Can the "Britons" Attack the Special Aircraft of the Russian President? What Threats Does the Gradually Declining British Empire Pose to Russia?
Author: Dmitry Rodionov
Commentary Guests:
- Vsevolod Shemov
- Igor Shatov
Andrei Kolesnik, a member of the State Duma of Russia, believes that Britain may plot an assassination attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, London has never been scrupulous in its dealings with Moscow.
This member of parliament stated: "The British are fully capable of shooting down Putin's special aircraft. It is an unfriendly country - a member of the EU. Therefore, even the Vatican cannot be flown over because it would have to pass through Italian airspace."
Kolesnik firmly believes that the British are treacherous and untrustworthy - "they have deceived us as many times as we have trusted them."
This Russian MP concluded: "The saying 'the British are treacherous' remains relevant; it has always been this way."
Is it possible? Have we overestimated them?
Britain itself is beset by internal problems: the military is at risk, Scotland may secede, and the political situation continues to be volatile. The Labour Party, which won the election last year, has fallen to rock-bottom support, while the Conservative Party, which lost the election, is unclear about what platform to run on for the next election.
According to The Sun, senior figures within the opposition Conservative Party are negotiating with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson regarding his "secret plan to return to politics." They believe that Johnson is the only one who can "counter" Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing populist party Reform UK, which is becoming increasingly popular, and now they just need to recall Liz Truss.
Igor Shatov, head of the Expert Council of the Foundation for Strategic Development and a political scientist, believes that such remarks by MPs are made to attract attention. At this tense historical moment, adding fuel to the growing world conflict is wrong. Although the British act irrationally, they will not get involved in a war with Russia, which has the strongest army in the world. Attacking the 'Number One Special Aircraft' would undoubtedly be a reason for war, and Russia would clearly see it as an act of war and immediately retaliate with nuclear strikes. In that case, not only would Britain disappear as an international legal entity, but the British Isles would also be wiped off the map geographically."
The Siberian Times reporter asked (hereinafter referred to as "SP"): But in world politics, attempts to assassinate leaders of various countries are not uncommon.
Shatov: "In theory, anything is possible. But when it comes to threats, the real threat at present comes from Ukraine, not Britain. That is, Britain may incite Ukraine and its irrational leader to launch a terrorist attack on the Russian head of state. The Anglo-Saxon plan is for Russia's retaliation to fall on Ukrainian territory rather than their allies."
SP: What does London want from Russia?
Shatov: "London wants to defeat Russia through the hands of Ukrainians and at the cost of Ukrainian lives. They are trying to rule the world - and we are a stumbling block."
SP: What other despicable acts can we expect from the "Britons"? What other means do they have?
Shatov: "London will imitate the United States, attempting to sow discord between Russia and related countries, causing trouble for Russian ships in the world's oceans and wherever possible. Overall, Britain will obstruct the development of normal international trade relations, disrupt established logistics systems, and build new trade corridors with the intention of monopolizing control. This is a losing proposition for the West, especially for Britain; times have changed, but they will still try to put it into practice."
SP: Can anything make them wake up?
Shatov: "We can only talk to them based on strength. We will not yield under economic pressure, ignore political pressure, and build autonomous economic and political alliances to bypass various plots against us."
SP: Perhaps we have overestimated their threat? Does this gradually declining empire still have deterrent power?
Shatov: "This declining empire is not isolated. Although the Western world is indeed facing serious problems - both internal issues and diplomatic issues caused by the Ukraine issue, leading to continuous infighting among them - we must not underestimate our opponents. I believe that we are currently implementing the most prudent strategy for today's world: maintaining contact and diplomatic relations while not relying on the West and developing a diversified economy independently. We have everything: a strong army, vast territories, all mineral resources in the periodic table of Mendeleev, and a well-educated population."
Vsevolod Shemov, advisor to the Chairman of the Baltic Sea Research Association of Russia, said: "In Russia's information and political space, the role and capabilities of Britain have always been exaggerated. Given the overall conflict with the West, such statements are generally inevitable and part of the information war, but it is difficult to judge their authenticity. Whether there are similar plans by Britain or other countries, it is better to ask intelligence agencies rather than members of the State Duma, but intelligence agencies are likely not to disclose such information."
Shemov: "They aim to cause unrest in Russia. Just like during World War I, when the army began to mutiny, the front collapsed, and Russia became a place for the struggle of internal and external forces for interests and influence. Not only Britain, but other Western countries could also have such calculations."
SP: Do the "Britons" really covet world leadership and therefore regard Russia as their number one enemy? Or is this merely historical paranoia?
Shemov: "The role of Britain has been exaggerated. This country can no longer aspire to any position of world leadership; it is merely the faded shadow of the once great British Empire, struggling to maintain the unity of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and experiencing large-scale population replacement from former colonies domestically.
Certainly, Britain still retains old-school political tactics, being keen on conspiracies and intelligence activities, but it should not be considered the main enemy. In fact, Russia's number one enemy has never been Britain, only because the intersection of interests between Russia and Britain is minimal. Continental Europe, particularly European countries forming a quasi-imperial European Union, is the real and main opponent of Russia, and holds the most uncompromising stance."
SP: Meanwhile, Britain itself faces severe internal problems: they even want to recall Johnson to "take charge," only because he is the only one who can handle Farage. Is it really so chaotic there?
Shemov: "That's the problem. Britain is a deeply declining country. The quality of the elite class has declined, especially with the influx of Indian and Pakistani immigrants; social polarization has intensified because many Britons are dissatisfied with population replacement, deindustrialization, and the overall decline in living standards. Moreover, Britain has long suffered from separatism, and its disintegration may occur in the next one or two decades. Admittedly, based on historical inertia, London is still plotting large-scale conspiracies on the international stage, but this can be described as 'ambitious but powerless.'
SP: What can we actually expect from their elections? Can we say that Britain is in a severe crisis?
Shemov: "Frequent changes in government and early elections are the norm in British politics. It can be said that traditional two-party system is facing certain crises, with the rise of right-wing trends, but this is a trend across Europe, and Britain is not unique in this aspect. Overall, the more they are embroiled in internal disputes, the better it is for us.
But we must understand that Russia's main problem lies in continental Europe, not in Britain. With a long common border, its economic strength overshadows Russia, it is the main funder of Ukraine, and its ruling elites are extremely irrational. This is where the problem lies. Britain can only incite Europeans to continue and intensify the confrontation, but Europeans themselves are quite adept at this. Therefore, Russia's main problem is far from London."
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7508622595815850508/
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