‘Speak plainly’: Putin snaps at Russian spy chief throughout Ukraine dialogue

While the US and Europe second-guess Vladimir Putin’s subsequent transfer on Ukraine, the Russian President gave a glimpse into the nation’s decision-making course of throughout a safety assembly on recognising two breakaway areas in Ukraine.

During the televised assembly Monday, Putin pressed Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin to “speak plainly”. The tense alternate noticed the spy chief being interrupted repeatedly as he struggled to search out the correct phrases.

“Speak plainly, Sergei”

Vladimir Putin presses Russia’s spy chief throughout assembly with officershttps://t.co/n7C78XPK3P pic.twitter.com/SEHTQRiaK4

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 22, 2022

“We need to adopt a decision on what is being discussed today,” started Naryshkin, solely to be interrupted by Putin, who requested: “what does that mean? In the worst case? Are you suggesting we start negotiations?”

“No,” says the spy chief, earlier than Putin interrupted him once more.

“Or recognise sovereignty? Speak plainly,” mentioned Putin.

“I will support the proposal to support to recognise,” mentioned Naryshkin, in line with the BBC.

“Will support or do support,” pressed Putin, repeating “Speak plainly, Sergei.”

“I’m supporting the decision,” Naryshkin replied, “I support the proposal to incorporate the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republic into the Russian Federation.”

“We are not talking about that. We are not discussing that,” mentioned Putin. “We are talking about whether to recognise their independence or not.”

“Yes, I support the proposal to recognise their independence,” replied the spy chief, earlier than he was lastly dismissed.

The proposal was handed and Putin signed a decree to formally recognise Donetsk and Luhansk ‘People’s Republics’. Putin’s transfer to recognise the 2 areas and deploy Russian troops on a “peace-keeping” mission to Donetsk and Luhansk has been condemned by the worldwide group. US President Joe Biden and European leaders responded by slapping sanctions on Russian oligarchs and banks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres mentioned Tuesday that when “troops of one country enter the territory of another country without its consent, they are not impartial peacekeepers. They are not peacekeepers at all.”