Topic: Russian Cheese

Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues diplomatic efforts from Fiji as Russia dismisses the threat of Western sanctions. The Russian ambassador to Sweden claims previous sanctions actually helped the Russian economy by forcing the development of domestic agriculture and dairy industries.

After a brief technical reconnection, the hosts discuss the glut of Russian-packaged cheese being sold cheaply in Finland due to export bans. They return to the Ukraine crisis, with Jonathan Steele arguing that the conflict is driven by Russia's desire to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, a goal pushed by Washington neocons like John Kerry and Victoria Nuland.