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RUSSIA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY has announced countermeasures in response to tough new sanctions proposed by the United States, ordering Washington to reduce its diplomatic staff.
President Vladimir Putin slammed what he called “anti-Russian hysteria” in Washington and said that Russia could not “endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence”.
Moscow ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic presence in Russia to 455 diplomats and staff and also barred it from using a Moscow summer house and storage facility.
The ministry said that this was in response to the passing of a new bill on sanctions by the Senate yesterday. US President Donald Trump will now have to decide whether to accept or veto the measures.
Moscow complained that the “new sanctions bill showed with all clarity that relations with Russia have fallen hostage to the domestic political struggle in the US.”
It warned that it “reserves the right to carry out other measures that could affect the interests of the US” while acting in a reciprocal fashion.
Anger
The move comes after Russia has repeatedly expressed anger at Washington barring its diplomats access to two compounds in the US in December last year, under Barack Obama, in response to suspected Russian meddling in the US election.
Obama at the same time expelled 35 Russian diplomats for spying.
President Vladimir Putin initially held off from retaliating, saying he would wait to see how Trump reacted after he came into the White House.
Trump and Putin discussed this diplomatic spat at their first meeting at the G20 in Hamburg this month.
Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov had said after subsequent talks in Washington that the matter was “almost” resolved.
Today, the Russian foreign ministry slammed what it called “extreme aggressiveness of the US in international affairs” and said Washington was using the “absolutely far-fetched pretext of Russia’s interference in its internal affairs” to carry out “flagrantly anti-Russian actions”.
The ministry said: “We propose to the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff” working in Russia “in exact accordance” with the number of Russian diplomats and support staff in the United States by 1 September.
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The paranoid McCarthyite hysteria gripping the establishment in the US is out of control. Much of the Russophobic political establishment are unhinged and deranged.
@Bruce Manning: or you know, trusting the intelligence community
@Dave O Keeffe: lol how naive are you?! I stopped trusting the Intelligence Community right after that time they said Iraq had WMD’s.
@Dave O Keeffe: That worked so well for Blair and Bush in Iraq…..
@Bruce Manning: are they the same people? Think about that for a minute.
@Dave O Keeffe: The alt right have the horn for Putin. Sycophants love the idea of being dominated by a strong autocratic master.
@Bruce Manning: Why are there sanctions in the first place. Would it have to do with Russia’s illegal invasion,occupation and annexation of its neighbours territory and support for terrorists in neighbouring countries by any chance? Or do you think the above is perfectly ok in the 21st Century?
@Louis Jacob: none of that gay stuff allowed in Russia.
@Mick Jordan: I am aware of your status as top neo-con troll here and I’m trying not to feed it but we both know Russia’s actions in Ukraine was a direct response to EU expansionism and continued NATO encroachment.
@Bruce Manning: Yeah. I know, Putin is married to Russia so he can’t have a wife and family. Likes being pissed on though. Where have we heard all that before.
@Bruce Manning: So the Citizens of Ukraine don’t have the right to choose the be a part of the EU or NATO is what you are saying because it is against Russian interests.
@Bruce Manning: they treat them the same as ISIS do apparently.
@Bruce Manning: Try screaming into a pillow every time something bad happens to Papa Putin, instead of inflicting your childish nonsense on the rest of us here.
@Bruce Manning: “a direct response to EU expansionism and NATO encroachment”
Have NATO/EU been annexing parts of sovereign countries lately? That’s what Putin does, so your comparison falls flat on its face.
@Malachi: can you not follow what was said? Russia’s actions were a response to EU expansionism and NATO encroachment. The Crimean people identify as Russian.
@Bruce Manning: So the Russian Marines on the streets of Crimea before any vote took place was what? A friendly visit? That “105%” of the population turned out to vote. That many of those opposed were not permitted to vote. That anyone that protested publicly were beaten and in many cases murdered. And finally the Crimean vote was accepted by how many countries? 4 -5 including Russia.
@Bruce Manning: I hope Russia goes broke and his people suffer. LOL!
@Malachi: People would have to have been very naive to believe Russia was ever going to hand over its only warm sea naval port .
When Ukraine had its Maidan revolution , and the new government wanted to join Nato , The Russians had no option but to seize the Crimea and access to the area .
Even the peace loving JFK was willing to risk an atomic war to prevent the Soviets from putting missiles in Cuba , while at the same time putting American missiles in Turkey , right on the Soviet border .
@Bruce Manning: The most hysterical are Democrats sniffing Putin’s agency in any USA move…
@Ken Hayden: Ken the US didn’t invade Cuba and annex it. Russia’s lease on the base ran out in 2020. More than enough time to relocate to another newly build one along their extensive Black Sea Coastline. It would be equivalent of the US seizing the Yukon from Canada.
@Mick Jordan: No but it invaded Grenada for similar reasons , And do you think the Cuban government don’t want the Americans out of Guantanamo .
Why would the Americans need a foreign Naval base 90 miles from Florida .
And one of the clauses in the original lease is that the base only be used as a naval base , which a torture/detention center does nullifies .
The lease for Sevastopol was not set for renewal until 2042 by the way .
@Mick Jordan: I though it was the USA that left 1 Billion dollars worth of military hardware somewhere in Iraq to be found by ISIS.
@Bruce Manning: Putin is also a manic
The world is now in a dangerous place
Lunatics now running the asylum..
@Ken Hayden: No it didn’t. It invaded Grenada because the government had become virtually non existent and the country was in a state of anarchy with several different groupings causing mayhem and murder. As for Guantimo the US have a lease on the bay and surrounding area signed by the Cuban government in the early part of the 20th Century. Very like the lease Russia had with Ukraine and the UK had with China. Except Russia tore up the agreement and illegally seized and annexed Soverign Ukrainan territory.
@Mick Jordan: There was an internal coup , but because they were Stalinists the Americans invaded , even the U.N condemned them .
And the treaty the Americans made with Cuba , would it have been anything like the one Commodore Perry made with the Japanese to open that country up to trade ?
@Ken Hayden: And I’m sure you’re aware the British made the Chinese sign over Hong Kong to them , down the barrel of a gun , they just weren’t forward thinking enough to make it a permanent one .
@Ken Hayden: The lease is legitimate just as the Chinese agreed that the UK’s lease on Hong Kong was. Britain didn’t breach the terms of their lease and handed back Hong Kong when it expired and the US have not breached the terms of their lease in Guantimo Bay. But Russia did breach the terms they had with Ukraine by not only refuting the lease conditions but also seizing the entire territory. And not just in Ukraine have they illegally seized and annexed another countries Soverign Territory but that belonging to Georgia. And when the Chechnya voted overwhelmingly to leave the Russian Federation Russia invaded and butchered the Citizens of Grozney to make an example.
@Mick Jordan: What are Canadian troops doing fighting in the Ukraine? What business have American mercenaries in the Crimea?
The USA/NATO forced regime change on the Ukraine. What was Russia to do, just stand by and let it happen?
@Patrick Mcauliffe: Had Clinton won instead of Trump, there’s every chance the world would be in ashes now.
The maniacs are the neo-cons in the USA who are doing all they can to provoke a war with Russia.
@Dave Doyle: The Canadian Troops are not “Fighting” in Ukraine that is an out right lie.
The Canadian Troops are training a new Officer Corp for the Ukrainian Military in the military tactics of the West.
@Dave Doyle: And what US Mercenaries are in Crimea? You are really losing it.
@Mick Jordan: It’s only a lie to you. The Canadians got slaughtered by Ukranian rebels when they tried to move in on a town there.
@Mick Jordan: Blackwater mercenaries?? You know those ex military veterans employed by Blackwater and used by the American government in places like the Ukraine, Iraq, Libya, Syria.
@Dave Doyle: Proof David lets see the proof.
@Mick Jordan: https://twitter.com/M3t4_tr0n/status/890646260733976577
@Ken Hayden: Ken you do know that Poland is a staunch member of NATO and as such hosts other NATO forces during training exercises.
@Bruce Manning: yes Bruce and Adolf’s action were a direct response to Polish antagonism and a will to free ethnic Germans all over the world.
@Bruce Manning:
“Russia’s actions were a response to EU expansionism and NATO encroachment”
The irony of your comment, given that what actually happened is that Russia engaged in expansionism and encroachment into Ukraine must be completely lost on you.
@Avina Laaf: sometimes I think they overlook these things intentionally to be humorous, this is not one of those times. He’s deadly serious
@Bruce Manning: They need Russia as an enemy because the US need to sell weapons to NATO countries to help their economy. Remember it was WW2 that saved the US from their struggle with the Wall Street Crash of 1929 that lasted into WW2 and it was weapon sales due to the war that saved the US. I think that is part to it as is Hillary looking to excuse her failed attempt as she ran with celebs as Trump went around the farmers in the country as Hillary hugged naked celebs.
Enemies are a great way to cause nationalism and patriotism as well especially when it shifts the focus onto an enemy that hides your own corruption as well as awful corrupt dealings?
@Bruce Manning: I see someone has been watching Sean Shammity on Fox . Putin is the beginning and the end of Russophobia , he has manipulated the the constitution to remain in power , invaded a sovereign nation, suppressed dissension and interfered and to tried to manipulate elections from the US to France , if he had succeeded with his puppet Le Pen in France it would have ended the EU and Russia would probably now be in Estonia and Latvia , other than that he is a sound skin
@Alois Irlmaier: Considering that most NATO countries have their own Arms Industries and as such supply their own Military with their own weapons the US don’t have a very big market selling inside NATO. So that argument falls flat on it’s face.
@Mick Jordan: For an example never heard of Trident?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3737443/U-S-approves-sale-bombs-NATO-pilot-project.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/04/us-nato-weapons_n_6617562.html
It seems we are back to the cold war for a generation with the present democratic party and US media hysteria….Not a mention of the democratic party mail server at centre of allegations still not being handed over to FBI…..I agree Russia has done bad things in Ukraine and was wrong to try and influence the US election….However Obama helping to arm and train the moderate Jahadis in Syria has lead to the total destruction of that country ….How many democratic elections have the US interfered with in last 20 years…At least as many as Russia has….The special procurator has a unlimited brief to investigate every Russian Trump has met in last 40 years….. and of course leak everything to CNN so the hysteria goes on…..
@John003: “wrong to try and influence the US election” that’s what the sanctions were put in place for. That’s what the media is reporting on. Why are you criticising the intelligence community for coming to the same conclusion as you?
@John003: Yeah right…. It’s more of a WWE version of the cold war I’d say. What’s happening now is absolutely nothing like the cold war. Put your lazy mind away.
@John003: “Russia has done bad things”. Good to see invading and annexing part of a neighbouring country isn’t the big red flag everyone though it was. Better let the rest of the eastern bloc states know that they’re wasting their time mobilising and training their forces for a similar invasion.
@John003: Once again you try and blame the US for restarting the Cold War. When it is accepted by everyone (except the pro Putin lobby on here) that it was Vladimir Putin who re-started the Cold War with the West the day that Yeltsin made him Director of the FSB (The re-named KGB). He has been consistently Anti Western in his views. He has resented the West for the collapse of the Soviet Union. Stating and I quote “The greatest disaster of the 20th Century was the collapse of the Soviet Union”. In his early years the West held out the hand of friendship and he slapped it away. So John if you are going to make statements. Make them accurate and truthful.
@John003: The cold war was an absolute necessity after what went before and with the onset of nuclear weapons. It probably saved humanity from extinction. What’s happening now is a media induced circus. Russia and the US can never be allies because they are deeply opposed civilisations. The best the world can hope for is that they stay well away from each other. You alt right clowns with ye’r cliches and cutting and pasting of nonsense think that the Islam is a greater threat to the west than the autocratic military fundamentalism of the Russians…. Clueless. Russia and the West can not and should not see eye to eye.
@Mick Jordan: “In his early years the West held out the hand of friendship and he slapped it away”
That is demonstrably false more propaganda from the neo-con troll.
@Bruce Manning: if it’s demonstrably false then why haven’t you demonstrated its falsehood
@Bruce Manning: Ahh but it is the truth. May not be the “Russian version of the Truth” but it is factual none the same.
@Louis Jacob: You are correct to say that if the west and Russia ever went to war , the results would be horrendous , however , your naive remark about islam and it’s creep into the west , shows why it is such a danger .
If you are not aware of the social changes that have happened in countries with large muslim communities , it might be time for you to do some research .
@Ken Hayden: Trump will do far more damage to the West by trying to ape Putin than Islam ever will.
@Louis Jacob: Also the relationship between the West and Russia is what determines how the middle east develops Always has, always will. ISIS and the like are only dogs in the street by comparison. Its about time people grew up and stopped believing this comic book version of the world.
@Louis Jacob: You only have to look at cities in England like Birmingham and Rotherham , or look at Mollenbeek in Belgium , or Husby and Rinkby in Stockholm to see what Islam has done to these places in 20 years .
Now look at all the former soviet block countries and see how they are fairing in relation to those other E.U areas that I have mentioned .
Communism was an Ideology that failed , Islam has been going for 1400 years , and fails constantly in relation to western values .
Try looking at Damascus or Bagdhad instead of Birmingham.
@Louis Jacob: Isis are no concern to me , they can be defeated by military means . Yes they are the extreme version of islam , but still adhere to the fundamentals islam , that’s the point I always try and make .
It’s the ideology of islam which is slowly creeping into mainstream life in the west , they use our principles of freedom of religion and speech to their benefit , but once in positions of power attempt to impose their system on others .
They are more of a threat to our way of life , the Russians didn’t even react with force to Turkey shooting down one of their jets , the U.S would have parked a fleet off their coast , and blown up a couple of bases .
@Ken Hayden: “It’s the ideology of islam which is slowly creeping into mainstream life in the west”… Yeah, yeah yeah… Swap catholic irish for Islam and you have London in the 60s 70s and 80s. Its a socio political thing and we have plenty of resources to deal with any perceived threat… Society evolves. For example, there would be no comparison between Victorian society and contemporary society. Criminality has always been a threat to society however and that is the challenge. Sleep easy Ken. You’ll live.
@Louis Jacob: What are you on about , criminality has always been a threat . Who mentioned that ?
I lived in London in the 80′s , and it was not like the cities I mentioned .
I don’t know where you get your ideas from of how the world was 40 years ago , yes the church had too much influence , and still does .
But you’re mad if you think the average person want’s to remove that influence and allow an ideology like islam in .
Russia may have oppressive laws around homosexuality , but they pale in comparison to the ones in Muslim Chechnya .
@Louis Jacob: If you believe human rights are as bad in Russia as they are in a muslim country , you are obviously reading the wrong material .
We have our own homegrown islamists now , some we can’t seem to repatriate because of a risk they might get a hiding when returned , some have family members in Egyptian jails and want to sue the state because they can’t get a visa for their Egyptian husbands , and some who we gave refuge to went on to slaughter people having a night out in London .
I sleep easy at night , louis .
@Ken Hayden: Sorry Ken. I misread you. I didn’t realise it was a conversation about religion and ‘the average person’… Go on.. Good luck.
@Louis Jacob: I originally responded because of your remark , (You alt right clowns with ye’r cliches and cutting and pasting of nonsense think that the Islam is a greater threat to the west than the autocratic military fundamentalism of the Russians…. Clueless.) I just didn’t think you quite understood what the concept of Fundamentalism and autocracy wrapped up in an ideology actually is , considering you didn’t believe islam was an example .
@Louis Jacob: There has been an attack in Hamburg , someone stabbing people in a shop and shouting Allahu Akhbar , do you reckon it was those Russians again ?
I shake my head at people like you who call someone , ”Alt right” because they call the influx of an ideology which hates western values , as being wrong .
@Ken Hayden: fundamentalism and autocracy all wrapped up in one? Is this your lonely planet review of Rome?
@John003: Ukraine are also doing an ethnic cleanse in their civil war using Nazi paramilitaries as well?
If anyone’s interested in how the west operates in demonising heads of states with the aim of toppling them, i highly recommend reading Michael Luder’s Blowback. Its focus is on the middle east, but it’s very enlightening. I’ve no issue with putting pressure on certain regimes, but the reason is rarely to improve lives and the outcome is normally tragic
@Anne Marie Devlin: Are you implying that the ‘demonisation’ of Putin isn’t legitimate?
You don’t have to listen to the US government to make up your mind about Putin. His record speaks for itself.
@Anne Marie Devlin: I hope the outcome is tragic for Putin. He’s nothing more than a petrol station owner running a kleptocracy.
@Malachi: And Putin’s record is??
@Dave Doyle: Shutting down independent Free Press in Russia, unilaterally changing the Constitution to allow him be President indefinitely (where before he was limited to 2 terms), Invading and annexing neighbours sovereign territory, Jailing, Exiling or Murdering political opponentets, banning any opposition rallies and protests, harassing and prosecuting families of soldiers killed in Eastern Ukraine for speaking out, passing anti LGBT legislation, interfering in the democratic elections of European nations and the US, and the list goes on and on.
@Mick Jordan: Where’s independent and free press in Ireland? What country won’t allow a referendum to change the constitution to reflect the democratic wishes of its people?
Jobstown trial, and the potential of interference with social media reporting on trials, yet does nothing to curb the nasty vile slander of people in Jobstown by a MSM hack. Jailing of protesters without charge for weeks. There are shades of what you accuse Putin of, in Ireland.
https://www.google.bg/search?q=american+bases+worldwide+map&tbm=isch&imgil=uOXvLZJCUqiWIM%253A%253BfeZeuW7iDnpCxM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fepidop.com%25252Fmaps%25252Fmap-of-us-military-bases-worldwide.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=uOXvLZJCUqiWIM%253A%252CfeZeuW7iDnpCxM%252C_&usg=__OMjkg_mzBb3F1MUXjEseZXmCa4s%3D&biw=1093&bih=518&dpr=1.25&ved=0ahUKEwj4x5Skn6zVAhVIPxQKHTNoAk8QyjcILw&ei=xlF7WfjMBsj-ULPQifgE#imgrc=uOXvLZJCUqiWIM:
These are American military bases world wide.
https://www.google.bg/search?q=russian+military+bases+worldwide+map&tbm=isch&imgil=9O5-aG0M_LkaMM%253A%253BN4bHx7Q4c4A2-M%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.rferl.org%25252Fa%25252Fdata-visualization-bases%25252F27081196.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=9O5-aG0M_LkaMM%253A%252CN4bHx7Q4c4A2-M%252C_&usg=__z5JZ1NpuZuPGBRezAVZ7g9Ary2U%3D&biw=1093&bih=518&ved=0ahUKEwjtgdr1n6zVAhVBNxQKHa49AGEQyjcIOA&ei=cVJ7Wa2FB8HuUK77gIgG#imgrc=WVVnGE146FeaYM:
This map shows Russian military bases world wide.
It’s plain to see who the military aggressor is.
@Dave Doyle: So you are claiming that the Irish Government is in control of every media outlet in Ireland? I am sure that will come as a surprise to them all. What does the Staff a the Journal think of this accusation?
@Mick Jordan: Only a fool would think otherwise Mick. Do you remember Hugh O’Connell of the Journal fame?
Nothing to say about American bases world wide compared to Russian bases?
Nothing about the referendum and democratic wishes of the Irish people? Nothing about protesters being locked up for weeks without charge?
@Dave Doyle: The US Bases are there with the permission of the host countries and provide employment to the locals and a financial boon to the local economy. And what has Irish referenda and Irish law have to do with Russia?
@Dave Doyle: Btw. You still haven’t provided proof of the Canadian Soliders killed in Ukraine nor of the US Mercs in Crimea. More lies hmm?
@Mick Jordan: You can buy any major international newspaper without restriction in Russia. This widely reported crap about a clampdown on free press is nonsense. Internet is also widely available free in public places and is totally unrestricted. Russia has its faults but we need to be honest when commenting for or against it.
@Kieran Woods: How many Russians speak English, French, German, Spanish or Italian? .001%, .002%? All great selling international papers when the vast majority cannot read them.
@Dave Doyle: Des O’Connor’s I think lol.
Yeah, he’d never try to interfere with the American democratic system.
@Dave O Keeffe: Don’t mess with the US, unless you want to be bogged down in an endless war. In more Good news, healthcare repeal also failed again in the Senate thanks to McCain. Who’s not a hero now, Trump??
@Philip Gerard: Don’t bother praising McCain for his vote on healthcare – it was only the other day that thejournal comments were flooded with people celebrating his terminal diagnosis and wishing he’d die sooner.
@Malachi: Yup, on two or three separate articles
Hopefully when warmongering John McCain finally dies America and Russia can move away from this cold war rhetoric and step into the 21st century.
@Bruce Manning: yeah cause McCain is single handily keeping the world in the Cold War…..
@Bruce Manning: yeah. It’s all his fault…. That’s some stretch of logic you got there
Do you deny John McCain is the biggest war monger in the US? He has made a career out of stoking hatered towards Russians.
@Bruce Manning: Russia is responsible for the position it finds itself in and nobody else. Russia invaded Georgia and annexed part of its sovereign territory. Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed part of it’s sovereign territory. Russia invaded Transdinistra in Moldova and set up a puppet regime there. And only for the Baltic States being members of NATO prevented Russia invading and annexing them too.
@Bruce Manning: He stoked hatred towards the Russians for good reasons. Nothing but a nation of thieves and hackers. The manners of pigs too. Ever have to share a beach with them?
@Mick Jordan: Given the choice here in Bulgaria, Bulgarians would rather see Putin here than the USA and NATO. NATO are pissing off Bulgarians with their ignoring of Bulgarian interests. Bulgaria has long historic ties with Russia and don’t want them interfered with. Bulgaria refused to join or have anything to do with the forming of a joint naval task force to patrol the Black Sea, and harass the Russian base in the Crimea. Bulgaria needs to replace it’s MIG 29s as they are in dire need of service and refurbishment, but NATO prevents them from having a maintenence contract with Russia who supplied them. There is a pro USA lobby in the Bulgarian parliament that wants to buy s/h F16s fighters. When the proper thing to do is go with the other lobby and see the new Saab Gripen replace the MIG 29s, that would be a much better economic option for the country, given the package they come with. The use the USA is making of the NATO bases in Bulgaria, is a source of huge annoyance to Bulgaria.
@Dave Doyle: Nobody is forcing Bulgaria to remain in NATO they are free to leave at any time. They choose to remain.
@Mick Jordan: Turkey is Mick. As soon as Bulgaria leaves NATO Turkey will attack, and Bulgaria has nothing to stop them with.
I live in Bulgaria. I work with Russians. Their opinion of Putin is directly opposed to what you say. I see wreaths being placed at Russian memorials to celebrate Bulgaria’s independence from the Ottomans.
You like to see things in black and white when it suits your argument.
I see 3 or 4 flights into Burgas airport by USA military aircraft every day. Just this minute i seen a American military aircraft fly overhead.
The USA is the biggest danger to world peace that Russia is.
@Dave Doyle: You really are living in fantasy land. Cyprus is a member of NATO and it didn’t prevent a Turkish invasion so why do you think being a NATO member prevents them from invading Bulgaria now.
@Bruce Manning: Hopefully Putin dies soon so the Russian people can live in a country without endless corruption, assasinations of journalists and opposition politicians, deterioration of its poorly constructed buildings, bridges, infrastructure and the massive problems with homelessness and drug addiction and the poverty and starvation that has brought Russian society to its knees today
@Mick Jordan: You really don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
@Mick Jordan: Are you really that tunneled vision Mick? Cyprus is not mainland Europe, is it?
@Dave Doyle: Ok let’s look at the logic of a Turkish invasion of Bulgaria. First off such an action would see Turkey condemned across the world and most likely result in heavy sanctions from the EU. The likely good of other Balkan countries aiding Bulgaria would also bring more trouble for Turkish forces operating far from home. Added to this the Kurds in Turkey, Iraq and Syria would use the situation to create a Kurdish State something Turkey is opposed to. So effectively they would end up with a two front war while being crippled with economic sanctions. So to sum up, your proposal would give the Turks a two front war bogged down for years while sanctions cripple the economy. As crazy a Erodgan is he is not that stupid.
If Trump signs this into law, I would expect that Russia will retaliate by leaking some of the details to the public of the Trump-Russia collusion in the run up to the election.
What better way to respond to American political pressure than causing a crisis in the American political sphere.
@Milton Ryan: The Russia story is largely a hoax and is only relevant insofar as it has allowed Mueller to look into Trump’s business dealings… There’s nothing to leak.
@Louis Jacob: I was thinking the same myself, so won’t be expecting any leaks…
@Milton Ryan: I still believe the compromat about our Trump in the hotel though.
@Louis Jacob: Very true democrats have played this brilliantly….Mueller will be there as long as Trump is president….Looking at his business dealings for last 40 years…..
@John003: To be honest I think Trump was playing it far better than the dems until he fired Comey.
@Louis Jacob: hang in, which Russia story are you saying is largely a hoax? There’s one being investigated and that investigation led to the other which definitely needs to be looked into, Where’s the hoax?
@Dave O Keeffe: The collusion story is a hoax. His presidency is more than likely compromised as a result of his business dealings (money laundering) with Russiia.
@Milton Ryan: Trump can’t stop it going into law. I believe these sanctions are veto proof.
@John003: The GOP controls the house, Senate, judiciary, and executive branches. Nothing to do with the Dems, gobsh!te.
@Philip Gerard: That’s actually true. Trump will be asked to sign or veto it before it becomes law. However, if he vetoes it, Congress can override the veto with 67% in both chambers. Which it comfortably has…
@Louis Jacob: what do you make on the Don Jr story? He met what he thought was a Kremlin lawyer to continue the Russian government’s support of his father. That’s conspiracy. All details in this comment are provided by Donald Trump Jr himself.
@Dave O Keeffe: I think think that kind of thing is par for the course. It’s low level and Don Jr is an idiot. I know the dems are rolling out this story of how Gore turned over some dirt on Bush to the Feds as proof that the dems are holier than thou. But he also publicised the fact that he did it and gained in the polls as a result… Politics is a dirty game. Trump was always going to win in 2016 and Russia had FA to do with it. Trump messed up in firing Comey who the public didn’t really trust after his conduct in the run up to 2016… That led to the current investigation which I believe will be his undoing.
@Philip Gerard: Problem is however many establishment republicians like John McCain will and have voted against Trump….Are just as hysterical about Russia as are the democrats….In the US they don’t have whip system so common to vote against your party….
@Louis Jacob: you can’t on the one hand say collusion is a hoax and then say that Don Jr is an idiot for trying to collude. It doesn’t matter whether it influenced the elections or not. I agree with Republicans on this, it’s not about the last election its about the next one. It’s about sending a message that it won’t be tolerated
@John003: They don’t have whips??? Tell that to Scalise and Hoyer. You’re welcome.
@John003: how many more times do you have to hear every Republican that isn’t Trump say Russia interfered before you’ll listen and stop saying it’s only Dems and one or two renegade Republicans?
“President Vladimir Putin slammed what he called “anti-Russian hysteria” in Washington and said that Russia could not “endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence”.”
This is a pretty hefty cold war statement. There is a thread of threat to it.
Most of the EU leaders are disgusted that new sanctions have been placed on Russia. The US is not only antagonising Russia . Its antagonsising Europe. Dangerous move and who else is on its side apart from the Brits. ??
@saoirse janneau: this is just Putin saying “Trump, use your veto or else…” it’s interfering in the democratic process
@Dave O Keeffe: it’s actually him exercising his influence nothing wrong with that
@Dave O Keeffe: I believe the sanctions are veto proof.
@Philip Gerard: I don’t believe they are. I think that element of it all is a part of this Bill
“I have here in my hand a list of 205—a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department”
So, who from the Democrat Party is willing to step forward and adopt the mantle of Joseph McCarthy then?
@Emmet Dillane: well the Secretary of State is in holiday and McCarthy was a Republican Senator. Also, lying about achievements, opponents, and income, are you sure the president isn’t the new McCarthy?
@Dave O Keeffe:
Substitute liberal press like The Washington Post for McCarthy and the picture will become cleared Dave.
@Emmet Dillane: liberal press? The ones that quoted el presidente and Jr exactly? I see no problem with that. How about the commander in chief with no military experience not discussing changes to military policy with the pentagon or secretary for defence before blurting them to the public.
Still no proof of Russian involvement in the US elections but still no proof out there.
The taking back of the Crimea was totally expected by the West and they are ticked off quicker than they could park their fleet in the Crimea and right on their doorstep. Same was the plan for Georgia with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
This is also about forcing Europe to buy American gas instead of allowing the Europeans to cooperate with the North Stream project with Russia.
Back to the days of ‘you are either with us or against us’ and America first.
@George Vladisavljevic: So every Western Intelligence Service is lying? Russia wasn’t the main financier of the French NF and a dozen other European Extremist parties? That a Soverign Nation deciding to move in a direction that opposed what Russia wants is grounds enough to invade and annex them?
@Mick Jordan: USA invades countries that opposed what they want for centuries, nothing wrong with that. Syria 2014 (Obama), Libya 2011 (Obama), Yemen 2009, Somalia 2006, Haiti 2004, Iraq 2003, Afghanistan 2001 just to mention 21 century only.
@Mick Jordan: Yes Mick, every Western Intelligence Service is either lying or doing what it is told to do.
Who does George Soros finance, and who benefits?
You’re very selective in your points, when there is more than enough proof of USA interference in the political well being of nations all around the world.
@cortisola:The only countries on that list that US actually “invaded” were Iraq and Afghanistan and in neither did they annex any part of them can Russia say the same?
@Dave Doyle: I was wondering who was going to be the first to raise the conspiracy theories. And you win.
@Mick Jordan:
If the Russians said that oil was black you would say that it was white.
Russia in not encroaching on Europe with its military but the opposite could not be said about NATO.
Don’t bother mentioning the Ukraine, the Baltic’s or Georgia because if the Russians did cross over we would all know about it.
Take a few hours and watch the Putin Interviews that Oliver Stone did. Quite good and shows their point of view and justified fears about the west.
@George Vladisavljevic:NATO is not a country but an Organisation in which individual members have made their own decision to join. The fact that Russia doesn’t like countries that it previously considered it’s Vassal States choosing to join NATO or the EU for that matter and turning their backs on Russia does not give Russia the right to invade and annex them.
@Mick Jordan: Ever think of stand up comedy as a living Mick.
@cortisola: God you’re stupid, the place you linked to rated the claim as false. Please hide your stupidity better in future. Here’s the full article http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/mar/31/facebook-posts/viral-meme-says-united-states-has-invaded-22-count/
@George Vladisavljevic:
“Russia in not encroaching on Europe with its military”
That actually made me laugh out loud! And you accuse Mick of thinking black is white!!
@Mick Jordan: PERHAPS YOU COULD ENLIGHTEN US WITH SOME EVIDENCE,HA?!!!!!
@Time to Wake Up: What evidence would you like?
Pity the Secretary of State has gone on an indefinite break
@Dave O Keeffe: He knows the poo is about to hit the fan and wants to be nowhere in the vicinity when it does.
I think that Trump is pro Russia for his own personal business dealings and that this has upset the CIA who’s ex-members have created businesses and companies that entered the arms making complex with private companies offering packages on security, torture, private security and armies as well as spying and information sorting and gathering. As they need enemies to provide their services. Remember Operation Mockingbird and the fact that the CIA has links to the Clintons, Hollywood and the past number of US Presidents, then you can see that it is all jobs for the boys on both sides here?
Remember the book “Dark Victory: Ronald Reagan, MCA, and the Mob” by Dan E. Moldea as it makes you think of Trump as well?
Fake News.
YANKEES ARE SICK PARANOICS. Fair play to the Russians for standing up to those idiots!
@Time to Wake Up: The people there are like anyone else, it is those in power who do the most damage as the EU too can testify to?
have your say