- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,062
The cold February wind howled through the walls of the Kremlin as winter continued in the Russian capital. The grand chamber, dimly lit, saw flickering lights from the lit candle. President Boris Nemtsov sat at the head of a long, worn table, the dark wood. His fingers drummed lightly on the surface.
The acting head of the SVR stood at the table's edge, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the President. "Mr. President, the revolution in Ukraine as we are learning is becoming of increase concern. The regime that has taken power will likely be no friend to us—and the longer we wait, the more this infection spreads." Nemtsov’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he listened, his hands folded in front of him.
"The SVR believes that if we move swiftly with a direct military response we can secure Ukraine under a pro-Russian government. If we do not act soon, the region will fall completely under whoever can spend capital to influence these rebels. The next step for Ukraine could easily be membership in Thailand's axis of resistance. Need I say more that Ukraine is armed with Russian strategic bombers, aircraft, ships, and other systems."
"I hear you, Director. But war?" Nemtsov shook his head, as if the very suggestion tasted sour in his mouth. "War is a sword that cuts both ways, and I will not draw it lightly. We are not the Empire of the Tsars, to bleed out our resources on foreign soil. Ukraine is not worth the ruin of our people. I will not condemn our two people to bloodshed so needlessly."
The SVR Chief’s eyes flickered, but he did not flinch. "Then what is your plan, Mr. President? To speak to the Ukrainians as friends? What will words do against their Socialist masters?"
Nemtsov rose from his chair slowly as he looked outside the window. "We will not spill Russian blood at the first instance of dissatisfaction. Diplomacy is still possible. Not war." He turned his gaze back to his intelligence chiefs. "Diplomacy instead of war is not weakness. It is strength. It is the new Russia the people elected me for, and the mandate which I carry in this office."
The Chief nodded but then turned a page in the report. "I understand you Mr. President. But there is another issue to consider. Our analysts have also pointed at Thailand as a potential culprit for these events. Reports indicate that the country’s new socialist regime is actively exporting communist ideology to various factions in the region. They will be likely trying to foster ties with the Ukrainian revolutionaries, seeing them as part of a broader anti-Western alliance."
Nemtsov shook his head. "Director, Thailand is not a boogeyman which you can conjure to sway my opinion." Nemtsov said taking a look at the report. "Let us be sensible here. Really."
The SVR Chief, clearly dismayed, tried to mask his frustration but nevertheless let a glimpse get away. Nemtsov looked at the Director. "And what do you propose, then? We invade Thailand next?" There was an awkward pause. From the back of the room, a voice cut through the tension. Mili, the Director General for Russia's GRU interjected. "I don’t believe this is our fight, sir. Thailand is not going to fall to some foreign ideology overnight. The situation there is more local—tied to internal struggles, not something we need to intervene in. They are too far from our immediate interests, and their focus is more on religious factions than expanding communist influence."
The SVR Chief shook his head. "Religious fanatics. They are damn communists for crying out loud. We are not crusaders, chasing shadows across the fields of the world. We are trying to stop Thailand from creating a forward operating base on our border."We must act, or risk losing everything. The rebellion is spreading, and Thailand—Thailand, Mr. President—is already stirring. Their socialist regime has set its eyes on expansion, fueling revolutions, spreading chaos in the name of a new red resistance. There is fighting in the streets of Ukraine against this regime, if we do not act we will lose the narrow window of opportunity we have been afford.
Albrecht, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, raised her hand. "Might I suggest that the President is correct? If we intervene hastily in this situation—especially given the intelligence we have is rather limited—we risk strengthening the regime in Kyiv. Much like the Iraqis inadvertently solidified Iran's power after the 1979 revolution, we could be consolidating control within this new Ukrainian leadership. Let us not forget, the people on the streets include neo-Nazis and far-right militants, who, after dealing with the Communists, would have no hesitation in turning their violence toward Russians. The very unity of the Slavic Union is at stake. If we allow this revolution to continue unchecked, it could sever our ties with our neighbors. I believe the President should consult with the Polish King and then engage directly with the Ukrainians. He must set a clear red line and issue a firm warning. However, if we can get Poland involved, that would do a great deal to maintain our global image. Moreover, it'll add legitimacy to our talks with the Ukranians."
Nemtsov’s gaze turned towards his foreign minister. Appreciating her support. Poland—the key to Russia’s future, its strength in the region. He felt the weight of history pressing on his shoulders as the clock ticked on the wall. Each second added up as he could decide the future of the region. "Poland is indeed our ally in this. We cannot afford to lose them. We must keep the plans for our Slavic Union intact, no matter the cost. I will not sacrifice months of hard work over this."
The SVR Chief, his voice tinged with impatience, pushed forward again, unwilling to let his proposal slip into the cracks. "With all due respect, Minister, we cannot afford to wait for others to act while the situation in Ukraine deteriorates. Every moment we delay, the threat grows stronger. If we don't respond, we risk losing influence in the region. We cannot let these radicals gain a foothold, not when they pose a direct threat to our security. I urge you to reconsider—our response must be swift and unequivocal."
Boris shook his head, realizing this conversation was going nowhere. "Gentlemen, Ladies, I think this session has gone far beyond its usefulness. Madame Foreign Minister set up a call with the Polish King and then the Ukranian Leadership. I will not allow this madness to consume my own council."
With that, Albrecht would have the President's secretary arrange a call, directly to the Polish King saying it was President Nemtsov of Russia wishing to speak with His Highness regarding the situation in Ukraine and Thailand emphasizing it was urgent. With that, a secured and encrypted line was sent to Poland.
ManBear
The acting head of the SVR stood at the table's edge, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the President. "Mr. President, the revolution in Ukraine as we are learning is becoming of increase concern. The regime that has taken power will likely be no friend to us—and the longer we wait, the more this infection spreads." Nemtsov’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he listened, his hands folded in front of him.
"The SVR believes that if we move swiftly with a direct military response we can secure Ukraine under a pro-Russian government. If we do not act soon, the region will fall completely under whoever can spend capital to influence these rebels. The next step for Ukraine could easily be membership in Thailand's axis of resistance. Need I say more that Ukraine is armed with Russian strategic bombers, aircraft, ships, and other systems."
"I hear you, Director. But war?" Nemtsov shook his head, as if the very suggestion tasted sour in his mouth. "War is a sword that cuts both ways, and I will not draw it lightly. We are not the Empire of the Tsars, to bleed out our resources on foreign soil. Ukraine is not worth the ruin of our people. I will not condemn our two people to bloodshed so needlessly."
The SVR Chief’s eyes flickered, but he did not flinch. "Then what is your plan, Mr. President? To speak to the Ukrainians as friends? What will words do against their Socialist masters?"
Nemtsov rose from his chair slowly as he looked outside the window. "We will not spill Russian blood at the first instance of dissatisfaction. Diplomacy is still possible. Not war." He turned his gaze back to his intelligence chiefs. "Diplomacy instead of war is not weakness. It is strength. It is the new Russia the people elected me for, and the mandate which I carry in this office."
The Chief nodded but then turned a page in the report. "I understand you Mr. President. But there is another issue to consider. Our analysts have also pointed at Thailand as a potential culprit for these events. Reports indicate that the country’s new socialist regime is actively exporting communist ideology to various factions in the region. They will be likely trying to foster ties with the Ukrainian revolutionaries, seeing them as part of a broader anti-Western alliance."
Nemtsov shook his head. "Director, Thailand is not a boogeyman which you can conjure to sway my opinion." Nemtsov said taking a look at the report. "Let us be sensible here. Really."
The SVR Chief, clearly dismayed, tried to mask his frustration but nevertheless let a glimpse get away. Nemtsov looked at the Director. "And what do you propose, then? We invade Thailand next?" There was an awkward pause. From the back of the room, a voice cut through the tension. Mili, the Director General for Russia's GRU interjected. "I don’t believe this is our fight, sir. Thailand is not going to fall to some foreign ideology overnight. The situation there is more local—tied to internal struggles, not something we need to intervene in. They are too far from our immediate interests, and their focus is more on religious factions than expanding communist influence."
The SVR Chief shook his head. "Religious fanatics. They are damn communists for crying out loud. We are not crusaders, chasing shadows across the fields of the world. We are trying to stop Thailand from creating a forward operating base on our border."We must act, or risk losing everything. The rebellion is spreading, and Thailand—Thailand, Mr. President—is already stirring. Their socialist regime has set its eyes on expansion, fueling revolutions, spreading chaos in the name of a new red resistance. There is fighting in the streets of Ukraine against this regime, if we do not act we will lose the narrow window of opportunity we have been afford.
Albrecht, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, raised her hand. "Might I suggest that the President is correct? If we intervene hastily in this situation—especially given the intelligence we have is rather limited—we risk strengthening the regime in Kyiv. Much like the Iraqis inadvertently solidified Iran's power after the 1979 revolution, we could be consolidating control within this new Ukrainian leadership. Let us not forget, the people on the streets include neo-Nazis and far-right militants, who, after dealing with the Communists, would have no hesitation in turning their violence toward Russians. The very unity of the Slavic Union is at stake. If we allow this revolution to continue unchecked, it could sever our ties with our neighbors. I believe the President should consult with the Polish King and then engage directly with the Ukrainians. He must set a clear red line and issue a firm warning. However, if we can get Poland involved, that would do a great deal to maintain our global image. Moreover, it'll add legitimacy to our talks with the Ukranians."
Nemtsov’s gaze turned towards his foreign minister. Appreciating her support. Poland—the key to Russia’s future, its strength in the region. He felt the weight of history pressing on his shoulders as the clock ticked on the wall. Each second added up as he could decide the future of the region. "Poland is indeed our ally in this. We cannot afford to lose them. We must keep the plans for our Slavic Union intact, no matter the cost. I will not sacrifice months of hard work over this."
The SVR Chief, his voice tinged with impatience, pushed forward again, unwilling to let his proposal slip into the cracks. "With all due respect, Minister, we cannot afford to wait for others to act while the situation in Ukraine deteriorates. Every moment we delay, the threat grows stronger. If we don't respond, we risk losing influence in the region. We cannot let these radicals gain a foothold, not when they pose a direct threat to our security. I urge you to reconsider—our response must be swift and unequivocal."
Boris shook his head, realizing this conversation was going nowhere. "Gentlemen, Ladies, I think this session has gone far beyond its usefulness. Madame Foreign Minister set up a call with the Polish King and then the Ukranian Leadership. I will not allow this madness to consume my own council."
With that, Albrecht would have the President's secretary arrange a call, directly to the Polish King saying it was President Nemtsov of Russia wishing to speak with His Highness regarding the situation in Ukraine and Thailand emphasizing it was urgent. With that, a secured and encrypted line was sent to Poland.
ManBear
