Latest news with #RussianTV
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Russia issues chilling nuclear WW3 threat to Brits – 'the time will come'
Major-General Nikolay Plotnikov was speaking on Russian state TV claiming that the success of Ukraine's missile and drone strikes was due to targeting data supplied by the UK Britain should be Russia's number one target if World War Three kicks off due to our success in thwarting Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine, a general has claimed. Reservist Major-General Nikolay Plotnikov was speaking on Russian state TV claiming that the success of Ukraine's missile and drone strikes was due to targeting data supplied by the UK. He claimed this intervention meant Brits were a legitimate target in any forthcoming war. Mr Plotnikov holds a succession of British prime ministers responsible for helping to stop Putin's bid to take over Ukraine - including Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, as well as Rishi Sunak and now Sir Keir Starmer. He even wants Russian law enforcement to open criminal cases against the British politicians. Tank commander general Plotnikov told Russian TV: 'The British are inputting data into [Ukraine's] missile control units. This tandem [Britain and France] is responsible for the massive drone strike on Russia on 7 May.' On that day, Russia claimed it had intercepted 524 drones, but others evidently evaded air defences and struck military targets. Russian sources claimed five Neptune missiles, six JDAM bombs and two HIMARS rockets were also downed. Mr Plotnikov added: 'That's why there are already so many criminal cases piling up against Macron and all the UK prime ministers. They should all be put in the dock. And Liz Truss. 'And that shaggy-haired….[Boris] Johnson and all the rest of them. Because what the British and French intelligence services and military are doing has caused a lot of damage to our people, a lot of people have died.' TV host and Putin's leading TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov demanded a strike on Britain with Poseidon high speed atomic underwater drones - or Sarmat, the Satan-2, giant 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph nuclear weapon, the size of a 14-storey tower block. 'It will be possible to do that,' said the general. 'The time will come, I think the time will come, yes.' Mr Solovyov - whose propaganda themes are choreographed by the Kremlin which pays for his TV show - said he would deploy both Poseidon and Sarmat. The demands are the latest from Putin's deluded evangelists that Britain is to blame for their woes in a war where they have failed in the aim of fully invading Ukraine.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Trump DC attorney pick Ed Martin's nomination in peril after rare Republican opposition
Trump DC attorney pick Ed Martin's nomination in peril after rare Republican opposition Show Caption Hide Caption A timeline how the Capitol attack unfolded on January 6, 2021 Here's what took place on January 6, 2021, as insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol. President Donald Trump's nomination of a lawyer who has valorized Jan. 6 Capitol attackers to be the top federal prosecutor in the nation's capital has hit a roadblock due to rare opposition from a Republican senator. Trump appointed Ed Martin as interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20, and Martin has been reshaping the powerful D.C. prosecutorial office since then: The staunch Trump ally has fired many prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6-related cases and launched probes into prominent Democrats. On Monday, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) failed to list Martin's nomination on the committee's agenda for its upcoming meeting May 8. The omission came as Republican support for Martin appeared to wobble. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a committee member, said Tuesday that he decided not to support the nomination due to Martin's positions on Jan. 6-related defendants. "If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a US attorney for any district except the district where January 6th happened, the protest happened, I'd probably support him, but not in this district," Tillis told reporters Tuesday. Given committee rules that allow any member to delay procedures one week, Martin's absence from the committee's agenda means the nomination is unlikely to be able to move out of committee for a full Senate vote by May 20, when Martin's interim role expires. A spokesperson for Grassley didn't immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment, including on whether Martin was missing from the agenda because he lacks sufficient Republican support. Martin has also drawn criticism for his frequent appearances on Russian TV, which he initially omitted from disclosures to the judiciary committee, and for quickly launching probes into prominent Democrats since becoming beginning his interim role. Tillis said Tuesday the White House could still pursue avenues for confirming Martin, but that he told White House officials he won't support the nomination. Following Tillis' comments Tuesday, the White House indicated it was sticking by Martin. "Ed Martin is a fantastic U.S. Attorney for D.C. and will continue to implement the President's law-and-order agenda in Washington. He is the right man for the job and we look forward to his confirmation," White House Principal Deputy Communications Director Alex Pfeiffer told USA TODAY in a statement. Here's a look at why Martin's nomination has stewed growing controversy: Championing Jan. 6 defendants On Jan. 6, 2021, Martin indicated on social media that he was outside the Capitol supporting the efforts to block Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence from counting the presidential electoral votes to certify Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. "Like Mardi Gras in DC today: love, faith and joy. Ignore #FakeNews,' Martin said in a 2:57 p.m post on then-Twitter, that included a photo from the Capitol grounds. That was about an hour after rioters had begun to breach the Capitol. In the years since, Martin has continued to champion Jan. 6 rioters, and represented several defendants in Jan. 6-related cases. "Oath Keepers are all of us," Martin posted months later on June 8, 2021, referring to a far-right militia group whose leaders were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other Jan. 6-related crimes. After Trump granted clemency to the more than 1,500 Jan. 6-related criminal defendants and appointed Martin as interim D.C. U.S. attorney, Martin fired dozens of prosecutors in the office who handled those cases. "He seems to be more of a Trump attack dog fulfilling a retribution agenda than a serious candidate for US attorney — a role where good judgment, a commitment to fairness, and public confidence are essential attributes," wrote former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade in an email. Politicizing prosecutorial office? The U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. has authority to investigate and prosecute crimes within that area, including within the federal government, creating a special risk of political mischief. Since assuming office, Martin has sent letters to several prominent Democrats demanding information as part of a probe. Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Virginia), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) have all received such letters, according to the Washington Post. The letter to Schumer, for instance, suggested Schumer had threatened public officials when he said in 2020 that Supreme Court justices would "pay the price" for releasing "the whirlwind" as they considered an abortion case. The next day, Schumer expressed regret for his words on the Senate floor, and a Schumer aide told Martin the comments weren't a physical threat. Martin also raised eyebrows after his office said he and other U.S. attorneys are lawyers for Trump himself. "As President Trumps' (sic) lawyers, we are proud to fight to protect his leadership," his office posted on X Feb. 25. The comment spurred concerns from rule-of-law-focused organizations. "The U.S. attorneys represent the United States of America and not the president, and he should know that a statement like that, it's just a crystal clear declaration – a confession, really – that he's not fit for this role," said Gregg Nunziata, a former Chief Nominations Counsel to Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans. Nunziata now heads the Society for the Rule of Law, a group of predominantly conservative lawyers focused on rule-of-law issues. Russian TV appearances Martin, who is now heading an office that takes on national security cases in the nation's capital, also appeared more than 150 times on TV networks that are funded and directed by the Russian government from 2016 and 2024, according to a Washington Post analysis. Martin didn't initially disclose those appearances on a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire that asks nominees to list their media interviews, although an aide in his office later said he had disclosed "all of the identified links" in a supplemental letter. In one appearance just nine days before Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, Martin said on Russian state television network RT that there was no evidence of a Russian military buildup at Ukraine's borders. In an appearance on Sputnik the following month, Martin urged a stronger U.S. alliance with Russia. 'What Trump knew was you want to be allies with the toughest dudes on the street. And he was ready to be allies with North Korea and with Putin and everybody," Martin said, according to the Washington Post. The Justice Department, which includes Martin's U.S. attorney office, referred USA TODAY to the White House when asked for comment, including on whether Martin was paid for the Bart Jansen and Riley Beggin – USA TODAY
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
View from Russia: Moscow celebrates Trump-Putin call as step towards normalising relations
Donald Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin has been hailed by politicians and commentators in Moscow as a success, and a step towards normalising relations between the two superpowers. The leaders spoke for 90 minutes on Wednesday in a call the Kremlin described as 'very important', discussing a path to peace in the war in Ukraine. Dmitriy Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said: 'The current (US) administration, as we understand it, holds the view that everything should be done to stop the war and achieve peace.' Leonid Slutsky, the head of the international committee at the Russian State Duma, said the phone call 'has broken through the anti-Russian blockade of the West and launched the process of defrosting Russian-American contacts'. It was noted that the two leaders had invited each other to visit their countries. However, they are more likely to meet in a third country, such as Saudi Arabia. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's powerful security council, argued the call proved that any Western hopes of defeating Russia would never be achieved. 'There is not and cannot be a main country and a senior ruler of the planet,' Medvedev said. 'This lesson should be learned by the arrogant American elites.' Medvedev, the Kremlin's hawkish mouthpiece, blamed Joe Biden's administration for leading the world to the 'brink of apocalypse'. It was the US who unilaterally decided to be the 'country-in-chief on our planet' and began a 'hybrid war against our people', he added. Medvedev, a former president of Russia, said none of the US leaders of the past tried to sanction Soviet leaders during crises and that they 'kept lines of communication open'. He added: 'It is impossible to bring us to our knees. And the sooner our opponents realise this, the better.' Vladimir Solovyov, Putin's chief propagandist on Russian TV, also celebrated the call during his show on Wednesday, saying it ended the 'narrative' about Russian isolation. Opening the programme, Solovyov said Mr Trump did not mention anything about Russia being aggressive, provocative, or unjust. He added the US president did not mention 'anything scary or anything about military criminals', and that he spoke very respectfully and calmly. Russia-US relations hit rock bottom in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, and the US implemented economic and personal sanctions in response to Russia's actions. Mr Biden refused to talk with Putin, saying he had 'no good reason' to. Peskov, however, noted that the Trump settlement's future is unclear unless the 'first results of the joint work' are seen. On Thursday, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, said the work would be continued at the level of the heads of the state agencies, including law enforcement and special services. 'The order has been given,' Naryshkin said. On Wednesday, Russia released an American schoolteacher, Marc Fogel, who had spent three years in custody. The White House said that, in exchange, it would release Alexander Vinnik, a Russian Bitcoin criminal. According to reports, the prisoner swap included three other people who Belarus must free. It has been described by analysts as a goodwill gesture, laying the ground for cooperation. The excitement in the parliament and the media was not shared by Mikhail Zvinchuk, a pro-war blogger known as Rybar, who is wanted in the US with a $10 million reward for his capture. Zvinchuk pointed out that the sides' positions are different, and it is too early to be confident about the meeting between the leaders. 'The outcome of the possible negotiations will be determined by the sides' capabilities to continue the combat operations,' said Zvinchuk. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
View from Russia: Moscow celebrates Trump-Putin call as step towards normalising relations
Donald Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin has been hailed by politicians and commentators in Moscow as a success, and a step towards normalising relations between the two superpowers. The leaders spoke for 90 minutes on Wednesday in a call the Kremlin described as 'very important', discussing a path to peace in the war in Ukraine. Dmitriy Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said: 'The current (US) administration, as we understand it, holds the view that everything should be done to stop the war and achieve peace.' Leonid Slutsky, the head of the international committee at the Russian State Duma, said the phone call 'has broken through the anti-Russian blockade of the West and launched the process of defrosting Russian-American contacts'. It was noted that the two leaders had invited each other to visit their countries. However, they are more likely to meet in a third country, such as Saudi Arabia. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's powerful security council, argued the call proved that any Western hopes of defeating Russia would never be achieved. 'There is not and cannot be a main country and a senior ruler of the planet,' Medvedev said. 'This lesson should be learned by the arrogant American elites.' Medvedev, the Kremlin's hawkish mouthpiece, blamed Joe Biden's administration for leading the world to the 'brink of apocalypse'. It was the US who unilaterally decided to be the 'country-in-chief on our planet' and began a 'hybrid war against our people', he added. 'Impossible to bring us to our knees' Medvedev, a former president of Russia, said none of the US leaders of the past tried to sanction Soviet leaders during crises and that they 'kept lines of communication open'. He added: 'It is impossible to bring us to our knees. And the sooner our opponents realise this, the better.' Vladimir Solovyov, Putin's chief propagandist on Russian TV, also celebrated the call during his show on Wednesday, saying it ended the 'narrative' about Russian isolation. Opening the programme, Solovyov said Mr Trump did not mention anything about Russia being aggressive, provocative, or unjust. He added the US president did not mention 'anything scary or anything about military criminals', and that he spoke very respectfully and calmly. Russia-US relations hit rock bottom in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, and the US implemented economic and personal sanctions in response to Russia's actions. Mr Biden refused to talk with Putin, saying he had 'no good reason' to. Peskov, however, noted that the Trump settlement's future is unclear unless the 'first results of the joint work' are seen. On Thursday, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, said the work would be continued at the level of the heads of the state agencies, including law enforcement and special services. 'The order has been given,' Naryshkin said. 'Goodwill' exchange of prisoners On Wednesday, Russia released an American schoolteacher, Marc Fogel, who had spent three years in custody. The White House said that, in exchange, it would release Alexander Vinnik, a Russian Bitcoin criminal. According to reports, the prisoner swap included three other people who Belarus must free. It has been described by analysts as a goodwill gesture, laying the ground for cooperation. The excitement in the parliament and the media was not shared by Mikhail Zvinchuk, a pro-war blogger known as Rybar, who is wanted in the US with a $10 million reward for his capture. Zvinchuk pointed out that the sides' positions are different, and it is too early to be confident about the meeting between the leaders. 'The outcome of the possible negotiations will be determined by the sides' capabilities to continue the combat operations,' said Zvinchuk.
