2013 was definitely Russia’s year, showing no signs of letting up in her quest for cultural soundness. A few weeks ago in an interview the Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs’ Committee, Alexei Pushkov, stated that, “Russia is not suggesting that Western societies live according to our patterns but advocates the right of all countries and societies to live the way they find necessary instead of becoming targets of aggressive exports of values of the radical liberal revolution. Here we have very many allies, in West European countries included”. Indeed you do, Mr. Pushkov. Indeed you do.
While the Western media does its best to portray Russia as Europe’s bully, the European Union is in reality most deserving of the title. As Pushkov noted, Moldova “was bound to organise regular gay [pride] parades as a condition for signing the Association Agreement with the EU.” That might be funny if it wasn’t so sinister when one really thinks about it. In the interview, Pushkov went on to describe the “accelerated de-Christianization” that is occurring “under the slogan of forming an indivisible world without borders, in particular, between sexes.”
“The objective”, he continued, “is to develop a qualitatively new society with no states, borders, moral norms or foundations of civilization.” In a word: Hell.
This new society is to be a “common economic space… where free individuals without nationality will be roaming allegedly protected by certain norms of law but being objects of merciless manipulation, stripped of links to their land, history, religion or family in the civilized meaning of the word.” Hell indeed.
Of course, most of us in Western Europe and the Anglosphere are already stripped of links to our land, our history, our religion, and our family, which is why many readily buy the line that Russia is still Europe’s Big Bad, and believe that people like Nadezhda Tolokonnikova might actually have something intelligent to say. Can we really blame Russia for wishing to avoid such a sorry state of affairs?
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I do love Boris, but his piece in the Telegraph is just nationalist nonsense. The origins of the First World War are far more complicated than mere German aggression. The root of the conflict lies in the diplomatic situation that arose in the Balkans following the Balkan Wars, specifically the position of Bulgaria, strangely enough. Russia had intended Bulgaria to be a lap dog like Romania, but Bulgaria’s hatred of her neighbours was so strong she allied with Vienna, much to Russia’s surprise. This meant that were Austria-Hungary ever to invade Serbia, she would theoretically have direct access to the Black Sea and the Turkish Straits, something Russia could not allow. This set the stage for the conflict.
Despite Boris’ claims, Serbia does in fact deserve blame for the Austro-Hungarian invasion, regardless of whether or not Germany encouraged it. She was not only complicit in Ferdinand’s murder, but repeatedly impeded Vienna’s attempts to apprehend those responsible. How else would a civilised country respond to the murder of one of its royals? Granted, once Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia, she could (and probably should) have been more sensitive to Russian interests and receptive to German and British attempts at arbitration. However, responsibility for widening the conflict into one that involved Britain, France, and Germany surely does fall – to a large extent – on Russia.
Nicholas was not only the first to mobilise, but he also did so secretly, hardly a peaceful move. On 31 July, Kaiser Wilhelm wrote to King George that he “just received news from Chancellor that official notification has just reached him that this night Nicky has ordered the mobilisation of his whole army and fleet. He has not even awaited the results of the mediation I am working at, and left me without any news. I am off for Berlin to take measures for ensuring safety of my eastern frontiers where strong Russian troops are already posted.”
Russian mobilisation in turn forced French mobilisation which forced German mobilisation. Germany declared war on Russia as Nicholas refused to demobilise, and was then forced to declare war on France as she refused to declare her position within the time limit set by Germany. But France bears responsibility for her war with Germany too. If she really wanted peace she would have made that desire clear. Her refusal to give Germany a clear answer indicates her intentions against Germany were bellicose from the beginning.
Even Lord Grey recognised Russian responsibility. “The latest news”, he wrote, “was that Russia had ordered a complete mobilisation of her fleet and army. This, it seemed to me, would precipitate a crisis, and would make it appear that German mobilisation was being forced by Russia.”
Nicholas knew well what the result of mobilisation would be. The German Chancellor had instructed his man in Russia to warn them of the consequences of mobilisation, and in his final telegraph to Nicholas, Wilhelm said that, “if, as it is now the case, according to the communication by you and your Government, Russia mobilises against Austria, my rôle as mediator you kindly entrusted me with, and which I accepted at you[r] express prayer, will be endangered if not ruined. The whole weight of the decision lies solely on you[r] shoulders now, who have to bear the responsibility for Peace or War.”
And before making that decision, Nicholas lamented to his advisors, “think of the responsibility which you are advising me to take! Think of the thousands and thousands of men who will be sent to their deaths!”
Serbia’s actions, boosted by pledges of Russian support, were largely responsible for the Austro-Serbian conflict. Russia’s reaction to the Austo-Serbian conflict ultimately widened said conflict into a world war. Britain only got dragged into it because she had a treaty with Belgium – and Belgium was invaded only because France goaded Germany! So, Boris, if you want to blame anyone for Britain’s involvement in the First World War, as with many of the things wrong with the world today, you can just as easily blame the French.
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