Wednesday 22 April 2015

Western Rejection Rains on Russia’s Victory Day Parade | Johnson's Russia List

Western Rejection Rains on Russia’s Victory Day Parade | Johnson's Russia List



In this article, the contrast with the celebrations a decade ago is striking.  Putin driving President Bush in a Soviet Era vintage GAZ car, a pro-Western president in Ukraine, close co-operation with the EU.



"Putin signed a statement on the creation of a Russian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who had been brought to power after a series of pro-Western public protests in Kiev just months before the celebrations."  

This begs the question: why didn't the pro-Western protests and the installation of a pro-Western President lead to civil war in Ukraine (and the creation of pro-Russian separatist movements) in 2004/2005 as it did in 2014?

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Russian Ships Invade Newcastle

Royal navy frigates have been scrambled to intercept Russian ships which been spotted sailing up the river Tyne this morning.  

Unlike the Russian bombers which have flew close to UK airspace, testing our defences, these Russian ships have penetrated deep in UK territorial waters and have actually berthed on the Tyne at Newcastle's Quayside.

The Russian ships are here on the request of Durak Aprelski, the leader of the Russian separatists who occupied Newcastle last year, as reported here:






Ok, I admit it, these pictures were taken in 1986 during the Tall Ships Race in Newcastle.