VLADIMIR Putin has promised Russia will respond if NATO deploys troops in Finland & Sweden after they joined the military alliance.
"With Sweden and Finland, we don't have the problems that we have with Ukraine. They want to join NATO, go ahead," Putin told Russian state television yesterday amid the war in Ukraine.
"But they must understand there was no threat before, while now, if military contingents and infrastructure are deployed there, we will have to respond in kind and create the same threats for the territories from which threats towards us are created."
The evil despot said it was "inevitable" that Moscow's relations with Helsinki and Stockholm would sour over their NATO membership.
He warned: "Everything was fine between us, but now there might be some tensions, there certainly will. It's inevitable if there is a threat to us."
Putin made his comment a day after NATO member Turkey lifted its veto over the bid by Finland and Sweden to join the alliance after the three nations agreed to protect each other's security. read more
The move means Helsinki and Stockholm can proceed with their application to join NATO, marking the biggest shift in European security in decades.
Meanwhile, speaking at a Nato summit last night in Madrid, US president Joe Biden pledged to beef up US military might in Europe amid the growing threat of all-out war with Russia.
The US will also send two extra squadrons of F-35 jets to the UK, base two more destroyers in Spain and establish a permanent 5th Army headquarters in Poland.
Read our Ukraine war live blog below for the latest up-to-date news…
- Louis Allwood
Putin’s ‘Iron Doll’ threatens to nuke Downing Street
VLADIMIR Putin's so-called Iron Doll has threatened to nuke Downing Street and the White House as Russia releases satellite images of its targets.
In a chilling warning, TV propagandist Olga Skabeyeva shared pictures of "decision-making centres" in the West which could be blitzed by Russia in a nuclear strike – including the Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Her message coincided with the Nato summit in Madrid – the location of which was also "targeted".
She said: "With greetings to the participants of the Nato summit of a bloc openly hostile to Russia.
"Look at the screen but do not be afraid, please.
"The Russian Space Agency published satellite images and exact coordinates of what we call the 'decision-making centres' of Western countries.
"And the venue of the summit in Madrid, where Russia is declared the worst enemy."
- Louis Allwood
Russia makes claims about the shopping centre attack
Following the missile strike on a packed shopping centre in Ukraine multiple false stories were spread.
Russian Telegram channels and Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations were just some that spread unproven claims.
They included rumours that the attack was “false” or “staged”.
On Tuesday, Russia’s defence ministry released a statement claiming the shopping centre was “non-functioning” and that the bombing of a nearby ammunitions dump sparked a secondary fire at the centre.
Those claims were flatly denied by Ukrainian officials.
- Louis Allwood
What tennis stars are missing Wimbledon due to the Russian ban?
World number one Daniil Medvedev will play no part at Wimbledon.
The US Open champion is banned along with all players who represent Russia.
Aslan Karatsev is excluded from Wimbledon as part of the Russian ban as well as Karen Khachanov.
World number six Aryna Sabalenka, a national of Belarus, is the highest ranked WTA player to be banned from Wimbledon.
Though a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has been banned due to her Belarussian nationality.
- Louis Allwood
Ukraine can continue to count on NATO
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg has said Ukraine could continue counting on Nato's assistance in the face of Russia's invasion for "as long as it takes".
According to Stoltenberg, Ukraine will receive:
- secure communications
- fuel
- medical supplies
- body armour
- equipment to counter mines and chemical threats
- hundreds of portable anti-drone systems
NATO door remains open
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg has said at the alliance summit in Madrid that Finland and Sweden are being formally invited to sign up to the 30-member military alliance.
He made it clear that NATO's door has remained open to new joiners.
UK imposes new round of sanctions on Putin allies
Britain is imposing sanctions on Russia’s second richest man and a cousin of President Vladimir Putin in the latest round of measures targeting allies of the Russian leader, the Government has said.
Among those sanctioned are Vladimir Potanin – Russia’s second richest man and owner of the Interross conglomerate – and Mr Putin’s cousin, Anna Tsivileva, who is president of the JSC Kolmar Group coal mining company.
A Government statement said Mr Potanin has continued to amass wealth while backing President Putin’s regime, acquiring Rosbank and shares in Tinkoff Bankonith in the period following the invasion of Ukraine.
Ms Tsivileva’s husband, Sergey Tsivilev, is governor of the coal-rich Kemerovo region and the couple are said to have “significantly benefited” from their relationship with the Russian leader.
The Government said it is also sanctioning a group of Russian individuals and companies for their involvement in repressing civilians and supporting Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria.
A Government spokesman said: “As long as Putin continues his abhorrent assault on Ukraine, we will use sanctions to weaken the Russian war machine.
“Today’s sanctions show that nothing and no-one is off the table, including Putin’s inner circle.”
NATO summit is proof alliance seeks to contain Russia, says Kremlin
Moscow said Wednesday that the NATO summit in Madrid served as proof that the alliance was seeking to contain Russia and that it saw Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids as a “destabilising” factor.
“The summit in Madrid confirms and consolidates this bloc’s policy of aggressive containment of Russia,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, Russian news agencies reported.
“We consider the expansion of the North Atlantic alliance to be a purely destabilising factor in international affairs.”
Ben Wallace says Putin ‘has small man syndrome’
Vladimir Putin has “small man syndrome” and a “macho” view of the world, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.
The Russian leader is a “lunatic”, the Defence Secretary also suggested.
His comments came after Boris Johnson said the Russian leader’s invasion of Ukraine was an example of “toxic masculinity” and a female president would not have made the same mistake.
Mr Wallace told LBC Radio: “Well I certainly think President Putin’s view of himself and the world is a small man syndrome, macho view.”
He added “you rarely hear the phrase small woman syndrome, you always hear small man syndrome”.
“I think he’s certainly got it in spades,” he said.
“But I think the real challenge here is the Russian system’s view that somehow some states are lesser than others, their rights don’t count. If they want to paint themselves into a new history, they seem to think the way to do that is through violence and invasion.
PM claims Putin wouldn’t have started a war ‘if he was a woman’
Boris Johnson has said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have started the “crazy, macho” war in Ukraine if he were a woman.
The Prime Minister also said that while G7 leaders “desperately” want the war in Ukraine to end, there is “no deal available”.
Speaking after the G7 summit in Bavaria, Mr Johnson told German broadcaster ZDF: “If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, but if he were, I really don’t think he would’ve embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has.
“If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, it’s what he’s doing in Ukraine”.
He made the comments arguing that “you need more women in positions of power”.
Mr Johnson also said the G7 meeting had been “incredible” as leaders “got closer and closer”.
“The logic is yes of course people all want the war to end, they want the war to end desperately, but there’s no deal available.
“Putin isn’t making an offer of a deal, (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky can’t make an offer of a deal”.
- Louis Allwood
Britain slaps oligarch Vladimir Potanin with sanctions
Britain announced sanctions on oligarch Vladimir Potanin on Wednesday.
The Government described him as Russia’s second-richest man.
“Potanin continues to amass wealth as he supports Putins regime, acquiring Rosbank, and shares in Tinkoff Bank in the period since Russias invasion of Ukraine,” the government press notice accompanying the announcement said.
- Louis Allwood
Putin still wants to take Ukraine – US intelligence director
The US director of national intelligence claims that Vladimir Putin still wants to take most of Ukraine.
Avril Haines said the situation in Ukraine remains "pretty grim".
Haines expects Putin's military to rely on nuclear weapons to project power.
- Louis Allwood
The more weapons supplied the longer the conflict
According to Reuters Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said the more weapons Western countries supply to Ukraine, the longer the conflict will last.
Speaking on a trip to Turkmenistan, Sergei Lavrov, reportedly echoed earlier claims by Russia’s defence ministry regarding Monday’s fatal attack on a shopping centre.
He reportedly said that its forces were targeting weapons near the centre, which was not in use.
- Louis Allwood
Russia issues chilling warning
Russia has issued chilling warnings about Nato's support for Ukraine, saying it could lead to World War Three.
Last night a TV propagandist dubbed Putin's Iron Doll threatened to nuke Downing Street and the White House.
They were shown in satellite images of "decision-making centres" that would be the first targets.
Nato's headquarters in Brussels and the summit venue in Madrid were also shown as targets on state TV.
Loyal presenter Olga Skabeyeva said: "With greetings to the participants of the Nato summit of a bloc openly hostile to Russia.
"Look at the screen but do not be afraid, please.
"The Russian Space Agency published satellite images and exact coordinates of what we call the 'decision-making centres' of Western countries.
"And the venue of the summit in Madrid, where Russia is declared the worst enemy."
- Louis Allwood
Convince ‘pariah’ Putin to lift evil Black Sea blockade, Ukraine begs Boris Johnson
Ukraine has asked Boris Johnson to do a deal directly with "pariah" Vladimir Putin to lift the crippling grain blockade on the Black Sea, it emerged today.
The Ukrainians have accepted there is no hope of NATO ships breaking the Russian naval embargo off their coast — so want the UK to deploy its diplomatic big guns instead.
More than 25 million tonnes of grain – that helps feed nearly half-a-billion around the world – is currently stuck in the war-torn nation, as the Russians ships closed off their export routes.
Ukrainian MP Alex Goncharenko, who represents the sieged port of Odessa, warned yesterday “time is running out” and there is less than a month to prevent mass rotting of this year’s harvest.
And he says Britain is uniquely placed to force a deal between Russia and Turkey to reopen the trade routes.
He wants the UK to help hammer out a new accord to allow the grain to flow out of the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey.
- Louis Allwood
Putin has 'small man syndrome'
RUSSIAN leader Vladimir Putin has "small man syndrome" and has a "lunatic's" view of the world, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.
The Defence Secretary's comments came after Boris Johnson said Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine was an example of "toxic masculinity" and a female president would not have made the same mistake.
Mr Wallace told LBC Radio: "Well I certainly think President Putin's view of himself and the world is a small man syndrome, macho view."
He added how the public "rarely hear the phrase small woman syndrome, you always hear small man syndrome".
"I think he's certainly got it in spades," he said.
"But I think the real challenge here is the Russian system's view that somehow some states are lesser than others, their rights don't count.
"If they want to paint themselves into a new history, they seem to think the way to do that is through violence and invasion.
"And I think that's something to worry about."
- Louis Allwood
Russia vows to respond to Japanese sanctions
Russia promised on Monday to hit Japan with countermeasures in response to Tokyo’s imposition of sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Japan has joined the West in hitting Russia with an unprecedented package of sanctions in the four months since Russia launched its war against Ukraine.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Tokyo’s latest moves earlier on Monday, including a ban on Russian gold imports, new asset freezes and export bans on a host of Russian individuals and companies.
Russia’s ambassador to Japan slammed the move and blamed Tokyo for destroying relations between the two countries.
Sanctions are “short-sighted and harm Japan itself, especially the business community,” ambassador Mikhail Galuzin said in a statement posted on the Russian embassy’s Facebook page.
“Of course, such an increase in a hostile policy towards Russia will be taken into account by us in our future approach towards Japan and will not go unanswered,” he added.
- Louis Allwood
Ukraine's financial cost of the war
President Zelensky has estimated the monthly cost of defending Ukraine is about $5bn.
During his virtual address to delegates at the Nato summit in Madrid he said: "this is a war for the right to dictate conditions in Europe – for what the future world order will be like".
In order "to stop Russia's ability to pay for the war" Zelensky asked for more sanctions to be placed on Russia.
- Louis Allwood
Captured Brit appeals against death sentence according to Russian news agency
The Interfax news agency reports that a British man has lodged an appeal after being sentenced to a death by a court in a Russian-run area of eastern Ukraine.
Shaun Pinner was captured while serving with the Ukrainian army and tried as a mercenary in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
His family say he should be considered a prisoner of war and describe the trial as illegal.
Pinner's lawyer said she would petition for a pardon if the appeal was rejected, according to the Interfax report.
- Louis Allwood
Putin’s ‘Iron Doll’ threatens to nuke Downing Street
VLADIMIR Putin's so-called Iron Doll has threatened to nuke Downing Street and the White House as Russia releases satellite images of its targets.
In a chilling warning, TV propagandist Olga Skabeyeva shared pictures of "decision-making centres" in the West which could be blitzed by Russia in a nuclear strike – including the Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Her message coincided with the Nato summit in Madrid – the location of which was also "targeted".
She said: "With greetings to the participants of the Nato summit of a bloc openly hostile to Russia.
"Look at the screen but do not be afraid, please.
"The Russian Space Agency published satellite images and exact coordinates of what we call the 'decision-making centres' of Western countries.
"And the venue of the summit in Madrid, where Russia is declared the worst enemy."
- Louis Allwood
Kharkiv being hit ‘hour by hour’ claims mayor
The mayor of Ukraine’s second city has claimed that Kharkiv is being hit with Russian missiles constantly.
“There is a morning bombardment, there is a day bombardment, and there is a night bombardment of the city of Kharkiv. All this comes from the territory of the Russian Federation — from the Belgorod region,” Ihor Terekhov said.
The end goal of these attacks? “exterminating us as a nation,” claims that mayor.
- Louis Allwood
Russia makes claims about the shopping centre attack
Following the missile strike on a packed shopping centre in Ukraine multiple false stories were spread.
Russian Telegram channels and Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations were just some that spread unproven claims.
They included rumours that the attack was “false” or “staged”.
On Tuesday, Russia’s defence ministry released a statement claiming the shopping centre was “non-functioning” and that the bombing of a nearby ammunitions dump sparked a secondary fire at the centre.
Those claims were flatly denied by Ukrainian officials.
- Louis Allwood
What tennis stars are missing Wimbledon due to the Russian ban?
World number one Daniil Medvedev will play no part at Wimbledon.
The US Open champion is banned along with all players who represent Russia.
Aslan Karatsev is excluded from Wimbledon as part of the Russian ban as well as Karen Khachanov.
World number six Aryna Sabalenka, a national of Belarus, is the highest ranked WTA player to be banned from Wimbledon.
Though a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has been banned due to her Belarussian nationality.
- Louis Allwood
Ukraine can continue to count on NATO
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg has said Ukraine could continue counting on Nato's assistance in the face of Russia's invasion for "as long as it takes".
According to Stoltenberg, Ukraine will receive:
- secure communications
- fuel
- medical supplies
- body armour
- equipment to counter mines and chemical threats
- hundreds of portable anti-drone systems
NATO door remains open
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg has said at the alliance summit in Madrid thatFinland and Sweden are being formally invited to sign up to the 30-member military alliance.
He made it clear that NATO's door has remained open to new joiners.
UK imposes new round of sanctions on Putin allies
Britain is imposing sanctions on Russia’s second richest man and a cousin of President Vladimir Putin in the latest round of measures targeting allies of the Russian leader, the Government has said.
Among those sanctioned are Vladimir Potanin – Russia’s second richest man and owner of the Interross conglomerate – and Mr Putin’s cousin, Anna Tsivileva, who is president of the JSC Kolmar Group coal mining company.
A Government statement said Mr Potanin has continued to amass wealth while backing President Putin’s regime, acquiring Rosbank and shares in Tinkoff Bankonith in the period following the invasion of Ukraine.
Ms Tsivileva’s husband, Sergey Tsivilev, is governor of the coal-rich Kemerovo region and the couple are said to have “significantly benefited” from their relationship with the Russian leader.
The Government said it is also sanctioning a group of Russian individuals and companies for their involvement in repressing civilians and supporting Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria.
A Government spokesman said: “As long as Putin continues his abhorrent assault on Ukraine, we will use sanctions to weaken the Russian war machine.
“Today’s sanctions show that nothing and no-one is off the table, including Putin’s inner circle.”
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