This week’s departure of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is not expected to precipitate any major changes in the country’s Ukraine policy. In fact, the newly appointed Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has already unequivocally said as much, announcing that his first official international calls would be to Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

Needless to say, that did not sit well with the folks in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov — once again attempting to convince the world that Russia is not the villain in this “special military operation” — stated on July 21st that they construe Burnham’s statement as an indication of London’s intention to continue doing everything possible to continue the conflict in Ukraine, saying:

“This is a fact that we, of course, record.” [Izvestia, July 21, 2026.]

Indicating that they do not hope for any improvement in relations with London, he added:

“No, we don’t cherish such hopes, we don’t have such hopes.” [Id.]

According to Peskov, there are no plans as yet for a meeting between Putin and Burnham.

So, while most of the world has offered a warm diplomatic welcome to the new Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin has simply re-drawn his red line in the sand. But that hardly comes as a surprise; diplomacy has never been his strong suit.

Meanwhile, the combatants continue exchanging attacks — Ukraine striking Russian military forces, and Russia taking aim at Ukraine’s civilian population and infrastructure — in what is feeling more and more like another Hundred Years War.

Just sayin’ .. . .

Brendochka
7/23/26