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Putin’s attempt to explain away the poisoning of Alexei Navalny to France failed badly and helped unite Europe against him, intelligence sources say

via aleksey godin

An attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to explain in a call with France how Alexei Navalny was poisoned in Russia went so badly that it seriously set back his relations with Europe, intelligence sources told Insider.

According to French media, Putin spoke with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, last week about Navalny, the opposition leader who was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in late August and evacuated to Europe for treatment.

Putin is said to have suggested during the call that Navalny might have poisoned himself in an elaborate attempt to discredit Russia.

Intelligence sources characterized the explanation as so inept and insulting that it severely set back the already strained relations between Russia and European nations.

A French security official, who asked for anonymity as he does not have permission to speak on the record, said the exchange outraged Macron, who is usually wary of directly confronting Russia.

Navalny

The Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and his family members at the Charité hospital in Berlin, Germany. Reuters

“There is cynicism from European leaders on Putin when it comes to these events,” the official said.

“But Macron has a huge ego and considers himself someone that you cannot bulls—. He expected to be told that it was some internal issue, potentially some illegal operation by an underling that is being investigated, perhaps suggesting the possibility some Chechens [did it] without his knowledge or approval.”

The source described past conversations as “unsatisfactory but just plausible enough to make it more difficult to confront him.”

“Macron got on the call expecting this typical behavior, and instead he’s fed total nonsense about Navalny giving himself a deadly agent only found in the most secure Russian military stockpiles.

“We understand that silly, confusing, and often contradictory messages like these are how Putin handles things domestically — but to the president of France?”

The French official added that Macron was “furious.”

“He will make his own decisions on how to handle this, but the consequences he is threatening could become much stronger support for Merkel taking action on Nord Stream if that’s how the Germans decide to proceed,” the official said, referring to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Nord Stream 2, an undersea gas pipeline aiming to link Russia with Germany.

Political tensions between Russia and the West have repeatedly threatened to derail the pipeline project. Merkel has come under intense pressure to use Nord Stream 2 as leverage to extract answers from Russia.

“Macron’s view is you cannot lie to the president of France as if he is some Russian peasant,” the source said.

Merkel Putin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Putin in Moscow in January. Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

German security officials refused to comment on the situation when asked by Insider.

But a central European counterintelligence official who works closely with Germany on Russian issues said he believes Europe might see no alternative but to act. The source also spoke anonymously, as he is not authorized to speak publicly.

“Macron and Merkel have plenty to occupy themselves with politically right now, and both find themselves angry that they’ve been put in this position by Putin and even angrier that he is handling it with such disdain for them,” the official said.

Blaming Germany and Navalny for removing evidence infuriated Merkel, and suggesting Navalny did it himself probably gave Macron an aneurysm.

“But my sense from talking with German colleagues is that the US election matters figures into everyone’s calculations quite strongly.”

The source added that “a strong, united coalition of Germany, France, and other EU members can confront Putin, but it’s all much stronger and more effective if the president of the United States is a committed participant.”

“There’s currently little confidence in the US as a partner in such an effort,” the source said, “but that could change after the election.”

Eye health : 6 important tips 🙌 – The 3H:health,happiness,healing

What is this fuss about blue light on eyes? Blue light is a significant component of sunlight. Blue light is beneficial as it maintains our circadian rhythm, the natural wake and sleep cycle. It also makes us alert, boost energy and elevates our cognitive functions in the daytime.

Source: Eye health : 6 important tips 🙌 – The 3H:health,happiness,healing

Distruzione dell’estrazione dell’oro nella foresta pluviale amazzonica – “Quando abbatti gli alberi assalti gli spiriti dei nostri antenati. Quando cerchi minerali, perfori il cuore della Terra…” | Barbara Crane Navarro

Destruction of gold mining in the Amazon rainforest – “When you cut down the trees you assault the spirits of our ancestors. When you look for minerals, you pierce the heart of the Earth Source: Distruzione dell’estrazione dell’oro nella foresta pluviale amazzonica – “Quando abbatti gli alberi assalti gli spiriti dei nostri antenati. Quando cerchi minerali, perfori il cuore della Terra…” | Barbara Crane Navarro

How right-wing extremists, libertarians and evangelicals built Quebec’s movement against COVID-19 restrictions | CBC News

The anti-mask movement has drawn a wide range of figures into its orbit, including right-right extremists, evangelical pastors, libertarian radio hosts and conspiracy theorists.
— Read on www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-anti-mask-movement-qanon-covid-19-1.5737040

Warning US Democracy Under Threat ‘Like Never Before,’ Sanders Outlines Plan to Stop Trump’s Authoritarian Takeover | Common Dreams News — Rcooley123’s Blog

November 3, 2020 will doubtless be a turning point for American democracy. Trump does not intend to do anything for the American people. He intends to be ensconced in the White House with absolute power as America’s President until the day he dies. We must ensure that Donald Trump does not get what his over-inflated […]

Warning US Democracy Under Threat ‘Like Never Before,’ Sanders Outlines Plan to Stop Trump’s Authoritarian Takeover | Common Dreams News — Rcooley123’s Blog

Investigation launched after black barrister mistaken for defendant three times in a day | Law | The Guardian

Source: Investigation launched after black barrister mistaken for defendant three times in a day | Law | The Guardian

Wilson, whose chambers are near the Old Bailey in the City of London, tweeted this week that she had gone to a court and was repeatedly misidentified as a defendant rather than as a lawyer. She is the author of In Black And White, which highlights the problem of racism in the courts.

Wilson said that she was “absolutely exhausted” after what had happened and that “a light needs to be shone on this”. Her tweets triggered fresh accusations about racism in the courts.

Wilson said she had initially been stopped at the entrance by a security guard and “asked me what my name was so he could ‘find [my] name on the list’ (the list of defendants)”. She thought that might have been an “innocent mistake”.

Then a member of the public, who thought she was a journalist, told her not to go into a courtroom and to wait for the usher to sign her in for her case. She had to explain that she was the barrister.

Inside the courtroom, a barrister or solicitor told her to wait outside and see the usher. Wilson explained that she was a lawyer.

She then approached the prosecutor. Wilson added: “Before I got there the clerk, VERY loudly, told me to leave the courtroom and said the usher would be out shortly. Before I could respond she then asked if I was represented.”

For at least the third time, she had to declare that she was a defense barrister. “This really isn’t ok …” she tweeted. “I don’t expect to have to constantly justify my existence at work.”