Thursday, March 31, 2022

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Patriarch Kirill und Wladimir Putin im Juli 2015 in Moskau | Bild: DPA

ORTHODOXE KIRCHE UND PUTIN

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Der Vatikan und der Papst setzen auf Moskaus Patriarchen Kirill als Friedensstifter. Doch Russlands Orthodoxe Kirche ist eng mit Putin und dem Kreml verbunden.

Am 8. März appellierte Kardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Vorsitzender der katholischen Bischofskonferenzen der EU, an Patriarch Kirill: Das Oberhaupt der russisch-orthodoxen Kirche solle auf die Moskauer Machthaber einwirken, damit diese eine „diplomatische Lösung des Konflikts“ in der Ukraine suchten, auf der Grundlage von „Dialog, gesundem Menschenverstand und Respekt für das Völkerrecht“. Neun Tage später erhielt der Erzbischof von Luxemburg eine Antwort von Metropolit Hilarion, dem Leiter des Außenamts der russisch-orthodoxen Kirche, die man als Absage werten muss.

Zwar ist die Rede von „dramatischen Ereignissen auf dem vielgeprüften Boden der Ukraine“. Doch sei „ganz offensichtlich, dass der gegenwärtige Konflikt nicht mit immer neuen öffentlichen Erklärungen gelöst werden kann“. Wie sonst das russische Außenministerium, fordert Hilarion eine „Absage an die Sprache der Ultimaten“. Man habe ein „besonderes Gebet für die baldige Wiederherstellung des Friedens“ in der Ukraine in die Liturgie aufgenommen, schreibt der Metropolit zwar. Doch was darunter aus Moskauer Sicht zu verstehen ist, hatte wenige Tage zuvor Pa¬triarch Kirill klargemacht: Er übergab Viktor Solotow, dem Leiter der Nationalgarde, während eines Gottesdienstes in der Moskauer Christ-Erlöser-Kathedrale eine Ikone der Muttergottes, welche „die jungen Krieger inspirieren“ solle. Solotow sagte, die Ikone werde „die russische Streitmacht schützen und unseren Sieg beschleunigen“. » | Von Friedrich Schmidt, Politischer Korrespondent für Russland und die GUS in Moskau. | Donnerstag, 31. März 2022

Um weiterzulesen, muß man abonniert sein. Hier sind die beliebtesten Abonnements der Frankfurter Allgemeineren Zeitung.

Eine Reise durch das Baltikum | Reportage HD | ARTE

Mar 31, 2022 • Seit Beginn des Ukraine-Krieges ist auch in Russlands baltischen Nachbarstaaten die Angst vor einer militärischen Auseinandersetzung gewachsen. Zumal man sich hier noch lebhaft an die Zeit unter russischer Besatzung nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg erinnert. In Estland, Lettland und Litauen, wo eine große russischsprachige Minderheit lebt, schließen sich immer mehr Menschen den Nationalgarden an – für den Fall der Fälle. Wie groß ist die Bedrohung durch Russland für das Baltikum? Und wie gehen die Menschen vor Ort mit der angespannten Lage um? Eine Reise durch die Drillingsländer.

Democracy Now! US News & World Headlines – March 31, 2022

Putin Authorizes Draft of Nearly 135,000 into Russian Military

Mar 31, 2022 • CNN’s Christiane Amanpour reacts to news that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on spring conscription, fixing a target for 134,500 individuals to be drafted into the Russian armed forces.

How Long Will Russian Forces Continue to Hold Positions? | Ukraine Latest

Mar 31, 2022 • The shelling has not stopped in Ukraine, even after Russia announced it would scale down its military activity.

It's thought Russia now wants to focus on securing control over the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy says his forces will fight for ''every meter of land''.

This comes as the US says its intelligence suggests Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misled by fearful advisors about his military's poor performance in Ukraine. Intelligence reports from the British defense ministry say Russian forces continue to hold positions to the east and west of Kyiv and that the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital are likely to see heavy fighting in the coming days.

Bombings have continued unabated in the besieged port city of Mariupol. Ukraine's deputy prime minister says a convoy of 45 buses is on its way to the city to try and evacuate civilians - after Russia said it would pause fighting there today. Previous attempts to open a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol have failed.


Ukraine War: Putin Being Misled by Fearful Advisers, US Says

The US and UK say Putin is being misinformed by his advisers | REUTERS

BBC: Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misled by advisers who are too scared to tell him how badly the war in Ukraine is going, the White House says.

Meanwhile British intelligence says Russian troops in Ukraine are demoralised, short of equipment and refusing to carry out orders.

Mr Putin is also not being told about the full impact of sanctions on the Russian economy, the White House said.

The Kremlin has not yet commented on the assessments.

White House spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said the US had information that Mr Putin "felt misled by the Russian military" and this had resulted in "persistent tension between Putin and his military leadership".

"Putin's war has been a strategic blunder that has left Russia weaker over the long term and increasingly isolated on the world stage," she said. » | Thursday, March 31, 2022

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

'He's Taking the Side of Putin': Trump Asks for 'Invented Dirt' from Russia

Mar 30, 2022 • Former President Trump publicly called on Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to release any dirt he might have on Hunter Biden, the president’s son. The Morning Joe panel discusses.

Panic Buying Sets In as Russians Feel Impact of Sanctions

Mar 30, 2022 • Russians are feeling the impact of international sanctions as inflation pushes the cost of household staples up. CNN's Anna Stewart reports some supermarkets have placed limits on how much customers can buy of certain products.


Un article lié à cela.

Oligarchs on UK Sanctions List Were Granted ‘Golden Visas’

THE GUARDIAN: Eight unnamed individuals were awarded right to live in Britain under controversial investor visa scheme

Eight Russian oligarchs on the UK sanctions list over their links to Vladimir Putin were granted “golden visas” to live in Britain.

The eight individuals, who Boris Johnson described as having “the blood of the Ukrainian people on their hands”, were granted the right to live in the UK after promising to invest at least £2m under the controversial tier 1 investor visa scheme.

Lady Williams of Trafford, a home office minister, said in an answer to a parliamentary question this week that on 18 March, eight of the oligarchs subjected to sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine “had been identified as holding or having held leave as a tier 1 (investor) migrant or as a tier 1 (investor) migrant dependent”.

The eight people were not named, and the Home Office declined to provide further details. » | Rupert Neate and Aubrey Allegretti | Wednesday, March 30, 2022

China hofiert Außenminister Lawrow

Der chinesische Außenminister Wang Yi mit seinem russischen Amtskollegen Sergej Lawrow im Juli 2019 in Brasilien | Bild: REUTERS

SCHULTERSCHLUSS MIT RUSSLAND

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Peking beschwört die Freundschaft zu Moskau und ist bereit, die Beziehungen „auf eine höhere Ebene“ zu heben. Das könnte die Wirtschaftsbeziehungen mit Europa belasten.

Trotz des andauernden russischen Angriffskrieges in der Ukraine hat sich China abermals demonstrativ hinter Moskau gestellt. Der chinesische Außenminister Wang Yi sagte am Mittwoch nach einem Treffen mit seinem russischen Amtskollegen Sergej Lawrow, China sei bereit, die Beziehungen zu Moskau „auf eine höhere Ebene“ zu heben. Beide Seiten seien entschlossener denn je, die Zusammenarbeit auszubauen. „Die chinesisch-russischen Beziehungen haben dem jüngsten Test der sich wandelnden internationalen Lage standgehalten, die korrekte Richtung des Fortschritts beibehalten und ein nachhaltiges Momentum erreicht“, sagte Wang Yi laut einer Mitteilung des Außenministeriums. Lawrow war erstmals seit dem Beginn des Krieges nach China gereist. Offizieller Anlass waren multilaterale Beratungen über die Lage in Afghanistan. Das Treffen fand aufgrund der Pandemie fernab der Hauptstadt in der Provinz Anhui statt. » | Von Friederike Böge | Mittwoch, 30. März 2022

Guerre en Ukraine: les Russes pris dans le nœud coulant des sanctions internationales

Les Russes se trouvent confrontés aux restrictions croissantes qui raniment le spectre des pénuries. Ci-dessus, une femme passe devant les rayons vides d’un supermarché, le 23 mars, à Moscou. Sopa Images/Sopa Images/SPUS/ABACA

LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - La population commence à sentir les restrictions économiques imposées après l’invasion de l’Ukraine, mais celles-ci ne semblent pas en mesure de faire bouger les lignes politiques.

Correspondant à Moscou

Ce n’est qu’un détail, mais tout de même: il devient de plus en plus difficile de se procurer du papier blanc en Russie, sinon en le payant cinq fois plus cher qu’il y a un mois. En cause, les sanctions internationales décidées après l’invasion de l’Ukraine et l’arrêt des approvisionnements en produits chimiques de blanchiment importés de Finlande… D’où le retour en force du papier jaunasse - pompeusement rebaptisé «écologique»-, omniprésent à l’époque de l’URSS.

Petit à petit, jour après jour, les Russes sont confrontés aux restrictions croissantes, qui bousculent le quotidien et raniment le spectre des pénuries que beaucoup ont encore en mémoire. C’est Svetlana, ménagère moscovite qui découvre un beau matin dans son supermarché que le sucre, le sarrasin et le sel sont en rupture de stock. Et quand il y a en a, pas plus d’un paquet par client! Sans crier gare, capsules pour lave-vaisselle, serviettes hygiéniques et certains produits pour animaux ont également disparu des rayons. » | Par Alain Barluet | mercredi 30 mars 2022

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Democracy Now! US News & World News – March 30, 2022

Ukraine War: Putin Demands Mariupol Surrender to End Shelling

BBC: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that shelling of the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol will only end when Ukrainian troops surrender.

Mr Putin made the comments during an hour long phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday night, the Kremlin said in a statement.

But French officials said the Russian leader had agreed to consider plans to evacuate civilians from the city.

It comes as new satellite photos showed the destruction caused by the shelling. » | Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Germany Warns on Gas Supply over Russia Payment Row

BBC: Germany has declared an "early warning" over possible gas supply disruption amid a payments stand-off with Russia.

Russia has demanded "unfriendly" countries pay for its gas in roubles, but the EU, which mainly pays in euros, has rejected the idea.

On Wednesday, German economy minister Robert Habeck urged consumers and companies to reduce consumption in anticipation of possible shortages.

Germany gets about half its gas and a third of its oil from Russia.

Berlin has pledged to reduce its dependence on Russian energy over time but warned it could face a recession if supplies stopped suddenly.

Under an existing gas emergency plan, the "early warning phase" is the first of three steps designed to prepare the country for a potential supply shock.

In its final stage, the government would bring in gas rationing. » | Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Just a List of Lies Boris Johnson Has Told

Mar 29, 2022 • At the end of last year Boris Johnson stood up in parliament to tell the public that he had been reassured there were no parties in Downing Street. Today, the Met Police has issued 20 fines for parties held in Downing Street. He’s lying to you.

Democracy Now! US News & World News – March 29, 2022

Queen Attends Prince Philip Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey


Read the BBC article here.

Read related articles here.

Here’s What It’s Like Having $100 Billion vs. $1 Billion | Robert Reich

Mar 29, 2022 • Americans worth over $100 billion:

Elon Musk: $270B
Jeff Bezos: $190B
Bill Gates: $135B
Warren Buffett: $130B
Larry Page: $119B
Sergey Brin: $115B
Larry Ellison: $113B


Prince Andrew Plays Prominent Role in Prince Philip Memorial Service

THE GUARDIAN: Royal makes first public appearance since settling sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre

The Queen and Prince Andrew attend the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip. Photograph: Richard Pohle/AFP/Getty Images

Prince Andrew has prompted controversy after playing a unexpectedly prominent role escorting the Queen into a memorial service for his father, Prince Philip, in the disgraced royal’s first public appearance since settling the sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre.

The ceremony in Westminster Abbey was held to mark a year since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death after his funeral was attended by just 30 loved ones due to pandemic restrictions.

It was uncertain until Tuesday morning whether the Queen would be able to attend after suffering poor mobility that has prevented her from travelling to official engagements.

She travelled from Windsor with Andrew, who escorted her into Westminster Abbey, offering his elbow as she moved carefully to her place using a walking stick.

Andrew’s prominent role raised eyebrows for coming so soon after a multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement in a civil sexual assault case. He continues to deny the allegation, but has stepped down from public life over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. » | Rachel Hall and agency | Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Queen attends Prince Philip thanksgiving service: Monarch, 95, leads royal family at event in honour of husband Philip at Westminster Abbey »

Andrew escorts Queen by arm at memorial service for Prince Philip: Monarch is visibly moved as her consort finally receives the farewell that he wanted »

Prince Andrew, Banished From Royal Duties, Escorts Queen to Memorial: The prince’s conspicuous public appearance at the service for his father, Prince Philip, who died last year, sent an unmistakable message of support by a 95-year-old mother for her disgraced son. LONDON — Six weeks ago, Prince Andrew agreed to a multi-million-dollar legal settlement with a woman who accused him of raping her when she was a teenager. On Tuesday, he escorted his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to a memorial service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the life of her late husband, Prince Philip. »

Was Prince Andrew’s role at service a bid to rehabilitate ‘soiled royal’?: Analysis: Concerns about royal family’s judgment and message to abuse victims as prince appears at Queen’s side »

The Queen shared the limelight with Andrew – but he’s still out in the cold: No surprise he was at his father’s memorial service. But the looks from Charles and William told you his public life is over »

Herb Alpert : This Guy's in Love with You

Provided to YouTube by Ingrooves | Views on YouTube: 2,189,073

Rod Stewart : Maggie May

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Time to Chill Out: It’s Happy Hour Again!

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When a Good Smoke Belonged to a Good Cocktail at a Good Bar!

Cocking a snook at modern day hyper-sensibilities. When a good time was had by all.

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Quelque chose de spécial pour les homophobes !

Etwas Besonderes für die Homophoben! / Something special for the homophobes!

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Time for a Little Boogie! Orleans : Dance with Me

The Psychology of an Isolated Russia | The New Yorker

Mar 11, 2022 • David Remnick and the historian Steve Kotkin discuss Vladimir Putin and how authoritarian regimes are pushed into misguided foreign wars.

My Story : Coming Out to My Religious Russian Family

May 31, 2019 • This video is about My story of when i came out as gay to my family almost 3 years ago, and about my journey to where I am now. Hope this inspires somebody!!

Stephen Fry Confronts Vitaly Milonov over Russian Law Banning 'Gay Propaganda' - BBC Two


This Russian dude is so ignorant and so backward. He needs to crawl back under that rock he emerged from! By the way, people who protest too much are often hiding their own true sexual identities and proclivities! Moreover, he has absolutely no understanding of the teachings of Christianity. – © Mark

Young and Gay in Putin's Russia | Part 1

Jan 13, 2014 • When Russian President Vladimir Putin banned gay "propaganda" in June last year, Russia's LGBT community went from being a stigmatized fringe group to full-blown enemies of the state. Homophobia becoming legislation means it's now not only accepted in Russia but actively encouraged, which has led to a depressing rise in homophobic attacks and murders.

The main aim of the law, which essentially bans any public display of homosexuality, is to prevent minors from getting the impression that being gay is normal. Which means that, if you're young and gay in Putin's Russia, you're ostracized and cut off from any kind of legal support network.

In part 1 we get a ride with Artem, a young driver for Moscow's gay taxi service "Our Taxi", meet Nikita, a 17-year-old activist who has been labeled a "propagandist" because of his LGBT rights YouTube channel, and Yulia, a young lesbian who started LGBT self defense classes after her favorite gay bar in Moscow was attacked by about 20 armed men in October 2012.



Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Telling the Story of Gays in Russia - Stories | GQ

Feb 24, 2016 • GQ editors describe the complicated process of reporting a story on LGBT rights in Putin’s Russia—a country that is almost as hostile to the press as it is to gay people.

Worst Thing about Coming Out: Stories of Identity Oppression 60 Minutes Documentary

After Coming Out as Gay, This Russian Violinist Can't Return Home

Putin Can 'Never Be Welcomed Back into the International Community'

Mar 29, 2022 • Retired Four Star General Barry McCaffrey and NBC News White House correspondent Mike Memoli on President Biden insisting that it is his personal view that Putin cannot remain in power, and that his comments over the weekend in Poland were not advocating for regime change.

Australia Alarmed at China’s Security Talks with Solomon Islands

VOA: SYDNEY — The Solomon Islands has confirmed it is negotiating a security deal with China, which has caused alarm in neighboring Australia and New Zealand.

The Solomon Islands is located in the southwestern Pacific, about 2,000 miles northeast of Australia.

A draft official document emerged on social media Thursday. It details plans that could allow Beijing to send armed police and soldiers to the Pacific archipelago to “protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in Solomon Islands.”

In Australia, there are fears that the agreement could lead to Beijing establishing a permanent military presence or bases in the Pacific Island country.

Australia and New Zealand have been the Solomon Islands’ traditional defense partners and aid donors. » | Phil Mercer | Saturday, March 26, 2022

Salomonen wollen enger mit China kooperieren: Die Salomonen streben eine Sicherheitskooperation mit China an. Australien und Neuseeland sind alarmiert. Sie fürchten eine militärische Präsenz Pekings im Südpazifik. »

Fiona Hill on a “Neutral Ukraine,” Nuclear Threat and Russia’s Doomed Economy | Amanpour and Company

Mar 28, 2022 • Fiona Hill is a former national security official specializing in European and Russian affairs, and was an impeachment witness against Donald Trump in 2019. She speaks with Walter Isaacson about the impact of Biden’s remarks in Warsaw this weekend -- which the White House insists were not a call for regime change in Russia – and how Putin is likely to react.

Russenfeindlichkeit in Deutschland - und wie Putins Propaganda sie ausschlachtet | Frontal

Mar 29, 2022 • Der Krieg in der Ukraine hat auch Folgen für die russischstämmige Community in Deutschland – und führt zudem zu Konflikten im Miteinander zwischen russischsprachigen Menschen, die hier leben. All das schlachtet Putin dann für seine Propaganda aus.

Immer häufiger kommt es zu Übergriffen und Anfeindungen in Straßen, Restaurants und Schulen gegen Menschen aus Russland oder mit russischen Wurzeln. Besorgt über diese Entwicklung zeigt sich auch die Antirassismus-Beauftragte der Bundesregierung, Reem Alabali-Radovan: "Teilweise trauen sich Menschen nicht mehr, Russisch auf der Straße zu sprechen." Es gebe Angriffe auf russische Lebensmittelmärkte, und Kinder würden in der Schule beleidigt werden, so die SPD-Politikerin.

Laut Bundesinnenministerium haben die Länder seit Kriegsbeginn sowohl mögliche russen- als auch ukrainefeindliche Straftaten an das Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) gemeldet. In Berlin ermittelt der zuständige Staatsschutz im Landeskriminalamt (LKA) nach einem Brandanschlag auf die deutsch-russische Internationale Lomonossow-Schule in Berlin-Marzahn und Flaschenwürfen auf eine russisch-orthodoxe Kirche in Berlin-Charlottenburg, in der zurzeit Ukraine-Geflüchtete untergebracht sind.


Leaders & Comedians

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Mikhaïl Khodorkovski: «Vladimir Poutine est déjà en guerre contre l’Otan»

«En Russie, le pouvoir peut quand il le veut confisquer les biens des oligarques, les jeter en prison ou les faire assassiner», confie au Figaro Mikhaïl Khodorkovski. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via Reuters Connect

LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - Dans un entretien au Figaro, l’ex-oligarque et opposant russe analyse les intentions du maître du Kremlin.

Alors que la déraison des armes règne depuis un mois dans les plaines d’Ukraine, le monde entier s’interroge sur les intentions de Vladimir Poutine, voire sur sa santé mentale. Un homme connaît bien le maître du Kremlin. Ils ont vécu tous les deux la chute de l’URSS, se sont côtoyés, combattus. Mikhaïl Khodorkovski en est persuadé, Poutine n’est pas fou. «Pas dans le sens de quelqu’un qui ne sait plus ce qu’il fait, en tout cas, dit-il, certes, il est devenu plus émotionnel ces derniers temps et ne se sent plus obligé de se contenir. Mais il reste rationnel, même si cela peut le servir de paraître ne plus l’être, pour faire peur.» Il n’est pas suicidaire non plus. «Sinon, il ne recevrait pas ses hôtes à distance, au bout d’une longue table…»

Pour celui qui fut un temps l’homme le plus riche de Russie avant de s’opposer et de passer dix ans en prison, Vladimir Poutine vit tout simplement ce que connaissent tous les dictateurs. Il s’est peu à peu isolé du monde réel, coupé des réalités par un entourage tétanisé par la crainte et lui disant ce qu’il a envie d’entendre. «Il a été très mal informé sur l’esprit qui anime les Ukrainiens, comme sur l’état de son armée, avance-t-il, c’est typique des régimes dictatoriaux. Je pense qu’il est réellement tombé des nues.» » | Par Arnaud De La Grange | lundi 28 mars 2022

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Ukraine Peace Talks: We Should Be 'Really Wary' of the Russians

Mar 29, 2022 • Lord Peter Ricketts, former British Permanent Representative to NATO, says the Russians have a 'morbid fascination' with poisons and chemical weapons and if he was attending the informal peace talks in Turkey today, he would be 'extremely careful'. He said the negotiations are to be welcomed, but he was very sceptical of the outcome.

Russians Don't Necessarily Share West's View of Putin's Belligerence

Mar 29, 2022 • Inna Sovsun, member of the Ukrainian parliament, points out that Vladimir Putin is legitimately popular with many Russians, as is his style, so there is a strong chance that even if he were to be removed from power, his replacement would be a similar type of leader anyway.

Biden Reassurances Notwithstanding, Putin Fears Removal by US

Mar 29, 2022 • Julia Ioffe, founding partner and Washington correspondent for Puck, outlines the pattern Vladimir Putin sees in the U.S. removing leaders it doesn't like from power that gives President Joe Biden's remarks about Putin not remaining in power greater meaning than was intended.


« Novaïa Gazeta », le dernier journal indépendant installé en Russie, s’arrête : Dirigé par Dmitri Mouratov, Prix Nobel de la paix 2021, le média a annoncé qu’il reprendrait ses activités à la fin de l’« opération militaire spéciale » en Ukraine. »

Evgeny Lebedev Peerage: Labour Seeks to Force Ministers to Publish Advice

THE GUARDIAN: Angela Rayner to force binding vote on release of information, including on PM’s involvement in decision

Evgeny Lebedev during his introduction in the House of Lords on 17 December 2020.Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

The government could be forced to reveal private advice over the appointment of Evgeny Lebedev to the House of Lords, amid evidence the security services had concerns about the peerage.

Labour will force a binding vote on releasing information about Boris Johnson’s involvement in the decision to award the peerage to the Evening Standard owner. Angela Rayner, the party’s deputy leader, will demand the information concerning the appointment from the Cabinet Office.

The Guardian revealed in October 2020 that Johnson met Lebedev in March, shortly before the House of Lords appointments commission, which scrutinises all nominations, wrote to the prime minister. It is understood to have expressed concerns about Lebedev’s proposed peerage and asked Downing Street to reconsider.

Peers were said to have had confidential briefing from the UK security services, which suggested the appointment was a potential security risk because of Lebedev’s father, Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB agent who worked undercover at the Soviet embassy in London. » | Jessica Elgot, Chief political correspondent | Monday, March 28, 2022

Monday, March 28, 2022

‘I Make No Apologies’: Biden Stands by ‘Putin Cannot Remain in Power’ Remark

THE GUARDIAN: President says he was not calling for regime change but was expressing personal ‘moral outrage’ over Russia’s invasion

Biden on Monday with Shalanda Young, the OBM director. Biden said he was ‘expressing the moral outrage I felt’ when he said Putin cannot remain in power. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Joe Biden on Monday defended the unscripted remarks he made at the end of an important speech in Poland at the weekend, in which he said that Russian president Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power”, which had prompted hurried efforts by other senior figures in the administration to play down the comment in the face of international criticism.

The US president, when questioned on Sunday after attending church following his return to the White House, denied that he was seeking “regime change” as a new policy.

On Monday, at an event at the White House with director of the Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, to present the 2023 budget proposals, Biden said of his remarks in Poland: “I’m not walking anything back.”

He was adamant that he was not calling for regime change in Russia, and instead was expressing only his personal “moral outrage” at the “brutality” of Putin’s assault on Ukraine, having visited some of the millions of refugees who have fled the war in the last month.

“I was expressing the moral outrage I felt … I had just come from being with those families. But I want to be clear that I wasn’t then, nor am I now, articulating a policy change,” he said.

“I make no apologies for it,” he added, of his remarks on Saturday. » | Lauren Gambino in Washington and Joanna Walters in New York | Monday, March 28, 2022

Barbra Streisand - Guilty | Official Audio | ft. Barry Gibb

Views on YouTube: 6,509,766

War in Ukraine: The Economist Interviews President Zelensky | The Economist

Mar 28, 2022 • Volodymyr Zelensky talks to The Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, in his Kyiv complex dubbed “the fortress”. In a wide-ranging interview, the Ukrainian president discusses the state of the war, the international support he needs and what a Ukrainian victory would look like.


I have great respect for this man. He is true leader. And the West should do even more to help the beleaguered Ukrainians. They are fighting not only for their country's liberty; they are also fighting for the continued liberty of the West as a whole. If Russia wins this war, it will be a victory of autocracy over democracy. Then we will have something to look forward to! It is a shame, an absolute shame, that so many Western leaders have so little courage to take the bold steps necessary to help these besieged people. – Mark

Aufspüren und Beschlagnahmen: Die schwierige Suche nach dem Vermögen russischer Oligarchen

Mar 26, 2022 • Millionen schwere Villen, Privat-Jets, Luxus-Yachten – Russische Oligarchen haben ihren Reichtum über ganz Europa verteilt. Die EU-Sanktionen sollen Putins Unterstützer treffen – wir wollen rausfinden: was ist bisher passiert und wie erfolgversprechend ist Europas Jagd auf russisches Oligarchen-Vermögen?

Das Problem: Wenn überhaupt bekannt ist, wem welche Yacht oder Villa gehört, dann laufen die Vermögenswerte auf Briefkastenfirmen. Und diese Briefkastenfirmen gehören wiederum anderen Briefkastenfirmen. Dieses Labyrinth zu durchschauen gelingt europäischen Ländern sehr unterschiedlich: Während Italien und Frankreich schon Yachten und Villen beschlagnahmen, sind Deutschland, Großbritannien und die Schweiz zögerlicher. Dabei sind gerade der britische und der Schweizer Finanzplatz Rückzugsorte für russisches Vermögen.

Europas Jagd auf Oligarchenvermögen läuft in unterschiedlicher Geschwindigkeit – und Härte. Und über allem hängt die Frage – ob Europa überhaupt über genug gesetzliche Munition verfügt, um Oligarchen rund um Putin wie Gennadi Timtchenko, Roman Abramovich und Alisher Usmanov zu treffen.



L'oligarque russe Abramovitch et des négociateurs ukrainiens ont souffert d'un possible «empoisonnement», selon le Wall Street Journal : Le propriétaire du club de football anglais Chelsea, qui tente de jouer les médiateurs entre Moscou et Kiev, a «développé des symptômes» après une réunion dans la capitale ukrainienne courant mars. »