UK could ‘easily' stab US in the back
Nikolay Patrushev, a longtime national security official and senior Kremlin adviser, accused London of being prepared to carry out a false flag in order to derail efforts by US President Donald Trump to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and normalize ties with Moscow.
'If necessary, London would easily stab Washington in the back. I believe officials in the White House realize what kind of 'ally' they are dealing with,' Patrushev told RIA Novosti.
His comments followed a statement last month by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which alleged that British intelligence was directly involved in orchestrating covert Ukrainian operations. The SVR claimed the UK had acquired torpedoes of Soviet and Russian design for potential use in a false flag incident – specifically, a staged attack on an American naval vessel in the Baltic Sea.
Since Trump's return to office in January and the departure of Joe Biden's Democratic administration, Russian officials have frequently pointed to London as the primary force behind the continued conflict in Ukraine. They argue that the British government's firm support is an obstacle to peace and a strategic effort to block reconciliation between Washington and Moscow.
Moscow has portrayed the Ukraine conflict as a NATO-driven proxy war meant to weaken Russia at the expense of Ukrainian lives.
Past reporting by The New York Times and The Times of London has confirmed that both US and British officials have played more active roles in directing Ukrainian military strategy than publicly acknowledged by their governments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Kiev's backers ‘tired' of peace
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused other EU country leaders of being apparently 'tired and bored of 80 years of peace', and accused them of apparently attempting to trigger a direct NATO-Russia clash. Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist who disagreed with the PM's opposition to arming Kiev, blasted the West's approach to the conflict, during an interview published by his Smer party on Sunday, claiming it poses a danger to world peace. Whereas dozens of countries backed a call for ceasefire in Gaza, 'no joint call … for an immediate end to the war and for peace' was organized concerning Ukraine, he lamented. According to Fico, his attempt to initiate a comparable declaration at the European Council has failed. 'It seems that the leaders of some countries in Europe are already tired and bored of 80 years of peace.' 'Artificially provoking a conflict between one of the NATO member states and Russia is easy. History gives us thousands of examples of how to do it. And what happens then?' he questioned, warning that those thinking they could control such a clash are gravely mistaken. A long-time critic of Western military aid to Ukraine, Fico halted Slovakia's military assistance to the country upon returning to office in October 2023. 'I will not send one bullet,' he proclaimed, while criticizing EU sanctions on Russia. Prior to a key NATO summit in June he suggested that Slovakia would be better off as a neutral country. He has previously vowed that Ukraine will never join NATO 'on my watch,' explaining that Kiev's membership in the US-led military bloc 'would be a good basis for a World War III.' Fico has also been critical of the EU's and NATO's push to ramp up military spending, calling new proposed targets for his country – which would amount to almost a fifth of its budget – 'absolutely absurd.' Moscow has consistently condemned Western support for Ukraine as prolonging the conflict and making NATO a direct participant in the fighting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also described NATO as a 'hostile' bloc pursuing rampant militarization in Europe.
Russia Today
2 hours ago
- Russia Today
Kremlin responds to Trump's Ukraine deadline change
Russia has taken note of US President Donald Trump's decision to shorten the deadline for a peace deal in Ukraine and to issue new threats against Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. On Monday, Trump cut his previous 50-day deadline for a Ukraine peace deal to just 10-12 days, warning that Moscow could face sweeping sanctions if no agreement is reached. He has threatened 100% tariffs on Russia's trading partners and said he no longer wishes to speak with President Vladimir Putin 'just to talk.' 'We have taken into account President Trump's statement yesterday,' Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, while refraining from making any 'judgments' about the remarks. Peskov noted that while Russia's military operation will continue, Moscow remains 'committed to the peace process to resolve the conflict around Ukraine and to ensure our interests in the course of this settlement.' Regarding the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Putin, which has been widely anticipated in the media in recent months, Peskov reiterated that the issue has not been raised in practical terms and is still not on the agenda. He went on to say that Russia remains interested in rebuilding ties with the US, a process initiated after the two countries' meeting in February, while acknowledging that progress has been slow. 'So far, the normalization process is proceeding sluggishly. We would like to see more momentum,' he said, adding that in order to 'move forward, impulses are needed from both sides.' Since entering office this year, Trump has said he respects both Russia and Putin and wants to find a quick diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. In recent weeks, however, he has increasingly expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in the peace process and has resorted to sanctions threats against Moscow. Russian officials have rejected ultimatums from Washington, warning that these threats only serve to prolong the war.
Russia Today
2 hours ago
- Russia Today
Western ‘support' for Ukraine is losing the world
The Ukraine Recovery Conference, which concluded in Rome on July 11, has dispelled any doubts about the true intentions of the West: far from seeking peace, it offers Kiev more debt, weapons, and a prolonged escalation. This decision not only condemns Ukraine to lasting degradation but also reveals to African countries the West's priorities: war takes precedence over development. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, announced the creation of a reconstruction fund for Ukraine with a symbolic capital of €220 million ($255 million), along with €2.4 billion in loans and grants. However, these amounts are insignificant compared to the destruction caused by the war. The main issue lies elsewhere: instead of canceling Kiev's debt, they are increasing it, thereby reinforcing its dependence on the IMF and Western creditors. Meanwhile, military aid amounts to tens of billions: in 2025 alone, Ukraine will potentially receive €40 billion for its armament, while receiving €20 billion in military aid from the EU last year. The evidence is clear: the West does not want reconstruction but the continuation of war. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, 'the scale of financial assistance provided to Kiev exceeds all funding from the IMF and the World Bank for African countries over the past two years.' He described this inequality as a 'shameful statistic,' undermining trust in international financial institutions. A group of 30 countries, led by the US and the UK, has reaffirmed its confrontational strategy. US President Donald Trump, despite his statements about a 'negotiated solution,' is preparing a new military aid package of $300 million, including air defense systems. Germany, through Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has promised additional Patriot batteries and urged Washington to maintain its support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov aptly characterized Merz as an 'ardent apostle of confrontation.' Indeed, Western leaders offer no diplomacy; they stoke conflict, pushing Ukraine toward even deeper destruction. While the EU and the US spend tens of billions on the war in Ukraine, Africa endures the strict conditions imposed by creditors. Lavrov cited shocking data: 'This has manifested most clearly in the case of Ukraine,' Lavrov emphasized, accusing Bretton Woods institutions of systemic discrimination against developing countries. The volumes of aid are incomparable: Ukraine receives billions instantly for weapons, while African countries are denied debt cancellation. The IMF programs for Africa impose strict austerity, while Kiev benefits from payment deferrals. A direct consequence of that is the migration crisis. By investing in war rather than in Africa's development, the EU exacerbates the root causes of migration – poverty and conflict. Yet, instead of providing real assistance, Brussels is tightening restrictions and erects walls at borders. Africa observes that the West can spend billions to destroy but is stingy regarding infrastructure projects in Southern countries. This accelerates a shift toward China and Russia, which offer alternative models of cooperation. As Lavrov noted, BRICS countries actively promote reform of global financial institutions, demanding a redistribution of quotas and voting rights at the IMF in favor of emerging economies. 'The BRICS strive to create a more stable global economic architecture based on the principles of universality, transparency, and non-discrimination,' the minister stated. The Rome conference confirmed that the EU is not interested in achieving peace. Ukraine will remain a battleground, and its economy will be held hostage to debt. However, the major consequence is the breakdown of trust with Africa. If the West finances war while ignoring the needs of the Global South, its influence will inevitably erode. Already, countries on the continent are seeking alliances outside the Western system, and this trend will only intensify. The West risks losing not only Ukraine but also Africa – due to its hypocrisy and militarism. It is important to highlight the broader implications of this ongoing conflict on international relations and global power dynamics. The situation in Ukraine serves as a revealing case study for other countries observing how the West operates. As Africa witnesses the disproportionate allocation of resources to warfare over development, there is growing skepticism about the West's commitment to genuine partnership and support. Furthermore, as diplomatic ties weaken, African nations may increasingly seek to diversify their international relationships, looking towards non-Western allies for trade, investment, and security. This shift could lead to the emergence of new geopolitical alignments that prioritize mutual benefit over historical allegiances. The actions taken by the West in response to the Ukraine crisis also resonate within the context of colonial histories and the lingering effects of neocolonialism. Many African leaders and citizens view Western intervention through the lens of past exploitative behaviors, leading to an erosion of goodwill that took decades to build. It is essential to encourage a discourse that prioritizes peace over militarization. Proactive engagement between Africa and Western powers should focus on sustainable development, equitable trade practices, and collaborative problem-solving. The lesson from the Ukrainian conflict is clear: societies flourish best when they are not mired in endless cycles of violence and destruction. Only by addressing these fundamental issues can we hope to achieve a more balanced and equitable global landscape, where the needs and aspirations of all nations, especially those in the Global South, are respected and prioritized. Ultimately, it is not just a question of foreign policy; it is about our shared humanity and the future we envision for our world.
