RT — US ‘rudely and insolently cheated Russia’ during Ukraine coup – Putin

Along with the recent change in tone of Russian leaders, Putin's recent address, and now this revelation of what had been private indicates that something big is up. The Russian leadership did not just happen to shift its stance of conciliatory to oppositional. There was clearly a reason for it.

Western observers tend to write this off as Putin grandstanding domestically in preparation for the coming election this month. But I don't think that is the reason. These are strong international signals.

While the reason  for the rather abrupt change in stance has not been revealed, I suspect that the Russian leadership has assessed that the US has itself shifted its stance to a more aggressive one, preparing to confront Russia militarily through its proxies and their US "advisers" in Ukraine and Syria, as well as shipments of more advanced weapons.

If this amateur assessment is anywhere near the mark, prepare for a change in the temperature of global politics.

Recent events in the political situation in China, in particular Xi's further rise in power by removing term limits on the president, along with consolidation of power, would also suggest this.

Both Russia and China appear to be signaling that red lines are close to be being breeched.

RT
US ‘rudely and insolently cheated Russia’ during Ukraine coup – Putin

US neo-imperialist ambitions drive interference in other countries' affairs – Lavrov

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The Pentagon’s top intelligence official warned that China and Russia are engaged in information and cyber attacks against the United States as part of an undeclared low-level conflict.

Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said during a Senate hearing the character of war is changing as technology facilitates greater global reach with weapons such as cyber attacks.

War is no longer carried out as it was during Europe’s 30 Years’ War when forces lined up for battles, he said.

“So the line of which you declare hostilities is extremely blurred, and if you were to ask Russia and China, ‘Do you think you’re at some form of conflict with the U.S.?’ I think behind closed doors their answer would be yes,” Ashley said....

Global Geopolitics
DIA: China, Russia Engaged In Low-Level Warfare Against U.S.

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