You would certainly hope so but that's what has been reported as being shown on Russian TV. Apparently Carlson has said much the same and that we need to set aside such comments until this is over. Nobody has told the Russians though, and that's the point. If we are hoping to isolate Putin in his home we all need to sing from the same hymn sheet and not offer him gifts like that.

There has been remarkable solidarity from all the western world and beyond, so it's a pity when anyone breaks ranks.

Without Russian TV where would Steeley get all his information?

I'm around. Last post was just after 8 this evening. Been watching the developments and the various analysts. Not much point in any of us speculating too much until we know where these "talks" may lead. Not on any forums, other than this one, myself.

I am just very impressed by the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian people, which I find humbling. That's a spirit that Putin will find almost impossible to quell.

That alone ought to give him pause for thought. It won't of course.

The other thing I have picked up this evening is that Tucker Carlson's criticism of Ukraine as a failed democracy and his praise of Putin for being non "woke" etc etc has featured prominently on Russian TV as being the thoughts of "normal" Americans. Great when one of your own serves up propaganda to your enemy on a golden dish.

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“Now there is a lot of talk against the banking sector, gas, oil, Swift. It’s worse than war,” Mr Lukashenko said. “This is pushing Russia into a Third World War. We need to be restrained here so as not to get into trouble. Because nuclear war is the end of everything”.

How dare other countries take any action over an invasion.

You are, of course, quite right, but when you are dealing with someone whose mindset is at right angles to your own, getting the balance right is an incredibly difficult calculation with unthinkable risks involved. This has to be the biggest crisis the world has faced in my lifetime, and possibly ever. I wouldn't want to be a political leader right now, and who-ever is co-ordinating this behind the scenes, and keeping the whole of the west on message, deserves huge credit.

I saw this from Steve Rosenberg on the BBC website this morning, with the headline "Would Putin press the nuclear button" and expected a reassuring piece saying it was all just fear-mongering. I was wrong:-

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