ending the conflict, but this is not the case in ukraine today. the longer the conflict last, the worse it is free q. it would seem, that is washington's plan. with russia's foreign minister breaks down, the reasons for the global food crisis says he stops by ethiopia during his tour of african countries rather due to the absolutely. and that it was the reaction of the risk which of those sanctions undermining the issue of food on demarcus, that known as the orchestra wagner. just as the musician this note above that the name itself is when he didn't politicians present this 5 minutes. this agenda is a good night. we get an exclusive look into the inner workings of a high profile russian private military agency during its classified operations

against ukrainian forces in dunbar with plus author and political cartoonists. ted rall share his take on the conflict in ukraine and the backlash of western sanctions later this hour with just after 5 pm here in the russian capital and you're watching r t international. i'm donald quarter. welcome to the program. now europe has suffocated itself by creating constant challenges to the supply of russian gas. that's according to russia's top diplomat, sergei lab, rob speaking in ethiopia on the last leg of his tour across africa. europe systemic kuda during the last, almost 10 years was creating barriers on the way of

bringing to european countries cheap and acceptable. russian. gus, they have suffocated the old themselves with their own films. the buy proofs for pipeline was from russia. now they're looking for alternatives. is he o p a is the 4th african country, the russian foreign minister visa that in the last 5 days. and this is where he finishes his tour on the continent. here in ad is ab or mr. oliver of met the countries leader and he's ethiopian counterpart. and just like every way during he's african to or mr. lab here, was greeted and accepted as a highly respected guess. there was a special coffee ceremony as we were explained with fresh green grice on the floor, symbolize and prosperous dynamic vibrant relations between the 2 sides, loss of traditional incense and also the gas symbolically shirt. traditional f e r p. and brad, there was whole, so another ceremony here on the territory of the russian embassy here in ad is ab

ever miss oliver of and he's, if your be in counterpart wanted to endemic trees, here is one of them a, to support the ethiopian government green legacy initiative and here in the russian embassy is where miss lover of addressed the ambassadors all the african union. it is a very influential continental buddy united, $55.00 countries. moscow has always been saying that it will do its best to strengthen africa's position in more than the multi polar world. and this is what lobby visit here on the continent stands for. and this more than world is something mr. law of talk to lot about in his speech in front of the ambassadors they wore old in which despite h all this multiple, i re, t, the west is still trying to impose its position and punish all those who disagree the policy that mr. law of called a colonial policy in human, a moral and very dangerous, something that here in africa they understand very well. here are some of the most

interesting points of missile arbor of speech. and yes, the situation of ukraine did effect additionally negatively affect the food food markets, but not because of, of the rush of special iteration rather due to the absolutely in there that with the reaction of the risk which announced sanctions, ah, undermining the availability of food on the markets, it's a period of history where little have to choose visor to go though, and the current rich the whist throws to to move. oh, saying that to the world must bear on not by international law, but by the rules. the going them expression rules based world order. and if

you then the lies the behavior for wisdom cortex in international arena. you would understand that this rules differ from case to case. there is no single criteria. there is no single principle except one. if i want something, you have to a b. if you don't a b, you would be punished earlier. sergei laugh rav made stops in egypt. uganda and the congo received a warm welcome at every location, despite the u. s. earlier claiming that russia had been successful in isolating russia. sorry, that western sanctions had successfully isolated russia from its allies. but to get more on this run across live now 2 political and economic commentator will car diaz, thanks for joining us on the program, sir. now just how significant do you see this african tor, by russia's top diplomat. what kind of cooperation is now possible between these countries? well,

good afternoon for all of this is very important for the russian of mentor, submitting the dave friends on the relationship with the african countries. this is a very per district visit of a mr lover of a. ringback i think this is the 1st high level visit up there to conflict with ukraine. and so this is very important to make the all things are formed all the doors about the situation or on the world. so we see them off made. so the movements of the all investors here in africa in particular to talking about the work to cementing also the position of the russia and to help some other activity. so head right now, at this moment, the miss of of rav mika did visit on strategic countries, i saw a new chipped in all gander accessory. so when you're gonna, if you see,

have one big guess project biggest project or french company, the total is the front of this project. but when maybe a, we can explore more in the security area because the security nafrica is the big problem. the much big problem neary, so here in the most and look for, if they're both with the tories mean cub delgado, the scene and other countries, they have to work in congo for example, the situation in the h o p s. so this is the very best situation here in africa. so. ready maybe can explore and to do more strong relationship with this contact to support on this area. but we have other economic sector if you go, if you go to the economic sector, we can see it in the edge if you need the serial good. the other agriculture, a product from a russia, from other countries in europe. so maybe basically for russia,

agriculture brothers, in for. so duane keep, so maybe you can explore more on depth in that area, but i feel i so is they're very important. and maybe again, the other investor or not because, you know, the, one of the things that the russian foreign minister underlined during his trip to if he appeal was the mutual dissatisfaction of russia and he feel p a with western una polarity. how do you think western pressure is affecting relations between russian, russia, and african countries? no, i don't seek because russia is the one very old friend from african countries in all sectors. and we see in the economies in europe b a few, a few years ago. the colonies, fighting african countries, some african countries, the more african countries with russia,

with russia support. so right now i don't think if you see when we're in a residency or not in the large lodge a maybe can create it or to the relation with the actual government. i think this is not possible right now because i think i p. c. and meet the russia support, but for the security in particular, because we know all countries around, you know, the big power rush i have and detect just so maybe you can explore these for our security because if you see, i think i have one reach in the natural resources, so we need to add to close that part of the community to not have one implemented from the to reasonable for either a on the on the time. so maybe we can explore more distinct to say it's not possible to make or to cut the relation with the rush

of it, read the russian government right now we need all countries around the world right now to support their plan. if you cation to support the development of the african countries. all right, well, political and economic commentator will car deals thanks a lot for joining us on the program. thank you so much. now we go to the latest news from ukraine brushes. defense ministry says it's high, precision weapons have killed. 200 ukrainian soldiers in the southern city of nikolai of russian missiles are said to have targeted a concrete factory where keeps troops had set up a base. moscow also says it strikes have destroyed for ukrainian military command posts in the past 24 hours in the new patrol. sk region and arm stockpile was also targeted, and more than 100 rockets for western supplied, high mars launches are said to have been destroyed with another 120 ukrainian

troops also having been killed. meanwhile, in done boss, the multiple explosions have shaken the city of done yet as local authorities say ukrainian forces targeted residential areas they're using natal supplied. heavy artillery. 3 civilians are said to have been killed and at least 3 others wounded with the cities infrastructure. also sustaining heavy damage. that's as rush and lead forces continue to advance on the ground and don boss with the guns cathedral, he's saying the allied army has taken control of the key gorski power station in bun yeske. lugens kh officials say ukrainian forces minds the area before retreating and now we're clean up. operation is underway at the facility, which is the, which is europe's largest thermal power plant. among the russian troops involved in the operation, our members of the wagner group, a private military company. and archie is more at gas d reports from that area where he got an exclusive look into the groups operations

. ah, there were no safe roads leading to where we were doing that. then again, the people we were visiting. specialize in forging parts where there are none. the factors who took this village, good enough where they go there many different names there known of regular group, been known as the orchestra wagner. just as the musician, very little is known about that, but the name itself is one that keeps western politicians presidents by ministers, a general's awake at night. we turn out something called the wagner. the e u has announced sanctions on the russian private military company van as the church of the wagner group, as we know at 1st popped up in ukraine. the british defense ministry says more than

a 1000 fighters from russian private military contractor. the wagner group are being deployed to the country. russian mercenary back now is recruiting, and is making it known. and not just them give to, has learned to fear the world's most talked about. and enigmatic private military company. with the whistling sound you heard was not an audio artifact. that was the sound of you pay the and plus the my rockets disgorging hundreds of band of p. f. f. one mines which characteristically flutter down to the ground, signed by the ottawa,

she personnel mind convention which ukraine east party 2 weeks now. they have attempted to stall, or at least slow the orchestra's advance spike carpet form in the countryside with band butterfly mines and other things besides his supplies left behind by ukrainian troops. nationalists as they retreated from cleaner boy, you may see this very thin wire. careful, careful, back and over there, something that shouldn't even be here, a man, 50 anti personnel non. what you can signed, a convention pharmacy it would never use and it would destroy what the ensemble sappers can remove, safely. they do what they can't, what they deem could be a trap. they blew who thomas said for a 150 seconds is going to be quite the by 1st time. so

this was a rare opportunity. could you please do not hugely take kindly to outsiders. they work alone where they operate, cameras are almost always absent, t who conditions that they work in are a permanent health hazard. artillery and more to jules, here are deafening, and endless had minutes to not pass without an impact nearby they go. 120 millimeter mortar themes far in it. ukrainian positions. they've gotta be fuss. 123 or 4. and the meat counter battery for kicks in g of has thrown everything it could spare

at the ensemble lady in special forces units, the nationalist battalion ida and the elite had mounted assault brigade or a raid against them here, thousands of mines and avalon to shells and rockets, nothing's helps. the orchestra marches on silent, secretive and relentless to a symphony. that whom he, they could hear glad gasdio haughty from keen love oil. that he, it's people's republic. or on this now we're gonna we're joined here live in the studio by author columnist and political cartoonist, ted rall, who's made a lot of comics connected to the ukranian conflict and wests, the west stands towards russia and its allies. ted, thanks

a lot for joining us. in the studio, it's an honor to have you here. first thing i want to ask you about is the kind of you might call double standards in the western media. i mean, we saw how the west, the mainstream media immediately launched a massive campaign against russia after it launched its military operation when we didn't see the kind of same reaction when the same western media, or when the west launched us led military interventions into countries like yugoslavia, iraq, we didn't see the same kind of reaction from these media outlets. so what do you make of that? well, i mean, it's all different when it's your country just issue doing the thing that you say, other countries shouldn't be doing hypocrisy as rampant in international politics as well as domestic politics. and you know, it's, it's all, it's, it's so extreme though, in this particular case that, you know, it's kind of depressing, am transparent for anyone who's actually paying attention the, the united states media was really actively complicit in the war against

afghanistan. and i would say even now with the effect of the sanctions on can understand that are pretty much being ignored or shrugged off. you know, the, all, the, all the rhetoric is always brought back to, well, what are the tall about doing, you know, well what united states is keeping afghan government money. so, you know that there's no comparison in the way that these, these 2 issues are framed or covered by the united states, mainstream corporate media. well, i wanted to ask you about one of your cartoons. it's called the if we were on the other side of the ukraine, russia crisis showing how the u. s. would have reacted if missiles were aimed at them from a nearby country. and that exact same situation has actually happened before back in the early sixty's, obviously with the soviet union deploying missiles into cuba. and the americans didn't like that. then. i mean, do you think they've forgotten historical lessons here? well, most americans don't really remember historical lessons in the 1st place in order to forget them. so it's not really actively taught. and you know,

historical context is just not presented in american news accounts. so nobody ever says, well, ok, so in 1062 during the cuban missile crisis, this happened. but this is a different scenario. it's 1st of all, it's not a different scenario. and it's impossible to imagine the united states, tolerating, for example, mexico or canada, becoming anything less than friendly to the united states in any way. if the soviet union were still around with canada, be allowed to join the warsaw pact. would they be allowed to talk about joining the warsaw pact? no. well, right i, i also wanted to ask, i mean, of course it's pretty clear how people would probably react if governments in canada or mexico became hostile to the united states. but how do you think people would react if an anti american revolution happened in one of those countries and americans began to be, become oppressed there? right, well, i mean, that was the causes belly for the reagans invasion of grenada. right. which is hilarious. this tiny little caribbean island,

they claim that there was about 150 or so us medical students who were oppressed by the new socialist government on that island. and reagan ordered a full fledged military invasion and take over. and then the 1st thing that happened when the medical students arrived in the united states, after being liberated was they were asking the reporters what's going on? we were fine. what is so yeah, no, we know exactly what the us would do in such a situation. well, another thing we've heard from washington, of course, is claiming that other nuclear power is, might be aggressors. however, the u. s. is obviously the only country in the world. it's actually used an atomic bomb our a nuclear weapon at all, and they used it twice. not just once in japan, in 1945. what's your assessment of the u. s. s. position on this? well, the nice states loves to project psychologically. it's paul, its own political stance. well, what if, you know, say iraq under saddam hussein where to give w. m d 's to a terrorist group? i mean,

no one's ever done that. there's no record of that at all. we know that the united states may have allowed nuclear technology be transferred to some of the allies, but nobody, you know, they're the only people on record as having done anything like that. if you see the same sort of thinking, visa be china, well, what if china were to become military milk, military aggressive, although they have no history of doing that in thousands of years. so they are, they, they don't invade their neighbors. they, there's been little a few little border skirmishes, but the united states in countries on the other side of the planet, like vietnam, or iraq or afghanistan. or, you know, i mean, there's a proxy war in yemen. it's. it's that the hypocrisy is amazing. and as an america and i'm born and raised there, i do not. i just don't fathom how so more people can't see it. i mean many people do, but more should well, i want to bring the conversation into the realm of sanctions. i really want to hear what you have to say about the facts that of course,

we've seen unprecedented western sanctions against russia since the military operation in ukraine was launched. do you think they're going to be successful and can europe and union countries survive without russian energy sources? well, the fiction seem to be very effective at hurting the western economy and driving up inflation and energy prices in the united states and it's western allies. you know, i've just moscow, for, i've been here for 24 hours since i got here, does not look like it's on. it's nice economically the only, i'm inconvenienced because i have to pay for my hotel in cash it's, it's really annoying ordinary people. and you know, the sanctions off us sanctions have a very poor record of success in other countries. i mean look at cuba, they've been trying to sanction the castro regime out of existence since the late 950 is still with no success whatsoever. so i think the only surprise about the

sanctions failure is that it's, it's really unraveling so quickly. i mean, here we are in the middle of the summer. you know, eastern europe isn't not in dire need of heating oil. and what's going to happen when the winter comes, we were expecting this to really start to hit november and december. it's all, we're already seeing the effects president biden's already having to try to talk down the possibility of an eminent recession or maybe the possibility that the u. s . economy has already entered recession. so, you know, the effects are, are there. i don't, i think, you know, russia saw it was coming and was prepared. yeah. and on top of these sanctions, the backlash from that there is of course, the expense of helping ukraine in the, in the conflicts that come from the united states in the european union. and yet, ukraine's president criticizes the european block for a lack of efforts. they've even made blacklist of so called russian propagandists, including high american officials and you politicians,

do you think they're going too far here? i mean, what do you make of that kind of behavior? well, i mean, i guess in the ukrainians defense, they're just trying to win and they'll, they'll say and do anything to do to do so. but, you know, as an american, i think of $60000000000.00 that are going to waste on a project that is going to be unsuccessful. when no matter where you stand on this issue, i mean, the ukraine is not going to win. and so at this point, i live in new york city, i walk out of my door, i go into a street filled, filled with homeless people filled with, boarded up storefront, the for businesses that went under during cove. it because they didn't get any assistance. i right, subways that are filthy and unmounted and, you know, $60000000000.00 would do a lot of good to the american people. it's i think, you know, you're starting to see even president trump mentioned that on the campaign trail. it's kind of an echo of how he criticized the iraq and afghanistan invasions it is 2016 race. so it's pretty, you know,

i think it's really interesting to see the 2 parties sort of switch positions where the democrats have become the war party. the republicans are becoming more nationalistic and, and looking more to domestic needs. yeah, i definitely think that's interesting as well. and as you mentioned, you mentioned donald trump. i want to ask you about the fact that he said that demo, the democrats have led the us into a crisis. how bad do you feel? do you think that people in the u. s. are feeling right now as a result of democratic policy. well, the democrats have created a crisis. i mean, i think biden did a few things well, early on in his presidency, namely the economic stimulus. nate and also focusing on on cobra, 1900 relief. but things started to fall apart pretty quickly. the ukraine conflict . it was a huge distraction, backing a government in a cause that most americans don't really know anything about and or not really being told the whole truth about the,

the inflationary effects of the stimulus were a kind of totten underestimated. and now you have a situation where the prices are getting so out of control that now the federal reserve bank is slamming the brakes on the economy. and that, ironically is kind of too much too late. so, you know, it may be that it's just pent up demand from 2 years of locked down and they should just sit tight and not increase interest rates. so they tell, you know, it's kind of like doing the wrong thing. doing the right thing at the wrong time all the time. i well author and political cartoonists ted role and honor having you here in the same. you know, saudi arabia's crown prince is visiting greece and his heading to france in his 1st step t in his 1st trip to europe in 4 years. during his meeting with the greek prime minister, the top saudi official said, the 2 countries will sign a key energy deal be canceled by greece,

south west europe agrees with what she pulled, viewable energy, and we had assigned them with you about that today. also, we are walking about to hydrogen and helped to increase as a hope for you to hydrogen does game changer for both of us. both greek and french leaders were among those western politicians who visited saudi arabia, falling the 2018 murder of saudi journalist and dissidence jamal cas shoji, who often criticize the saudi crown. prince. u. s. intelligence blamed the prince for the killing of cas shoji and the saudi consulate in istanbul. although rhianna has denied responsibility. joe biden, who had promised to make saudi arabia a pariah back in 2019 travel to saudi arabia last week to meet with, to meet rather with top officials. they're react has been under pressure by the u. s. and e. u to export more oil as western countries seek alternative suppliers of energy. but to get more on this now we're going to cross live to former greek

diplomat anime bast early a night as chris and thoughtless thanks. a lot for joining us on the program. once again. ok, so the saudi princes visit to greece includes a deal on renewable energy and ellen g, do expect that that agreement to help save grease in europe from or do you expect that that agreement is going to help save grease and europe from a looming energy crisis? first of all, it's a shame that the greek government is making deals with somebody who has murdered. and this has been acknowledged by everybody into a horrible way. the journalist shogi back in 2018 in, in the consulate of saudi arabia. in december, i find it very shameful actor that grecian falls so low in order to achieve with some kind of of deal that might help or might not

help greece in this stupid, in this stupid way over reacting to sanctions. i mean, actually the sanctions are a big mistake. they are not working at all the sanctions into a european union took and it's hitting is a european union countries, but to so role and to make a deal with murder. it does not make sense. i would find that much more sensible to do away with the sanctions and to start the serious negotiations with moscow on the basis of the proposal that moscow made on 17 december towards the united states and towards natal. i. but i

don't. i personally don't think that these proposals are still in the air are still valid, but anyhow, i think i did this about the time that these sanctions be revoked and start serious negotiations with moscow instead of dealing with international with murderers. well, amid sanctions on russia that have led to energy shortages in europe, how strong do you think the use? i bet on saudi arabia is in replacing russian oil if you are trying to do everything possible to do that. but that is a moral issue here. and if the european union starts dealing with murders, there will be no end to how low it can get. this does

not have the unity of.