Lord Owen: Ukraine is going to be Putin’s undoing

The Telegraph

Lord Owen: Ukraine is going to be Putin’s undoing

Christopher Hope – March 3, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Andrei Gorshkov/Pool Sputnik Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 3, 2022 – Andrei Gorshkov/Pool Sputnik Kremlin

David Owen has met his fair share of Soviet and Russian leaders.

“I met with Brezhnev when he was ageing, but he was still dignified, quite well-informed. Gromyko was very much on the ball… a serious negotiator. But Putin, I think he’s a different kettle of fish in every way.”

Speaking to Christopher Hope on the Telegraph’s Chopper’s Politics podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player above, the former foreign secretary says he’s seen a shift in the Russian President.

I’ve never had a one-on-one meeting with him, but I’ve been in the room with him. I was there at the banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2003 when he came over. I went to the meeting with BP. I was at that time chairman of Yukos International, a large Russian oil company. Then there was this feeling that this is a person you could have dialogue with. I think in the last two years, there’s been a substantial change in this man’s approach.”

“Compare how drastically he prepared the way with Russian opinion for taking the Crimea to this, then there were a lot of preliminary discussions and debate, it came as no surprise. Now? Absolutely nothing.”

“There’s no doubt this is a different man to one we were in G8 with. Ukraine is going to be his undoing, I have no doubt. How long will it take? Who knows.”

Author: John Hanno

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Bogan High School. Worked in Alaska after the earthquake. Joined U.S. Army at 17. Sergeant, B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery, 7th Army. Member of 12 different unions, including 4 different locals of the I.B.E.W. Worked for fortune 50, 100 and 200 companies as an industrial electrician, electrical/electronic technician.