Last September, Fiona Hill and Angela Stent wrote this in Foreign Affairs: “According to multiple former senior U.S. officials, in April 2022, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators appeared to have tentatively agreed on the outlines of a negotiated interim settlement.”
In the end, of course, no such settlement was agreed. Which may be, at least in part, because Boris Johnson advised Zelensky not to sign it during his “surprise visit” to Kiev in early April.
As you may recall, one of Zelensky’s “close associates” told Ukrainska Pravda that Johnson was an “obstacle” to negotiations because he’d brought two simple messages: “Putin is a war criminal, he should be suppressed, not negotiated with. And secondly, if you are ready to sign any agreements on guarantees with him, then we are not. We can with you, but not with him, he will still abandon everyone.”
According to Roman Romanyuk, writing in Ukrainska Pravda:
Behind this visit and Johnson’s words lies much more than a simple reluctance to engage in agreements with Russia. The collective West, which back in February suggested that Zelenskyi surrender and run away, now felt that Putin is actually not as all-powerful as they imagined him to be. Moreover, right now there was a chance to “press him”. And the West wants to use it.
It should be noted that Romanyuk disagrees that Johnson’s visit was the main reason the deal fell through. In his view, concerns that “Ukrainian society might not accept such a deal” loomed larger. Others interpret the evidence differently.
Putin himself has claimed the West scuttled negotiations, noting in his September 21st speech that “after certain compromises were coordinated, Kiev was actually ordered to wreck all these agreements”.
Now, the former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett has lent credence to this view, claiming that the West “blocked” a draft peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. The revelation came in a long interview (in Hebrew) posted on Bennett’s YouTube channel.
Bennett’s words cannot be dismissed as mere speculation, given that he played a central role mediating between the two sides, after a request from Zelensky at the war’s outset.
In the interview, Bennett states that he believed Israel’s national interest would be served by a policy of neutrality, which is why he accepted the request to mediate. Toward this end, he sought to understand the interests of both sides.
“Putin’s perception,” he says, “was wait, when the wall came down, we reached an agreement with NATO that they wouldn’t expand … why are you introducing Ukraine into NATO?” Later in the interview, he states that “the war broke out because of the demand to join NATO”.
After a sequence of phone calls with the two leaders, Bennett flew to Moscow on March 7th. (Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were holding talks at Gomel in Belarus.)
He says that Putin then “made two big concessions”. He promised not to “take out” Zelensky, and he “renounced disarmament of Ukraine”. The same day, Zelensky also “made a big concession” – he “relinquished joining NATO”. Describing these as “huge steps on each side”, Bennett’s impression was that “both sides very much want a ceasefire”.
According to the former Prime Minister, Putin was “very pragmatic”, and “so was Zelensky”. As an example of Putin’s pragmatism, he mentions that Putin “totally understood Zelensky’s political constraints”. Asked whether Putin is “gung ho to fight at all costs”, Bennett replies “no” because “he has goals to achieve”.
Regarding the various Western leaders involved, he says that “Boris Johnson adopted the aggressive line”, whereas “Macron and Scholz were more pragmatic”, and “Biden was both”.
Then we get to the most interesting part. “I think there was a legitimate decision by the West,” Bennett explains, “to keep striking Putin”, to take the “more aggressive approach”. “So they blocked it?” the interviewer asks. “Yes. They blocked it.”
Bennet’s account obviously comports closely with Romanyuk’s observation that the West felt there was a chance to “press” Putin.
One reason to be sceptical is that, insofar as Bennett’s mediation efforts ultimately failed, he has an incentive to blame outside forces (in this case, the West). For now, we can’t be sure exactly what happened. But the revelations are striking, consistent as they are with the earlier report in Ukrainska Pravda – down to the detail of Johnson being particularly hawkish.
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Natwest account closed yesterday.
Well done.
Salute.
“Jacob Rees-Mogg presses Tories to scale back Net Zero plans”
“Rishi must take tough decisions after poll defeats”
The labour vote in Selby only rose by 3000
The conservative vote fell by 21000
So the obvious question is: why would anyone vote conservative?
The cat is out of the bag on Bunter/covid now the WhatsApps have been recovered.
A look in the rear view mirror shows a dust cloud of gloom: Truss/Bunter/May/Cameron/Clegg. Blair/Brown is too far back to be seen now by voters.
But nut zero has been rumbled by the good burghers of Uxbridge.
The PMs constituents will tell him. He has three hopes but one of them is the political equivalent of ‘bazball’.
Reject Net Zero out of hand.
https://co2coalition.org/publications/challenging-net-zero-with-science/
To their credit, GBN actually reported that the turnout was low in Selby – something in the 40% range, That’s more like most local council elections. It could be that the new MP’s job will be a flash in the pan for Labour, if the Tories do actually vote in the next General Election there.
Resist the World Health Organisation power grab
Side 2 of leaflet to print
At last, politicians prepared to resist the WHO power grab
conservativewoman.co.uk/at-last-politicians-prepared-to-resist-the-who-power-grab/
Janice Davis
Side 1 of leaflet to print
Good morning all…
A bit of a different story..but I thought people might find it interesting if they hadn’t seen it….(not behind a paywall….)
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/20/islas-malvinas-brexit-cited-as-eu-endorses-falklands-argentine-name
“Forty-one years after the Falklands war, the UK has suffered a diplomatic defeat over the archipelago as the EU appeared to endorse the Argentine name for the disputed territory, Islas Malvinas.
Brussels supported an Argentina-backed declaration referring to Islas Malvinas at a summit of EU leaders with Latin America and the Caribbean (Celac) leaders on Tuesday, which Buenos Aires called a “diplomatic triumph”.
On Wednesday, British diplomats requested that the European Council president, Charles Michel, “clarify” the bloc’s position.
An official said “The UK is not part of the EU. They are upset by the use of the word Malvinas. If they were in the EU perhaps they would have pushed back against it.”
(Me)….Although I suppose this doesn’t officially change anything..this has annoyed a lot of people who claim that the Falkland Islands will now be called ‘Malvinas’, by the EU bloc …. despite this internationally being Sovereign British Overseas Territory.
It is a political kick in the teeth if not anything else….
Just think if EU President, Ursula Von Der Leyen becomes Head of NATO..British troops will be under EU command…..
Maybe a little story..but annoying….
It feels more than annoying to me. The EU are effectively publicly recognising Argentina’s claims to the islands as legitimate. What a way for supposed friends and allies to behave. Absolutely shameful.
I agree with you Michael. It feels peevish, an act of resentment and bad feelings because ‘we’re not in their gang’. I doubt it was mooted by any other than the main EU countries. Where does this go from here I wonder?
The Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK explicitly states that both sides respect each others territories. The EU is therefore in breach of the treaty and if our Government where not spineless remoaners they would get this resolved pronto.
Nick Hudson has been one of the superstars throughout the whole of the the non-plague….
this a short perfect little video, where he concisely point out how to spot a ‘scam’..brilliant…
https://www.bitchute.com/video/Z4Lj3DpzPhh9/
That’s brilliantly simple!
For people short on time, if it’s global with a global solution, it’s a scam. If dissent is squashed, it’s a scam.
I’ve been watching the ‘House Select Sub-Committee’ hearings in the USA, on and off…
…and another person who is clear and concise is RFK…he has been really talking a great deal of sense…he is another person who can take big ideas
and make them easily understandable ….
For anyone who hasn’t been watching….What was funny (but equally sad) is that RFK was invited to the committee to talk about Government censorship, but then a group of Democrats tried to stop him appearing due to ‘anti-Semitic and racist remarks’ he had made…there was a pile on of the usual suspects….so they tried to censor him before he even got there!!
Anyhow they failed…and this is one of the things he said….
”When people censor speech, when we look back in history, they’re never the good guys. Government abuses every power that it’s given, and if government suddenly has the capacity to censor its critics, it has a license for any atrocity.”
That could not be bettered. Brilliant.
https://news.sky.com/story/some-will-go-hungry-some-will-starve-global-rice-shortages-feared-after-india-bans-exports-12925097
The Indian government has banned the export of non-basmati white rice – trigging fears of shortages and price rises across the world.
India is the world’s largest supplier of the food – making up 40% of global exports – which more than three billion people rely on as a staple.
I know I’m being sarcastic here (or is it the usual double-standard hypocrisy)?
..but it will be interesting to see how (or even if) the Western MSM treat this story….? Will NATO ally India be convicted of ‘starving’ the world’ and causing ‘untold amounts of agony to the third world’..do you think?
I’m putting this in full because I know everyone can’t access Twitter…
I agree with every word…and every so often it’s good to read a ‘Braveheart’ speech.
Viva is someone I watched a lot during the scam…as he did those little talking to the camera bits as he walked around.
It’s ostensibly about America, as that is where he lives..but it affect us all the same, ..and it links up with the Nick Hudson video I’ve posted..in so much as when they are trying to sell you a ‘global’ problem and a ‘global’ fix..it’s a ‘global’ scam!!
Viva Frei
@thevivafrei
When you look back…
-They forced us to stay home for “2 weeks to flatten the curve”. Then 2 months. Then 2 years.
-They forced us to “social distance”. Outside.
-They chained up swings in parks. Tied off outdoor basketball nets. Locked up outdoor dog parks.
-They shut down churches and AA meetings, while leaving open Walmart and liquor stores.
-They forced us to wear masks outdoors. At anti-lockdown protests. Which were outlawed in some jurisdictions. While justifying BLM protests because “racism is a public health crisis”.
-They forced us to celebrate holidays alone. To die alone. To grieve alone.
-They restricted who we could have in our own homes.
-They forced us – or tried to force us – to quarantine our healthy kids for mere exposure. Only to claim it was a “communications mistake”.
-They forced us to “contact trace”.
-They forced us and our kids to wear potentially toxic masks for the better part of the day.
-They demonized, censored, issued crippling financial penalties, and even jailed those who protested.
-They forced us to take an experimental medication after having immunized the pharmaceutical companies from all liability.
-They lied to us about safety, efficacy, and quality control.
-They ignored those who were killed by their experimental drug.
-They vilified the grieving parents of deceased children for speaking out.
-They destroyed our economy, transferred our wealth to their already-wealthy political friends, increased their power, while straddling the working class with unbearable debt.
This was not an accident. It was not incompetence. It was not innocent.
It was by design.
It wasn’t a test. It was the first step. And if it passes with no political and legal repercussions, we will have learned nothing, they will have won, and there will be no going back.
I will never forgive. I will never forget. And I will always scream into the abyss until those responsible get there legal and/or political comeuppance.
Er..is it Just me, or I we supposed to think this is sane??
Bloomberg@business
South Africa Beats Climate Goal as Blackouts Slash Emissions
South Africa is ahead of its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions as regular breakdowns of the coal-fired power plants and electricity outages slash emissions…
Regular breakdowns of the coal-fired power plants that supply more than 80% of South Africa’s electricity mean that less carbon dioxide is being pumped into the atmosphere and daily rotational cuts of more than 10 hours a day are further limiting emissions from factories.
“Impressive! They could do even better by getting rid of cars and airplanes and starving themselves to death” – Dinesh D’Souza
It’s easy to forget and move on, but Tamara Lich and Chris Barber will return to court in the Autumn in Canada, in relation to the ‘truckers convoy’…
their fight is very much still ongoing…
Good interview from Dave Rubin with Lich …
… listening to her talk, it just seems incredible what happened….although we all saw it….and the major ‘over-reaction’…I despise Trudeau…
We shouldn’t forget about them…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcIWwSSsCk4
“BBC ex-employee blasts corporation as he calls for quick apology to Nigel Farage”
Fu@k apologies!
Nastiewest and the bbc has broken customer confidentiality LAW!
They must not get away with this!!!
Don’t know if this has been posted so apologies if it has….but a good interview with Dr John Cambell, and Senator Gerrard Rennick from Australia..about excess deaths, and vaccine issues…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR1X9O2lMlA
Anyone who still thinks this conflict isn’t one-sided hypocrisy needs to explain the latest double-speak crap coming from Stoltenberg….
“The retaliatory use of cluster munitions will once again indicate Russia’s unpreparedness for peace negotiations,” NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.”
I just reread 1984 and the parallels are astonishing, particularly the use of ‘doublespeak’. I last read it as a young teenager and I think, subconsciously, it always stayed with me. Highly recommend a refresher if you haven’t read it for a while – your jaw will drop.
Jens “Dr Strangelove” StolenTurd is a ventriloquist´s dummy.
…clearly a man out of his depth…and people are dying on behalf of these morons…..it breaks my heart….
‘and all entrants must be “a woman from birth”, says Fox News.’. Errrr, so just a woman then you mean?
Former Reading FC hero, Shaka Hislop, has ‘fainted’ live on air. As he was injected, I fear the worst.
https://www.local.gov.uk/case-studies/newcastle-tackling-low-uptake-men-through-power-football
According to BBC News, it’s not yet clear if his collapse was caused by climate change, but they want to put the thought in people’s heads that it may have been:
“Temperatures in California on Sunday were reported to be about 30C, but it is unclear if heat was a factor in Hislop’s collapse.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66287304
Yes, it’s pathetic isn’t it? If he had fainted because he was wearing a jacket and a tie in moderately warm heat, he would have quickly reappeared assuring everyone he was fine.
We need UKIP 2.0 because there´s not just the EU: the EU has been joined by the banksters and the WHO as well as corporate advertizers in closing down anyone who deviates from the woke, green doctrines.
UKIP will defend free speech!
Michael Watts: “Why aren’t you wearing your girl’s dress today?”
David Bowie: “Oh dear. You must understand that it’s not a woman’s. It’s a man’s dress.”
– Melody Maker, 1972
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jan/11/david-bowie-life-in-quotes
Perhaps he was scared he might catch something and TFL’s mask policy helped make him more comfortable?
https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/at-last-politicians-prepared-to-resist-the-who-power-grab/
There are some politicians at last prepared to take on the globalists.
“Of course we will refuse to comply. But we have to be prepared to become the scapegoat, the sacrificial lamb, the inevitable collateral damage. We are here to fight, and fight we will, but it won’t be easy, or fair, or without significant personal cost.” I think this is absolutely key. When we finally accept that we have to be a sacrifice is when we will win. We win for our kids and grandchildren, not for us.
“We win for our kids and grandchildren, not for us.”
My view entirely.
An interesting meeting yesterday looking at the impact of economics on geopolitical events & how this leads to war being used to solve economic problems. Very relevant with what’s going on in Ukraine at the moment.
Alex Krainer has had his books on geopolitics banned… He’s definitely worth listening to.
https://rumble.com/user/cbkovess
I will have a listen later today it sounds interesting…….and I’m sure it’s easier to hide an economic tsunami in the fog of war!!
Besides Ukraine…there’s America sending extra troops to Syria… sending ships and troops to the Gulf, ostensibly to counter ‘Iranian activity’….besides the extra 3.000 troops being sent to ‘bolster’ Europe.. and the extra troops they’ve already sent to Taiwan…..they’ve been busy….…
And now, apparently, Polish troops are mobilising on the Belarus border!
We live in interesting times ….
Old Chinese curse – “May you live in interesting times”.
RIP, Trevor Francis
World’s first £1million player, Notts forest 1979 Brian clough