News media sites abroad, including the UK’s Daily Mail and others, have been running the story for several hours, pointing out that with tensions between Russia and the West at an all-time high, Vladimir Putin could be preparing for an all-out war.
The reported call to return to the “Fatherland” comes after Putin suddenly canceled a visit to France on October 19 following disagreements over Russia’s involvement in Syria and just days after the Kremlin moved nuclear-capable missiles near to the Polish border.
According to Fox News, The UK’s Sun is reporting that the top level order includes administration staff, regional administrators, lawmakers of all levels and employees of public corporations. Those people who do not obey the order will find their future employment in jeopardy.
The Russian website, Znak.com, reiterated the order, adding that children were to be pulled out of schools and elderly relatives be included in those family members returning home.
Russian political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky is quoted as saying:
“On the one hand, this is all part of the package of measures to prepare elites to some ‘big war’, even if it is rather conventional. On the other hand, this is another blow to the unity of President Vladimir Putin with his own elite, he says about the consequences of the expert . The sanctions of the West, which began to enter since March 2014, pursued the aim to drive a wedge between Putin and elites. In response, the Kremlin began to act in the logic of these sanctions. But a ban have assets in the West is still possible to take easy, but it is impossible to use where health and education services — not, as it is — an important element of life establishment strategy. “
Relations with Russia are at the lowest they have been since the Cold War. As far as speculating as to what this latest move by Putin means to the rest of the world, it is a sure bet we will all be finding out over the next few days, if it is anything at all.
Russian foreign policy analyst Fyodor Lukyanov told AFP, “This is part of the broader escalation in the tensions between Russia and the West, and Russia and NATO.”
