Featured Image Credit: Rossiya-1/Alamy
Topics: Prince Andrew, Russia, The Queen
Poppy Bilderbeck
The Queen and Prince Andrew have been accused by Russian state TV of encouraging war between Ukraine and Russia.
Prince Andrew has recently been embroiled in a lawsuit filed against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. The lawsuit alleged that the royal had sexually abused Giuffre on three separate occasions when she was just 17 years old and being trafficked by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While an out-of-court settlement has since been reached between the pair, on Sunday, February 20, Dmitry Kiselyov, who hosts News of the Week on Rossiya-1 state news channel, claimed that both the Duke of York and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 'really want to distract attention [from the scandal], even if it's war'.
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Despite how Russia has denied the US' claims that it's planning to invade Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin having even accused the US of trying to lure the country into war instead, US officials have reported that Russia is almost fully prepared to invade. Multiple satellite images have also added to growing concern, showing Russian troops arriving near the border. The US has estimated there are currently 150,000 soldiers located at various points between the two countries 'in a threatening position'.
Kiselyov has accused British royals of attempting to add fuel to the fire in a bid to take the heat off Prince Andrew, Business Insider reports.
Kiselyov stated: [Translation] 'The Royal Family is desperately in need of distraction, as Scotland Yard uncovered that the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has been giving away high honors, titles, and even citizenships to a foreign businessman with an easy-to-remember name, Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz.
'Right now, the court is not commenting on the police investigation but really wants to distract attention, even if it's war. And annoyingly, the Queen's beloved son Prince Andrew agreed to use mommy's money: $16 million, to settle a US court case with the victim of his rape. The 95-year-old Queen will pay. The war in Donbas [eastern Ukraine] in this context is much more interesting to her.'
No British royal has yet publicly commented on the escalating situation at the border of Ukraine and Russia.
Kiselyov's interpretation has also been called out by BBC's Moscow correspondent, Steve Rosenberg, who called it an 'alternative reality' via Twitter.
Rosenberg stated: 'What are TV viewers in Russia being told tonight about tensions in Ukraine? The polar opposite of TV bulletins in the West. “Who needs war?” asks state TV. Anchor lists Biden, Johnson, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Erdogan, Macron, Zelensky. Alternative reality.'
In a 'last-ditch effort' to avoid war in Ukraine, the White House confirmed today, February 20, that President Joe Biden has agreed 'in principle' to meet with Putin in a bid for 'diplomacy'.
As a result of the settlement, Prince Andrew is expected to pay Giuffre a sum of over £10 million alongside making a 'substantial donation' to her charity.
Just yesterday, February 20, it was announced that the Queen had tested positive for coronavirus.
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