Jonathan Beale

We've heard from former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu who said, given NATO's desire to build up military potential near the Russian borders, retaliatory measures are required to create an appropriate grouping of troops in northwest Russia. So, you know, the rhetoric is heating up. I would caveat everything that even though, yes,

We've heard from former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu who said, given NATO's desire to build up military potential near the Russian borders, retaliatory measures are required to create an appropriate grouping of troops in northwest Russia. So, you know, the rhetoric is heating up. I would caveat everything that even though, yes,

We've heard from former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu who said, given NATO's desire to build up military potential near the Russian borders, retaliatory measures are required to create an appropriate grouping of troops in northwest Russia. So, you know, the rhetoric is heating up. I would caveat everything that even though, yes,

There are tensions there and those tensions in the future could cause something that that neither side wanted. And I don't think either side want to see conflict in that area at the moment. But Russia's military focus has been on Ukraine and that, you know, some of its plans to expand its its. military presence in the north has had to be constrained because of what's going on in Ukraine.

There are tensions there and those tensions in the future could cause something that that neither side wanted. And I don't think either side want to see conflict in that area at the moment. But Russia's military focus has been on Ukraine and that, you know, some of its plans to expand its its. military presence in the north has had to be constrained because of what's going on in Ukraine.

There are tensions there and those tensions in the future could cause something that that neither side wanted. And I don't think either side want to see conflict in that area at the moment. But Russia's military focus has been on Ukraine and that, you know, some of its plans to expand its its. military presence in the north has had to be constrained because of what's going on in Ukraine.

So I don't sense any immediate threat. When you go up there, you know, native exercising, they're clearly worried, but you do not sense an immediate threat and that this is going to break out into some kind of conflict. But that is, of course, the fear in the longer term.

So I don't sense any immediate threat. When you go up there, you know, native exercising, they're clearly worried, but you do not sense an immediate threat and that this is going to break out into some kind of conflict. But that is, of course, the fear in the longer term.

So I don't sense any immediate threat. When you go up there, you know, native exercising, they're clearly worried, but you do not sense an immediate threat and that this is going to break out into some kind of conflict. But that is, of course, the fear in the longer term.

Yeah, and they've been doing naval exercises too in that region or close to that region. I think there is a difference in that China's interest is more mercenary, it's economic, whereas for Russia it is both economic but also strategic. In other words, what is worrying the West at the moment, a growing relationship between China and Russia, does not inevitably mean that

Yeah, and they've been doing naval exercises too in that region or close to that region. I think there is a difference in that China's interest is more mercenary, it's economic, whereas for Russia it is both economic but also strategic. In other words, what is worrying the West at the moment, a growing relationship between China and Russia, does not inevitably mean that

Yeah, and they've been doing naval exercises too in that region or close to that region. I think there is a difference in that China's interest is more mercenary, it's economic, whereas for Russia it is both economic but also strategic. In other words, what is worrying the West at the moment, a growing relationship between China and Russia, does not inevitably mean that

that they are in total agreement. And Russia will be concerned in some ways, as it is about NATO expansion, about Chinese expansion, but at the moment needs it. And I think there's also one other thing that is in common interest between Russia and China, and that is breaking up what are the UN laws of the sea, UNCLOS, which essentially... is about free passage.

that they are in total agreement. And Russia will be concerned in some ways, as it is about NATO expansion, about Chinese expansion, but at the moment needs it. And I think there's also one other thing that is in common interest between Russia and China, and that is breaking up what are the UN laws of the sea, UNCLOS, which essentially... is about free passage.

that they are in total agreement. And Russia will be concerned in some ways, as it is about NATO expansion, about Chinese expansion, but at the moment needs it. And I think there's also one other thing that is in common interest between Russia and China, and that is breaking up what are the UN laws of the sea, UNCLOS, which essentially... is about free passage.

And that's exactly what China is trying to do in the Indo-Pacific region. And I think the concern will be that from the Western countries is that will be what Russia and China try to do in the Arctic.

And that's exactly what China is trying to do in the Indo-Pacific region. And I think the concern will be that from the Western countries is that will be what Russia and China try to do in the Arctic.

And that's exactly what China is trying to do in the Indo-Pacific region. And I think the concern will be that from the Western countries is that will be what Russia and China try to do in the Arctic.

I think there's always the danger that even if you haven't got direct conflict between countries, Russia, let's be honest, it is now native countries up there, that there will be what we're seeing as a result of the Ukraine war. There is sabotage. That's certainly what the West is accusing.

I think there's always the danger that even if you haven't got direct conflict between countries, Russia, let's be honest, it is now native countries up there, that there will be what we're seeing as a result of the Ukraine war. There is sabotage. That's certainly what the West is accusing.