So Britain will have to form a coalition , without the USA of course until Trump is gone, to respond in kind or more than kind to Putin. Cutting off Russian oil & gas exports (purchases), its main source of $ , would be a start. 48% of Russian exports are oil & gas. Iron , steel , aluminum & wood make up another 10% of Russian exports (some to the USA).
Tank the economy and bring Putin & his Russian mafia chiefs to justice. Having them sing to Mueller would be the end for the Trump family , the Kushner family , Wilbur Ross`s probably Mnuchin and others in the WH.
2
Why does the Times refer to Mr. Skripal in all its articles as a "Russian spy?" He was a British spy. That's why he was handed over to the UK in a spy exchange; he was spying on Russia for Britain.
1
Skripal was a Russian intelligence officer. He was a double agent, essentially, and was caught by the Russians and convicted of selling secrets to the British. He was imprisoned in Russia from 2006-2010, then sent to Britain as part of an exchange involving imprisoned spies. Skripal's daughter is still resident in Russia, but reportedly visits him in Britain with some frequency. She reportedly worked for a series of large multi-national corporations, not the Russian intelligence service, but who knows? Both Mr. Skirpal and his daughter seem to have been targeted here.
3
Its possible its Russia, but there again where else in the world has there been Nerve Agents? Syria, North Korea? Let the police and MI5 investigate. We may well be reacting how the perpetrators wanted, and lets not dismiss the Russian Mafia and so on. They are very influential here, using our property markets to launder money etc. They Oligarchs were the main reason Theresa May did not follow up other incidents and delayed Public Inquiries etc. There are other very powerful forces out there.
2
OK. Thanks for the tip.
3
Russia grows bolder and bolder as they continue their backslide into total autocracy. They must be checked.
6
Sergei Skripal former Russian spy who was poisoned via a nerve agent why now? And why a nerve agent? .
The timing and method are both intriguing. There are much more subtle ways of killing that are less public that do not provide a direct connection to a substance that for the most part is developed and maintained by a government of a country as part of its military arsenal. The plot also made it obvious that one’s family members are also susceptible to attack. It’s as if it was meant to send a message. To who? Possibly to keep those who are knowledgeable and party to an existing clandestine operation discouraged from coming forward with information. Someone even as high level as the executive of a government?
Are we entering into a new era of controlling and intimidation of ones international adversaries?
5
This is a story about the British dithering on a response to Putin assassinating someone on British soil, and the commenters think it is about Trump. Where were these commenters when Obama let Putin take Crimea, invade Ukraine, tip the Syrian war to Assad, and yes it happened on Obama's watch, interfere with our Presidential election?
4
Why do I get the feeling that Mr. Skripal worked on /was a source for the Steele dossier ?
9
I think you’re right on the money, as mueller gets closer Putin is erasing all connections. Putin is a criminal plain and simple.
8
You think it was CIA following Trump's order?
1
This is something way beyond the abilities of the Central Intelligence Amateurs. It certainly could be Putin clearing out the debris or a not so subtle threat to our own amateur in chief. But we will never know unless Mueller is assigned to investigate it. Shaken not stirred.
Articles on this subject usually proliferate the same facts and suspicions over and over, when there are critical aspects of importance to dig deeper into.
A mystery in the killing of Litvinenko was the use of Polonium as the poison when there are so many other more effective and easily accessible substances to use. Polonium is hard to get hold of and points already by that at a state, and that state would be Russia, naturally.
To make sense of this we must assume that the Russian leaders want the world to know that they are murderous thugs. The same logic applies to the poisoning of Skripal, a man seemingly harmless to the Russian leadership.
It fits our Russophobia, but are there really any indications that Putin wants to appear in front of the world as a gangster who unscrupulously and randomly kills old spies in other countries? (The now extensive statements by Putin in interviews and talks available on the Internet implies rather the opposite.)
The supposition of false flag operations seems at least equally plausible. Thus there is a need for deep inquiries that we never will see done.
7
Genuine flags belong to countries.
So does Polonium
3
Lars. you are getting close as to motive, but make one serious error - it is not the outside world that Putin is trying to convince "...they are murdering thugs...", but seeks the admiration of his own people. You must put it in the context of firstly, the upcoming Presidential election in Russia, and secondly, the general admiration of the voting public who feel the world does not respect them and see VP as a the right (strong) man to restore Russia's right place in world affairs. They see Skripal as a traitor, simple as that.
The scenario breaks down as (i) In Russia Skripal is seen as a traitor and the fact he is dealt to some years later adds strength to the argument that no matter how long it takes, they will "get their man", which will enhance the public view of VP being a strong leader, and/or unlikely (ii) Skripal had picked up some threads with MI6 and was working for them again, which was discovered by Moscow, finally even more unlikely, but intriguing (iii) Yuria his daughter is a Red Sparrow sent on a mission to murder her father as a traitor but botches the job and nearly kills herself as well. Remember, the whole incident is based on the upcoming Russian elections and generating support for VP, not how others outside Russia might view the deed, who already know full well that the Russians tend to be quite ruthless in pursuing their own ends.
2
I wonder if it's possible to file murder charges against Putin, since he clearly ordered this hit? Perhaps if enough of our allies started treating him like the international criminal that he is, he would at least be prevented from traveling outside of Russia.
8
I guess you can when 'clear' will be clear shown
1
I'm sorry, Jim, but
not every country "outside of Russia"
is an American ally.
3
Whoever is behind it -- it doesn't matter whether they waited a long time to do it. It still sends a scary message and that's what they want.
5
Now I realize why djt is sooo enamored with vp....he is afraid he might come to great harm if he dose anything to offend Mr. P.
7
He is paranoid about being poisoned, that's for sure.
3
The Mossad eliminates people all the time. The US tried to assassinate Castro many times. This is a bit low level, but other than that, not unusual
2
This does make you wonder if Russia is intent of reinstating the old Stalinist culture of fear and how the world will react to such a actions.
3
Waterloo Bridge. Polonium tea. The beat goes on.
Some of us are old enough to remember.
7
I can't help wonder how Winston Churchill would have reacted to such assassinations on British soil by a criminal Russian government? Would he have said Britain is too small and weak to stop such criminal incursions? I doubt it! The venality of the British Parliament in placing the taking of money from corrupt Russian oligarchs over the safety of persons Britain has accepted into its care is one of worst examples of a "Bargain with a Devil" since Neville Chamberlin's decision to appease Hitler. Britain paid dearly for that betrayal of its values and will do so even more so in its attempts to appease Putin and his thugs. Wake up, Ms. May, be a positive example to the world rather than a coward.
11
Fascinating that this is being reported at the same time as Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations is a NY Times bestseller. I guess it depends on who is doing the killing.
1
"I've already said he is very much of a leader. The man has very strong control over his country."
"You can say, 'Oh, isn't that a terrible thing,' I mean, the man has very strong control over his country," Trump added. "Now it's a very different system, and I don't happen to like the system, but certainly in that system he's been a leader, far more than our president (Obama) has been a leader."
11
To bad they left the EU. They could of gotten some leverage out of the common market. Now they are too small to take on Russia. Excellent.
23
Quality ..not quantity!
wit ..not braun!
Confident the uk still pose a threat with there military , espionage and technological advantage in there renewed royal navy!
but why bite the hand that feeds, money money money.
1
UK membership of the EU has one more year to run, any sanctions called for against Russia by the UK would be heard and discussed immediately. I think you will find that upon leaving the EU, Britain will never be too small to take on anyone, it has stood alone on the side of right before and prevailed. If you think not standing up to bullies is 'excellent' then you should examine your levels of decency and raise them.
5
This reads like one of my favorite spy novels, but it's all too real. Britain must get to the bottom of these poisonings and the previous ones as well. Mr. Putin already seems to own the United States. He does not need to own another major Western government.
20
This is a warning to Manafort and any others who my wish to expose the Russian collusion with Trump.
I just don't think Putin orders a hit on an old, exchanged spy who's living in relative seclusion and anonymity just to give the coroner something to do.
Manafort and others may wish to negotiate witness protection.
32
my thoughts exactly...even Trump is afraid of Putin..after all he has an extended family
4
Putin is up for re election in about a week (March 18, 2018) in Russia.
He sure can benefit and improve his numbers from such event in London and the corresponding publicity ...
Just think about it ...
5
How would it improve his numbers, especially, considering how high his numbers are?
It's attempted murder by powerful agents from a corrupt state run by criminals. It may wind up, like the others, being murder. What will they do about it? Nothing...maybe something symbolic...buty basically nothing. Which means it will happen again. And again.
17
Gee, you think?
4
Instead of being concerned about vetting women and children war refugees, maybe we should be more concerned about vetting Russian coming to the west?
They overall seem to be more of a threat to us.
25
But they pay cash .... and cash is king
5
So where is MI6 when we need them? Are they not going to target someone close to Putin to even the score? Is there really no Control? No Circus?
8
Do those testifying for the Mueller investigation have security? How large would a witness protection program need to be to protect them all?
12
Not the entire solar system. Just from here to Mars.
3
It appears very much as a "favor" to Putin, just a week before his re election in Russia, from some one or a group that may be not a big fan of the Russian president. It is obvious and clear as a day ...
4
The Russians crossed a line in the spy game. This man was involved in a spy trade and it is a unspoken rule that traded prisoners are not subject to assassination. The ramifications with Brittain at least will be severe and long lasting. Being trump's buddy, no big deal for the US.
8
"If you cross us, this is what will happen to you AND your favorite daughter."
10
No incident of this magnitude perpetrated against a former Russian spy could possibly have occurred without Vladimir Putin's advanced knowledge. A pattern of assassination of Russian citizens in the UK has long been established. Chemicals have been a prominent weapon of choice.
Russia is a mafia state. Its word is worthless. Its corruption is endemic. State cheating is standard operating practice. Assassination has been adopted as a political tool of control. Crimes against humanity abroad are now routine. Through it all, the State piles lie upon other lie.
When Britain ultimately announces what is already obvious, a termination of diplomatic relations is hardly too far-fetched, along with the closure of embassy and consular offices and the stoppage of visa privileges for all Russian citizens.
.
Anything less is too risky. People on British soil are repeatedly being murdered by hostile foreign agents.
19
It is sad that protecting money from Russia, and the position of plutocrats in London, is more important to the British government than prosecuting Russian agents who commit murder on British soil.
An earlier article in the NYTimes about Spanish prosecutors pursuing Russian kleptocrats laundering ill-gotten wealth in Spain, compared the Spanish position with the British; the Brits are virtually mum on the nest of thieves and Russian agents moving freely in London, while Spain prosecutes.
Demand an end to opaque real-estate purchases (know who is buying real-estate) and challenge Russian hegemony on UK soil. London is not a safe place for enemies of Putin.
1
It could be the plutocrats who commuted the murders.
1
Shouldn't NATO take this up? I don't want to rally for war but perhaps if NATO were involved and showed a commitment to deal with this somehow, these Putin sent assassins and assassinations would dry up?
Well, until then, Great Britain, I highly suggest you get your security in order. Them Kremlin boys are playing for keeps and obviously our present administration in the US is absolutely worthless in checking Putin. Of course.
9
It really is high time that the west took off the gloves when dealing with the mafia state and its consiglieres in the Kremlin. Putin has wreaked enough havoc in the world from Ukraine, Georgia, Transnistria, Chechnya, Syria and now England. The west should begin by boycotting their showcase world cup and imposing some real sanctions that would convince the people of Russia that their illustrious leader is more of a liability than an asset. What a sad state of affairs it is that the Russians continue to support this miscreant thug and that the West seems incapable of counterig the real threats they produce. I commend the US for supporting the provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine to fight the marauders as well as the elimination of their Mercs in eastern Syria; lets hope Putin is getting the message that his behaviour is no longer being tolerated.
15
Except that it is being tolerated ( and condoned even - by trump, by the investment class - because of the $$$$
2
Russian mob rule will come in full force to the UK once Brexit is finalized. London has been the playground for Russian oligarchs since the 90s, welcoming their money for laundering and investments in prime real estate. The only obstacle for them were EU regulations imposed on London's financial industry. UKIP's Farage and Boris Johnson have their fat accounts on the Caymans nicely padded by mother Russia after Brexit was delivered. Johnson speaks up now as a facade, but nothing will be done in the end.
12
If agent Trump fails at his assignment he may face the same end. Paul Manafort who is 19 million in debt to a Russian oligarch likely knows that he too could faces this same potential end if he cracks.
I suspect that Trumps tariffs are a message to the GOP. The president has a number of things he can do without them, and he is wiling to do them if they do not protect him from Mueller. Besides tariffs, he also controls the nuclear trigger, without congress.
5
Fox News has often praised Mr. Putin as a strong leader who gets things done (especially during the Obama administration). I've wondered what that was about, but episodes like this put it in an interesting light.
10
Russian oligarchs and middle east oil sheiks have owned London since WWII. The UK government has turned a blind eye towards KGB hijinks right in Belgravia for a long time. Scratch the surface of the Brexit movement and other nationalist/populist movements in western Europe and they will bleed borscht.
10
The Russian KGB signature is so James Bond, so 1950's, yet they can't help using their favorite weapon, poison. As Putin denies it, he wants you to know it was him, there was collateral damage and the intended victims suffered.
10
Awaiting Trump’s “I don’t know. Who knows? There are those who use nerve agents on many sides. On many sides.”
12
This is fascinating... and bewildering: We all know (at least I do) that the Bolshevik Cheka (secret police) went out of its way to chase the former Czarist and White leaders in France after the triumph of the Reds in the Russian Civil War. And of course, we know that Stalin had Trotsky assassinated in Mexico. So proven precedents of Russian assassinations overseas do exist.
Of course the Russians are not the only ones who kill people.
But when this double was caught in Russia, he drew a ridiculously low sentence: 13 years. Somebody who has done a lot of damage does not get 13 years; he gets 30, or 50, or death. Unless the current Russian penal code is surprisingly benign.
More often than not double agents are truly double; they work both ways. My feeling is that the British are rushing a bit to point fingers - convicting by presumption and not hard objective evidence - our daily dosage of Putin bad.
If it is gas, it has to be the Russians.
4
I think you will find that the UK government and it's agencies have definitely AVOIDED pointing fingers at Russia, the media however has made its mind up.
2
Real cool. I like cold war novella or someone like John le Carre’s take on it… But this is real stuff!
2
Attempted murder? Isn’t it “you should be so lucky if you were dead”, especially with something like nerve gas or nerve agent.
1
Doesn't it set a bad example to allow Putin to commit murders in the West with impunity? Is the lure of Russian money in London and elsewhere so strong that he can get away with murder this often?
9
Trump, Manafort,they’re all scared to cross Putin and his oligarchs with good reason. Look what happens.
6
Dear Americans and Citizens of the World,
What a great leader Putin is
Yours,
DT
9
Now I see how to distinct a good Russian - it is the dead one .... Is not it?
2
I'm guessing that we won't hear a tweet or a peep from Trump on this story. Trump will shut his eyes, put his fingers in his ears, and yell "Fake news!" Or maybe, "It could have a 400 pound guy sitting on their bed!" Just imagine his fear for his family and himself! He'll have to send out some big love to Putin to reaffirm his loyalty, or maybe some top secret U.S. info.
4
Putin isn't going to stop.
4
Obama stated in the 2012 debate with Romney who called Russia our number one geo-political foe, “The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold War’s been over for 20 years.”
2
Haiku
Russian oligarchs
All of a sudden dying...
Welcome to New York.
1
Trump's described his penchant for fast food was in part based on a fear of poisoning.
Somewhere in a Russian lab a Big Mac with extra polonium is being cooked up in case Trump turns evidence on Putin
7
Kind of comes under the heading of, "You can run, but you can't hide."
5
Here's the bitter laugh line at the end, for those who want - not a silver lining, exactly, but something like it. You don't operate a regime like this - crushign the opposition, stopping at nothing, murdering your opponents left and right - and enjoy a genteel retirement in your pretty dacha. Putin will leave office feet-first, like most brutal thugs in history, and he knows it. Every day, he knows it.
8
Let's hope this happens sooner rather than later.
2
Stalin had Trotsky assassinated in Mexico. It's what tyrants/dictators do. They kill people who threaten their power. When will the Russian people grow up and take control of their lives instead of placing their survival in the hands of murderers like Little Putin? What lack of dignity.
8
Paul Manafort, watch your back. Forever.
4
Skripal was a consultant for the Steele dossier.
6
Somewhere I have read an article that alleged that other sources of information for the Steele dossier have deceased. And these were people still living in Russia. I don't know if it is true, but it might be.
1
Anastasia Vashukevich, a Belarusian escort, was arrested in Thailand last week. She is known to be close to an Aluminum tycoon, Oleg Deripaska, who is supposedly heard on recordings having to do with US election interference. She also may have information regarding the more unsavory details of Trump's time in Russia.
Trump announces a (steel and) Aluminum tariff last week.
Skripal and his daughter are poisoned.
And also last week, Ana Chapman, the agent who was allowed to return to Russia as part of an exchange for Skripal in 2010, was photographed on a beach --in Thailand.
9
Anastasia said on TV that she is afraid she will be killed if she is returned to Russia.
So, what’s an appropriate response, one that will get Putin’s attention?
1
"Time and again, foes of Mr. Putin’s have died suddenly in Britain..."
For every "mysterious death" - kick 10 oligarchs and their brood out of UK.
11
But the oligarchs would take their sweet, sweet money home with them and we can't have that! Ever notice Saudi Arabia is still a U.S. ally even after financing and providing the manpower for 9/11?
5
Here we go…wouldn't want to be one of those Russian whiz kids that thought of spilling the beans on their hacking work in the US election.
6
And like so many things, this Russian poisoning may be related to Trump. "Poisoned Russian spy Sergei Skripal was close to consultant who was linked to the Trump dossier" https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/07/poisoned-russian-spy-sergei-...
Porn stars, the tariff disaster, secret meetings in Seychelles to establish a back-channel with Russia, and that's only today's news. What an ugly world Trump has dragged us into.
23
Love Vlad or
YOUR PUSHING UP DAISIES
8
The west is seeing the reality of this thuggish murdering punk who claims to be the elected leader of Russia. And Trump admires this guy? Wake up Trump supporters, Putie owns your boy.
24
Isn't this a direct warning by Putin to trump that he'd better continue to toe the Kremlin line and not dare impose any further sanctions?
8
Georgi Markov was assassinated by the KGB in London in 1978 for being critical to the communist government of Bulgaria. Someone shot him with a ricin pellet while he was waiting for the bus. This has been confirmed by KGB deflectors.
So this is nothing new, the KGB has been doing this for decades.
15
Putin will do what and wants, when he wants.... and where he wants. Why? .....because the US and the EU are to weak to do anything about it basically. Welcome to the real world where the bad actors are now running amok. Sigh.
5
Two thoughts. One, was Skripal a source for Christopher Steele. Two, why do the Brits let Putin use their country as a shooting gallery? Money from oligarchs?
10
Maybe it was Rusher ( Russia) , maybe it was other countries, maybe it was that 400 lb. guy?
8
The President has said he eats fast food because it is safe and he is afraid of being poisoned. Maybe he has a point.
5
Litvinenko revisited. The Russians almost surely poisoned Skripal, much like the way they are poisoning American politics through clever manipulation of social media. Is the USA even fighting back? Or are we thinking that Russia is little more than an annoying gnat?
12
Fascinating to see all the left-liberals falling all over themselves to be anti-Russia!
Where were you when people were being ridiculed for being 'anti-communist' during the Cold War? When people were insulted for being 'Cold Warriors'? When Obama and Hilary foolishly presented Putin with that 'reset' button and then exhibited so much weakness that Russia just waltzed into Ukraine and Syria?
The Russians have been meddling in elections worldwide since 1917 and now it's big news? You are taking this line only because you are hoping to further smear Trump.
You know there is no there there with the 'collusion' nonsense, so you are simply trying to pile it higher and deeper. You are going to be terribly disappointed.
5
Might not be collusion just yet, but one cannot ignore all the guilt, lies, and White House fraud, "the swamp" that was to be drained. Investigations continue to unravel a huge black web that appears to be a continuation of Trump's "con" lifestyle. He can't even lie right! Collusion not yet but bet Trump's dirt will be uncovered. This White House was given info about Russia but ignored it- more evidence of the ignorance of our presidency. Or is it just blatant enough of why he won't admit Russian meddling? Fraud, obstruction, lies, nepotism, etc and the list grows. This is about protecting America, not just "smearing" . Trump is to protect our Constitution, not play dictator. Unfortunately I can't help but associate your protection of Trump with Fox News, the only news that is different from all others which is nothing but propaganda. True news or real journalism- Fox is not it.
1
Only in GOP propaganda were liberals ever supporters of Russia. Socialism is a political philosophy that has worked for some countries where honesty is common among the citizenry. It is a legitimate opinion that some socialism could be good. In fact we have some socialism in the USA. It's called social security. Only a few weird communists existed in the US ever, and they were and are not liberals. Thus your whole contention rests on your belief in a false story about what liberals intend. Which was made up by the right wing propaganda machine.
Oh, by the way, Trump is a criminal.
11
When were "people ridiculed for being called 'anti-communist' during the Cold War"?!? EVERYone was "anti-communist" during the Cold War days, with the exception of far-left radicals - who as you'll recall, were relentlessly under attack by all levels of law enforcement at the time. A far cry from how all the far-right-fringe, neo-Nazi, and white supremacist crazies have Trump's support today.
In any case, Putin is hardly a "communist" - he's a fascist dictator and corrupt oligarch who holds power through terror, continuing his KGB-honed ruthless tactics.
Yet somehow, Putin has Trump and his family in his thrall. At the very least, we know the Trumps have been financed by Putin's shady Russian cronies - which means they own him. If this were any other President, all you Trump worshippers would be screaming "treason." To actually believe there's no collusion is total denial.
16
Now all the trump people will call this "fake news." It is sad to see the power vacuum created by trump's inane leadership--and his kissing of Putin's ass (why? a compromising video of him in Russia?)---as white (rust belt dreamers) middle America ramps up their support as if trump was a NFL team that miraculously won the Super Bowl. Tarrifs on Steel?? Aluminium?? thank GOD those industries are GONE!!! and the acid rain that was ruining Appalachia and the East is over! what a nightmare is trump....but his zombie-like followers just call us "libtards" and call all news they do not like "fake". SAD!
32
Vladimir Putin is a true credit to his KGB family.
22
Vlad, the Yellow Haired man buddy, doing it again. Meddling in US elections, etc., etc., Now doing the old and harsh way. And Trump worried with Little Kim. Funny, but really serious.
14
Well, at least Putin didn't hack his emails.
5
Trump has good reason to be afraid of Putin.
25
And with the "nerve gas" poisoning of spies, might be why Trump eats cheeseburgers every night; as it has been said he is afraid of being poisoned. How true this is, not sure- but sometimes pieces of the puzzle begin to fit as Mueller is proving.
4
"That 400 hundred pound hacker, lying in bed somewhere, has been up to more mischief again", said President Trump, quoted by several news sources.
24
Seriously, is it time to declare war on Russia? It seems they are doing everything to provoke it. They are not going to stop unless they must stop. They are so proud of their military, but how long will they last in a fight?
Kill that KGB jerk.
10
Of course, we have no way of knowing if Brian Prioleau is working for the Kremlin or if he exists at all. We have lost the War on Truth waged by neo-Fascists like Putin and Trump.
7
I do exist, unfortunately. In fact, the NYT pic of Texas polling places was taken outside my neighborhood grocery store (Randall's on Manchaca and Ben White)
2
And why do Americans think we are sheltered in the bubble of unknowing here?
If they can reach London and our political apparatus, and our Prez Family, they can reach anywhere.
We are sucked into the consensual trance to think we are immune. Our Pretender wants to impress this gangster mentality.
On Kauai, oligarchs are sucking up large tracts of land. HMMMM. Wonder why?
20
End opaque real-estate deals. County taxing agencies that collect property taxes from property that was purchased with ill-gotten gains are complicit in a money laundering program. London is dirty; as is NY City, the California Bay Area, etc.
The law needs to change; if you are super rich and need to keep your money and identity private, then go before a judge and explain why, like the recent lottery winner in San Diego is trying to do.
NY Times: "An attack on British soil was carried out by the government of President Vladimir V. Putin".
... Russophobia and provocations on the part of Britain and the United States have long been commonplace, since they fit for any "dish" and under any "sauce".
3
Russophilia is a disorder suffered by dozens of ppl living in Russia.
It is not contagious.
2
Is a Nerve Agent someone who works not for the Russians nor the Americans nor the British, but for the Nervous?
1
yes. precisely.
1
Works for me!
1
Alexander Litvinenko was not the first, check out the story of Georgi Markov, they murdered him in London with a poison pellet delivered by an umbrella and that was in the 70S!
31
So what 007. He was a traitor to his country and by Their rules, he had it coming.
The English emergency responders weren't, and the clucks who poisoned the man and his daughter were so careless they didn't care just as in the poisoning case several years ago.
My fury, small as it is, is aimed at the total disregard of emergency personnel or even innocent bystanders by the poisoners.
"With the exception of oil, no one buys anything made in Russia."
A commenter from the NYT mentioned that last week, and it's true.
Now, how does a corrupt country, led by a former KGB thug, try to become a super power again? By employing this despicable act of mob thuggery, and yes, even terrorism.
Of course, this is from Russia, and it's a war crime, among many others, based on the use of WMD to commit an assassination. To be clear, if Russia wanted the guy simply dead, they would have shot him. This was a message, written on a billboard. We can get you.
28
Small wonder Manafort is scared to testify against Trump and Putin.
35
"Time and time again, foes of Mr. Putin's have suddenly died in Britain, under suspicious circumstances."
And, here, Over The Pond, it is getting ready to start up here.
Putin and Trump share at least one trait in common: They both keep a long list of their "enemies and betrayers" and, like Little Arya in Game of Thrones, both men chant the list to put themselves to sleep at night.
And, like both Putin and Trump, both men have legislatures to keep them in power. Putin has the Duma, and Trump has all those Republicans.
Poor Little Arya - she only had her trusty sword, Needle.
Neither Pootie nor Trumpie would stand a chance against that little girl.
Pootie is so terrified of the women of his country that, last year, he had all of the "domestic violence" laws cancelled...
And poor Trump is getting sued by a porn star...
Oh, yes... we are SO Third World!!!
15
The ever-so-proper British don't want to "disturb" or "condemn" Russia or Putin for a lttile thing like this, since so many Russian emigres make their homes in the posh areas of London and bring all their laundered money with them. Who would want to upset the gilded lily?
4
It's a warning to Trump and Manafort.
22
it's not. while not playground buddies, they have Business relationships.
1
So, Britain, what are you going to do about it? In your own, dignified, classic understated way. Drop the kettle down noisily and harrumph? What say you, Mum?
10
Whatever they plan to do, is unlikely to be revealed beforehand to someone in Chicago.
3
People everywhere are waiting and watching what will, and won’t, be done.
1
Putin’s pugnacious display of his military capabilities is just a Potemkin village to hide his impotence. He has a puppet here to do his work for him, but those strings will be cut down by Mueller. As far as Putin’s nerve and radioactive agents, what a sinister and pathetic pathological path to show his domination. When will the Russian people rise against this little rooster as they did a hundred years ago against the last czar?
13
This is really crude. They didn't just want him dead, they wanted him dead in a gross way that sends a message.
The Russians used to use eastern European surrogates to do this kind of thing, often Bulgarians. That's probably not the case now. If the Brits identify who did the poisoning this will all get increasingly interesting ... even if they've fled back to Russia.
The Russians also had a habit of killing the assassins afterwards, or in the process. Whoever did this surely knows that history ... raises interesting questions.
28
the US should be doing every thing it can to undercut the russians economically. a good starting place is to use our strategic oil reserves to undercut russian oil contracts and limit their foreign exchange.
17
What I find hard to believe is that given Putin’s past killings of those who have crossed him, and given Skripal’s inside knowledge of Russian tactics, why didn’t he and his daughter go underground, change identities, move to another country? He of all people knew that he could not publicly criticize Putin, the cold-blooded ex-KGB killer and not expect lethal KGB type retaliation.
He should have disappeared and led a quiet life somewhere other than Britain, which has see other such killings.
3
And have his meals at home.
1
Note to "The Best" now negotiating plea deals with Mueller.
DON'T forget to get Vlad's approval.
7
The recent New Yorker has a well researched profile of Christopher Steele and the history behind the infamous Russian dossier. Regardless of what you think about the veracity of the dossier and Mueller's investigation, I would recommend it to anyone who's interested in the larger picture with respect to Russian interference. The article sheds light on why the U.S. cannot afford to simply dismiss the possibility of collusion with Russia as "nonsense" (as certain Republicans like Devin Nunes would have us believe).
33
It's pretty alarming that the following passage from the article hardly seems noteworthy in our current era of corruption:
"Analysts cite several reasons successive British governments have reacted cautiously to Russian conduct, not least among them being money. London is a favorite place for wealthy Russians to live, buy homes and invest."
16
these incidents will become more common and worse until Putin learns there's a price to be paid. That won't happen as long as the Republicans control the national government.
23
Putin is emboldened by Trump's free pass.
4
If the Kremlin is either responsible or complicit, it would mark an interesting departure from Soviet times. While the KGB was more than willing to "travel on business" to eliminate an active traitor, the Soviets respected the kind of deal that brought Skripal to Britain in the first place. (Pardoned by Medvedev and sent west in a spy swap.) For all its flaws, the Soviet Union had an integrity that present-day, capitalist Russia seems to lack.
"Revenge is a dish best served cold". A reasonable person with any knowledge of Russian intelligence and its history would not be surprised at this. The fact that his family suffered suspicious deaths would indicate that this was a "message" sent to any other potential turncoat that family would also be targeted. Some things in Russia never change. Message delivered.
16
Whoever stands behind this hit job, its effect should be felt by runaway Russians opposing to Kremlin, making them living in constant fear for their own lives and the lives of their relatives. The stakes for the intelligence operatives who may be considering crossing the lines are now much higher than before.
7
Imagine it: a nerve gas murder of father and daughter, on a public bench in a peaceful bucolic setting, in the middle of the afternoon. That isn't just assassination. It's also terrorism. This puts the exclamation point on Mr. Trump's baffling, very troubling and possibly treasonous behavior toward Russia. Mr. Trump's friendly, helpful Russia is utter fantasy. The Putin government routinely assassinates its enemies. This reminder would especially alarm Mr. Trump had his associates should they have struck a deal with the Kremlin.
17
Thank you, fellow Seattle resident! Russia is a bad actor on the world stage, period. Name one good thing Russia contributes to the world. The sad fact is that a lot of criminals reside in the latest few waves of Russian emigration. One wonders why the Trump administration never seems to worry about those kind of people we let into our country. I find all of this very serious and scary, and that is why Trump’s inaction regarding sanctions is so egregious.
PS to “Observer”: not all left of center people are blind to a Russia’s crimes. Plenty of human rights advocates during Soviet times and up until now have been left of center. I’ve spent a lot of time in Russia and know the language fairly well. I abhor the current regime and bemoan the erosion of any potential for a civil society there. Good people there suffer immensely. Anybody who truly values democracy, free speech and humanism in general knows totalitarianism when she sees it. I used to think it was my Americanism that made me recoil from that place, but it seems my type of American values are circling the drain in my own country now.
This news would certainly give me pause were I under indictment for shady financial dealings and possibly collusion with Russia before, during and after the campaign. Didn't Putin recently say he was disappointed in how his "relationship" with Trump and his associates was going?
8
How far are we from witnessing such incidents in the U.S. and for what reasons? Russian cyber-warfare is thriving here thanks to President Trump and his minions. I suspect it is just a matter of time before we see targeted chemical warfare by Russians in the U.S.. Furthermore, Putin or Trump will likely blame it on Trump's political adversaries.
9
Putin may be sending a message to people who would testify against his interests. Anyone can be touched anywhere.
8
Mr. Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with fentanyl, traces of which were found on the bench where they were found seated. They possibly ingested it themselves, for whatever reason (suicide?). It's extremely unlikely that any "Russians" were involved, particularly as Skripal had been exchanged with the Americans for Russian agents, and had already told the West everything he knew (not much, he was EXTREMELY small fry).
This attack and the government's response may be different because British first responders seem to have been collateral damage, also poisoned by whatever substance was used. It's one thing to turn a blind eye, if the investigators have been doing that, when only a Russian expatriate with shady connections dies (I don't agree with that, I understand it), but I would expect British voters to rise up and demand an effective investigation when innocent parties are harmed.
7
I don't think we British do 'rise up' very often. We are more likely to be very annoyed and a bit cross.
Putin told me he didn't do it. Every time he sees me he says "I didn't do that, and I really believe when he tells me that, he means it." So that's that. Nothing to see here.
8
Prediction: Utterly nothing gets done except some strong statements about how very very cross the government are and maybe a few teaboys at the Embassy being ejected. Maybe a few unimportant lackeys will get their financial assets frozen at the very most if May wakes up in a bad mood that day.
Russia, fat on gas and cash, doesn’t exactly tremble at the thought of the UK. Too much money flowing through London, too much investment (and political donations...) from oligarchs and lots of energy imports equals strong words with absolutely no teeth.
4
Is Russia so fearsome that they can tamper with elections in our country and do in British citizens with impunity.There are people who know the truth in both instances and must speak out and alert the world to the perils.
4
PUTIN'S MAFIA Strikes again! Putin is one of the greatest threats to world peace in our time. Yet Trump is utterly passive in the face of the threats Putin presents to US national security. It seems that Trump never had the remotest intention of fulfilling his oath of office.
11
Trump ordered more sanctions against North Korea for the killing of Kim Jung Un's brother in Malaysia, but he will be quiet when his Russian brothers use the same method to kill their people in Great Britain. Sanctions against his Russian political cheerleaders? Never.
15
A nerve agent is not normally a substance criminal gangs or terrorist groups can easily get hold of. It is usually manufactured by specialist laboratories under the control of governments. Sergei Skripal’s attack arouses the suspicion that a state-actor – Russia – could have been behind it.
As a military intelligence officer in Russia, he betrayed his country by providing information to Britain’s secret service, MI6, that revealed the identities of Russian agents operating in Europe. Vladimir Putin had in the past indicated that traitors deserve to die.
Yet it remains a puzzle why somebody wanted to kill Skripal now, when he has been living in Britain for eight years and arrived as part of a spy swap after being pardoned by Putin?
25
If Skripal knows anything about the Russian wealth flowing into the West, and specifically into real estate or any other business with a connection to Trump, or if he has been contacted by Mueller's team, he just became relevant again. If he can fill in gaps in the massive financial fraud alleged by Bill Browder and the late Sergei Magnitsky -- whose death in a Russian prison prompted the most recent sanctions against Russia, which Putin's agents want revoked -- he is relevant again, especially if he can explain whether or not that is connected to Russian overtures to the Trump campaign and administration. And that would make him a potential threat to Putin and Putin's cronies.
6
Like other murders by this Russian government, it's designed to send a signal to those who betray the government or may be thinking of betraying their government. No matter where you run and not matter under whose government you live....we will find you and kill you. Pretty effective deterrent I would say. That's how the LCN controlled their people for decades, very effectively. Guess Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden should thank their lucky stars they weren't Russian.
8
Because revenge is a dish best served cold. Let him think he's gotten past it and then lose his wife, brother and son and maybe daughter one by one before killing him. The harm he did to Russia was already done and Putin could have him killed anytime. Why not draw it out with years of uncertainty and pain?
1
This guy was retired from the spy game and living in Britain since 2010. I think the poisoning now is an attempt to send a message of the long reach of Putin. Perhaps this is directed to Manafort so that he doesn't talk? This is not too far fetched.
97
Wake up America. The Russians have always been and under Putin are very much our enemy. Putin is an international mega-criminal right out of a James Bond Novel. There is no coincidence that this true spy hero for us and "stool pigeon" of Putin was poisoned now. This is "Dr. No's" warning to all those American Russian collaborators speaking to Mueller.
63
As the maroon obama once said, the 80s called and they want their foreign policy back
This is really scary, because it shows Russians are playing hard ball.
- apprehend double agent whose cover is blown
- trade him for other spies in British prisons before, in time they spill everything
- trade him because you know you gonna get him anyway. In a manner that is warning to others.
Too bad for the British gov't, because there is nothing it can do about it without endangering/exposing its spies in Moscow.
14
Perhaps all spies should prepare for their careers by continually taking non-fatal does of poisons to build up their immunity. A. E. Housman explained how this was done, but I don't think isotopes of polonium existed in the 19th century:
There was a king reigned in the East:
There, when kings will sit to feast,
They get their fill before they think
With poisoned meat and poisoned drink.
He gathered all that springs to birth
From the many-venomed earth;
First a little, thence to more,
He sampled all her killing store;
And easy, smiling, seasoned sound,
Sate the king when healths went round.
They put arsenic in his meat
And stared aghast to watch him eat;
They poured strychnine in his cup
And shook to see him drink it up:
They shook, they stared as white's their shirt:
Them it was their poison hurt.
—I tell the tale that I heard told.
Mithridates, he died old.
17
Lay all the blame you want. Whoever is targeting former Russian or Soviet agents and their families is extremely careless with the choice of weapons and who is being harmed. It was true in the tea shop poisoning and true this time. It's a shame they can't get a dose of their own medicine.
19
This and the Litvinenko radiation poisoning are just one of many Russian hits in the UK. According to a truly frightening BuzzFeed article (From Russia with Blood), the US intelligence agencies have collaborated with the UK on tagging 14 other UK murders as assassinations by Russian intelligence. Apparently, the local police don’t know what to do about it and are afraid to retaliate due to the influx of Russian money in Real Estate. Sounds familiar, eh? The Trumps, Kushners, Manafort, and cronies are all undoubtedly indebted to Russian investments in highly questionable Real Estate scams. I’m beginning to think the NRA is in it deep too. Hopefully they’ll wrap up these FBI investigations of both Trump and NRA soon, or it could get ugly here, too.
87
"Apparently, the local police don’t know what to do about it and are afraid to retaliate due to the influx of Russian money in Real Estate."
Maybe, but the connection isn't exactly obvious.
"all undoubtedly indebted to Russian investments in highly questionable Real Estate scams."
And, therefore, there was a murder ?
1
I am sure Mr Trump will put a statement out any minute.
Thank you Mr Ryan and Mr McConnell for supporting our president and allowing him to hold on to power, we all believe that you will be able to control him.
18
Surely you jest !
1
It's a given that Traitor Trump's paymasters in the Kremlin are behind this. The British would be wise to cut diplomatic ties with this gang.
If they're going to wait for the U.S. to come to their assistance they are sorely mistaken. Traitor Trump has made it clear that there are no longer any "special relationships," there's just him.
And he'll do anything to get the focus off him and his criminal administration. Tariffs anyone?
41
Jared Kushner wanted a back channel to Russia and wouldn't have been smart enough not to drink their tea or Kool-aid. Just the kind of guy Vlad can manipulate or do away with.
39
Margaret May and her government need to seriously step up. There have been a number of murders and attempted murders in the UK of Putin's enemies. And, the UK government has done nothing.
13
I hate to break it to you, but we don’t exactly have many gunboats to send over there and intimidate them with anymore. I know, I know, I miss it too. Things kinda changed about 70/80yrs ago - I mean these days we have to ring you guys up and ask permission if we wanted to land a nuke on the Kremlin, so in the meanwhile we’ll have to stop exporting, I dunno (what do we export?), jam and shortbread. That’ll have the cowardly Russians quivering in their bearskin boots.
Plus, given the way the current government is running things, the only thing keeping Britannia afloat is the vast sums of dodgy cash being laundered through London, and the old mansions and prime real estate being flogged to Russian billionaires.
Russia probably laughs itself silly every time Johnson issues another “strongly worded warning” without any teeth, because realistically they’d rather the story just went away.
2
Would Britain have been able to confront the USSR, alone, 70 to 80 years ago?
@Want2know
Nope. That was a generic number I used to kind of vaguely refer to the end of Empire and ‘superpower’ status which faded between 1914-1939 and was definitively wiped out post-1939.
Prior to that maybe possibly we could isolate them diplomatically, freeze exports and blockade their ports enough to make them alarmed. But I don’t know, ‘what-ifs’ are not my thing.
The British News says there have been many murders of Russians over the years that have been put down to suicide for instance. They have since raised eyebrows. Rare plant extracts found in some of the bodies for instance. Yes, there have been calls by Labour and Conservative MPs that the Gov needs to do more. They have been criticised for letting in the Oligarchs back in Blair’s time. Bought up property allegedly. Salisbury is a cathedral city. Hardly the place you would expect a thing like this.
13
Putin reminds me of a bully on the playground. He will not stop until somebody punches him in the nose. The one person who can do that, has been compromised, so he is not able or capable of doing anything, except continuing to behave like Putin's good little boy. Sad!
31
Yer gonna need more bodyguards Mr Trump.
33
Cant wait to hear Mark Crispin Miller get all over this insult to Mother Russia. He just popped his head out recently after a thankfully long quiet period. I guess he's confident the Mueller probe isn't interested in him. We, on the other hand, can never get enough of his hilarious propaganda campaigns.
3
From Russia with Vlad :)
Brits chickened out from calling spade a spade in Litvinenko investigation which was an unprovoked act of aggression on their citizen by a foreign power... Here's one again, and there was another prior to it... ;)
The indignant posturing by FM spox woman just confirms the culpability...
She's a canary in a mine... :)
Dealing a blow to this regime economically systematically is the only way to deal with the belligerence of the little Kremlin tyrant who fantasizing himself an influential leader...
Germany would be well advised to cut short gas line in planning since it will give Putin another leverage over decision making of it's Gov't.
And would also like to see soccer World Cup moved to Britain where it would be better served to the benefit of all.
Wonder if I needed to include some fantasy paranoiac suppositions on Trump to get the comment published faster or at all...:} That seems to be the litmus test on loyalty practiced by the comment moderation here... :)
7
I'm sure Donny wil ask Vlad if he did this and Donny will get Vlad's truth.
26
Ya think?
9
Trump admires Putin hugely because he is spectacular at eliminating opposition...whereas Trump must limp by with a sniveling Sean Hannity
25
I'm waiting for Trump's "Maybe we'll give that a shot someday."
25
Actions speak louder than words, Russian to English translation:
Donald, Mike, Ivana, Jared,
Don't say a word about Russia!
18
Now they realize where they get themselves into...
Trump better hope he remains Putin's puppet or perhaps not eat or drink around Russians.
8
Trump might blame some 400lb. man who just sits in his bedroom.
Yeah, that’s who gave the order. Certainly not Putin.
17
Let's hope Trump is not inspired to emulate his hero Putin. What? No tweets that this story is fake news?
13
"heightening suspicions"? I guess the Times has to put it that way but for the rest of us, it was pretty obvious what this was and who did it.
13
Yet, Trump says nothing to criticize this thug.
19
Why should anyone be surprised? Putin is lethal.
8
So is Trump
4
The long tentacles of Czar Vladimir Cucarachavich Putin encircle the globe. The cockroach himself, meanwhile, remains hidden in the dark, issuing denials. We all know it was you, Vladimir Vladimirovich. Everybody knows.
21
Hilarious patronymic.
2
"The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the attack,"....And the Russians didn't hack the DNC and send the information to Wiki leaks. It was not a Russian missile that shot down the Malaysian Airliner. The government wasn't involved in the wholesale doping of Russian athletes. Putin fully supports the Syrian cease fire. There are no irregular Russian troops in Ukraine. Russian did not mount a social media attack to disrupt the election. Kushner, Manafort, and Flynn did not receive any money from Russian oligarchs. And most important, there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. And if you don't believe it, just ask them.
208
The USSR/Russia has been involved in the doping/roiding of athletes for over 50 years. While the US athletic officials tried to test athletes to make sure they werent cheating. the Soviets would invest on science to help their athletes beat the drug tests at the Olympics. It was good to see the 28 year old Olympic shot put steroid record set in 1988 by an east German, finally broken by an American athlete, Ryan Crouser, who didnt cheat. When it comes to the Soviets, they will always cheat. It is time we get behind our president and stop with the Russian collusion nonsense. Not doing so is only supporting the Putin agenda.
1
Deny, deny, deny. That's the answer.
6
bob, why do you say it's time to stop with the Russian collusion nonsense? Do you know something about Mueller's investigation that the rest of the public doesn't know? If not, then let Mueller do his job. If trump is innocent of any wrongdoing, then the investigation will exonerate him. If there was collusion, the American public has a right to know. I recommend reading the profile of Christopher Steel recently written in the New Yorker. It may help you understand why the U.S. cannot afford to dismiss the possibility that of collusion as "nonsense".
7
Trump's pal Vlad strikes still again.
32
Given the New Yorker piece this week on Christopher Steele, has anyone determined whether Skripal is connected to Steele/Orbis? It looks the the Russians have been cleaning house on anyone suspected of helping Steele, and the timing of this assassination attempt seems suspect.
87
Don't know if you're trolling, however, Skripal is reported to have been "close" to an Orbis consultant in Salisbury. Normally defectors and former operatives are debriefed completely before they are released. Skripal would have only had info up to his arrest 2006. However, if, and only if, he had maintained a clandestine contact in the GRU for whatever reason, I expect the uncloaking of that individual may have initiated this reprisal. In that case there may have been another hit or arrest in Russia. Will be interesting to see how rigourously the UK responds. If Skripal was still active then surely the UK government knew. Theories over theories set aside. Targeting Skripal's daughter is the most revolting thing I seen in these types of attacks years. Putin is on every level a despicable individual.
Had not seen/heard of the Steele story; thanks for putting me onto it, most fascinating (and I believe, foreshadowing what's to come of the Mueller investigation.....).
A message from Moscow, intended for co-conspirators in the 2016 American election plot: "We can reach you, anywhere. There are worse things than prison."
125
I fear you are correct.....
5
"The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the attack ...."
It must have been the Irish. Blame the Irish.
31
And yet Trump still fails see or admit anything nefarious in Russia's tentacles that carryout international assassination, election meddling, cyber attacks, and exploits of social media to intentionally drive US disunity.
77
Are you kidding? Trump probably loves these kinds of tactics. In his mind, it's all about "winning" and he doesn't care who is hurt in the process.... including the U.S.
3
The m.o. for this outrage is that of Vladimir Putin and his fellow thugs. Let us hope that somehow, someday, they will be held accountable.
33
Geez- if I was owned by the Russians or involved anyway to the point where they had something over me I would be a tad nervous to say the least for both myself and my family.
35
Very helpful. Thanks.
1
Is this a veiled message to Trump and Ivanka from Putin?
The US should not see Putin as a friend, no matter how much money these oligarch$ have.
44
The first police officer on the scene is now also critically ill in hospital. If the Russians end up murdering a British cop I would expect some kind of response
149
I would expect you to be disappointed. Putin's criminal thugs operate in the UK with total impunity and murder whoever they want, whenever they want.
Putin's no Boy Scout but a vindictive murderer who'll stop at nothing to exact revenge on people he deems as traitors. The president may want to watch his own back here in the US.
32
Putin is not worried about him. Maybe about the people who make up his mind for him, but not him.
This is like a 1980s Bond movie, with Putin cast as the ultimate Bond villain.
32
A very scary thought! If Trump ever decides to emulate his buddy Vlad, by doing away with his detractors.
10
Fantasy and paranoia..?. :))
As much as Putin no doubt is a murderer how's connection to Trump could be justified...? :)
Had Trump or anyone around them been suspected to kill anyone... hadn't he had detractors all his life being in business?
Seems Clintons, applying same paranoid views would be likelier to resort to something that dirty..., wouldn't they?
Not to you of course... :))
1
This is the kind of information that the U.S. should be sending back to the Russian people in retaliation for meddling in our election. We could also let Russians know about the billions Putin has taken from "Mother Russia" while its citizens struggle to make ends meet. Quid pro quo . . .
25
And just how are we going to let them know that?
Sean Hannity? Rachel Maddow?
A 1-year subscription to the LA Times?
1
Russians do have internet, so why not use it. And, if that's blocked, go old school and get it to them physically. Use radio, physically ship it in, etc.. Russians are not in a bubble protected by a force field, despite what you may have heard. Are you proposing that the situation is hopeless and we should do nothing? Btw, Hannity and FOX are non-starters . . .
As for Rachel Maddow (as an aside), somebody in Russia is watching (FSB?), because they sent false information to her show (in the form of papers) no doubt intended to discredit her and the show, if used (she must be hitting a nerve). Her explanation of how they uncovered the hoax was very interesting.
Of course all of this is moot, since the Donald, and Russian Medal of Friendship recipient, Tillerson, haven't even imposed the sanctions that were unanimously passed by Congress. Perhaps some day though . . . what goes around, comes around.
Who really knows? It could have been Russia but it could also have been China, Hillary or somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds.
74
The poison might also come from some undefined steel tariffs...
7
Aren't you tired yet of the Hillary jokes?
Nobody under 40 even knows whom you're talking about.
And nobody over 40 cares anymore.
I do not know what nerve agent they used. Sarin is rather easy to make and organophosphates are readily available (both nerve "agents"). However radioactive toxins would surely point to a major power being the source. Whoever did it wants to avoid an obvious hint that it was them, I bet.
8
"Whoever did it wants to avoid an obvious hint that it was them, I bet."...Oh quite the opposite. They want to send a message.
23
With all these Russian oligarchs owning expensive real estate in Chelsea, effective retaliation against the Kremlin could be easy, effective, and without collateral damage.
62
Probably a VX variant. Britain, if it can make the connection, should expel the entire Russian diplomatic corps. If it was VX, then that whole area around the site of the attack is dangerous for a very long time. VX persists for a very long time.
36
Or much more likely than Maria Zakharovas comments (I dont know why anyone even cares to listen to what they say anylonger) this is again Putins warning to everyone outside his control.
Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a maffia state
22
When will our alleged fearless leader, DJT, start getting tough. Sanction authority was overwhelmingly granted by Congress but our Pres. has yet to implement. Now it is about time for some current Russian spooks to fall very ill or get mugged on the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Remember our 19 Embassy employees seriously injured with sound waves in Cuba...you can bet that was Putin's work as well. The only thing that guy understands is street justice.
26
Russia still has many internal problems, so I don't understand their zeal to negatively impact other nations. Frankly, the same can be said of the U.S. Such needless malevolence all around -- um, could we maybe resume evolving?
8
Distract. Lie. Distract. Lie. Distract. Lie. The same MO as that of the current occupant of the WH, except more lethal.
5
Seems to me it's time for Britain to draw a line in the sand for Russia. "You have ten days to hand over the murderer , or you can recall your ambassador, and embassy staff." What if the hospitalized policeman dies? Then what? Hold Putin's assassins and Russia accountable.
49
Did the Russian government use the term "fake news?"
Was Kelly Ann involved?
8
" ... an orchestrated campaign to drive a wedge between Russia and Britain." -- just enough 'nerve agent' to sicken them badly, but not enough to kill them -- a guarantee of anti-Russian Litvinenko hysteria -- does anyone really believe that the Russian gov't would carry out such a stupid act on the eve of the World Cup in Russia? ... Cui bono?
3
Purin. Who said that Skripal was « going to kick the bucket.”y
2
The Russian people need to face some facts as we are being forced to face our horrible situation with the Pretend King Trump's incompetent and dangerous administration and they are their tyrant Czar Putin is edgy for a fight and intends on using his nuclear arsenal. He is cracked when does not matter but he is clearly has a criminal mind. No one wants nuclear War especially people in general. Our deranged leaders seem to think they can win won. Well this adds to the insanity that a leader can kill anyone in another country without any consequences. People need to unite against these monsters or we run the risk of being annihilated. Czar Putin needs to be stopped from within and with our help. This murderous behavior should never be tolerated this includes Duterte's murderous behavior.
8
“Before it was clear what happened, the traditional speculation was being put about,” she said.
Gee, I wonder why.
69
Déjà vu all over again.
Vladimir Putin had nothing to do with this.
Was it WikiLeaks?
18
To anyone who thinks the Russians are either friendly or toothless -- think again! They are real, they are dangerous, and they mean us harm.
212
I am a Russian. What specifically are you accusing me of?
They mean to destroy us and the EU, then have a conversation about who gets Africa and the Middle East? NK, Russia, and China - despots.
As in either the Kremlin or the White House, when something is denied you can be almost certain it is true. Our leader is learning at the feet of the master.
117
I've long been puzzled yet haunted by a BuzzFeed exposé (the one I read was 'From Russia with blood') that seemed to suggest that despite the evidence British authorities were reluctant to react. If true, why? In Afrikaans there's an idiom 'Ek sê maar net' (Just mentioning).
22
Expect more of this in response to the Russia investigation.
Paul Manafort may very well want to go to prison to escape something like this.
146
He would probably not be safe there either. Tight security, house arrest is the best he can hope for.
7
They have a place in Colorado..........
2
he wouldn't be safe in prison either.....
Putin is as evil as the day is long......no surprises here.
97
...or it could have been a 300-lb guy sitting in his basement that ordered the attack...
225
Chris Christie's not that bright.
2
And this sociopathic, killer regime is esteemed by the occupant of our White House. What dark days for the United States and all humanity.
318
When you say 'esteemed' I'm confused. Waiting to here what the independent WH investigation finds, but if Putin was esteemed, wouldn't the sanctions be lifted?
I wonder if and when the Russian people will finally begin to question their leaders or if they will they simply accept that which they cannot directly control and leave things as they are until it is too late. The longer they let their government do what it has shown it will do, not only with these murders but also their interference with other cultures via the internet, the Russian people will fall farther behind the rest of the industrialized world and possibly make it back to their communist government structures where they can no longer even make any choices at their ballot boxes which in turn will further lowering their quality of life. The Russian people are the real problem and not the hoodlums who are in charge.
16
And exactly what are the Russian people suppose to do about the obvious control the government has over almost every facet of life, including speech and the ability to protest, especially in view of the violent and murderous methods of suppression Putin and his higher ups employ? Billionaires have tried to cross Putin and wound up arrested without due process and hauled off to labor camps. So how are average Russians with no money or power supposed to retaliate against Putin's regime? Western governments with money, power, and military strength seem too scared to even unequivocally condemn Putin's methods?
At the point, the US government is only different by degrees. The president of our nation down to the local assembly person still does whatever they please, regardless of what the people who elected them actually want or need most of the time. Part of the reason we are stuck with Trump is the stink of corruption and indifference of both Democrat and Republican career politicians, which alienated too many voters for far too long.
13
I have been to Russia twice and have met many wonderful Russian people. I would suggest that, rather than blaming these poor, downtrodden citizens, you should restudy Stalin history, or even read Animal Farm. Maybe then you would find some sympathy for these human beings.
10
Sorry, but I think you are too quick to blame the Russian people. Please remember how difficult it is to resist in that environment, let alone receive accurate information. Many people there have risked their lives-some murdered by this regime of thugs- and much else. Let us-please- distinguish thug regimes from the people. I hope the rest of the world will not judge the USA population by the criminal regime "elected" here by a minority of voters.
11
"probably with Putin's approval"
Sure. Whatever you say.
If these 'former' intelligence agents who are being killed have betrayed their colleagues then Putin would, and could, have nothing to do with them being bumped off. Lots of people commit murder on their own initiative with no approval or consult with the government.
Lots of people do not commit (double) murder on their own initiative using a nerve agent. These substances are manufactured and tightly controlled by governments.
47
Please. Individuals obtaining nerve agents and taking the risk of administering them in a foreign country?
32
True.
1
In a letter to the U.S. Congress: Dear John, Need I say more? Take heed.
9
Some people occupying an egg-shaped office must be very scared by now.
32
Don't count on it. He's oblivious to anything but his poll numbers.
13
As crazy as this sounds, I believe there is a good chance that Trump is actually being threatened. Years of shady dealings with the Russian mob is not a good idea. Sounds like a spy novel but truth is often stranger than fiction as we know.
174
"As crazy as this sounds, I believe there is a good chance that Trump is actually being threatened."
When the news broke that the president was dining on McDonald's fare to avoid poisoning, I thought who would want to poison him? With his soon-to-be-known debt to Russian masters, and sycophantic praise of Vlad, that doubt is gone.
18
There is a distinct difference between being threatened and leveraged.
2
He has Secret service protection for the rest of his life. May be another reason he wanted to be the President.
2
Me thinks the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry protests too much and too loudly. Looks like a well-orchestrated campaign to eliminate any trace of Skripal's family -- to what purpose?
45
Punishment for betraying Putin. There is no forgiveness for betraying Putin.
15
How about demonstating they'll take out any family (hmmm) that rats on them.
11
To send a message to any others contemplating crossing Putin.
3
Let's just say it: Putin's Russia is a global menace, a criminal regime that resorts to barbarism.
231
And to think that Jared Kushner wanted a secret back channel with this regime. He's so out of his league it's mind blowing.
312
Do you think Donald's 'anxious quotient' has ticked up?
48
Manafort is most likely glued to the news and thinking seriously about his real options. Witness protection, maybe? Putin is 100% KGB, old school KGB tactics. Hopefully, this time Britain will act forcefully and kick out the Russian Embassy thugs.
123
I think even if you kick out the "thugs" they will find you......
4
I don't understand this notion that Putin might want to poison Manafort. The motive for these killings of spies AGAINST Russia is to warn anyone contemplating such a thing that Putin/Russian intelligence has a long memory and is the personification of vengeance.
Manfort acting for Russia.
Kicking out the embassy thugs will not help. If you travel to Britain, especially London, you will see the number of wealthy Russians outnumber the Brits in property ownership (i.e. money laundering).
"Russian Foreign Ministry, said that suggestions of Russian culpability were part of an orchestrated campaign to drive a wedge between Russia and Britain."
Ha
27
It seems to me Putin is playing dirty. Too many dead Russians around the world. And it seems to my the current US pResident is using Putin's playbook of ignoring the law and now suggesting that maybe he should be pResident for life like Xi in China.
The US is in a very dangerous situation under the current administration and needs to be on alert for any type of totalitarian control sought by the current administration.
64
Putin is the post modern Osama bin Ladin, and that should give him pause.
20
The foes of smiling smirking Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin tend to end up in hospitals, mental institutions, prisons, urns and coffins.
While the enemies of snarling and barking Donald John Trump end up laughing at his slurs and attacks by tweets and speeches.
23
And these creeps are the same ones that Jared Kushner and his father-in-law consider their friends and allies...
130
This is the result of being traitors from any country in the world.
1
My best guess is the Russians just didn't have any polonium handy this time.
41
Perhaps Mr. Trump could ask his friends in Russia to stop!
45
Perhaps, comrade, there's a message there for Trumpski and friends as Mueller gets closer and closer and closer to.......?
43
Putin is a ruthless mobster
77
Suddenly the plots of many thrillers don't seem so far-fetched after all.
156