The Russians are coming
- Thread starter Agrivator
- Start date
. I'm sure there would be a forthright debate about it in the Russian parliament 
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
I've seen a couple of folks on here lauding Putin. The man is just a (very small) step up from a gangster and his record on upholding democracy is appalling. I can't believe that anyone with a grasp on the facts would suggest Russia as a potential partner the way things are.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Had any dealings with local authorities here lately? Lots of people in positions of power are appointees not elected. Yet all have a say on your planning application etc. One lady appointee planning officer cost us £50,000 by forcing us to pay a way over inflated price to their preferred contractor to put in 50 m of totally unnecessary footpath.
Want a connection to Northern PowerGrid? That'll be eleventy billion pounds and don't even think of questioning it?
Want to sell your grain? You will have to pay membership of RT and a host of other parasitic hangers on such as NRoSo, NSTS etc, everyone of them cartels or monopolies who have the job stitched up. UK supposed democracy is the iron fist in the velvet glove.
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
I'm not saying for a minute that the UK is perfect. But we are not yet a mafia state.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Oh? So the phone call from the RT Inspector and requirement to pay an annual fee of £245 is different to a Mafia protection racket in what way? Where is the alternative? What is the competition? The fact the RT inspector could be the son of the owner of a farming company that competes directly with my business in offering rents on FBT's is in what way different to a Mafia style organisation? He has absolute power to put me out of business by stopping me selling a ton of grain if he so desires. Where is the neutrality, the accountability? It stinks in my view. Rotten to the core. I have to pander to these people and pay them to ensure the survival of my business, even though there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the way I do things. Rotten to the core in my view.
Last edited:
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
Well, for a start the RT man is unlikely to torch your steading or shoot you.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
But stopping me selling any grain is as good as.
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Todays The Times
Monday November 15 2021, 5.00pm, The Times
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-we-falter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...lter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...lter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-we-falter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-we-falter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
There are two things I have never forgotten about my first meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, alongside David Cameron a decade ago. One was that I thought he had the coldest eyes I had ever seen in the world — and since I have met many of the world’s greatest villains, warlords and tyrants that is saying something. The other was that he simply wanted to sell us a lot of gas. More than any other issue, he kept coming back to gas. Didn’t we need more of it? How about a special pipeline to Britain? Wouldn’t that keep our people warm?
Even then, when western nations were trying to “reset” relations with Moscow, we declined this offer. Putin presides over a pyramid of financial and political power in Russia sustained by hydrocarbon revenues, which is why he is always so focused on doing business. But he is also adept at dividing European countries from each other, neutralising what he sees as the encroachment of the West on Russia’s sphere of influence through a mixture of social media exploitation, clever diplomacy, military intimidation and turning on or off the gas. For him, profit and power fit perfectly together.
Some of our allies have not been so resistant to this strategy. Germany has allowed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and is agonising in its talks on a new coalition government about whether to switch it on. Once Berlin agrees to that, Ukraine and others will be more exposed to Putin turning down the pressure in the pipelines on which they depend. Every weak point of each western country is assiduously exploited. Poland, estranged from its EU partners, is presented with a cruel refugee crisis on its border with Belarus. Hungary, lacking friends in Brussels, finds a new one in Moscow. The whole West is reminded of its strategic weakness by tens of thousands of Russian troops massing near Ukraine, making us wonder what we can do about it.
There are answers to each of these threats. The united response of the West to the Salisbury poisonings in 2018 showed that the ability to act forcefully together is more dormant than extinct. Nord Stream 2 ought to be abandoned even at this late stage. New sanctions could be agreed against the trafficking activities of the Lukashenko regime in Belarus. Ukraine could benefit from more sophisticated defensive weapons to deter Russian bullying. But a crucial area for western countries to push back against a steady erosion of stability is in the Balkans.
History has shown many times that we neglect the western Balkans at our peril. Here was the start of the 1914 conflagration and the scene, in the 1990s, of Europe’s bloodiest wars since 1945. And here is world affairs in microcosm — creeping Russian interference, disillusionment with European ideals, disengagement in Washington, tentacles of Chinese influence, widespread corruption, attractive routes for illegal migration and a bitter past of conflict.
Here Russia has tried everything to frustrate the aspirations of millions of people to live in stable, western-oriented nations: an attempted coup in Montenegro, heavy intervention in a referendum in Macedonia, a tightening grip on business and political life in Serbia. To complete the mess, the EU has closed the door on hopes of further enlargement and the UK has lost its leverage over that policy through Brexit. This region is adrift.
It is easy for western governments and electorates to feel fatigued about the Balkans. Can’t they sort themselves out? Aren’t we busy with China, climate change and Covid? For many it is tempting to focus on other issues. Yet we do not have that luxury. For years, the leader of the Serb-majority Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, has been undermining the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina with active Russian and Serbian support. For Moscow this serves the purpose of blocking the expansion of Euro-Atlantic institutions: Bosnia would be like Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in being unable to join Nato or ever function as a normal country.
In recent weeks the situation has become grave. Dodik is coming close to secession from Bosnia, a country delicately balanced between Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs. He has declared he will raise once again a Bosnian Serb army, the very institution responsible for genocide at Srebrenica. He is seeking to capitalise on the weakness and distraction of the West to precipitate a crisis that leads to redrawing the map, with the territory he leads reattached to Serbia.
This is a direct challenge to the Dayton Peace Accords. And once someone can move the borders of countries again on ethnic grounds, there are many more minorities whose location can be exploited to justify moving other borders — ethnic Serbs in Montenegro, ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, ethnic Russians in the Baltic States. No one should be in any doubt that what is happening is a threat to the security and stability of the European neighbourhood.
The world is waking up to the severity of this threat. As I write, EU foreign ministers are at least discussing the situation. Last week, Christian Schmidt, the UN high representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, warned that the country “faces the greatest existential threat of the postwar period” and that “the prospects for further division and conflict are very real”. His original predecessor, Paddy Ashdown, did a brilliant job 20 years ago of showing that backsliding from Dayton and sowing division would not be tolerated. But he had the firm backing of western capitals with a savage conflict fresh in their minds. In the intervening years, the EU in particular has opted for “dialogue”, amounting to appeasement and weakness.
The Foreign Office has said that Liz Truss will be raising these issues forcefully when Nato foreign ministers meet in Riga next month. She will be right to do so. But some urgent decisions and united actions are needed.
Go to comments
If we falter the Balkans will explode again
The West must face down the cold stare of Putin or simmering ethnic tensions in Bosnia will plunge Europe into crisis
William HagueMonday November 15 2021, 5.00pm, The Times
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-we-falter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...lter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...lter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-we-falter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/if-we-falter-the-balkans-will-explode-again-7rk3z2npl
There are two things I have never forgotten about my first meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, alongside David Cameron a decade ago. One was that I thought he had the coldest eyes I had ever seen in the world — and since I have met many of the world’s greatest villains, warlords and tyrants that is saying something. The other was that he simply wanted to sell us a lot of gas. More than any other issue, he kept coming back to gas. Didn’t we need more of it? How about a special pipeline to Britain? Wouldn’t that keep our people warm?
Even then, when western nations were trying to “reset” relations with Moscow, we declined this offer. Putin presides over a pyramid of financial and political power in Russia sustained by hydrocarbon revenues, which is why he is always so focused on doing business. But he is also adept at dividing European countries from each other, neutralising what he sees as the encroachment of the West on Russia’s sphere of influence through a mixture of social media exploitation, clever diplomacy, military intimidation and turning on or off the gas. For him, profit and power fit perfectly together.
Some of our allies have not been so resistant to this strategy. Germany has allowed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and is agonising in its talks on a new coalition government about whether to switch it on. Once Berlin agrees to that, Ukraine and others will be more exposed to Putin turning down the pressure in the pipelines on which they depend. Every weak point of each western country is assiduously exploited. Poland, estranged from its EU partners, is presented with a cruel refugee crisis on its border with Belarus. Hungary, lacking friends in Brussels, finds a new one in Moscow. The whole West is reminded of its strategic weakness by tens of thousands of Russian troops massing near Ukraine, making us wonder what we can do about it.
There are answers to each of these threats. The united response of the West to the Salisbury poisonings in 2018 showed that the ability to act forcefully together is more dormant than extinct. Nord Stream 2 ought to be abandoned even at this late stage. New sanctions could be agreed against the trafficking activities of the Lukashenko regime in Belarus. Ukraine could benefit from more sophisticated defensive weapons to deter Russian bullying. But a crucial area for western countries to push back against a steady erosion of stability is in the Balkans.
History has shown many times that we neglect the western Balkans at our peril. Here was the start of the 1914 conflagration and the scene, in the 1990s, of Europe’s bloodiest wars since 1945. And here is world affairs in microcosm — creeping Russian interference, disillusionment with European ideals, disengagement in Washington, tentacles of Chinese influence, widespread corruption, attractive routes for illegal migration and a bitter past of conflict.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here Russia has tried everything to frustrate the aspirations of millions of people to live in stable, western-oriented nations: an attempted coup in Montenegro, heavy intervention in a referendum in Macedonia, a tightening grip on business and political life in Serbia. To complete the mess, the EU has closed the door on hopes of further enlargement and the UK has lost its leverage over that policy through Brexit. This region is adrift.
It is easy for western governments and electorates to feel fatigued about the Balkans. Can’t they sort themselves out? Aren’t we busy with China, climate change and Covid? For many it is tempting to focus on other issues. Yet we do not have that luxury. For years, the leader of the Serb-majority Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, has been undermining the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina with active Russian and Serbian support. For Moscow this serves the purpose of blocking the expansion of Euro-Atlantic institutions: Bosnia would be like Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in being unable to join Nato or ever function as a normal country.
In recent weeks the situation has become grave. Dodik is coming close to secession from Bosnia, a country delicately balanced between Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs. He has declared he will raise once again a Bosnian Serb army, the very institution responsible for genocide at Srebrenica. He is seeking to capitalise on the weakness and distraction of the West to precipitate a crisis that leads to redrawing the map, with the territory he leads reattached to Serbia.
This is a direct challenge to the Dayton Peace Accords. And once someone can move the borders of countries again on ethnic grounds, there are many more minorities whose location can be exploited to justify moving other borders — ethnic Serbs in Montenegro, ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, ethnic Russians in the Baltic States. No one should be in any doubt that what is happening is a threat to the security and stability of the European neighbourhood.
SPONSORED
The world is waking up to the severity of this threat. As I write, EU foreign ministers are at least discussing the situation. Last week, Christian Schmidt, the UN high representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, warned that the country “faces the greatest existential threat of the postwar period” and that “the prospects for further division and conflict are very real”. His original predecessor, Paddy Ashdown, did a brilliant job 20 years ago of showing that backsliding from Dayton and sowing division would not be tolerated. But he had the firm backing of western capitals with a savage conflict fresh in their minds. In the intervening years, the EU in particular has opted for “dialogue”, amounting to appeasement and weakness.
The Foreign Office has said that Liz Truss will be raising these issues forcefully when Nato foreign ministers meet in Riga next month. She will be right to do so. But some urgent decisions and united actions are needed.
Join the conversation
1 person typingGo to comments
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Todays The Times
Larisa Brown, Defence Editor
Monday November 15 2021, 3.50pm, The Times
Ukraine
Russian forces carried out drills in Crimea in April
RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Britain remains “unwavering” in its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity amid a “concerning” build-up of Russian troops on its border, Boris Johnson’s spokesman has said.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of Nato, said the western alliance was standing by Ukraine as he described a “large and unusual” concentration of Russian forces on the country’s borders.
He called on Russia to be transparent about its military activities to reduce tensions in the region and prevent an escalation.
IN YOUR INBOX
Best of Times
We’ll send you our top stories, across all sections, straight to your inbox. Simple as that.
Sign up now
Asked about the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders, Johnson’s spokesman said: “We are seeing a concerning situation at that border. We remain in unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and will continue to support them in the face of Russian hostility.”
Speaking after a meeting with Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, Stoltenberg said: “Nato remains vigilant. We are monitoring this situation very closely.
“Any further provocation or aggressive actions by Russia would be of serious concern. We call on Russia to be transparent about its military activities.” He added that it was “important to prevent escalation and reduce tensions”.
The United States has been voicing increasing concern to allies over the recent Russian troop movements at the border with Ukraine.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said last week it would be a “serious mistake for Russia to engage in a repeat of what it did in 2014”, when it seized Crimea from Kiev.
Germany’s foreign ministry today urged Moscow to exercise “restraint”.
In spring Russia caused major alarm in Nato when it appeared to be looking to intervene in Ukraine with a huge build-up of troops at the border.
Ukrainian diplomats said last month they were worried that Russia could exploit the gas crisis to try to seize more territory.
Kuleba said the latest movements were a continuation of the pressure his country had faced.
“In Ukraine’s view, what we currently see along the border is not a purely military build-up, because Russia already brought a military armada to our borders in spring and has never really withdrawn it since,” he said.
“What we see now is a deteriorating situation where Russia is demonstrating that it can quickly activate the already amassed troops and equipment and that every option, including the military one, is on the table for Russian leadership.”
Kuleba said that Kiev was looking to closely co-ordinate with its western allies to “take any measures which can help to deter Russia and to prevent the worst case scenarios”.
Ukraine remains locked in a festering conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country that started seven years ago.
A Russian analyst at Janes, the defence-intelligence company, said there had been “unusual” Russian troop movement in recent days, adding: “It looks like there’s a lot of footage showing more units further back in Russia being activated and loaded up on to trains. Obviously we don’t know where they are going until they start moving.
“It is worrying if they are heading west. Only time will tell.” Equipment belonging to the 1st Guards Tank Army has been spotted being unloaded in the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia.
Units belonging to this army are usually stationed in and around Moscow so this is far outside of their normal area of operations. The equipment includes tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery.
On Friday video examined by Janes showed the 34th Motorised Brigade (Mountain) loading armoured personnel carriers and self-propelled artillery on to trains near the unit’s base near the Caucasus mountains.
Analysis of the carriage numbers indicated the trains were heading for the town of Kerch in Crimea, which is again outside their normal area of operations.
Subsequent video taken in the Krasnodar region suggested the unit may have brought air defence equipment with it. There were also sightings of tanks outside railway yards in Ekaterinburg, in Siberia.
“While it’s not clear where they are heading just yet the movement is out of sync with Russia’s normal training cycle”, the analyst said.
Ukraine
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Britain and Nato vow to stand by Ukraine as Russian troops mass at border
Larisa Brown, Defence Editor
Monday November 15 2021, 3.50pm, The Times
Ukraine
Russian forces carried out drills in Crimea in April
RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Britain remains “unwavering” in its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity amid a “concerning” build-up of Russian troops on its border, Boris Johnson’s spokesman has said.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of Nato, said the western alliance was standing by Ukraine as he described a “large and unusual” concentration of Russian forces on the country’s borders.
He called on Russia to be transparent about its military activities to reduce tensions in the region and prevent an escalation.
IN YOUR INBOX
Best of Times
We’ll send you our top stories, across all sections, straight to your inbox. Simple as that.
Sign up now
Asked about the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders, Johnson’s spokesman said: “We are seeing a concerning situation at that border. We remain in unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and will continue to support them in the face of Russian hostility.”
Speaking after a meeting with Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, Stoltenberg said: “Nato remains vigilant. We are monitoring this situation very closely.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Any further provocation or aggressive actions by Russia would be of serious concern. We call on Russia to be transparent about its military activities.” He added that it was “important to prevent escalation and reduce tensions”.
The United States has been voicing increasing concern to allies over the recent Russian troop movements at the border with Ukraine.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said last week it would be a “serious mistake for Russia to engage in a repeat of what it did in 2014”, when it seized Crimea from Kiev.
Germany’s foreign ministry today urged Moscow to exercise “restraint”.
SPONSORED
In spring Russia caused major alarm in Nato when it appeared to be looking to intervene in Ukraine with a huge build-up of troops at the border.
Ukrainian diplomats said last month they were worried that Russia could exploit the gas crisis to try to seize more territory.
Kuleba said the latest movements were a continuation of the pressure his country had faced.
“In Ukraine’s view, what we currently see along the border is not a purely military build-up, because Russia already brought a military armada to our borders in spring and has never really withdrawn it since,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What we see now is a deteriorating situation where Russia is demonstrating that it can quickly activate the already amassed troops and equipment and that every option, including the military one, is on the table for Russian leadership.”
Kuleba said that Kiev was looking to closely co-ordinate with its western allies to “take any measures which can help to deter Russia and to prevent the worst case scenarios”.
Ukraine remains locked in a festering conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country that started seven years ago.
A Russian analyst at Janes, the defence-intelligence company, said there had been “unusual” Russian troop movement in recent days, adding: “It looks like there’s a lot of footage showing more units further back in Russia being activated and loaded up on to trains. Obviously we don’t know where they are going until they start moving.
“It is worrying if they are heading west. Only time will tell.” Equipment belonging to the 1st Guards Tank Army has been spotted being unloaded in the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia.
Units belonging to this army are usually stationed in and around Moscow so this is far outside of their normal area of operations. The equipment includes tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery.
On Friday video examined by Janes showed the 34th Motorised Brigade (Mountain) loading armoured personnel carriers and self-propelled artillery on to trains near the unit’s base near the Caucasus mountains.
ADVERTISEMENT
Analysis of the carriage numbers indicated the trains were heading for the town of Kerch in Crimea, which is again outside their normal area of operations.
Subsequent video taken in the Krasnodar region suggested the unit may have brought air defence equipment with it. There were also sightings of tanks outside railway yards in Ekaterinburg, in Siberia.
“While it’s not clear where they are heading just yet the movement is out of sync with Russia’s normal training cycle”, the analyst said.
Ukraine
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Related articles
- Location
- Lincolnshire
I'd imagine by the time they have done a risk assessment and checked everything for gender neutrality, the tanks will rolling onto the east coast beaches.
In all seriousness I don't like Putin at all, but many on the "other side" out there are fairly unsavoury as well from what I have seen. We need to be very careful we don't end up defending one gangster from another.
In all seriousness I don't like Putin at all, but many on the "other side" out there are fairly unsavoury as well from what I have seen. We need to be very careful we don't end up defending one gangster from another.
capfits
Member
Pish
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Same difference to me though isn't it. Can't sell grain, business finished, same as steading torched or being shot.
Not much difference. At least the Mafia are up front about it. British institutions cover it all with a very thin veneer of respectability. We think we have rights and representation when in reality we have very little. Large commercial organisations have us over a barrel. The media is used against us relentlessly. Not a bullet in your back, but the slow poison and the thousand cuts of disinformation and ever more far reaching power of the State and the corporations who now own it.
- Location
- Limousin, France
Red Storm Rising. A great book by Tom Clancy.Todays The Times
Britain and Nato vow to stand by Ukraine as Russian troops mass at border
Larisa Brown, Defence Editor
Monday November 15 2021, 3.50pm, The Times
Ukraine
Russian forces carried out drills in Crimea in April
RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Britain remains “unwavering” in its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity amid a “concerning” build-up of Russian troops on its border, Boris Johnson’s spokesman has said.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of Nato, said the western alliance was standing by Ukraine as he described a “large and unusual” concentration of Russian forces on the country’s borders.
He called on Russia to be transparent about its military activities to reduce tensions in the region and prevent an escalation.
IN YOUR INBOX
Best of Times
We’ll send you our top stories, across all sections, straight to your inbox. Simple as that.
Sign up now
Asked about the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders, Johnson’s spokesman said: “We are seeing a concerning situation at that border. We remain in unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and will continue to support them in the face of Russian hostility.”
Speaking after a meeting with Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, Stoltenberg said: “Nato remains vigilant. We are monitoring this situation very closely.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Any further provocation or aggressive actions by Russia would be of serious concern. We call on Russia to be transparent about its military activities.” He added that it was “important to prevent escalation and reduce tensions”.
The United States has been voicing increasing concern to allies over the recent Russian troop movements at the border with Ukraine.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said last week it would be a “serious mistake for Russia to engage in a repeat of what it did in 2014”, when it seized Crimea from Kiev.
Germany’s foreign ministry today urged Moscow to exercise “restraint”.
SPONSORED
In spring Russia caused major alarm in Nato when it appeared to be looking to intervene in Ukraine with a huge build-up of troops at the border.
Ukrainian diplomats said last month they were worried that Russia could exploit the gas crisis to try to seize more territory.
Kuleba said the latest movements were a continuation of the pressure his country had faced.
“In Ukraine’s view, what we currently see along the border is not a purely military build-up, because Russia already brought a military armada to our borders in spring and has never really withdrawn it since,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What we see now is a deteriorating situation where Russia is demonstrating that it can quickly activate the already amassed troops and equipment and that every option, including the military one, is on the table for Russian leadership.”
Kuleba said that Kiev was looking to closely co-ordinate with its western allies to “take any measures which can help to deter Russia and to prevent the worst case scenarios”.
Ukraine remains locked in a festering conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country that started seven years ago.
A Russian analyst at Janes, the defence-intelligence company, said there had been “unusual” Russian troop movement in recent days, adding: “It looks like there’s a lot of footage showing more units further back in Russia being activated and loaded up on to trains. Obviously we don’t know where they are going until they start moving.
“It is worrying if they are heading west. Only time will tell.” Equipment belonging to the 1st Guards Tank Army has been spotted being unloaded in the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia.
Units belonging to this army are usually stationed in and around Moscow so this is far outside of their normal area of operations. The equipment includes tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery.
On Friday video examined by Janes showed the 34th Motorised Brigade (Mountain) loading armoured personnel carriers and self-propelled artillery on to trains near the unit’s base near the Caucasus mountains.
ADVERTISEMENT
Analysis of the carriage numbers indicated the trains were heading for the town of Kerch in Crimea, which is again outside their normal area of operations.
Subsequent video taken in the Krasnodar region suggested the unit may have brought air defence equipment with it. There were also sightings of tanks outside railway yards in Ekaterinburg, in Siberia.
“While it’s not clear where they are heading just yet the movement is out of sync with Russia’s normal training cycle”, the analyst said.
Ukraine
Share
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Save
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...ne-as-russian-troops-mass-at-border-n25jp0m3c
Related articles
Whatever. I'll go watch Love Island. I'm surprised you can get a cap big enough to fit your head.
- Location
- Northern Ireland
So, with Boris and the leaders of the West declaring yesterday a threat to impose sanctions on Russia if he invades Ukraine again, will Putin use gas to counter the measures?
Gas has fallen, and would be vulnerable again to an upward price shock.
Gas has fallen, and would be vulnerable again to an upward price shock.
- Location
- fakenham-norfolk
Yes,I expect " Lets go Brandon" to expediate matters !!!!
beardface
Member
- Location
- East Yorkshire
Putin won't care much about sanctions. He has the upper hand as Russia heats most of Europe. I recon invasion in the new year. Biden will likely of held the line regarding Ukraine and Nato membership, which will further enrage Putin. A winter offensive suits the commys and could allow for a second front in the spring with China and Taiwan. Put your faith in maniac dictators at your own peril me thinks.
Only an idiot would start an invasion in mid winter in Ukraine end of Jan perhaps, the chinese would eat Russia alive far too many of them, even Putin isnt that bonkers, if he did and started to get his arse handed to him it would be interesting to see if the west would rescue him to stop china
oil barron
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
Hague always was a war hawk. He couldn’t wait to get into Libya and drop some bombs.
If we take the war to the Ukraine, Putin will take a dirty gorilla war to the Uk.
If we take the war to the Ukraine, Putin will take a dirty gorilla war to the Uk.
He already has