Russia Expelling 23 UK Diplomats Way Inadequate
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Russia responded in kind to UK expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats over nothing.
Moscow had nothing to do with the alleged poisoning of former Russian spy/double agent Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
It’s unclear what happened, if anything. No information on the alleged incident was released, nothing about the whereabouts of father and daughter, including proof they’re in Britain and harmed.
The transparent Big Lie about the alleged poisoning incident is apparent to everyone paying attention. Yet most Americans are brainwashed by print and electronic propaganda masquerading as news – likely in Britain and other NATO countries as well.
Russia bashing by the West is longstanding – elevated to a dangerously higher level by the Skripal affair.
Whether true or false doesn’t matter. Perceptions alone count, especially when pounded into the public consciousness by media disinformation, truth-telling drowned out.
On Saturday, Britain’s ambassador to Russia Laurie Bristow was informed of the expulsions, along with closure of Britain’s St. Petersburg consulate – the move coming on the eve of Russia’s March 18 presidential election.
A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said “in response to the provocative actions of the British side and groundless accusations against the Russian Federation with regard to the incident in Salisbury, UK on March 4, 2018,” Moscow declared 23 UK diplomatic staff members “persona non grata” -required to leave Russia in seven days.
“(T)he the Consulate General of the United Kingdom in St Petersburg” was ordered closed – along with the Foreign Office’s Moscow-based British Council.
“The British side is warned that in case of further unfriendly actions against Russia, the Russian side reserves the right to take further retaliatory measures.”
Stiffer ones should have been taken straightaway, including against Washington and other hostile NATO countries.
They’re not Russian “partners” as its officials claim no matter what hostile actions they impose on the Kremlin.
They’re adversarial sworn enemies, waging political and economic war on Russia – each hostile action moving closer to direct confrontation.
As long as neocon hardliners infest these countries, things will get worse, not better – without strong countermeasures taken.
Russia’s failure to act forcefully against increasing Western hostility encourages Washington and its rogue NATO partners to push harder.
There’s no ambiguity about where things are heading. America’s rage for global dominance targets all sovereign independent governments for regime change – Russia and China most of all, especially united, the only nations able to effectively challenge the US drive for hegemony.
Given the latest unacceptably hostile UK actions against Moscow, likely orchestrated in Washington, Britain and America partnered with other NATO nations in wanting Russia marginalized, weakened, contained and isolated, the Kremlin’s only responsible option is responding more forcefully.
Putin needs to show he’ll no longer will tolerate unacceptable US-led Western actions, lots of options available.
Expelling ambassadors from Washington, Britain and France, along with most or all their diplomatic staff would send a clear message.
In Syria, downing a few US warplanes, more to come if Pentagon-led terror-bombing continues.
Declaring all-out war on all anti-government terrorists in Syria is a long overdue option. They’re not “rebels,” as falsely claimed.
Their cutthroat killers, largely imported from scores of countries, supported by Washington and its imperial allies.
As long as Russia fails to target them all, they’ll remain in the country, new elements recruited to replenish depleted ranks, Syria to become another Afghanistan – endless war continuing for many more years.
Fostering cooperative relations with America and its key allies failed long ago – a sign of Russian weakness, emboldening the West to push harder.
It’s time for Russia to stop being Mr. nice guy. Pushing back hard is the only language Washington and its rogue partners understand.
Hitting them hard enough will show the geopolitical rules changed.
It’s high time for Moscow to pursue toughness with the West – the only sensible strategy. The current one represents weakness – a self-defeating option gone on much too long.
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