UK - Russia relations expected to grow increasingly toxic:
https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ng-takes-place
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UK - Russia relations expected to grow increasingly toxic:
https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ng-takes-place
21 people "treated", not sure whether they demonstrated symptoms or whether it was in some way precautionary:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...7bd_story.html
If the former, this should be regarded as a terrorist attack.
I'm sure the UK will give the Russian ambassador a stern talking to, say how slightly annoyed they are.
Dozens of people--ordinary citizens--suspected to have been exposed. The UK is considering a visa ban: https://news.sky.com/story/russian-o...a-ban-11285356
Think this is foolish. Should've implemented asset-freezes quickly instead of giving them a heads-up.
They're coming right out and saying it:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43377856
Highly likely that this was an unlawful use of force by Russia against the UK.
The US's response has been, er, lame to say the least. NATO meanwhile has been more clear. How likely is this to turn into a serious art. 5 issue within the next couple of weeks? Will there be any asset-seizures/freezes in the coming weeks?
This is fucking diabolical from Putin's Russia.
Military grade nerve agent, in the small sleepy city of Salisbury. Troops deployed to investigate and try to clean up.
https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/asse...-super-169.jpg
https://e3.365dm.com/18/03/1096x616/...20180309190335
https://s.abcnews.com/images/Interna...2_12x5_992.jpg
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/...9StXyOKH0.jpeg
May's response yesterday was suitably robust.
Let's see what Russia respond with by today's end of day deadline. I'm expecting more denial, in which case May must follow up.
What a goddamn disgrace. :sour:
I don't think the Russians feel they need to answer any questions. And I very much doubt they will. Not before midnight and not after midnight. A Russian who turned out to be a British spy was attacked by unknown people. Why would the Russian Federation implicate itself in this crime?
For the same reason they used a type of military grade nerve agent that only they have access to, rather than just, e.g. shooting the guy or whatever, presumably.
Anybody could do that, but if you want to punish and warn, you need a signal that leaves no doubt. Yet, that's not a reason to admit that you did it. And I have no doubt online you can already find a lot of news about how what you just wrote is false news. And if it hasn't yet, the Russians are getting under steam with their demands of getting access to the used nerve agent. Soon people will be asking what it is England has got to hide in this attempted murder.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steely Glint
I actually have a Russian colleague at my school, she's teaching biology. I will not talk with her about this.
About three years ago, we had a breakfast meeting at a colleague's house, only us science teachers (we're only three). Suddenly said Russian colleague said: "We have to talk about MH370!" (and I was thinking: "Oh God, please no!")
And then began to spout forth all those conspiracy theories - about how this was a false flag operation by the Dutch (the plane only carried already dead people), they were rerouted at the last minute, all that shit.
Seriously, this is a supposedly intelligent woman. And yet pretty much anyone I know who also knows her is going: "Yeah, not touching those topics with a ten-foot pole."
Then again, she's also weird in other ways so she may not be the best indicator.
That Novichok is pretty nasty stuff according to Dr Mirzayanov who supposedly was involved in creating it. He advises medical check ups for everyone exposed for the rest of their lives. If that is true I think we're in act of war territory. Which makes me wonder if Putin is quite crazy enough.
Dun dun dun duuunnnnn--the plot thickens:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...is-london-home
http://news.met.police.uk/news/unexp...-malden-298365
"One should not threaten a nuclear power."
https://uk.reuters.com/article/russi...1ALTL8N1QV63M1
Interesting take on the Salisbury crisis: https://www.iiss.org/en/iiss%20voice...th-russia-af7f
(proposals in the second half)
I hadn't considered the possibility of intensified sanctions driving oligarchs back into the fold.
Also seen an interesting suggestion about encouraging/enabling very talented and highly skilled Russians to move to the west, depriving Russia of its most valuable human capital.
what I don’t understand is how ms May first exposes 23 Russian diplomats as ‘spies’, then gives them a full week to leave the country.
Murder:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...kolai-glushkov
Just another one on a growing list of victims in the UK: https://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/24/e...ans/index.html
Not been online much but this is very concerning and sadly not too surprising given how they got away with the murder of Litvinenko.
More on getting them where it hurts: https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ry-dirty-money
There is an argument that will never be acknowledged by anyone in government that MI6 are quite happy with our current money arrangements as they get a lot of information by following the money trail of all the money that flows through the UK. We could clamp down yes, but it will then simply displace to Singapore or somewhere else and we'd lose that without actually hurting them. Hence why the government mouths platitudes on this topic but takes limited action.
Whether that's true or not is debatable.
https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk...le-so-they-can
Do we have the dumbest Kremlin stooge ever to lead a major western party?
But in a further confusion of the Labour stance on the issue he insisted he wanted “an absolutely definitive answer” about the source of the nerve agent before he blamed the Kremlin.
Speaking to Radio Four's World At One programme, he said: "I asked the Russians be given a sample so that they can say categorically one way or the other."
'Comrade Putin is this nerve agent yours?'
'No'
'Thanks for the definitive answer.'
Well, Corbyn's behaviour is despicable, but it's not as hypocrit as that of the latest Breximaniac in charge.
The west should go after Russia's debt:
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/03/21/...r-putins-debt/
Should be on every MFA's agenda.
EU may be gearing up for tougher sanctions: https://mobile.twitter.com/Stollmeye...45663626883072
Let's hope so. Recalling ambassadors is a joke.
https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN1JU05A
New incident, two Britons critically ill.
I imagine this is more likely an accident than a new attack. These two have probably come in contact with something the original attacker disposed of and that the clean up crews missed. Or it was disposed of after the clean up.
Major development:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/amphtml/emi...n-nationals-in
Two GRU officers identified and charged. This is verging on an act of war, even more so given the potential risk to the public.
Not potential. A member of the public has died.
I meant it could've been much more widespread.
Bellingcat identifies Petrov as a Russian doctor suspected of working for GRU: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/w...r-mishkin.html
Things may be moving, in the UK:Quote:
Originally Posted by Aimless
Twitter Link
Too little too late? Does the risk of inadvertently helping Putin consolidate power remain?