Russian massing on the Ukrainian border

We like ‘Russia Today’ news on TV as sometimes it gives a little more depth to stories in the West, for example the Canadian truckers protests and Trudeau’s response. A bit more than the BBC covers at times. If it is t transmitted I shall miss it, bizarrely.

Whitewavemark2

Keir Starmer effectively calls for Russia Today & other Putin propaganda outlets to be shutdown - this idea will have widespread support across the Commons

Thé BBC Russian service should restart broadcasting on shortwave again instead of the internet.
When I lived in China the government blocked the internet on certain sites.

Boris wants a concerted response ‘in lockstep’ with the EU. Their turn now to step up to the plate.
Then the UK government will action for sanctions.

It’s pleasing to hear that Germany have decided to stop the gasoline from coming into operation, it must be difficult for them as they rely on Russian gas.

Keir Starmer effectively calls for Russia Today & other Putin propaganda outlets to be shutdown - this idea will have widespread support across the Commons

Well the salami approach has paid dividends so far. The trouble is that Putin has now demonstrated he is not to be trusted at all so even if the remaining parts of the region were permitted annexation in order to secure peace, presumably that would simply herald the next stage to be implemented after sufficient time elapsed. Meanwhile, the pressure and bullying could continue .

Bet no doubt the Ukrainians now regret handing over the nuclear weapons in exchange for illusionary security guarantees.

This is getting serious.

Putin has been biding his time. The European union is not united or strong at present. Merkel departed, Poland and Italy in dispute, UK seemingly in permanent disarray and weak and the US with an insignificant leader so now is the time for him to do that which has been his aim since the break up of the USSR. The Baltic States must be shivering in their shoes. The situation is very worrying

“Asked why Russia has not been handed the hardest and harshest sanctions yet, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "We already have significant sanctions against both individuals and other entities since 2014.

"Secondly the sanctions we have announced today, including against five Russian banks, are significantly harsh.

"There are still more sanctions in the tank, and the main thing is that we do all this together.

"Sometimes that means we have to move at slightly different paces, but fundamentally we are all following a path, both the United Kingdom, the EU, the United States, that will lead to sanctions being ratcheted up and over time I think that is really important that we do it in step.

"If we don't then I think President (Vladimir) Putin would absolutely try to exploit that to his benefit and that's why we will do this today at the level we are.”

“Five Russian banks and three high net worth individuals are to be sanctioned, Boris Johnson has announced, in response to Russian troops entering eastern Ukraine.

"Today the UK is sanctioning the following five Russian banks: Rossiya, IS Bank, General Bank, Promsvyazbank and the Black Sea Bank," the Prime Minister told the House of Commons.

"We are also sanctioning three very high net worth individuals: Boris Rotenberg, Igor Rotenberg and Gennady Timchenko."

The UK government will also sanction all Russian Duma and Federation Council members who voted in favour of recognition of self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.”

From the Telegraph, just now.

I remember that article from the Guardian back in the day Kali2.

Starmer ‘hawkish’? Now there’s two words I never thought I’d hear in the same sentence! ???

I think if you had listened to the debate, you would soon become very aware of the criticism that Johnson was not going far enough. The Tories were very critical of Johnson.

Starmer was much more hawkish and I would support his stance.

Whitewavemark2

“Tory MPs are alive to the disconnect between Johnson’s grandstanding rhetoric in the Commons today and the actual minor sanctions announced”

This is a real worry.

No the real worry is Mr.Putin moving into two areas of Ukraine, this is against all international laws.

The sanctions announced in the House today are a warning shot over Mr.Putins bows.

If he carries on he will receive more and more punitive sanctions from the U.K. and around the world.

“Tory MPs are alive to the disconnect between Johnson’s grandstanding rhetoric in the Commons today and the actual minor sanctions announced”

This is a real worry.

Kali2

So much dirty Russian money- and they probably have enough photos and footage of Johnson at their Russian Oligarch drug fuelled orgies in Umbria.!

2018

A trip Boris Johnson made to Italy for a party held by a billionaire socialite ended with the then foreign secretary at an airport “looking like he had slept in his clothes”, struggling to walk in a straight line and telling other passengers he had had a heavy night, the Guardian has been told.

Pictures of the now prime minister along with an account from a fellow traveller shed further light on Johnson’s weekend away at the home of the media owner Evgeny Lebedev, who is known for hosting uproarious parties for the rich and famous at his converted castle near Perugia.

Johnson has refused to answer questions about the visit in April last year, including whether he flew to Italy against the advice of his officials and without the 24/7 security detail usually assigned to the foreign secretary.

The pictures, taken at San Francesco d’Assisi airport on Sunday 29 April 2018, suggest he did go to Italy without a police escort. According to another passenger on the flight back to the UK, Johnson was on his own, seemingly without any luggage and very much the worse for wear.

MayBee70

So leaving the EU has not reduced our I influence politically then?And, if it has, Johnson is in no way responsible for that?

Yes that’s right.
One thing is sure, post- Brexit Britain has become increasingly irrelevant. We watch both Johnson and Truss shouting from the sidelines but not being players.

If those too ready to dismiss experienced political players like Campbell, perhaps they would pay attention to Major, who has said much the same thing.

Today in parliament, time and again from all sides, Johnson was exhorted to take control and stop all dirty money and Russian investment. It is clear that he only willing to go so far and one must wonder why.
To continue to allow this Russian influence is a direct assault on our democracy

I see Aaron Banks is supporting Putin.

I wonder what Farage and Trump and other cronies are thinking.

So leaving the EU has not reduced our I influence politically then?And, if it has, Johnson is in no way responsible for that?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Look where that got us.

This is getting scary.