Events in Russia

[Voyageur]

I can still hear my History teacher talking about the German tanks rolling through the Danzig Corridor into Poland.

Yes, after years and years of learning (lies), from the American Civil War, WWI & WWII and wars on either side, unlearning became a greater task, and it's not done by a long shot.

As for WWII (with emphasis on Poland that Thorbiorn brought out), here is the studied Michael Jabara Carley - Prof of history at the Université de Montréal (although it leads off with the Canadian Prime Minister, young Justin, it is looking at Litvinov, a look at Molotov-Ribbentrop, France, Britain, America, Poland (et cetera) and Germany:

The Canadian Prime Minister Needs a History Lesson

On August 23rd the Canadian Prime Minister’s office issued a statement to remember the so-called “black ribbon day,” a bogus holiday established in 2008-2009 by…

www.strategic-culture.org

snip:

The Soviet Union also tried to improve relations with Poland. Here too Soviet diplomats failed when the Polish government signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany in January 1934. The Polish elite never hid its preference for a rapprochement with Germany rather than for better relations with the USSR. The Poles became spoilers of collective security sabotaging Soviet attempts to organise an anti-German entente. They were at their worst in 1938 as Nazi accomplices in the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia before they became victims of Nazi aggression in 1939. Soviet diplomats repeatedly warned their Polish counterparts that Poland was headed to its doom if it did not change policy. Germany would turn on them and crush them when the time was right. The Poles laughed at such warnings, dismissed them out of hand. Russians are “barbarians”, they said, the Germans, a “civilised” people. The choice between the two was easy to make.

Let me be clear here. The archival evidence leaves no doubts, the Soviet government offered collective security and mutual assistance to France, Britain, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, even fascist Italy, and in every case their offers were rejected, indeed spurned contemptuously in the case of Poland, the great spoiler of collective security in the lead-up to war in 1939. In the United States, the State Department sabotaged improving relations with Moscow. In the autumn of 1936, all Soviet efforts for mutual assistance had failed, and the USSR found itself isolated. No one wanted to ally with Moscow against Nazi Germany; all the above mentioned European powers conducted negotiations with Berlin to lure the wolf away from their doors. Yes, even the Czechoslovaks. The idea, both stated and unstated, was to turn Hitler’s ambitions eastward against the USSR.

Then came the Munich betrayal in September 1938. Britain and France sold out the Czechoslovaks to Germany. “Peace in our time,” Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister, declared. Czechoslovakia was dismembered to buy “peace” for France and Britain. Poland got a modest share of the booty as part of the dirty deal. “Jackals,” Winston Churchill called the Poles. In February 1939 the Manchester Guardian called Munich, selling out your friends to buy off your enemies. That description is apt.

In 1939 there was one last chance to conclude an Anglo-Franco-Soviet pact of mutual assistance against Nazi Germany. I call it the “alliance that never was”. In April 1939 the Soviet government offered France and Britain a political and military alliance against Nazi Germany. The terms of the alliance proposal were submitted on paper to Paris and London. In the spring of 1939 war looked inevitable. Rump Czechoslovakia had disappeared in March, gobbled up by the Wehrmacht without a shot fired. Later that month Hitler claimed the German populated Lithuanian city of Memel. In April a Gallup poll in Britain showed massive popular support for a Soviet alliance. In France too public opinion backed an alliance with Moscow. Churchill, then a Conservative backbencher, declared in the House of Commons that without the USSR there could be no successful resistance against Nazi aggression.

Logically, you would think that the French and British governments would have seized Soviet offers with both hands. It did not happen. The Foreign Office rejected the Soviet alliance proposal with the French grudgingly trailing behind. Litvinov was sacked as commissar and replaced by Viacheslav M. Molotov, Stalin’s right arm. For a time Soviet policy continued unchanged. In May Molotov sent a message to Warsaw that the Soviet government would support Poland against German aggression if so desired. Incredible as it may seem, on the very next day, the Poles declined Molotov’s proffered hand.

 

[Kmicic]

If something will be not clear - sorry for that, it would be because my level of english skills.

Kmicic. Forgive me if I have misunderstood your meaning above. The information is interesting as you say but it is also the devastating truth of millions of lives lost and examples of idiotic decisions taken by irresponsible individuals at THAT time.

The information is interesting also because irresponsible individuals in Europe, at THIS time, are trying to change the details of the truth. They are trying to create a lie and alter the details of history. Poland and others will say this but Putin is stating facts.



I've read your comment as being flippant and if I am wrong I do apologise.

If I may I would say something else: We don't really know what is true about WWII. In every country there is truth and lies about that time and in every country were bad people. First thing of Europe history that we should consider before WWII is that almost every country loved Hitler. He was the hero of that times - Man who taked his country from hunger and dispair to golden age. In my opinion the WWII is the effect of WWI and things that France, England and USA done with the defeated and new countries. Germans suffer a lot, I know that they are "bad" becose everyone will say that they started WWI but that is much more complicated and many were guilty of it not only Germany. After WWI they take punishment for this. That punishment was something terrible even from perspective of being "bad". Simple people suffer hunger, pain and dispair, for what? They only fight for their country as every one else. Here is the moment when Hitler came and say that they need to fight, and he take everything in few years. Not becuse people there were bad. I think that was becose they try to live like good people with democracy but only thing they gate is being slaves and puppets of France and England. Their anger grown and after few years they don't want to be good-suffer they want revenge becose Hitler say them that they could have revenege and they should do this to be free from suffer. They give everything to him and he gives them food, peace and money taking their freedom. In every country there were shamed people who only wants power and money. When we take that in account we will see that being fun of Hitler is something usuall in that time.
I think that we must see as much truth as we can e.g. every one will agree that Hitler was bad guy and Stalin was bad guy but If I will say that Churchill hates people from India almoust as much as Hitler hates jews will you agree? Will you agree with me when I will say that decisions of Churchill killed milions of innocent people? If no, we must consider that it could be truth:

Churchill's policies contributed to 1943 Bengal famine – study

Study is first time weather data has been used argue wartime policies exacerbated famine

www.theguardian.com

If I will say that Russia cooperated with Germany from 1922 giving them secret places when they could build again their military strenght will you believe in it? If no, we must also consider that it could be truth:

Sowing the Wind: The First Soviet-German Military Pact and the Origins of World War II

Before dawn on June 22, 1941, German bombers began to rain destruction down on a swath of Soviet cities from Leningrad to Sevastopol. It was the beginning

warontherocks.com

If I will say that Poland want to attack Hitler before WWII but France didn't want to listen to it will you believe in it? No? But it could be truth:

First strike: how the Poles wanted to launch a ‘preventive war’ against Hitler’s Germany

Professor Marek Kornat from the history institute at the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University explains how Poland wanted to contain Hitler.

www.thefirstnews.com

Worst thing in history is that when someone say "I know the truth" but what is the truth? Maybe we never will knew the truth.

If I may I would like also to explain myself when I said "that would be sad". To make it simply in my opinion Polish government was stupid before WWII and is stupid today that is something clear. I'm living in Poland, and I heard about real people, that lived in WWII and WWI what they saw and feel. First after WWI Trotsky created Red Army and want spread revolution to the Europ using those soldiers. They lost to Polish soldiers when Poland was just reborn. I don't want to consider political things here but focus on just people relation and people says that Russian were like animals, they killed people like animals, raping womens and other things like that. In WWII people who saw it says that German soldiers vere bad but not every but especially they got discipline on the other hands there were Russian forces: Regular front soldiers were almoust like Germany soldiers they sometimes kill someone but they got discipline. They were almoust nice for people but after them the truth nightmare come to people. Rest of millitary forces from Russia and Ukraine came were like animals, they tortured adults and children, killing people like animals and raped almoust every girl that they saw. Some people even say that almoust 3/4 Polish women were raped.
In history almoust every nation attack every other nations. There is no one without guilty. I understand why Polish people could hate Russians and why Russians could hate Polish people. Arguing about what one insignificant man in the political arena say is sad. It's also sad how now Polish goverment treat Russia. In perspective of that and considering Putin as the heir to Caesar for me it would be very sad If he truly wants to arguing with those unconscious people from Poland about things like that.
When I was in the middle school I read a lot of about Europe history. If my information aren't true then sorry for my point of view. In that case I were just simply mistaken.

 

[Tuatha de Danaan]

If something will be not clear - sorry for that, it would be because my level of english skills.

Kmicic, Your English skills are wonderful and I'm full of admiration. I also agree fully with your descriptions of the tragic sufferings of ordinary humanity over all those years.

I was in no way referring to the ordinary man but the details from Official Archives. My argument being that European Leaders were attempting to alter facts in the face of Russian Official Records. Of course, Russia may be altering facts as well, but Putin has held the high ground for so long he doesn't seem to be afraid to acknowledge both Russia's and Europe's actions from those days. Hope I've explained myself.

 

[Kmicic]

Tuatha de Danaan, thank you for warm words. I'm very happy that we could understand each other

 

[thorbiorn]

Here are some of the maps and drawings available if one searches for "военные планы НАТО" (military plans NATO).

I first found NATO Had Only 1 Cold War Plan To Stop a Russian Invasion: Nuclear War

The RAND wargame suggests that Russia could take the Baltics, and perhaps hold them, for a while. Moscow would begin to pay costs very early in any conflict, however, as NATO forces moved against Kaliningrad, Transnistria and other Russian holdings. The Russian Navy would likely come under severe attack from NATO submarines and aircraft. Long range strikes would debilitate much of the rest of Russia’s air force and air defense network. In short, Russia could grab the Baltics, but only at a cost vastly in excess of the value of holding onto them. This is how NATO conducted deterrence in 1949, and it’s how NATO does deterrence today.

Robert Farley, a frequent contributor to the National Interest, is author of The Battleship Book.

Nuclear War or nothing? That was quite a plan, eventually there appeared some conventional elements.

After using the search words mentioned in the first sentence, "военные планы НАТО" I found a few pictures:
A picture of how NATO has developed since 1949. This gives and idea although there may be better maps, but it is useful to have the flags too.

From the Russian perspective there are a number of drawings of how NATO could use it force in case of a conventional war:
March 2014

НАТО — Россия. 8:0 по инспекциям

Сколько негативных высказываний в адрес России из уст представителей НАТО мы услышали с того момента, как Россия открыто заявила,

magspace.ru

The above when one zooms out:

The following explains that Kaliningrad is surrounded.
ПРЕДРОЖДЕСТВЕНСКИЙ ПОДАРОК | Клайпедская ассоциация published by a Kaliningrad association November 18, 2016.


Below there are many more details Published April 13, 2017 У границы ходит НАТО, ищет нашего солдата - Союзное Вече

And from Эскалация военно-политической напряжённости: Россия создает новые дивизии для противодействия НАТО This could be a NATO map as it is in English:

27 october 2019 Komsomolskaya Pravda published an alleged American plan to take Kaliningrad. (No surprise really). The picture below needs interpretation, which maybe can be found in the article from where the illustration came, but the idea is clear.
Американцы опубликовали план захвата Калининградской области Польшей и США

If any of the above appears similar to the history book, then below is an illustration of the plan to take the Soviet Union, Barbarossa.

It did not go that far: L'opération Barbarossa (Juin 1941), le choc des titans The plan was to go to the Ural mountains

And now? It is a bit more modern:

And that was only a part of what is available, but considering that it is 75 years ago, WWII ended and 79 since Barbarossa it can be useful to see how far it has come since then.

 

[Tuatha de Danaan]

Isn't it shocking to look at such maps and think of all the minds who gleeishly ( such a word ?) planned and co-ordinated such schemes. It really is hard to grasp that x miles away from me people are still doing the same. I feel I want to go back to sleep sometimes but it's too late for that now.

Thank you for a peek at those scary death charts. I like the Russian HATO. Only need to change one little letter.!

 

[angelburst29]

Here are some of the maps and drawings available if one searches for "военные планы НАТО" (military plans NATO).

NATO's website and current affairs: https://www.nato.int/

Doorstep by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at EU Foreign Affairs Council, 10 JAN 2020

Published on Jan 10, 2020 (6:59 min.)

I'm wondering now, if the senseless and unprovoked assassination's of Iran’s elite Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, along with Senior leaders of the Iraqi Shia militia, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on January 3rd, was the kick-start of NATO's 2020 Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF)?

Iran blasts NATO chief for justifying US assassination of Gen. Soleimani
Iran blasts NATO chief for justifying US assassination of Gen. Soleimani

Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Sergey Lavrov stressed that targeted actions by a UN member state to eliminate officials of another UN member state, and on the territory of a third sovereign country without its knowledge grossly violate the principles of international law and deserve condemnation.

Hitler's plans didn't die with him - they live on and manifest through NATO?

NATO: 70 years in 70 seconds

Published on Dec 3, 2019 (1:17 min.)
For 70 years, the bond between Europe and North America has made NATO the strongest alliance in history. We are a partnership of people, bound by shared history, values and goals. Together we work to prevent conflict and preserve peace for nearly one billion people. Our solemn commitment to each other is that an attack against one Ally is an attack against us all.

As for WWII (with emphasis on Poland that Thorbiorn brought out), ...

This is Poland's current position in International affairs ....

Poland takes charge of NATO high readiness force
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_172334.htm

The Polish army will take the lead of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) on Wednesday (1 January 2020), placing thousands of soldiers on standby and ready to deploy within days. Poland takes over from Germany, which provided the core of the VJTF’s land forces in 2019.

I thank Poland for leading NATO’s high readiness forces this year”, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, “The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, our Spearhead Force, is a substantial contribution to our collective defence and a strong display of Poland’s capabilities. This force is available to move immediately to defend any Ally against any threat. At a time of unprecedented security challenges, it is more important than ever”, the Secretary General added.

The core of the VJTF in 2020 will be Poland’s 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade, supported by units from Poland’s 12th Mechanized Division, the 3rd Transport Aviation Wing, Military Police, as well as logistics experts and Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (C-CBRN) specialists. Around 6,000 soldiers will serve on the Spearhead Force, including around 3,000 from Poland.

Units from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Turkey and the United Kingdom will also serve on the force. The United States stands ready to support the VJTF with airpower and other combat support.

The VJTF is made up of land, air, maritime and special forces, and is part of the Alliance’s 40,000-strong NATO Response Force. Exercise Trident Jupiter 19, which took place in November 2019, certified the forces and commands for the 2020 NATO Response Force. NATO’s Joint Force Command in Brunssum has command of the NRF in 2020. NATO heads of state and government agreed to create the VJTF at the Wales Summit in 2014 in response to a changed security environment, including Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and turmoil in the Middle East. Turkey will lead the VJTF’s land forces in 2021.

~~~
Israel's Netanyahu and NATO ... Any doubts on who was behind and orchestrated Qassem Soleiman assassination? It wasn't Trump!

December 2, 2019 - Netanyahu to Pressure NATO Leaders on Iran
Netanyahu to Pressure NATO Leaders on Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to head to London on Tuesday, where he will meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of the NATO summit, according to Israel’s Channel 13 news station.

Netanyahu last met with Pompeo this past October during the Secretary’s visit to Jerusalem. But the prime minister is really planning to spend the next two days pressuring European leaders about Iran, and about Iran’s recent increased violations of commitment made by Tehran in the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal with world leaders.

Netanyahu has not been invited to the NATO summit, since Israel is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which holds its two-day conference for member heads of state government from Dec. 3-4, 2019.

Netanyahu cancels visit to NATO summit in London, citing ‘logistical problems’
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-cancels-visit-to-nato-summit-in-london-citing-logistical-problems/

Israel prepares for WAR?

U.S. senators back bill to provide $3.3 billion for Israel

January 9, 2020 - Israel Successfully Raises $3 Billion in US Dollar Bond Issue
Israel Successfully Raises $3 Billion in US Dollar Bond Issue

Israel completed a successful bond issue on Wednesday, selling $3 billion worth of government bonds, despite the government’s large budgetary deficit and prolonged political gridlock.

Israel’s Treasury issued $2 billion worth of 30-year bonds at 3.375%, or 115 basis points more than comparable US Treasury bonds, and an additional $1 billion worth of 10-year bonds at 2.5%, or 68 basis points above the US Treasury’s rates.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Finance, the bond offering was met with record demand, amounting to approximately $20 billion, almost seven times more than the total bonds offered.

 

[youlik]

Kmicic. Forgive me if I have misunderstood your meaning above. The information is interesting as you say but it is also the devastating truth of millions of lives lost and examples of idiotic decisions taken by irresponsible individuals at THAT time.
The information is interesting also because irresponsible individuals in Europe, at THIS time, are trying to change the details of the truth. They are trying to create a lie and alter the details of history. Poland and others will say this but Putin is stating facts.

I've read your comment as being flippant and if I am wrong I do apologise.

Большое спасибо Tuatha de Danaan за столь взвешенный, выдержанный комментарий. Я, признаюсь, был взбешен постом Kmicic и с трудом удержался, чтоб не наговорить гадостей. Также огромная благодарность thorbiorn и angelburst29 за труд подобрать и опубликовать документы. Так же с нетерпением жду опубликования статьи, которую обещал написать Путин.

Translation
Many thanks to Tuatha de Danaan for such a balanced, sustained comment. I confess that I was enraged by post Kmicic and could hardly refrain from saying something nasty. Also, a huge thank you to thorbiorn and angelburst29 for the work to select and publish documents. I also look forward to the publication of the article that Putin promised to write.

 

[thorbiorn]

Isn't it shocking to look at such maps and think of all the minds who gleeishly ( such a word ?) planned and co-ordinated such schemes.

This is Poland's current position in International affairs ....

Poland takes charge of NATO high readiness force
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_172334.htm

Is it a coincidence that Poland shows up again?
I'm asking because I found the maps after reading a news article about a Polish spy that had Danish citizenship and worked freely in Denmark during the Cold War. I wrote about this period and this case in another thread. Below is a attached a more complete version of the map of which the Danish news article only showed a part. With Poland being in charge of NATO high readiness force, one could imagine the arrows of the old map haver changed directions. Although that change of policy is not solely the responsibility of Poland, Poland has done little to reduce the tension, rather on the contrary. That said we may hope that sanity prevails, even in case of misunderstandings and mistakes.

 

[youlik]

11 ЯНВ, 19:17
"Северный поток - 2" и ситуация в Иране. Заявления Путина и Меркель на пресс-конференции


Translation

11 JAN, 19: 17
Nord stream 2 and the situation in Iran. Statements by Putin and Merkel at a press conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, following which they gave a joint conference. The leaders answered questions about Nord stream 2, the settlement in Libya and the situation around the Iranian nuclear deal.

TASS collected the main statements made by Putin and Merkel.

About Nord stream-2 and economic relations
Merkel said that Germany does not support us extraterritorial sanctions aimed at participants of the "Nord stream - 2". According to her, Germany does not see a unilateral dependence on Russia for gas supplies.
Putin has no doubt that Russia will be able to complete the "Nord stream-2" on its own and the gas pipeline will work. At the same time, he admitted that the completion of construction will be forced to be postponed for several months.
Putin hopes that the gas pipeline will be operational by the end of 2020 or in the first quarter of next year.
Merkel noted that Berlin and Moscow are actively supporting economic relations, despite the sanctions.
On the situation in Libya
Putin said that if there are mercenaries from the Russian Federation in Libya, they do not represent the interests of the Russian state and do not receive money from it.
Putin expects that the parties to the Libyan conflict will listen to the call of Moscow and Ankara for a ceasefire from midnight on January 12.
The Russian leader is also concerned that a large number of mercenaries have been transferred to Libya from the Idlib zone in Syria. According to his assessment, " this is a very dangerous process."
Putin supported Germany's initiative to hold an international conference on Libya in Berlin.
The Russian President noted that the situation in Libya undermines stability in the region and has a negative projection on Europe.
about Iran
Germany and Russia are convinced of the need to maintain the Joint comprehensive plan of action on Iran's nuclear program (JCPOA). "Germany is convinced that Iran should not get access to nuclear weapons and therefore we will use all diplomatic means to ensure that this agreement, which, of course, is not ideal, is preserved," Merkel said.
Speaking about the crash with the Ukrainian Boeing, Merkel called Iran's recognition of the firing of the liner "an important step". She called it a " dramatic event."
On the situation in the middle East
Putin expressed the hope that large-scale military actions in the middle East will not come, otherwise it will turn into a disaster for the whole world. In his opinion, this will lead, in particular, to new large-scale flows of refugees, not only to Europe, but also to other regions. "This is just a humanitarian disaster, an inter-religious disaster, an economic disaster. Because it will lead to destruction or huge damage to the world economy and world energy, " the Russian President said.
About the crisis in Ukraine
As Putin noted, both Russia and Germany agree that "the Minsk agreements remain an uncontested basis for normalizing the situation in the South-East of Ukraine."
On the settlement in Syria
"Russia and Germany share the view that the conflict in Syria can be finally resolved exclusively by political means, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2254," Putin said.
The Russian leader stressed that " it is necessary to unite the efforts of all responsible members of the world community to help the Syrian state authorities, Syrians in the broadest sense of the word to restore infrastructure, water and electricity, hospitals, schools."
At the same time, Putin pointed out that " any assistance to Syria should be provided in coordination with the legitimate authorities and spread to all affected territories, without any preconditions and politicization."

"Северный поток - 2" и ситуация в Иране. Заявления Путина и Меркель на пресс-конференции

 

[thorbiorn]

Japan ‘didn’t convince’ Moscow that US Aegis Ashore missiles would be deployed only for defense – Russian deputy FM

Tokyo has failed to convince Moscow that it intends to deploy US Aegis Ashore missile systems on its territory solely for defensive purposes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Friday.

www.rt.com

Tokyo has failed to convince Moscow that it intends to deploy US Aegis Ashore missile systems on its territory solely for defensive purposes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Friday. He made the statement after talks with his Japanese counterpart Takeo Mori. The diplomats held their meeting as part of the 11th round of the Russia-Japan strategic dialogue in Tokyo.

“We don’t believe that the deployment of these systems will serve solely the task of Japan’s defense against hypothetical strikes from North Korea,” TASS quoted the Russian diplomat as saying. “In these systems we see certain potential that may adversely affect the Russian strategic containment arsenal.”

Japan plans to deploy two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in the Yamaguchi Prefecture in the southwest of the country’s main island of Honshu, and in the northern Akita Prefecture by 2023. However, the local authorities have not yet given their consent for the deployment.

Tokyo says the missile defense systems will shield the country’s entire territory from ballistic missile strikes.

 

[angelburst29]

Tokyo has failed to convince Moscow that it intends to deploy US Aegis Ashore missile systems on its territory solely for defensive purposes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Friday.

I don't think, the intention behind the US Aegis Ashore missile systems has anything to do with defending Japan but the Pentagon has it's own interests in mind?

U.S. Army plans to expand Asian security efforts to counter China

The U.S. Army plans to deploy two specialized task forces to the Pacific capable of conducting information, electronic, cyber and missile operations against Beijing, a Pentagon official said on Friday.

The U.S. Navy trying to create another problem at Sea?

Russian navy ship 'aggressively approached' U.S. destroyer in Arabian Sea: U.S. Navy

A Russian navy ship "aggressively approached" a U.S. Navy destroyer in the North Arabian Sea on Thursday, the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet said in a statement on Friday.

Russia denies its ship came dangerously close to U.S. destroyer in Arabian Sea: agencies
Russia denied on Friday that one of its navy vessels had come dangerously close to a U.S. Navy destroyer in the North Arabian Sea the previous day, Russian news agencies cited a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defence as saying.

 

[thorbiorn]

I don't think, the intention behind the US Aegis Ashore missile systems has anything to do with defending Japan but the Pentagon has it's own interests in mind?

You are quite right, that was my though too, in fact I felt no need to say more, but I think now I could have qualified it to avoid misunderstandings. Japan both have its own interests and at the same time it serves the interest of others.
But in spite of Russian disagreements it is happening:

Япония рассчитывает на скорейшее развертывание комплексов ПРО США

Японский министр обороны Таро Коно в ходе посещения Гавайских островов осмотрел установки наземных комплексов ПРО американского производства Aegis Ashore и выступил за их скорейшее развертывание в Японии. Об этом сообщил телеканал NHK.

rueconomics.ru

Japan looks forward to the speedy deployment of missile defense systems USA
7:57 on 14 January 2020
885
Tokyo, Japan

The Minister of defense of Japan stated that the country should as soon as possible to implement the missile defence capability that is able to provide American systems Aegis Ashore. The possibility of these plants allow to protect the whole territory of Japan from the air, said Kono.

It is worth noting that the Aegis Ashore adapted not only for the launches of missiles, but to launch cruise missiles "Tomahawk" with a range of up to 2.5 thousand kilometers with these platforms. Before it drew the attention of the Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov. The diplomat pointed out that Russia does not agree with the position of Japan on the issue of missile defense, which is supposedly related only to the need to protect against the threat of North Korea.

The distance to Pyongyang is minimum around 700 km, the distance to Beijing is minimum around 1500 km. Pentagon thinks probably of both Russia and China, besides Pyongyang.

 

[Aeneas]

After Putin's address to the parliament, in which he called for constitutional changes to limit the power of the president (most likely with a view to the future), the Russian government has resigned. It also looks like Putin wants to avoid people with dual citizenship to play any role in the governing of Russia. Putin no doubt has seen the damage that dual citizenship individuals have done in the US over the last several decades and will avoid that happening in Russia.

PM Medvedev Announces Resignation of Russian Gov't Following Putin's Address to Parliament

The Russian president addressed lawmakers, ministers and other high-ranking officials on Wednesday, with this year's address focusing mostly on domestic politics including social policy and the economy, but also proposals to amend the...

sputniknews.com

PM Medvedev Announces Resignation of Russian Gov't Following Putin's Address to Parliament
© Sputnik / Aleksey Nikolskyi
RUSSIA
16:33 15.01.2020(updated 17:22 15.01.2020)

The Russian president addressed lawmakers, ministers and other high-ranking officials on Wednesday, with this year's address focusing mostly on domestic politics including social policy and the economy, but also proposals to amend the country's basic law.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that the country's government will be resigning.
Speaking to President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, Medvedev said that the president's speech to the Federal Assembly earlier in the day outlined a number of "fundamental changes" to Russia's Constitution.

"These changes, when they are adopted, and in all likelihood this would be done following discussions, as was said, will make significant changes not only to a number of articles of the Constitution, but also to the balance of power as a whole," Medvedev said.

The changes outlined by the president will apply to "the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch," the prime minister continued.

"In this context, it's obvious that we, as the government of the Russian Federation, should provide the president of our country with the opportunity to make all the decisions necessary for this. And in these circumstances, I believe that it's correct that, in accordance with Article 117 of the Constitution, the Russian government in its current composition should resign," Medvedev said.

Putin thanked Medvedev for his work, and urged the prime minister and the cabinet to remain at their posts until a new government could be formed.
Following the formation of the new government, Medvedev is expected to take up the newly created position of deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, a powerful consultative body which advises the president on national security affairs. Medvedev agreed to take up the new post.
Petr Tolstoy, the Russian lower house of parliament's deputy speaker, said that the government's resignation will not affect the implementation of the proposed measures outlined by Putin.
"As for the implementation of the address, I am almost 100 percent certain that today's important changes will not affect the initiatives, because the president's message is a direct appeal to all branches of power, and we will all work to implement it as quickly as possible," the senior lawmaker said.

Putin's Speech to Lawmakers
Earlier Wednesday in his speech to lawmakers, Putin presented a number of proposed changes to Russia's Constitution, including new limits to the president's appointment powers. This includes increased powers to the country's parliament in appointing members of the government, and reduced powers for the president in rejecting candidates. Putin also proposed barring senior officials, including lawmakers, governors, the prime minister and others from being able to hold dual citizenship and foreign residence permits. The proposed amendments also include changes clarifying that Russian laws have priority over international laws in instances where they contradict Russian legislation.
Putin selected Dmitry Medvedev for the post of prime minister in May 2012, and reappointed him in 2018 after beginning his fourth presidential term. Medvedev served as Russia's president between 2008 and 2012, during which time Putin served as prime minister.

 

[angelburst29]

After Putin's address to the parliament, in which he called for constitutional changes to limit the power of the president (most likely with a view to the future), the Russian government has resigned. It also looks like Putin wants to avoid people with dual citizenship to play any role in the governing of Russia. Putin no doubt has seen the damage that dual citizenship individuals have done in the US over the last several decades and will avoid that happening in Russia.

"outlined a number of "fundamental changes" to Russia's Constitution" - In the last 12 months or so and during Putin's recent "Question and Answer" Session, he has hinted about some of these changes he will like to see adopted. Putin has been President or Prime Minister for the last 20 years and has guided Russia to a remarkable recovery. His decisions have always been "for the betterment of Russia" and I see these proposals to the present Constitution, to be in line with past decisions. Besides, Putin has never "acted" on any changes ... without first looking at all angles and what "best" serves the proper purpose. He has a highly professional Staff around him.

Russian government resigns after Putin sets out constitutional shake-up

Russia's government unexpectedly resigned on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes that could allow him to extend his rule.

Russian prime minister and government resign after Putin speech

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that his government was resigning to give President Vladimir Putin room to carry out the changes he wants to make to the constitution.

Putin says he wants Russian law to trump international treaties

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed changing Russia's constitution to give national legislation precedence over international treaties and rulings from international bodies in cases when they contravene Russia's own constitution.

'Our historic duty': Putin plans steps to boost Russia's birth rate
President Vladimir Putin announced measures on Wednesday to boost Russia's birth rate, describing them as vital to the country's future though they are projected to cost at least $6.5 billion this year alone.

Putin to introduce office of Security Council deputy head, appoint Medvedev
Putin to introduce office of Security Council deputy head, appoint Medvedev

© Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS (A MAN with a Vision to the Future!)

The President recalled that Dmitry Medvedev is a former President and has been heading the government for almost eight years.