Poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal (part 2)

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

new thread as the old one is practically done.

What's really hard to stomach is that this poor woman is in the hands of one of the most secretive agencies in the world - MI5/6. That we will never know what has happened to her and what will happen to her in the future.

Her country, Russia, is right to fear for her safety. She's not British. She's Russian.

Whilst Boris&May are busy striking deals to destroy Russia for the sake of Turkey and the Saudis (not us), this poor young woman is being used as a political convenience.

The sad fact is too many of us are too easily fooled again and again and again by proven liars like Boris.

You've mentioned Turkey an awful lot Counterpoint.

I don't think anyone here has come out in support of Boris. You are the only one really mentioning him.

Unfortunately, we have long been supporting the Turkish position in Syria. And hence, why, unfortunately, we have decided Russia is an enemy.

There are wider issues at play here which are a continuation of matters started long before this unfortunate event.

I have been following this sad state of affairs for years and there is a lot more than meets the eye when faced with the wider picture.

We sell weapons and sadly our decisions are based on making good trade there (Saudis and Turks) - this has escalated since we have become somewhat isolated because of Brexit.

Rolling back the clock, Europe were on the brink of good relationships with Russia - we have more in common with them than we do with the Turks and Saudis, after all.

Corbyn has been branded an enemy by the Tories because he basically wants peace and good relations.

I don't think anyone here has come out in support of Boris. You are the only one really mentioning him.

How can you isolate this affair from Boris? It's his baby!

I care deeply about Britain. I want it to prosper and be an intelligent member of the world stage. Sadly, Boris has wrecked that idea! Not only with Brexit, but also now with this nonsense.

I'm hugely impressed that the NHS managed to successfully treat the Skripals. It really is a huge testament to everyone involved in their care. I really didn't think they had a hope when it first happened.

I agree Emily.

Counterpoint, I really wouldn't credit Boris with the intelligence to mastermind the scenario you seem to be envisioning.

I fear this thread is being massively derailed, but before we try and get it back on track, why do we have more in common with Russia than Turkey and Saudi Arabia? Which bits do we have in common?

why do we have more in common with Russia than Turkey and Saudi Arabia?
Inter alia, we fought on the same side in WWII - for the same freedoms - women to have equal rights and not be third rate citizens as they are in Erdogan's Turkey or under the Saudis.

I'm hugely impressed that the NHS managed to successfully treat the Skripals

chemm.nlm.nih.gov/na_hospital_mmg.htm#top

Link from old thread about their likely treatment

I think re-settlement anywhere else would be heaping more trouble on the Skripals. Yulia has a life, friends, pets in Russia. Poor girl only popped over to see her Dad.
Sergei it seems missed Russia but I guess all exiles miss their home country. He seems to have had friends and built a life here. He’s a bit old to start over.
Can they not resume their lives either in Salisbury or in Russia. Surely with such a high profile now another attempt will not be made.

I think Yulia will go back to Russia. Her life is there and she has chosen Russia over the U.K. before.

I hope that all these choices are offered to them. There seem to be a lot of people deciding for them

They may not be making anything, other than a short term choice of where to live - in privacy - for the next stage of convalescence.

We have no idea what has been decided for them or whether they are making their own choices.

nursy: Sergei was in prison in Russia. The Russians tried very hard not to include him in the spy swap to come here.

We have no idea what the Skripal’s own wishes are. Presumably to be well and safe rank high. I don’t think having survived an assassination attempt and still needing medical treatment they will make a reckless decision based on pets.

I think Yulia will go back to Russia. Her life is there and she has chosen Russia over the U.K. before

Would you go?

It's pity the spies cannot stay single. Their dangerous job can affect the whole family.

I would not go. On what I know - which is bound to be the tip of the iceberg, and because I do not believe that it is the UK Govt wot dunnit.

I would stay here, with my Dad. She may not be capable of earning a living any more.

I don't know, Onecutefox. If she goes back the Russians will make damn sure that no harm comes to her and she will be a propaganda coup in the current state of affairs between UK and Russia. She has friends in Russia, a boyfriend, cousins, her dog. I would think very hard about giving all that up at her age, for an uncertain life in another (unknown) country, with a new identity, always having to look over your shoulder. She won't be resettled with her father either, and would probably have to agree never to see him again. If she goes back to Russia, she goes back to a reasonably normal life (taking into accounts the long term effect of Novichok).

Why should we know what happens to her, Counterpoint? She's not public property and has a right to privacy. And also, if you are looking at the UK/Russia relationship - it was definitely on an up in the early 2000s. It was the murder of Litvinenko that changed things so drastically, before the whole mess of Syria.

I’m not sure it’s at all certain the Russians will make sure no harm will come to her. Why would they? She might not have been the intended target, but I don’t see any reason why they need to protect her.

If the Russians cared about her then they would have attacked Sergei when she wasn't around. Given his wife and son also died prematurely I don't think I'd have faith in Yulia being safe. There is no evidence that she would be.

I always wonder with the Litvinenko murder, how many hospitality workers have met or are going to meet an untimely demise?

Yes, I wonder the same about Salisbury. There seems to have been a massive amount of cross-contamination in the hotel where Litvinenko was.