PREFACE/ISSUE
Are news describing UK´s uncertainty about France not disclosing that it was UK who sabotaged the Nordstream?
17 July 2018 - Boris Johnson wrote that he feels that Nord Stream 2 is divisive and could leave the EU’s supply reliant on “a malign Russian state”.
If it comes on stream, Nord Stream 2 will provide 12% of the EU’s energy demand. On the face of it, that sounds like good news, but it will remove about $1.8 billion of transit fees that currently benefit the Ukrainian economy, from the Progress and Trans-Siberian pipeline systems.
Yes, Russia may have its stockpile of nuclear weapons and its exports of oil and gas, but its economy is not in good shape and is no larger than that of Spain, despite Russia’s geographical mass. Moscow is therefore all too aware of its reliance on an uninterrupted revenue stream from its gas exports.
Set against the 2019 completion date for the Nord Stream 2 project, the time for German platitudes and, dare I say it, the UK’s apparent unwillingness to come to a firm and fixed view on Nord Stream 2, has to end.
I know that several EU countries have a financial stake in the pipeline—or, at least, companies from countries including France, Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany. I also acknowledge that British interests are at stake. However, there is always a political risk with international and large-scale energy projects. My primary concern is not the potential commercial losses for those private companies, or even the success—or lack of success—of former German Chancellors in their deal making, but the strategic interests of the United Kingdom and our friends and allies. That is why I welcome Chancellor Merkel’s recent comments at the EU-Ukraine summit, at which she said “it is not just an economic issue…there are also political considerations”.
The EU could also do more to ensure the diversification of its energy supplies. For example, it could get on with building liquefied natural gas storage areas in Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia and other EU countries. Europe is perhaps also over-reliant on gas from the middle east. Perhaps it is time to look westwards across the Atlantic for a more secure and reliable energy partner.
“Nord Stream-2 and Turkish Stream are all deeply value-destructive projects that will eat up almost half of Gazprom’s investments over the next five years. They are commonly perceived as being foisted on the company by the government pursuing a geopolitical agenda.”
5 Nov 2021 - Stop guzzling Russian gas, Boris Johnson tells Europe
Addressing the governments of Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and other European countries that import large amounts of Russian gas, Mr Johnson said:
"We hope that our friends may recognise that a choice is shortly coming between mainlining ever more Russian hydrocarbons in giant new pipelines and sticking up for Ukraine and championing the cause of peace and stability, let me put it that way."
June 2022 - The C.I.A. had warned European governments of potential attacks on pipelines.
The warning was not specific, the officials said, and they declined to say whether Russia was identified as a possible attacker.The C.I.A. issued a vague warning in June to a number of European nations, including Germany, that the two Nord Stream gas pipelines that carry natural gas from Russia could be targeted in forthcoming attacks, three senior officials familiar with the intelligence said on Tuesday.The German publication Der Spiegel was the first to report that the U.S. had provided what intelligence officials call “strategic warning” of a possible attack — a warning that came with no specifics about the likely time or place or manner of a potential strike.
[M: The CIA provided strategic waning to Nordstream shareholders that their both NS1 and NS2 could be targets and they did not took any counter-measures, political or else?]
26 August 2022 - ‘Serious problem’ if France and UK can’t tell if they’re friends or enemies, says Macron
French president responds to ‘jury’s out’ comments by Tory leadership favourite Liz Truss about key ally
Emmanuel Macron has warned of "serious problems" for France-UK relations after the favourite to be the next British prime minister refused to say if the French president was "friend or foe".Mr Macron reacted to remarks made by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said the jury was out on the French leader.Mr Macron insisted the UK remained an ally, despite the occasional error made by its leaders.And Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Mr Macron was a "good buddy" of the UK.Senior politicians have accused Ms Truss, who is the frontrunner in the contest to succeed Mr Johnson as prime minister next month, of damaging the UK's relationship with France, a close ally.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Algeria on Friday, Mr Macron was asked his views on Ms Truss's comments about him.
After a long pause, he said "it's never good to lose your bearings too much in life".
He said he would have given a similar response to Mr Sunak's, had he been asked the same question about the next leader of the UK.
[M: The phrase "it's never good to lose your bearings too much in life" means that it's important to have a sense of direction, purpose, and clarity in life. While it's natural to feel lost or uncertain at times, it's important to regain your bearings and find your way back on track.]
In a tweet, former foreign minister Alistair Burt said Ms Truss had made a "serious error" and should have struck a more diplomatic tone.
Former Conservative minister Gavin Barwell also questioned Ms Truss's comment, saying: "You would have thought the foreign secretary was aware we are in a military alliance with France."
Ms Truss's comments have been picked up by French media, who have highlighted recent tensions between Paris and London.
... mine countermeasures vessel Céphée in the Baltic Sea 22¬-23 September 2022 Afterwards the French vessel will moor in Turku until the 28th of September.
[M: France is also a shareholder of Nordstream, or better to say French company, it is key EU infrastructure]
20 Sept 2022 - Liz Truss sought to strike a conciliatory tone ahead of meeting with Emmanuel Macron, despite declining to say whether she believes the French President is a “friend or foe”.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for a “constructive relationship” combatting Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and unauthorised migrant crossings of the Channel in small boats...Ms Truss sparked a diplomatic row during the Tory leadership contest when she declined to give a clear answer when asked if the president of the allied nation was a “friend or foe”.Instead, the then-foreign secretary said last month that the “jury’s out”. Ms Truss did not return the verdict during an interview with journalists travelling with her to the summit, but stressed she wants a “constructive relationship with France”.
“Of course that means working together on the issue of migration. There are a number of other issues we need to work together on, whether it’s energy security, whether it’s other issues relating to our relationship with the EU – but most importantly, it’s ensuring that Putin does not succeed in Ukraine,” she said.
Ms Truss will meet Mr Macron on Tuesday, before seeing Mr Biden and Ms von der Leyen on Wednesday. She had been set to talk to the US President in Britain over the weekend as he visited for the Queen’s funeral, but the meeting was postponed.
...The Prime Minister said:
By turning off the taps of Nord Stream gas pipeline, Putin has consigned millions of people in Europe to a colder and more difficult winter.Too many lives – in Ukraine, in Europe and around the world – are being manipulated by a dependence on Russian energy. We need to work together to end this once and for all.
21 Sept 2022 - UK Prime Minister Truss addresses the United Nations General Assembly (transcript here)
01:00 min: "...Geopolitics is entering a new era.."
06:00 min: "We are cutting off the toxic power and pipelines from authoritarian regimes and strengthening our energy resilience."
[M What kid of "cutting off" is this? Of UK cutting itself off, which has been done already or cutting EU off the RU gas? Note that in September 2021 the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng told a parliamentary committee:
"We are not exposed to Russian supply as many of our EU counterparts are" ]
"We will ensure we cannot be coerced or harmed by the reckless actions of rogue actors abroad."
[M What kid of talk is this? That UK is ready to neuter any RU retaliation move?]"The free world needs this economic strength and resilience to push back against authoritarian aggression and win this new era of strategic competition.
We must do this together."
[M ?, looks to me as an appeal to people UK may have informed beforehand, IF UK is the culprit.]
We are fortifying our deep security alliances in Europe and beyond through NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.
[M ? The JEF is made to be deployed in short time on an exercise.]
08:30 min: "The UK is providing funding, using the might of the City of London and our security capabilities to provide better alternatives to those offered by malign regimes.
The resolute international response to Ukraine has shown how we can deliver decisive collective action.
The response has been built on partnerships and alliances and also on being prepared to use new instruments – unprecedented sanctions, diplomatic action, and rapid military support.
There has been a strength of collective purpose – we have met many times, spoken many times on the phone, we have made things happen.
Now we must use these instruments in a more systematic way to push back on the economic aggression of authoritarian regimes.
The G7 and our like-minded partners should act as an economic NATO, collectively defending our prosperity.
If the economy of a partner is being targeted by an aggressive regime we should act to support them. All for one and one for all.
12:00 min "In all these areas, on all of the fronts, the time to act is now. This is a decisive moment in our history, in the history of this organization and in the history of freedom...
The story of 2022 could have been that of an authoritarian state rolling its tanks over the border of a peaceful neighbour and subjugating its people.
Instead, it is the story of freedom fighting back.
In the face of rising aggression we have shown we have the power to act and the resolve to see it through.
But this cannot be a one-off.
This must be a new era in which we commit to ourselves, our citizens, and this institution that we will do whatever it takes – whatever it takes to deliver for our people and defend our values."
Britain’s commitment to this is total.
We will be a dynamic, reliable and trustworthy partner.
[M: Whoever signed the STATE ACTOR mission had to have consistent narrative and real constant objections against it. The UK has been for years most vocal and their PM was even speaking at UN assembly against pipelines and RU carbohydrates just a 5 days before the attack on those pipelines.]
On Monday, September 26, incidents occurred simultaneously on two Russian export gas pipelines to Europe two gas leaks were discovered at Nord Stream and one at Nord Stream 2 near Bornholm Island. EUS registered 2 tremors in the Baltic Sea on the night of Monday 26 September at 02.03 & at 19.03, both Danish summer time.
3 Oct 2022 - The person responsible for the Nord Stream gas pipeline leaks...
... is unlikely to ever be held accountable, Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Commander of the German Navy, told Monday's "Aktuaalne kaamera".
"The basis for seeing possible events is a clear picture of the sea, or observation. If there is a clear picture of the air, surface or subsurface — almost clear, because you cannot always be completely sure — then you can look at anomalies in the system and then you can bring a special unit to the area where the anomaly was detected," Kaack said.
[M: My interpretation is that Germany KNOWS for sure which asset was there and caused the sabotage. Note that Jan Kaack speaks most likely about the mission The German intelligence vessel „Oste“ A52 - The German Armed Forces call it their „eyes and ears“ had just before the Nordstream affair.]
Prime Minister Liz Truss to attend European leaders’ meeting in Prague to galvanise the response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will urge leaders to stand united in the face of Russian aggression as Europe faces “its biggest crisis since the Second World War”, when she addresses a regional summit in the Czech Republic today [6th October].
In a series of bilateral meetings and plenary sessions in Prague, the Prime Minister will encourage countries to go further and faster to end Europe’s reliance on Russian hydrocarbons and “usher in a new era of resilience and independence.”
She will call on leaders to commit at the summit to keeping gas and electricity interconnectors open this winter and is expected to hold talks on joint projects to develop new nuclear and offshore wind capacity.
[M: Well, the UK after Brexit was kicked out joint energy market. The destruction of Nordstream enables to get back in. Wind power could not be sold to EU markets unless WOULD EU be supplied by cheaper energy from Russia.]
Truss met Macron for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the president’s European Political Community meeting in Prague, aimed at bringing the continent together in the face of Russian aggression...
...She told UK broadcasters before Thursday’s meeting she had worked “very, very closely” with the president and the French government in Paris.
“We’re both very clear the foe is (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, who has through his appalling war in Ukraine threatened freedom and democracy in Europe and pushed up energy prices which we’re now all having to deal with,” she added.
6 Oct 2022 - Liz Truss: Ending European reliance on Russian energy...
and tackling the criminal gangs that traffic people across Europe are priorities that President @EmmanuelMacron and I share. Good to agree closer cooperation on these areas with our French friends today.
Prime Minister Liz Truss and President Emmanuel Macron met in the margins of the first Summit of the European Political Community in Prague.The President and the Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong and historic ties between their two countries. They agreed to hold the next UK-France Summit in 2023 in France to take forward a renewed bilateral agenda.
[M: why do allies need to ensure their friendship? What if UK blew up Nordstream where FRA is a shareholder? Would this explain the choice of the meeting words?]
Energy transition and decoupling from Russian hydro-carbons are common challenges. The Prime Minister and the President discussed advancing bilateral cooperation in particular on energy. They reaffirmed their belief that both renewable and nuclear energies are part of consistent strategies to achieve energy transition and strategic autonomy.
[M: Liz Truss words sinc with UK statements about ending European reliance on Russian hydrocarbons - post here]
They confirmed the full support of the UK and French Governments for the new nuclear power station at Sizewell and expect the relevant bodies to finalise arrangements in the coming month.
... the Prime Minister welcomed the strong show of unity against Russian aggression.The UK will continue to work with our allies to secure our energy supply, tackle people smuggling gangs and stand up to despots.
7 Oct 2022 - France's Macron says still can't attribute blame for NordStream attacks
7 Oct 2022 - Truss declares Macron a friend as pair forge working relationship
Prime Minister Liz Truss labelled Emmanuel Macron a "friend" as they announced plans to work together at the first meeting of a new political club of nations.Ms Truss had declined to say whether the French president was a "friend or foe", during her leadership campaign.The French president said he hoped for a "new phase" in post-Brexit relations.The pair agreed to step up cooperation on "ending" small boat crossings in the Channel and announced a summit in 2023.Leaders from the European Union (EU), the UK, Turkey, Norway and the Balkans attended the first European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Prague on Thursday.They discussed energy, migration and security, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine.
The summit, billed as a European Political Community beyond the EU, has been championed by Mr Macron, who told reporters on Thursday it sent a "message of unity".
Standing up to Russia
Following the meetings, Ms Truss said: "Leaders leave this summit with greater collective resolve to stand up to Russian aggression."
"What we have seen in Prague is a forceful show of solidarity with Ukraine, and for the principles of freedom and democracy."
[M: To me it looks like the EU meeting was held to cover-up for UK in unity against the Russian aggression. She looks giggly and happy.]
Growing the economy remains our mission, ensuring people can get good jobs, new businesses can flourish and families can afford an even better life.
[M: I wonder whether this is a proclamation that she acted in Nordstream selflessly in National interest if UK is the perpetrator.]
The Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon.
The leaders discussed their deep concern at Russia’s recent barbaric attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine.
They agreed the UK and France will continue to work closely together with allies to support Ukraine and coordinate our response to Russian aggression.
The Prime Minister and President Macron also welcomed the recent opportunity to meet in person at the leaders’ summit in Prague, and looked forward to continuing to deepen bilateral cooperation.
[M: Speculation... Thank you for going along and not blowing us apart?.]
Yesterday the UK sanctioned Iran for supplying Russia with drones used to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.This is just the latest example of how Russia threatens Ukraine’s energy security.The UK is helping countries reduce their dependency on Russia.
[M: How is Iran providing drones threat to Ukraines´s energy security_?]
26 Oct 2022 - As PM Rishi Sunak takes the reins in Britain, hopes for improved France-UK relations
Relations between France and the UK have been tense, with the animosity between French President Emmanuel Macron and former UK prime minister Boris Johnson so pointed that Macron reportedly called Johnson a clown last November.In August, then foreign minister – and prime ministerial hopeful – Liz Truss seemed likely to continue on the same footing. Asked whether France was friend or foe, Truss replied bluntly that “the jury was still out”.
With Truss’s departure, new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ushered in hopes of a reset in relations between the UK and France, largely due to some of the perceived similarities between him and his French counterpart.
25 Nov 2022 - 'Outrageous': Brussels sparks fury as it blocks export of nuclear defence tech to UK
The UK needs a so-called specialised isostatic press to maintain its nuclear arsenal, which includes the Trident II D5, the Royal Navy's ballistic missile system with a range of over 4,000 nautical miles.Britain and Belgium are locking horns in a furious despite after Brussels blocked the export of nuclear technology that plays a crucial role in maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent.
This kind of technology is used in the industry for handling radioactive waste and is a critical part of the manufacturing process in Britain’s Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, the site responsible for the design, manufacture and maintenance of the UK's nuclear warheads.
9 Nov 2022 - Macron unveils shift in military posture as war returns to Europe
“Europe is not sheltered anymore from missile and drone strikes. And we must integrate this reality,” Macron said, speaking on the Dixmude helicopter carrier, docked in the Mediterranean military base of Toulon which is home to more than 24,000 troops.
[M: In October and several times after I said that Liz Truss should get a Nobel peace prize for severely fracturing the alliance, destroying unity in NATO, said around this time - link to tweets]
15 Nov 2022 - France’s Military Pivot to Europe
The Central Europeans along with other staunchly Atlanticist countries also often think that when Macron speaks about strategic autonomy for Europe, it is about the gradual weakening NATO or the creation of a defense structure in competition with the U.S.-led military alliance. Indeed, Macron once dubbed NATO as “brain-dead,” a description that has endured.
8 Dec 2022 - France-UK relations: A much-needed strategic reboot
Both France and Britain are trying to reposition themselves post-Brexit. In pursuit of its Global Britain Strategy free from the shackles of the EU’s institutional arrangements, the UK is looking towards strengthening ties with the Anglo-Saxon democracies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US, and important powers like India and Japan; while France is championing strategic autonomy to reduce Europe’s security dependency on Washington and NATO, and prioritising strengthening the powerful but recently strained Franco-German axis in the EU.
14 Feb 2023 - The Nordic Region Strengthens Double-Edged Defense Cooperation With the US
New bilateral defense agreements between the USA and the Nordic countries will make it easier for American forces to operate in the High North. In November, the American forces participated in the Finnish army exercise Hammer 22 in Niinisalo, Western Finland. Here is an American tank of the Abrams type in action during the exercise.
While Norway's new defense agreement with the US is implemented, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark are negotiating similar agreements with Washington D.C. The agreements are meant to provide quicker and more efficient American support if needed but can also facilitate unpredictable presence.
[M: This is redundant as NATO agreements more or less allow the above. This looks like NATO "brain-dead" turned after 26-09-2022 Nordstream affair into a zombie alliance as I wrote in previous blog post "The NATO is dead (the zombie style)"", see the French PM Macron "brain-dead" statement above.]
7 March 2023 - King Charles to visit Bordeaux on first state visit
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