BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce schooled an audience member yesterday on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. The audience member blamed the West for “instigating the escalation” amid fears that a Russian invasion and subsequent war in Ukraine is imminent. The man called out NATO for being an “anti-Russian organisation” which later prompted Tory MP Jake Berry to simply respond: “You’re wrong.”
The audience member asked: “Is it not the West who has instigated this escalation by inviting Ukraine into NATO?”
Ms Bruce swiftly corrected him: “They haven’t formally invited Ukraine into NATO.”
The audience member, who did not back down, said: “Well, they seem to be approaching that.”
This prompted the BBC host to explain: “Ukraine’s constitution says it wants to join NATO – but that is a long process and it may well be many years hence.”
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He responded: “But, still, the fact that is coming along.
“What else is Russia meant to do when an anti-Russian organisation are inviting or have Ukraine joining them?”
Mr Berry fired back at the question: “Well, the premise of your question is wrong.
“NATO is not an anti-Russian organisation. It is a collective defence organisation.”
Later on Friday, US President Joe Biden will host a call with NATO allies to discuss the Ukraine crisis.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will meet Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, next week, again warned the Russian invasion force was ready to attack.
On Thursday, Mr Blinken said: “Our information indicates clearly that Russian forces, including ground troops, aircraft, ships, are preparing to launch an attack against Ukraine in the coming days.”
Australia’s defence minister Peter Dutton similarly said that Russia is on the brink of an “all-out conflict” in Ukraine.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has suggested that Russian forces currently taking part in drills in his country may stay after the military exercises.
In surprise remarks, Mr Lukashenko said: “If it makes sense to keep Russian troops here, we will keep them as long as necessary.”
