Johnson that if the UK imposes sanctions, it will respond by cancelling all donations to the Tory Party x

This is not on her recent Twitter feed , I went back to 10/02/22.

Have you got a link please

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

??

Laura Kuenssberg Translator
@BBCLauraKT
BREAKING: Russia has warned Boris Johnson that if the UK imposes sanctions, it will respond by cancelling all donations to the Tory Party x

This is not on her recent Twitter feed , I went back to 10/02/22.

Have you got a link please

It is a spoof, but clearly so believable as to be taken seriously.

Whitewavemark2 spoof account don’t you think you should have pointed this out in your original post?

I wouldn’t take any spoof/parody account seriously, the clue is in the title of the account…

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2 spoof account don’t you think you should have pointed this out in your original post?

Well I honestly didn’t think it was necessary.

Whitewavemark2

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2 spoof account don’t you think you should have pointed this out in your original post?

Well I honestly didn’t think it was necessary.

It does very clearly call itself 'Laura Kuenssberg Translator', GG13. Does it need pointing out?

Anyway. Putin has apparently sent 'peacekeeping forces' into Donesk and Luhansk in Donbas.

Didn’t Hitler claim he was doing that in Czechoslovakia?

Look where that got us.

This is getting scary.

Mr.Putin was never ever going to change his plans, whatever those in NATO or the West said/negotiated/threatened.

The question now is how far Russia will go, enetering the Donbas region unopposed might be the start if a wider invasion, or it might not.

Funnily enough Javid was questioned about donations from Russians to the Tory party in an interview today. So it's a spoof mired in fact.

Daisymae

Funnily enough Javid was questioned about donations from Russians to the Tory party in an interview today. So it's a spoof mired in fact.

Yes it is? and that is why you have to think twice.

This was inevitable and puts paid to Johnson’s delusions of Churchillian grandeur.

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL
@campbellclaret
·
2h
Been hopping between media of different countries. Only in UK is Johnson even seen as a player in relation to Ukraine. The extent to which he has reduced power, standing and relevance of the UK is one of many reasons he has to go. And take his nodding yes men and women with him

Whitewavemark2

This was inevitable and puts paid to Johnson’s delusions of Churchillian grandeur.

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL
@campbellclaret
·
2h
Been hopping between media of different countries. Only in UK is Johnson even seen as a player in relation to Ukraine. The extent to which he has reduced power, standing and relevance of the UK is one of many reasons he has to go. And take his nodding yes men and women with him

Sorry Whitewavemark2 why would anyone take Alistair Campbells word on anything?

He played a huge part in the Iraq war debacle, he lied then, he is probably lying now.

I am not a Boris Johnson fan, but he is the PM until such time he resigns or the next general election.