On corruption, fragility, innovation, human capital, creditworthiness, GDP per head – all the measures that count for most – the country is, to put it politely, not in a great place.
She also told the Commons of new sanctions, Magnitsky legislation, and additional powers to curb the activities of the Kremlin’s agents.
Foreign policy is rarely at the centre of our politics, but the electorate are now likely to judge potential leaders in part on their stance towards the Kremlin.
Why he believes Brexit will make life harder for Putin. Plus: Can Hammond hold course in today’s Spring Statement? And how does faith fit into public life?
“If there is evidence of a foreign state’s involvement, we will need to respond in a way which is appropriate.”
“The link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one, and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country.”
The President is clearly prepared to put politics before economics, even at the expense of America’s traditional allies.
The Crown Prince will need all of his skills to balance the demands of tribal court politics while driving social and economic modernisation.
It’s one thing to recognise the long-term threats posed by states such as Russia, quite another to meet them.
“It has become absolutely clear to me that we cannot take the argument for granted.”
A new, diplomatically-phrased but still damning enquiry by the Foreign Affairs Committee throws light on the Government’s failures.
Doing so would be an opportunity for us to learn – Ukrainian forces have valuable experience of state-to-state conflict, and of Russian weaponry we have never faced.
“If they don’t, well, it’ll be like you and I negotiating when you’re very clear what you want and I haven’t got a clue. You’re going to win!”
Behind the scenes many of Europe’s nations and regions are weighing the cost of a hard Brexit and pushing for a better deal.
The country’s partial lifting of the blockade and its humanitarian efforts are welcome, but there is more that the Prince could do.