John Foreman CBE - September 5, 2024

@MriyaReport news from Ukraine & replays of guests you might have missed or want to listen to again.

Listen in to our conversation with our very special guest John Foreman CBE ⁠@John_ForemanCBE⁠! John Foreman CBE served as UK Defence Attaché Moscow from 2019 to 2022, providing strategic advice to Ministers on Russian and regional military and security matters, particularly on Russia’s invasion of ⁠#Ukraine⁠. He was previously UK Defence Attaché in ⁠#Kyiv⁠, had military diplomatic appointments in the US, with NATO, and the EU, and served afloat on global maritime operations.

When John arrived in Moscow, he encountered a diplomatic environment where russia sought to downplay the Skripal poisoning attack in their typical fashion, pushing to "turn the page" on the use of chemical weapons on British soil. John explains how the Kremlin consistently downplayed the poisoning, positioning it as a trivial matter not worth disrupting relations between two "great powers."

John also discusses the broader context of his role, including the performative nature of Russian military exercises, such as Vostok 2020. He describes these events as largely scripted displays aimed at bolstering Putin's image and securing more military funding, rather than genuine strategic maneuvers.

John Foreman also provides detailed insights into the buildup to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He recalls the early signs of military activity in 2021, including Russia's military exercises and troop movements near Ukraine's borders. Despite clear warnings, some European nations and officials remained skeptical that a full invasion would occur. John describes how, even within Ukraine, there were mixed feelings, with some preparing for the worst while others doubted russia would ever launch a large-scale attack.

Foreman highlights how Putin’s obsession with Ukraine and the Kremlin’s long-standing efforts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty were key drivers behind the invasion, which many had underestimated until it was too late. John Foreman notes that the Russian army has regrouped since its initial setbacks in 2022. He emphasizes that the West's support for Ukraine, while substantial, has been cautious, often providing just enough to avoid defeat, but stresses the need to support Ukraine in achieving a decisive victory. An absolute must-listen! Don't miss out! ⁠#Ukraine⁠ ⁠#MriyaReport⁠ ⁠#NATO⁠ ⁠#UkraineWillWin⁠ ⁠#RussiaIsaTerroristState ⁠ ⁠#Poltava⁠ ⁠#Lviv⁠ ⁠#Kharkiv⁠ ⁠#F16⁠