Ian Bond @CER_IanBond Twitter profile

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Ian Bond

1 year

Since it's getting harder & harder to use this place in a sensible way, & my timeline is taken up with more fraudulent ads & conspiracy theorists, I'm going to see whether I have better luck elsewhere - you can find me @cerianbond .bluesky.social .

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Rarely tweet about UK party politics, nor when angry. Going to break both those rules in relation to Downing St & COVID parties. I hardly saw my mom in the year before she died, in Jan 2021, because I obeyed the law. Laws can't just be for little people. The PM should go, now.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

I try not to swear in tweets, but after revelation that 18mths after #EURef the UK gov't has not assessed impact of #Brexit I am going to let former senior civil servant Sir Richard Mottram speak for me.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 months

Two major differences: Ukraine doesn’t have Iron Dome (because Israel has so far prioritised relations with Russia over helping a country in need), & no US, UK or French aircraft have been in the air to help Ukraine shoot down drones & missiles. If we help Israel, we shd help UA.

Carl Bildt

@carlbildt

7 months

The attack on 🇮🇱 tonight was of a magnitude that 🇺🇦 suffers on a fairly regular basis. Same drones. Similar missiles. Week after week. Month after month.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

My country’s government appears to have lost its mind. We are going to fight France for the right to catch types of fish that most Britons don’t eat, and that the UK will no longer be able to export to France.

FT Europe

@ftbrussels

4 years

UK to deploy Royal Navy to deter French fishing boats

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

@ArtyomLukin "Due respect to Moscow"? This conflict would have been avoided if Moscow had shown due respect to the UN Charter, international law, Helsinki Final Act principles & the bilateral treaties it had signed with Kyiv. Ukraine is the sovereign equal of Russia, not its subordinate.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

@anders_aslund Anders, I hope for this, but this confidence is premature. Defence easier than offence; if UA goes on offensive, it will face same problems as RU, but starts w fewer forces. War may end up in stalemate rather than RU defeat. Then question is if W sanctions can force RU to stop.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

I’m just picking my jaw off the floor. @BBCr4today interviewed an actual expert, @CSBarnard24 , about the impact of no-deal #Brexit , without insisting she debate the topic with a believer in unicorns. We got clear, non-sensational, fact-based information. Hopefully not a one-off.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

5 years

End of my last visit to Brussels as an EU citizen. No sunlit uplands currently visible, and believing harder won't make them appear.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 months

If the US, France & the UK put their air forces in harm’s way to defend Israeli civilians against Iranian drone & missile attacks, when Israel already has the world’s best anti-aircraft & anti-missile defences, shouldn’t they do the same for Ukraine, which really needs the help?

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Let's try again: @BBCNews : the people who run parts of the Donbas occupied by Russia since 2014 aren't 'separatists', because there was no separatism there pre-2014 invasion. Please stop perpetuating this Russian propaganda! They're just Russian proxies.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

He's "involved in politics" in the same way a bank robber is "involved in financial services". An MP should not be encouraging anyone to play fast & loose with electoral law.

Priti Patel MP

@pritipatel

6 years

We should encourage young people to get involved in politics & support their engagement. I hope you will join me in supporting @darrengrimes_

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

Lukashenka “won a resounding victory in the election” - Really @BBCNews ? He achieved a fraudulent victory through vote rigging and repression, & is now detaining thousands. BBC should not be taking his propaganda at face value.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

Might it be an idea if @BBC invested in more journalists who are scientists, economists or trade experts, not beefing up coverage of religion? UK faces huge challenges: we need more of BBC explaining facts & evidence, not promoting unprovable beliefs.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 months

I deeply disagree with this approach, built on the shakiest of premises: that Russia has ‘legitimate security interests’ that can be protected by allowing it to annex the land & colonise the population of a neighbouring country. That is not a recipe for peace, but a worse war.

Thomas Fazi

@battleforeurope

4 months

Our letter in support of peace negotiations in Ukraine was published in the Financial Times today. I hope it will contribute to increase the momentum created by @PM_ViktorOrban ’s peace efforts. Here’s the full text — please share! Russia’s latest military gains in the Donetsk

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Depressing to hear @Jeremy_Hunt proposing to give ambassadorships to business leaders. No major nation except US does this - & there are plenty of horror stories fm US to show why. Diplomacy is a profession, with its own skill set. Shd invest properly in @foreignoffice staff.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

How not to do it, @politico : "Russia to build naval base in breakaway Georgia region". The phrase you're looking for is "in occupied Georgian territory". Abkhazia & S Ossetia have been occupied since 2008, & arguably since 1993.

Russia to build naval base in breakaway Georgia region

Abkhazia has already signed an agreement for the new base, according to the region’s leader.

www.politico.eu

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Please @BBCNews @BBCr4today & other UK media, now Putin has decided to stop the charade, can you stop referring to ‘Russian-backed separatists’ in Donetsk & Luhansk? These entities were never ‘separatist’. They were created by RU in 2014, & sustained & directed by RU ever since.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

This is obscene. On what planet could anyone think spending money on royal yachts was a better use of money than supporting the world’s poorest people, or investing in global health programmes? “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.”

Christopher Hope📝

@christopherhope

4 years

EXCLUSIVE in tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: Spend the aid budget on a successor to HMY Britannia, Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt tells PM Boris Johnson

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

Summary: country that doesn't want to be #EU member complains that EU wants to treat it as non-member after it leaves.

David Davis accuses EU of acting in bad faith over Brexit transition plans

UK says it wants to be ‘treated in the same way as EU member states’ during the transition period.

www.politico.eu

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

Can we just ask Estonia & Finland to run Europe for us? They seem to have the leaders with the best appreciation of the real security situation the continent finds itself in.

Glasnost Gone

@GlasnostGone

2 years

#Estonia 's PM Kaja Kallas told BBC Radio, the EU should order weapons for #Ukraine in the same way it procured Covid vaccines. "While Russian military industry is working in 3 shifts, the European defensive industry hasn't really boosted its production."

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

US & France don’t agree on RU place in Europe post-war. Pierre Vimont says Macron’s European Political Community has a place for RU. US ASD Celeste Wallander says RU must face strategic failure, can then return to Eur security architecture on our terms. #lennartmericonference

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 months

I'm pleased to be among the signatories to this response to the proposal by Lord Skidelsky & others for the West to push Ukraine to accept 'peace' on Russia's terms:

Letter: Calls for ‘peace’ deal show blindness to Russian goals

From James Sherr and others

www.ft.com

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

Why, @BBCr4today , have you again allowed @johnredwood to lie abt effect of #customsunion on trade w developing countries without challenging him? Not as though this is new point - see eg exhaustive debunking of it by @Jim_Cornelius . Yet people are left thinking Redwood is right.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

I’m relieved there’s a deal, but angry at rights & benefits little Englanders have deprived the rest of us of. It’s a lie to say this delivers what was promised in 2016- it’s not “the exact same benefits”, or anything close to them, & never could be. The UK is diminished by this.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

A few thoughts on the #CoupInRussia . First, “vrag moego vraga moy drug’: my enemy’s enemy is my friend. Short term & maybe more, Ukraine will benefit from Prigozhin’s action: it will distract the Kremlin, the MOD & the General Staff from defending occupied territory in UA. 1/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

I am not at all reassured by @EmmanuelMacron 's call w Putin. 'A summit meeting with a view to defining a new order of peace and security in Europe' shd not be on offer as long as Putin has a gun to Ukraine's head. Rewarding blackmail is never a good strategy.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Just a reminder of why the West cannot allow Putin to defeat Ukraine: it isn't the limit of his ambition, or those of his circle. Also a reminder that nice, liberal Mr Medvedev, President 2008-2012, is neither nice nor liberal these days - if he ever was.

Max Fras

@maxfras

3 years

This morning, 🇷🇺Dmitry Medvedev decided to post a lengthy letter 🇵🇱"On Poland" - it is a curious mix of Soviet and pan-Slavic mythology with mockery, dire criticism and veiled threats against Poland - here are the key points 🧵

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

I would still prefer a #PeoplesVote , but by running down the clock the PM has more or less made that impossible without months more of uncertainty. So I've signed #RevokeArticle50Petition , to minimise the harm done to the UK. #BrexitShambles

Peter Ricketts

@LordRickettsP

6 years

The mood has shifted on Brexit after the PM’s petulant No10 speech then losing control of the process first to the EU and now to MPs. See the 1m March and the 5m petition. The scale of disaster that no-deal wd be has dawned on people. Now the Commons sh’d decide to revoke A50

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

We in the West have the luxury of getting tired. Ukrainians don’t, as Estonians (& other Balts) didn’t when the USSR occupied their country. People telling Ukraine to negotiate away territory & sovereignty have no idea what they’re asking - this thread might help them understand.

Eerik N Kross

@EerikNKross

1 year

I keep hearing that "the people" in the West are getting "tired" of the war against Ukraine. In case any of these tired people read this, I tell you a story. Its about not getting tired.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Excellent interview by @simoncoveney , putting John Humphrys @BBCr4today straight repeatedly on what the UK govt has already agreed to, in writing, on NI border issue. Why are so few UK politicians able to show similar level of expertise on #Brexit & its implications?

Dr Nick Wright

@NickWrightYAPJ

6 years

Simon Coveney v impressive on #r4today - spelling out for John Humphreys the realities of Brexit for Ireland north and south, and particularly the responsibilities of the UK in that regard. ...and reminding him that Boris Johnson isn't actually a member of the government.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

These words fill me with horror - both for the domestic impact (if govt wants to breach international human rights treaties, it will), & for the arguments it will give tyrants elsewhere - when the UK calls for respect for the rule of law, they can throw the AG's words back at us.

Joe Mayes

@Joe_Mayes

4 years

The Attorney General is defending the government's stance on breaking international law in the Commons. `It’s entirely proper, it’s entirely constitutional and lawful in domestic law to enact legislation that may operate in breach of international law or treaty obligations' 1/

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Appeal to @Conservatives & individual MPs inc mine, @DominicRaab , who’ve taken money fm people who got rich in Putin’s kleptocratic system: don’t keep this tainted cash, but give it to organisations helping Putin’s Ukrainian victims. @Ukr_Institute has a list. #IStandWithUkraine

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

This is an almost Orwellian level of distortion/propaganda: “growing the customs sector” means “imposing more red tape & costs on UK businesses”, but we’re supposed to think that that is a good thing?

Cabinet Office

@cabinetofficeuk

4 years

We are committed to growing the customs sector for EU trade in 2021. Find out more about how the government is preparing for our departure from the UK’s transition period 👉 #LetsGetGoing

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

Finally - I’ve seen a few tweets suggesting UA & the West should be cheering on both sides; but I’ll be cheering for neither. There are no good guys in this fight, & if two groups of war criminals ‘demilitarise’ each other, I’ll shed no tears. 16/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

The problem is that @theresa_may has consistently seen foreign students as an immigration problem, not a services export.

Sam Lowe

@SamuelMarcLowe

6 years

Our universities are a big UK export success story that for some reason we are trying to undermine.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

That's a Cabinet Minister in a govt that's cut itself off from EU foreign, security & defence policy co-operation, & is doing its best to alienate its nearest neighbours in pursuit of the mirage of absolute sovereignty. Maybe a little self-awareness would be useful?

Steven Swinford

@Steven_Swinford

3 years

Cab minister says withdrawal from Afghanistan shows US 'is looking inward & unwilling to do even modest amount to maintain global order' 'Let's hope rich western nations wake up to fact we need to defend what we believe in. Otherwise we'll all be speaking mandarin in 100 years'

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

As so often, @NTenzer hits the nail on the head: what is going to happen in the Donbas isn’t a potential massacre; it’s pre-announced massacre, that the West should stop. W leaders can’t pretend they don’t know what’s going to happen if Putin is allowed to proceed.

CCeSoir

@Ccesoir

3 years

"La vraie question c'est qu'est ce que l'on fait pour protéger les Ukrainiens d'un massacre annoncé" @NTenzer ➡️

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

@rtenews They didn’t “vote in a landslide”, @rtenews . First, v large part of the population weren’t there to vote: they’re refugees/IDPs. Second, voters were under physical threat & had no ballot secrecy; only a brave person wd vote against Russia. Third, the figures are total fiction.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Showing, if anyone had any doubt, that Russian complaints about Ukraine's language law were pure hypocrisy: Russia has no interest in ppl being able to study in their native language, unless that language is Russian.

Mattia Nelles

@mattia_n

3 years

Russification of the occupied territories: in Melitopol the Russians are introducing Russian in the education system as the only language, according to the mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov. Again, this EXACTLY what they did in Crimea and the Donbas.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

Second, falling out with Putin does not make Prigozhin a good guy. He is brutal war criminal leading a mercenary group with its origins in Russian Nazism, implicated in atrocities not only in Ukraine but also in several African countries and in Syria. 5/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 months

It is long past time that Western countries officially designated Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, and sanctioned it accordingly. From Litvinenko onwards (if not earlier), RU intelligence has assassinated our citizens, & launched physical & cyber attacks in our countries.

Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦

@bayraktar_1love

4 months

CNN - “US intelligence discovered earlier this year that the Russian government planned to assassinate the chief executive of a German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. US informed Germany, whose security services were then able to protect Papperger and foil the plot. A high-level

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Clear-sighted analysis of where we are: if Russia comes out of this war with territorial gains, it will be back for more in a few years (at most). The West must ensure that RU can’t succeed, either now or in future. Wishful thinking about Putin got us here; mustn’t be repeated.

Ulrich Speck

@ulrichspeck

3 years

If we start to discuss the contours of a future peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, and especially the Western role as potential guarantor of such a deal, it's important to keep in mind that Ukraine's security problem is not new, and that there is plenty of history already.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Reminder: if you have a secret plan to cheat your EU negotiating partners after the deal is signed, it's not a good idea to tell #Marr - you never know, someone may be watching.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

I woke up this morning to @BBCr4today - John Humphrys ‘humphsplaining’ the #Italian constitution to former Italian minister Sandro Gozi while promoting anti- #EU conspiracy theories about pressure on Italian President from @EU_Commission . Objectivity?

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

Cuts to British Council, cuts to BBC World Service, cuts to development aid: the UK is eroding its soft power in every way possible. And if cuts have to be made, why would you shift Chinese language service to digital only, where the Great Firewall can block it more easily?

RadioToday UK

@RadioToday

2 years

BBC World Service cuts: The BBC is proposing to close 382 job positions and cease 10 radio services around the world

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

Frightening comments from Fiona Hill. Given her expertise in the late Soviet Union and its aftermath, she knows what coups look like, and I am sure she chose her words with care.

Mike Eckel

@Mike_Eckel

4 years

Fiona Hill (former WH NSC adviser on Russia affairs), speaking on the record: 😳

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 months

Completely correct. Putin's great success has been in persuading the West of Russia's strength and its own weakness, when the reality is that the West has many times the capabilities of Russia.

Nataliya Bugayova

@nataliabugayova

7 months

The US still does not fully grasp the nature of the Russian threat, Russia’s sources of power and weakness, and the Russian way of war – including reflexive control. This knowledge gap is reflected in the prevailing US national security assessment that, while Russia poses the

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

5 years

Boris Johnson's assertion that there's "no evidence of Russia meddling in UK politics" lacks all credibility - there's lots of open source info (eg about Conservative Friends of Russia); I'm sure there's a lot more available to ISC. #ReleaseTheRussiaReport

Johnson says ‘no evidence’ of Russia meddling in UK politics

PM denies he has ‘something to hide’ by refusing to publish ISC report

www.ft.com

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

The West: if Putin comes through this, some leaders will be tempted by the argument that Prigozhin would have been even worse, so the West should help keep Putin in power, including by offering him something face-saving in Ukraine. Don’t do it! 12/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

8 years

Those of my generation and older owe a huge apology to our kids, whose horizons just shrank. #Brexit

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

In @foreignoffice we were always told that if policy could not be publicly defended, then the policy might need to be reconsidered. This government seems to have decided that if the policy cannot be publicly defended, then the public must be kept in the dark.

FT Opinion

@ftopinion

7 years

David Allen Green: The telling story of the 58 Brexit sector analyses

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

What's shocking is @DavidDavisMP & his crew have spent decades calling for #Brexit ; & a year after #EURef , they're still totally unready.

Ian Dunt

@IanDunt

7 years

Brexit dept confirms talks will start in Brussels on Monday, even though there's no government, no plan, no aims and no capacity to deliver.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

Lots of interesting insights into the start of Putin’s war against Ukraine in @BBC ‘Putin vs the West’ - but “Russian-backed separatists” in E Ukraine? Really - still? How hard is it to understand, especially in retrospect, that these were Russian operatives, sent by Kremlin?

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

That also means that UK citizens will be able to enjoy free movement rights in all 31 other #EEA & #EFTA states, 5 years after 52% voted to deprive the other 48% of those rights. Please don't make it sound as though free movement only goes one way.

Laura Kuenssberg

@bbclaurak

7 years

EU says all EU Law will apply until end of transition, assumed to be 2021, and we have to stick with all four freedoms, which means EU immigration carries on as is for five years after the referendum

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Good piece. UK political parties frame freedom of movement as something done to the UK, which is misleading enough given the contribution EU citizens make to economy & society; but it’s also a right that British people have and will now lose - & politicians never talk about that.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

If this is true, @ukhomeoffice , I assume steps are already underway to strip him of his UK nationality & freeze his UK assets. If not, why not?

Francis Scarr

@francis_scarr

3 years

Here's state TV presenter Sergei Brilyov lauding Russia's "special military operation" on tonight's news He holds a British passport and owns an apartment in West London

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

8 years

How can you be "a magnet for international talent" if you want to cut foreign student numbers by 50%? @theresa_may #BrexitSpeech

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

What @laurie_bristow is doing at present is about as far from Daily Mail caricatures of champagne-drinking, caviar-eating diplomacy as it's possible to get. Kabul is an extreme case, but many FCDO staff work in difficult posts, doing their best for UK interests. Chapeau, Laurie!

Laurie Bristow

@laurie_bristow

3 years

We are working flat out to bring British nationals and our Afghan colleagues to safety. We’ve already helped hundreds of people to leave on military flights.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

11 months

Agree w @jgotkowska . 'As long as it takes' is not an objective. Clear aim shd be to ensure Ukraine recovers all its territory, to 1991 borders; and the West, especially Europe, needs to provide the resources to achieve that. Less than that, & Putin/Russia will be back for more.

Justyna Gotkowska

@jgotkowska

11 months

1. After recent discussions in Vilnius&Berlin I think one needs to clearly say that Western strategy devised by🇺🇸🇩🇪, guided by fear of escalation and betting on “supporting Ukraine as long as it takes” =creating best conditions for negotiation= may turn out to be a failure.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

11 months

My new policy brief on Ukraine fatigue. I'm increasingly worried W leaders are losing hope & missing the point: supporting Ukraine is costly; but impact of not supporting it, & letting Putin grow stronger, is much worse.

Ukraine fatigue: Bad for Kyiv, bad for the West

Some Western leaders are expressing ‘Ukraine fatigue’ – a luxury Ukrainians do not have. But the cost to Europe of Ukraine failing would be higher than that of helping it to win.

www.cer.eu

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

5 years

What a miserable, self-isolating decision. As an impoverished student/junior civil servant, Interail unlocked European travel for me. Whether the fault lies with train operators or government, this is going to be yet another step to narrow the horizons of young non-rich Brits.

The Man in Seat 61

@seatsixtyone

5 years

BRITAIN TO PULL OUT OF INTERRAIL/EURAIL SCHEME. Now it is indeed official, I have the press release. Interrail/Eurail passes will no longer cover (not so) Great Britain from 1 Jan 2020, although Eurostar will still be covered.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

My 92 yr old mother too. Her home in Coventry bombed, she saw better for Europe to work together. And she recognised #Farage 's type fm '30s.

Catherine Kinsella

@cathkinsella

7 years

My Grandma is 89 and a PASSIONATE Remainer. She cannot fathom placing the longest period of peace in Europe under threat

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

The best thing the West can do is accelerate NATO membership for UA (extending Art 5 guarantee progressively as territory is liberated - ). Then deal w RU leadership from a position of strength & on its merits 14/16

Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership: Going from Bucharest to Vilnius without moving?

At its upcoming Vilnius summit, NATO is likely to offer Ukraine a closer relationship than before, but less than full membership.

www.cer.eu

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

... but we are determined not to look at what happened in the EU referendum in 2016, or to do anything to stop the flow of Russian-derived money into the Conservative Party. Good ISC report, underwhelming govt response.

Dominic Raab

@DominicRaab

4 years

We’ve been clear that Russia must desist from its attacks on the UK & our allies. We will be resolute in defending our country, our democracy & our values from such Hostile State Activity. See the Government’s full response to the ISC Russia report here 👇

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Interviewed by @mrjamesob @LBC on situation in Ukraine & W reactions. Key points: Putin obsessed w Ukraine; don't think he'll settle for Donbas. W sanctions need to be v tough to deter him: no more half measures. And send anti-tank & anti-air weapons to UA: they'll need them.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Inexcusable ignorance!

Adam Wagner

@AdamWagner1

6 years

Arghhh! Jeremy Corbyn just said on #Marr that the European Court of Human Rights is "in part an EU institution". It isn't! It's a totally separate institution, arising from a separate treaty which well pre-dates the EU and would remain in place whatever version of Brexit

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

1. It wasn't a slap in the face. The #EU had been saying the same things for ages, but UK govt chose not to listen. 2. Deciding that because your leader is incompetent you'll fight harder to deliver her vision seems a bit of a strange approach, unless you actively want to fail.

Nick Robinson

@bbcnickrobinson

6 years

What the Salzburg slap in the face has damaged is much more than the Chequers Plan. It has undermined Tory MPs trust in Theresa May‘s judgement, negotiating skills & ability to deliver a deal. Though it may have increased their readiness for a fight

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

I had “Russia invades Ukraine” on my 2022 bingo card; I did not have “attempted coup in Germany”. If suggestions of Russian involvement are confirmed, can German leaders finally stop dreaming of a return to normal relations with Putin’s Russia & recognise RU for the threat it is?

Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷

@MikeStuchbery_

2 years

Massive raids across Germany to arrest at least 25 military figures who were conspiring to launch a coup. An EMP was going to signal the attempt.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Suddenly, the ice is melting. Putin has forced the EU to become a serious foreign policy actor, & has helped some of its member-states to rediscover their back-bones.

Josep Borrell Fontelles

@JosepBorrellF

3 years

I am convening a virtual meeting of EU Foreign Ministers tomorrow at 18.00 to adopt further measures in support of #Ukraine , against aggression by #Russia . I will propose a package of emergency assistance for the Ukrainian armed forces, to support them in their heroic fight.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Very disappointed that @Jeremy_Hunt would make such an ill-judged comparison. His predecessor's rhetorical excesses should be avoided, not copied.

Baiba Braže

@Braze_Baiba

6 years

Dear @faisalislam , just FYI - Soviets killed, deported, exiled and imprisoned 100 thousands of Latvia's inhabitants after the illegal occupation in 1940, and ruined lives of 3 generations, while the EU has brought prosperity, equality, growth, respect. #StrongerTogether

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

Removal of 'Iron Felix' from in front of KGB HQ in 1991 was a sign of positive change in a democratising Russia; now bloodstained mass-murderers like Stalin & Dzherzhinsky are back on their podiums. Those encouraging Ukraine to compromise shd confront reality of Putin's Russia.

Kyle Orton

@KyleWOrton

1 year

A statue of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the #Soviet Cheka (secret police), has been unveiled in Moscow at the headquarters of the Foreign Intelligence Service ( #SVR ). It is a slightly smaller version of the statue that stood on Lubyanka Square from 1958 to 1991.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

8 years

Has there been a democratically elected Western leader before who has said "Well, my country is just as bad as that autocracy over there"?

Michael McFaul

@McFaul

8 years

Mr. President, why do you respect someone who has destroyed Russian democracy, annexed land in Ukraine & interfered in our elections? Why?

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

This sounds very techy, but for the Baltic States, moving from a grid with Russia & Belarus to one with the rest of the EU would be both practically and symbolically important.

Estonia in the EU

@EEinEU

7 years

The synchronisation of the three Baltic States' electricity grid with the continental European network will increase solidarity and energy security in the region. #EnergyUnion

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Many questions : why shd Russia decide foreign policy of other sovereign countries? What guarantees wd Russia offer in return? And why, when Russia broke its own legally-binding treaty w Ukraine, annexed Crimea & invaded Donbas, shd anyone trust its word rather than joining NATO?

Oleg Shakirov

@shakirov2036

3 years

Lavrov at #OSCEMC2021 : "It's time to transform the right words into long-term, legally binding security guarantees [...] We will submit such proposals in the near future. We look forward to their serious consideration, on substance and without excuses." He also cited Putin👇

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

If Prigozhin (contrary to my expectations) comes out on top, some Western leaders will want to exploit a supposed ‘honeymoon period’ to improve relations by offering him sweeteners in return for peace. Don’t do it! 13/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

What on earth is “breaking the rule of law in an acceptable way”?

BBC Politics

@BBCPolitics

4 years

"If I see the rule of law being broken in a way that I find unacceptable then of course I will go," says Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, about the government’s internal market bill which could breach international law #Marr

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

Only fair to admit that whatever else I got right today, I did not have "Prigozhin goes into exile in Belarus" on my list of potential outcomes. I need to be more imaginative!

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

When I was in Moscow in the 90s, a Russian general explained to visiting UK officials that Russia had never in its history fought a war of aggression. Its territory had grown as a result of Moscow defending itself.

Steven Pifer

@steven_pifer

3 years

#Kremlin spox: " #Russia has never hatched, is not hatching and will never hatch any plans to attack anyone. Russia is a peaceful country, which is interested in good relations with its neighbors." Suspect #Ukraine might disagree.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

Maybe, but remember Napoleon’s advice: “When the enemy makes a false move, one should avoid interrupting him”. There may be advantages in not doing so much in RU that Russian factions are reminded they’re supposed to be fighting Ukraine, not each other. 4/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Read, and worry - and, if you're in a decision-making position, act. If Putin is not defeated in Ukraine, the totalitarian tilt will continue, & the paranoia about sovereign states on Russia's borders will get worse & more dangerous.

Samuel Ramani

@SamRamani2

3 years

Putin's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky and foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin just made fiery speeches to rally Russians around the Ukraine war. Their rhetoric provided an alarming window into Russia's totalitarian tilt. Some more details /1

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 months

I agree. For the sake of Europe’s security, Russia has to lose this war. That’s means Europe investing everything required for Ukrainian victory.

Mattia Nelles

@mattia_n

6 months

Yes, this probably is the last big U.S. 🇺🇦 package. How long it will last is not entirely clear but what comes after is even less clear. That’s why we need to finally agree on confiscating RU assets and talking about common European debt to finance long-term 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 aid.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

Also, be prepared for unrest elsewhere (hello, Minsk!) & possibly renewed outflows of Russians to neighbouring countries, especially if fighting lasts. The West should be ready to help countries on RU borders to cope. 15/16

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Less than a month ago, I wrote "Putin may not be Hitler" - but with this rally & the "self purification" speech a couple of days ago, the Third Reich vibe is getting stronger all the time. The democratic world cannot afford to let Putin win.

The west knows the cost of appeasement. We can’t rule out any option for stopping Putin

The Russian leader has shown he cares enough about Ukraine to shed blood over it. He needs to know the gain won’t be worth the pain.

www.cer.eu

Mary Ilyushina

@maryilyushina

3 years

Putin arrives to the pro-Russian gathering in Luzhniki. The starts talking but the broadcast is weirdly cut half-sentence. Z's are everywhere.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Agree that objectively UK is not being humiliated. But UK press that spent 30 years persuading Brits that #EU is oppressing it, when in reality it had a sweetheart deal with opt-outs, will have no trouble convincing ppl that wicked Europeans have treated noble England horribly.

Mathieu von Rohr

@mathieuvonrohr

6 years

What’s dangerous is the UK government’s self-victimization. The UK is not being “humiliated”, it was told from the beginning that the EU views the four freedoms as indivisible, which May’s government has simply ignored.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

Oustanding fm @gideonrachman w Hein Goemans, who's refreshingly clear in his view of ppl telling Ukraine to make peace w Putin: "These people are idiots. I mean, idiots!... How can you think this guy won’t come back and ask for more?". Precisely!

Ukraine series: how long will the war last?

What history tells us about why some conflicts endure and others end quickly

www.ft.com

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

5 years

Very disturbing thread. If there is evidence of Russian interference in 2016 referendum & 2017 GE, it should be released, not suppressed by a PM who potentially benefited from a bit of help from Moscow, wittingly or not.

Mark Urban

@MarkUrban01

5 years

The Parliamentary Intelligence & Security Cttee report on Russian actions against the UK was sent to No10 on 17/10 with the idea it should be released on 28/10, before the election, but No10 has not signed it off 1/3

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

I totally agree. Have people learned nothing from Minsk 1 and Minsk 2, and what then happened? Are they not listening to what Putin & his minions say about this genocidal war?

Anne Applebaum

@anneapplebaum

2 years

If Ukraine cedes land for a temporary peace, one that allows the Russians to re-arm, the war will not be over. The economic crisis will not come to an end. I do not understand why so many people fail to understand this. This solution is not "realism", it's pure fantasy.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

No one should be in any doubt: this is a genocidal war, & the Putin regime wants to eradicate Ukrainians’ identity. As long as Ukrainians are ready to fight for their freedom, the West should help them to ensure that Russia cannot hold on to the land & people it’s seized.

POLITICO

@politico

2 years

For many Mariupol residents, Russia’s brutal attack on the city was just the beginning. Next came the interrogations, humiliation, abuse, and forced deportations.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Gibraltar called ITSELF a colony in evidence to the ECJ in 2017, when it thought that would help it escape EU gambling rules. See para 53 of . Let’s hold back on the outrage, therefore. There’s a bit of #cakeism going on here!

Matthew Stadlen

@MatthewStadlen

6 years

We spend so much time beating ourselves up over Brexit while EU bureaucrats treat us with intransigence and rudeness. Calling Gibraltar a colony just simply isn’t on. I voted remain and I’ve almost had enough. Have you? Join me from 1 on @LBC

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

This is getting like a death cult, with acolytes competing to show how dedicated they are to causing harm to the country.

Rem Korteweg

@remkorteweg

6 years

Just in case you havent noticed: -Jeremy Hunt & Sajid Javid have both come out pro-No Deal. -PM May is meeting JRM to "mend the wounds". Looks like if u want to be taken seriously as a Tory, Hard #Brexit is still the way to go. And if that's proving tricky, embrace No Deal.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

Those Western Europeans who still dismiss Balts & Poles as hysterically Russophobic (which they're not) might listen to the Finns. They managed a tricky relationship w Moscow unemotionally for >70 years; but they're clear about the need to defeat RU now.

Teri Schultz

@terischultz

2 years

"We have to do our utmost to make sure Ukraine wins," Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin tells #MSC2023 , saying this is an issue of the whole world standing behind values and international law.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

Very worrying news that #SergeiSkripal , #Russian imprisoned for spying for UK & swapped in 2010 as part of 'Anna Chapman' exchange, seems to have been poisoned in #Salisbury . Another example of Russian intel treating UK as a free fire zone?

Dominic Casciani

@BBCDomC

7 years

BREAKING: A former Russian spy, given refuge in the UK, is critically ill in hospital in Salisbury after being exposed to an "unknown substance"

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

4 years

An hour to go to end of the transition period, I wonder what benefit Brexit can possibly bring to the ordinary people of the UK. I can only see lost rights to live, work & study abroad, economic harm and damaged security. And for the UK as a state, less international influence.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

2 years

Good piece by @jamesnixey . From a different angle: life for Russians can only improve once they've shed their imperial urge. As long as Russians are so proud of their ability to suffer in pursuit of ruling their neighbours, RU will be a grim place to live.

Russian imperial mindset must change for real victory

The attitude of Russia’s elite – and wider population – to the states which used to constitute the USSR needs to change in order to solve the Russia challenge.

www.chathamhouse.org

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

7 years

This time in 2016, I still hoped to wake up in one of Europe's leading countries. Now I wake up daily wondering what we can salvage fm mess.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

This is frankly embarrassing. Trying to make your negotiating partner feel physically small isn’t smart - especially when he knows he’s actually in the stronger position in the talks.

Chris Grey 🇺🇦

@chrisgreybrexit

6 years

Stewart Jackson on @BBCRadio4 PM just now recalling putting Barnier on a low chair & DD on a high chair at presser to supposedly gain advantage. Chuckles at this cunning ploy. A small glimpse of the utter fatuousness and self-delusion of Brexiters' approach to the negotiations

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

Quite. See also the axe being taken to the British Council, the slashing of our aid budget etc.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

6 years

Shocking level of ignorance and/or dissembling on parts of both @BBCsarahsmith & @hbaldwin : 34 African countries have tariff free access to #EU market through Everything But Arms, & another 7 have tariff preferences through GSP or GSP+. cc @Jim_Cornelius @SamuelMarcLowe

BBC Radio 4 Today

@BBCr4today

6 years

Africa Minister @hbaldwin says "there is scope for UK consumers and African exporters to benefit" from Brexit #r4today

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

1 year

@HoansSolo More than 18 months in, depressing that Western gov'ts still haven't worked out that the thing that most endangers European security is Putin not losing. Ensuring that Ukraine wins is the best way of ensuring our own security.

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Ian Bond

@CER_IanBond

3 years

"Rebel region"?? @Reuters - these so-called People's Republics were artificial creations by Russia in 2014, in areas w no previous evidence of separatism. Now it shd be even clearer that they're occupied territories, & 'referendums' wd be fraud. Call things by their right names!

Adam D.M. Svendsen

@intstrategist

3 years

Ukrainian rebel region may hold referendum on joining Russia

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