World Blog by humble servant. The double edge sword 1. Marshall He rmann Wilhelm Göring (1893–1946) when questioned during the Nuremberg trial had this to say: “Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. With respect to a Democracy they argued, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States, only Congress can declare wars. Göring replied: “Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.

UK citizens will feel economic pain of Russia sanctions – Truss

Liz Truss cautioned that the measures were necessary, as there is “no limit” to President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions

UK citizens will feel economic pain of Russia sanctions – Truss

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned on Tuesday that the British people will suffer “economic costs” of sanctions against Russia, as electricity bills and the cost of living increase due to the West’s response to the conflict in Ukraine.

“Of course, there will be an economic cost for British people from these sanctions, in terms of their energy bills and their cost of living, but that cost is nothing compared to the cost to the people of Ukraine of this horrific barbarism they’re facing,” Truss told the UK parliament.

Despite the impact on Britain, Truss defended the UK’s response, claiming that it was necessary as there is “no limit” to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “ambitions” if he does not fail in Ukraine.

The UK has, so far, introduced sanctions against several Russian banks, including Sberbank, VEB and Sovcombank, as well as against specific individuals, including businessmen Gennady Timchenko, Boris Rotenberg, and Igor Botenberg.

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The statement from Truss came after she admitted on Monday that the UK had been “slower” to respond to Russia’s military activity in Ukraine than the EU and US, blaming the House of Lords for delaying government action.

Citing amendments made by Lords to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2018, Truss claimed it was “harder to get sanctions agreed,” describing the current process as “cumbersome and slower” than before.

Despite this, the House of Commons fast-tracked the economic crime bill on Monday, which the government claims will allow it to target individuals linked to Putin “harder and faster” with sanctions. The bill is awaiting consideration by the House of Lords but Truss hopes it will be passed into law by March 14.