Back Story Newsletter
Good morning,
Ukraine Crisis
If you add up whats taking place with Russian military moves, there is a sense war is looming and can break out any minute prompting U.S. President Biden’s remarks in a TV interview yesterday warning that “things could go crazy quickly” in Ukraine and again he urged American citizens to leave now.
In the last 24 hours Russia has launched war games on Ukraines northern border in Belarus, and the Russian navy has aggressively started conducting naval exercises to the south on the Black Sea. Ukraine has complained the exercises virtually cutoff access to Ukrainian ports.
The diplomatic moves by French President Macron, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss have virtually failed to produce anything but more hostility from Russia which still demanding more autonomy for Eastern Ukraine break away regions, and a block on Ukraine ever joining NATO.
In Moscow Truss was humiliated by Russian Foreign Min. Lavrov, who drew her into a geography game asking her if Ms Truss would “recognise Russia’s sovereignty over Rostov and Voronezh oblasts?” She replied the UK would “never” do so, before she was told they’re not in Ukraine. They are in Russia.
In the end Lavrov described the meeting as a “conversation between a dumb and a deaf person”. He said: “It seems like we listen but don't hear.
But the uncomfortable theatre of diplomatic efforts to steer Russia away from armed conflict, will continue with President Biden set to talk to European leaders, while a key meeting with the German Chancellor Sholtz in Moscow with President Putin set for next week.
Here’s what you need to know - experts think we could be less than 10 days away from a war in Europe. It could be launched by Russia soon as the Olympics end in China.
On Back Story w/Dana Lewis podcast former Commander of U.S. Army Ben Hodges assesses the risk of war now at 90%.
Russia Figure Skater
A Russian figure skater has tested positive for a banned substance casting her gold medal win in doubt.The skater, Kamila Valieva, was found to have used trimetazidine, a heart medication not normally allowed in competition, according to a statement Friday from the International Testing Agency.
The drug is used for heart medication and may boost oxygen delivery and performance. The Russians are already not allowed to compete under their flag because of repeated doping offenses. Valieva is only 15 yrs old which raises issues of giving a drug to a minor, if it all proves to be true.
Here’s the big question on this story - Valieva’s positive test is from a sample taken at the Russian national figuring skating championships on Dec. 25. It sat in a lab in Stockholm for 6 weeks before being reported on Feb. 8, one day after her skating win in China. Why did the sample not prevent her from skating in the first place? Why did WADA (World Anti Doping Authority) not report the sample sooner?
Canadian Truckers
Why has this blockage by anti-vaxxers and protesters against any kind of pandemic restrictions lasted almost two weeks in Canada’s Capitol Ottawa? The protests have spread across Canada including snarling traffic at border points. And there are similar convoys planned in the U.S.
There are warnings of severe economic consequences if the 5 day old protest blocking the Ambassador Bridge from Canada to Detroit is allowed to continue.
On Back Story podcast a conversation with Ottawa based journalist Neil Macdonald on how this got so out of hand and where does the so called “Freedom Protest“ end?
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/10048326
Covid And The Queen
Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time, and is reported to be doing fine, but it’s being confirmed the Prince of Wales recently met with the Queen.
Charles positive result was reported just minutes before he was due to arrive in Winchester on a visit to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Her Majesty is not showing any coronavirus symptoms and the situation will continue to be monitored.
Ski Break
Among the tens of thousands of UK travellers heading for ski breaks over next week will be me!
So while that’s a look at the news this Friday, I won’t be writing next week as I head for the mountains.
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Have a good weekend and a good week everyone.
Dana
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/10/sports/olympics-medals-winter
https://news.sky.com/story/prince-charles-tests-positive-for-covid-for-second-time-as-palace-sources-say-he-recently-met-with-queen-12538176