bbcstever.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

One Russian paper poses a “core question” about America, Europe and Nato. Another quotes a retired Russian general & former minister as saying that, when the war in Ukraine ends, Russia “must continue to build up its defence capabilities. I repeat, build them up.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 3 hours ago • 5 comments

"Trump is an improviser. We're all in the dark." 100 miles from Moscow I talk to Russians about America's president and Russia's war in Ukraine.

submitted 1 day ago • 3 comments

EastEnders turned 40 this week. Time to play some of my favourite British TV soap themes.

submitted 1 day ago • 12 comments

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a hundred miles from Moscow we ask Russians about three years of war and whether they believe Donald Trump will help to end it. Producer @bentavener.bsky.social

submitted 2 days ago • 17 comments

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a hundred miles from Moscow we ask Russians about three years of war and whether they believe Donald Trump will help to end it. Producer @bentavener.bsky.social

submitted 2 days ago • 17 comments

America: how it’s changed. The 46th President of the United States called Vladimir Putin “a murderous dictator.” The 47th President called Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator without elections.”

submitted 3 days ago • 26 comments

The week that shook the world. A few thoughts on Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and reaction in Russia to what's been happening.

submitted 4 days ago • 14 comments

One Russian newspaper today sums up how Moscow views events of the last few days: “Dumbfounded Europe, kneed by America just below the belt, is still struggling to get its breath back.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 6 days ago • 39 comments

One Russian newspaper today sums up how Moscow views events of the last few days: “Dumbfounded Europe, kneed by America just below the belt, is still struggling to get its breath back.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 6 days ago • 39 comments

Two BBC guys seeking pub work in London E20 (preferably in the Queen Vic). Please contact @owainwynevans.bsky.social or me. Ahead of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, here is our version of Simon May’s classic theme.

submitted 8 days ago • 22 comments

JD Vance’s Munich Security Conference speech has gone down well…in Moscow. Komsomolskaya Pravda headline: “Humiliated Europe out for the count. Its American master flogged its old vassals.”

submitted 8 days ago • 44 comments

Reaction to the Putin-Trump call in today's Russian papers: * “This dialogue may allow Russia to achieve the goals it set at the start of the special operation [the war in Ukraine].” * “premature optimism is not a serious state of affairs.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 10 days ago • 9 comments

Biden on Putin: “He’s a murderous dictator.” Trump on Putin: “We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations.” A few thoughts, after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone.

submitted 10 days ago • 48 comments

Kremlin on the release of Marc Fogel: Dmitry Peskov confirms it's part of an exchange, says a Russian citizen jailed in the US will return home "in the coming days" (wouldn't say who). On US media reports that Witkoff met Putin y'day, Peskov replied: 'Nothing to say on the matter.'

submitted 11 days ago • 6 comments

US schoolteacher Marc Fogel, arrested in Moscow in 2021 and jailed for 14 years on drugs charges has been released in what US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz says was an “exchange.” Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had flown to Russia for the release.

submitted 11 days ago • 15 comments

Today one Russian paper describes how Moscow views the idea of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine: “Russia is ready for talks. But on its terms. If you drop the diplomatic language, essentially that is called an ultimatum.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 13 days ago • 14 comments

Today one Russian paper describes how Moscow views the idea of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine: “Russia is ready for talks. But on its terms. If you drop the diplomatic language, essentially that is called an ultimatum.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 13 days ago • 14 comments

Dug out my old news diary from 44 years ago to see what kind of headlines Ronald Reagan was making in his first weeks as president, compared to Donald Trump today.

submitted 14 days ago • 8 comments

One Russian paper today calls elections in Russia “…a vote to reappoint…to elect those currently in power” & reports that the Central Election Commission here has held a competition to promote elections. First prize: a book of Russian Fairy Tales. #ReadingRussia

submitted 16 days ago • 21 comments

This week Vladimir Putin signed a decree reviving the Intervision Song Contest, once the eastern bloc rival to Eurovision. In 2012 an ex-director of Intervision told me the show could be long. Very long. "One Czechoslovakian girl sang on stage 45 minutes. In the end she got tired and walked off."

submitted 16 days ago • 8 comments

One Russian paper today calls elections in Russia “…a vote to reappoint…to elect those currently in power” & reports that the Central Election Commission here has held a competition to promote elections. First prize: a book of Russian Fairy Tales. #ReadingRussia

submitted 16 days ago • 21 comments

In today’s Russian papers: “everything [in Russia] keeps jumping in price”. Plus, claims of censorship in a Siberian theatre.#ReadingRussia

submitted 18 days ago • 29 comments

In today’s Russian papers: “everything [in Russia] keeps jumping in price”. Plus, claims of censorship in a Siberian theatre.#ReadingRussia

submitted 18 days ago • 29 comments

Today’s Russian papers see benefits (for Russia) from Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars. One claims: “There are pluses for Russia from Trump’s actions… this will become an additional window of opportunity to expand our export market.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 19 days ago • 11 comments

My tribute to the great British actor and comedian Brian Murphy who has died at the age of 92. I used to love watching him in the sitcoms Man About The House & George and Mildred.

submitted 19 days ago • 9 comments

Today’s Russian papers see benefits (for Russia) from Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars. One claims: “There are pluses for Russia from Trump’s actions… this will become an additional window of opportunity to expand our export market.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 19 days ago • 11 comments

One Russian paper today interprets Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Russia war in Ukraine as “a fake demonstration of strength…to sell a possible deal as his victory.” It claims the Kremlin couldn’t care less so long as “the outcome is Russia’s victory.”

submitted 20 days ago • 8 comments

I found these old TV listings in the cupboard from 2 November 1982. To mark ITV’s 70th birthday this year, I try to play them.

submitted 21 days ago • 24 comments

One Russian paper today: “It’s a paradox: official statistics say incomes keep rising. But people can't afford to pay housing & utility bills, go to the dentist, buy medicine.” Another paper: “Preparations for a [Trump-Putin] telephone call have oddly dragged out.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 23 days ago • 18 comments

One Russian paper today: “It’s a paradox: official statistics say incomes keep rising. But people can't afford to pay housing & utility bills, go to the dentist, buy medicine.” Another paper: “Preparations for a [Trump-Putin] telephone call have oddly dragged out.” #ReadingRussia

submitted 23 days ago • 18 comments

One of today’s Russian papers reports a “depressing trend” in the judicial system: “guilty verdicts where there is no proof a crime has been committed.” Another paper writes: “Trump talks to his ‘allies’ in the same way a Russian aristocrat talked to his serfs…” #ReadingRussia

submitted 24 days ago • 10 comments

One of today’s Russian papers reports a “depressing trend” in the judicial system: “guilty verdicts where there is no proof a crime has been committed.” Another paper writes: “Trump talks to his ‘allies’ in the same way a Russian aristocrat talked to his serfs…” #ReadingRussia

submitted 24 days ago • 10 comments

“What wretched question have you prepared for me?” My surreal Q&A with Alexander Lukashenko. He claimed his opponents had “chosen” prison or exile (in reality the authorities had chosen to target them.) Plus, "Prison is for people who opened their mouths too wide" Thanks @lizashuvalova.bsky.social

submitted 26 days ago • 83 comments

“What wretched question have you prepared for me?” My surreal Q&A with Alexander Lukashenko. He claimed his opponents had “chosen” prison or exile (in reality the authorities had chosen to target them.) Plus, "Prison is for people who opened their mouths too wide" Thanks @lizashuvalova.bsky.social

submitted 26 days ago • 83 comments

I ask Alexander Lukashenko “How can you call this a democratic election when your main rivals are in prison or exile?” Lukashenko said recently “People shouldn’t have their mouths shut [be silenced]”. So will he free his opponents? “Prison is for people who opened their mouths too wide” he says.

submitted 27 days ago • 25 comments

For Burns Night, a remote BBC musical collaboration. I accompany Meteorologist & BBC Scotland Weather presenter Calum MacColl singing Auld Lang Syne (the original melody). Wishing you storm-free celebrations.

submitted 29 days ago • 21 comments