I would not over- estimate this 'friendship'. It is quite clear IMHO against whome Russia developped new Intermediate Range Nuclear Balllistic Missiles in the first place - and which made them give up on INF Treaty which China was never part of.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...nvoy-50rb52jgt

Britain risking war by stepping too close to Russian border, says envoy

Rususia’s ambassador to the UK has warned there is “a pretty serious risk” of war between the countries as tensions spiral over Ukraine.

Andrei Kelin’s warning comes after a big build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border and fears that a full-blown invasion is imminent. Allied nations have responded by issuing declarations of solidarity with the Kiev government. Britain began to reposition its own formations last week in an attempt to deter the Kremlin.

In response Kelin said in an interview with Times Radio: “There is a risk of war on our border. It’s pretty serious. There is a possibility that there is a spark and an incident can occur. Nato is stepping up its presence along the borders of the Russian federation. We have lots of manoeuvring now in the Baltic Sea. We have strategic aviation, with nuclear warheads, flying 20km close to the borders.”

The ambassador also revealed that the decision by the defence secretary, Ben Wallace, last week to move an armoured brigade back to Germany in response to increased Russian aggression sparked anger in Moscow.

accused Britain of “stepping closer and closer” to Russia’s borders. The senior diplomat also warned that further reinforcement of Nato forces in Ukraine would be interpreted as “a threat to invade Russia”.

and their actions on the border of Ukraine are not?

???
Did I miss something?!
Which NATO forces are currently in Ukraine?

Interesting article.

No war yet , just peaceful use of artillery towards civilian area by a Ukraine journalist . Would that be considered a provocation, an aggression or a criminal act ?
I do hope he is standing right next to the gun when the peaceful response is issued .

Getting scary.

Speaking as a journalist, this is probably the stupidest thing you could do in a warzone. In Afghanistan, I refused to handle any weaponry even though I was offered a (what looked to be a very fun) go on the ranges a few times. It's just not a good look, and puts every other journalist in danger.

There is a certain Argentine journalist that was on the Falkland islands during the conflict of 1982 who reportedly fired an artillery piece towards British positions.

There was the case of the Russian journalist/writer, Boris Zemtsov, who was filmed shooting into Sarajevo during the siege. I believe he later stood trial for it.

https://sarajevotimes.com/russian-jo...eople-bih-war/

It's easy to get carried away in such situations, and to not want to offend the soldiers around you and to be seen as 'one of the boys', and, frankly, shooting guns is fun. But you have to draw a line.

The red lines are about to get highlighted in crimson .

"passionate message from NATO Chief @jensstoltenberg (who is from Norway so knows first hand what it's like to neighbour Russia) to President Vladimir Putin - you have no right to a "sphere of influence" to control your neighbours"

Very true but the Russians will just point at the Monroe Doctrine

There's a difference between having a sphere of influence and having a right to a sphere of influence...

anyone within the Putins claimed sphere of influence will concur. Especially if one happens to be within their A2AD region. Like Norway.

There is also a difference between being in the bleachers, and on the diamond and loading the bases.

IG

I find it ironic that he is claiming the wests influence and that of NATO’s close to the Russian border is of concern, considering the Soviet Union taking over those countries against the wests borders was built on exactly that and built by force.

The difference being that the west has been invited in and have grown together in prosperity and mutual agreement with these countries, not having it forced upon them by tanks and fear.

Spot on, sir.

They are selling the farms .

https://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/ukrai...de-moratorium/