The end?

[borolad259]

Well, I suppose it gives Xi an out if he's pressed on meeting an indicted war criminal at a later date.
Apparently the chinese were not at all pleased with the ICC charge though.

 

[Mwelolo]

I'm being told that it's one of the regular doubles. Certainly looks like wthe weird walk/spine issue Putin to me. Looks uncomfortable as hell. Xi met by a junior minister at the airport ... that's a diplomatic No No. Minimum should be Foreign minister. Then posing for the cameras with what seems to be a double. You are right, it's mental.

I’m not convinced that is a double.

 

[Borotommo]

Perhaps Xi has been told privately it is a double. Perhaps he knows more than we do? Perhaps the west will effectively be negotiating with Xi?

 

[Borotommo]

I’m not convinced that is a double.

me either, but also can’t discount it

 

[Mwelolo]

I'm being told that it's one of the regular doubles. Certainly looks like wthe weird walk/spine issue Putin to me. Looks uncomfortable as hell. Xi met by a junior minister at the airport ... that's a diplomatic No No. Minimum should be Foreign minister. Then posing for the cameras with what seems to be a double. You are right, it's mental.

Putin sticks to protocol during Chinese leader Xi's visit

President Vladimir Putin wasn’t waiting at the end of the red carpet to greet Chinese leader Xi Jinping upon his arrival in Russia for a high-profile visit.

apnews.com

 

[borolad259]

Putin sticks to protocol during Chinese leader Xi's visit

President Vladimir Putin wasn’t waiting at the end of the red carpet to greet Chinese leader Xi Jinping upon his arrival in Russia for a high-profile visit.

apnews.com

While Putin might not have been expected at the airport, I'm told that sending such a junior minister is poor form. But hey, I wouldn't know myself. I've just been asking about the "double" issue. See what comes back. Tbh, it all seems a bit nuts to me.

 

[Cambsred]

I’m not convinced that is a double.

That doesnt really look like the real Xi

Double double!

 

[Druss_The_Legend]

Caption this picture!
I don't know how genuine this image is that's currently doing the rounds.

 

[Hap]

That cannot be real, unless he fell over or something...

 

[Mwelolo]

That cannot be real, unless he fell over or something..

Fake.

 

[johnmfc]

TS9.
Definitely were A-10's. They are a very distinctive shape and have a distinctive look. Do the yanks still have a base in the dales?

Not an airbase as far as I know, but there is an exercise on involving India, Finland, Belgium, UK and USA called Cobra warrior. There are no A10s stationed in the UK though. The Finns have brought F18s, Belgium F16s, India Mirages, so alot of aircraft flying around.

 

[Ziggy]

If there is doubles….when he goes so do they probably.

 

[borolad259]

If there is doubles….when he goes so do they probably.

I would imagine the doubles know that, at some stage, they are toast.

 

[Randy]

Not an airbase as far as I know, but there is an exercise on involving India, Finland, Belgium, UK and USA called Cobra warrior. There are no A10s stationed in the UK though. The Finns have brought F18s, Belgium F16s, India Mirages, so alot of aircraft flying around.

Hmmm strange then.
Suppose the only closest looking one would be the F-18

 

[HolgateCorner]

I would imagine the doubles know that, at some stage, they are toast.

What a world this is when we don’t know if the leaders of major countries like Russia and China are actually them or substitutes.

It really is just a game to them isn’t it?

 

[borolad259]

What a world this is when we don’t know if the leaders of major countries like Russia and China are actually them or substitutes.

It really is just a game to them isn’t it?

Today was a performance for the cameras and each of the two countries' domestic audiences. The main event happens tomorrow. What is said in the nitty gritty meetings behind closed doors often bears no relation to the public statements. Xi really wants to insert himself into the peace process. It will be interesting to see what line he takes to the Ukrainian leadership.

 

[Littlejimmy]

Xi is a sloucher. Quite surprised at that. Looks slovenly a la B. Johnson.

 

[Randy]

Not the Osprey was it? Few of those about on manoeuvres now and again.

You know what it could be you know. Obviously wouldn't be able to see the props from the angle I was looking at. Good shout. I did think it was very unusual to see A-10's in this part of the world.

 

[borolad259]

I see the Ospreys up inthe Dales quite frequently. Quite something to behold. And a hell of a noise.

 

[HolgateCorner]

Today was a performance for the cameras and each of the two countries' domestic audiences. The main event happens tomorrow. What is said in the nitty gritty meetings behind closed doors often bears no relation to the public statements. Xi really wants to insert himself into the peace process. It will be interesting to see what line he takes to the Ukrainian leadership.