33 Comments
User's avatar
Edwin Hiley's avatar

This warmed my heart. Your commitment, Scott, to deepen our regard for one another and our countries, for stopping all war-mongering, and for teaching all of us how rich and rewarding it will be to love and respect one another is a beacon of hope for ethical and respectful relationships, story sharing, and broadening humanity and peace.

Rob Roy's avatar

Scott, this is one of my favorites from your pen, felt as if I were in the room with you all. Russia has a moral army, I've noticed throughout the SMO. Thank you for this window. I look forward to more. [BTW, was you title a bit of a punny take from, "My Dinner with Andre?"] Rob

vandergruff's avatar

“Unforgivable”? Did you mean UNFORGETTABLE?

Diana Read-Miedema's avatar

I think Scott wrote it correctly... When you read down that his (Belarusian!) wife needed him back to USA as fast as possible for daughter's wedding - then if I go by Luckashenko's dominant nature - then it was "unforgivable" to be gone an extra 2 days! :-)

vandergruff's avatar

His wife is Georgian.

Elena's avatar

Wonderful to see. You and Larry are doing more to break the propaganda about Russia than anyone else out there. Today the BBC - Oct 22nd - just said that the root causes for the conflict was Putin's desire to wipe out Ukraine as a sovereign nation. What absolute liars it is maddening.

Ranger1221regnaR's avatar

It is utterly maddening what the BBC and most British press/news says, their lies are getting a lot of people injured and dead, and they all should be made accountable and pay for their high-crimes, as bearing false witness is a serious crime, a despicable crime which should not go unanswered.

I used to love the BBC, but a great many years ago it became apparent to me that they had become no better than all the other murderous liars out there, and any bastardisation of their name is warranted - The British Bias Corporation, The British Bastard Cradle, The British Bullshit Conglomerate etc., etc., etc.

I do believe in getting news from many sources and comparing, but I cannot do this any more with the BBC, they sicken me to the core - it is specifically because of the BBC that I was over-joyed when RT started to broadcast in the UK, and I haven't looked back.

Nemo's avatar

I understand why they call Apti the "Preacher". For the second time, I call him the Wise Warrior:

"Apti capped the discussion by stating that, in his experience, it was better to preserve the lives of your most skilled and dangerous opponents than take them. A good warrior—an ethical warrior—fights honorably, and as such is an honorable man as well as opponent. These, Apti said, are the very men society needed to survive the horrors of war. If you can capture them, then you must treat them humanely and with honor so that when they go home to their families they will be able to help dispel the hate-filled propaganda that had helped fuel the passions of war amongst the infected populations."

Wren's avatar

Bad luck that Judge Nap couldn't be there because of his flight. You know he would have loved being there with such a distinguished assembly of people. I hardly recognize Apti Alaudinov out of uniform and have always found him so thoughtful when responding to questions posed by Patrick Lancaster. Quite the night for you all.

Dassos Petrou's avatar

Great article, Scott. It warms my heart to read about you, Larry, the Judge and Stephen Seagal all sitting round a restaurant table with General Apti and others. You guys together are all symbolic of how the world today could heal itself.

Longtrail's avatar

Great Scott! Larry Johnson and you did meet in Moscow! I'm also a big fan of Steven Seagal. I always considered Steven a good man.

Marilyn Langlois's avatar

Thank you Scott! And surely there's a typo in the subtitle of this post, as the evening you describe here was most definitely unforgettable, not unforgivable!! ;-)

CTW's avatar

Great job Scott! Thank you for sharing this special occasion, and thank you generally for your efforts to stop or limit the insanity and hatred.

MrMickeysMom's avatar

How would I know the first thing about Russian/United States relation building if not for reading accounts of it through your substack, Scott Ritter? I'm so thankful for this gained knowledge! I kind of wished the judge was there, but surely there will be conversation on his excellent podcast. You give me hope.

Alex Piano's avatar

What a joy reading this. Thank you!

Gerdami's avatar

Scott for Peace 🕊️✌️

Ranger1221regnaR's avatar

Warriors that respect enemy warriors are are an example of the finest human beings to exist, as they must deal with by far, the worst and most difficult of human tendencies and pressures. They are an example to all of us, who should treat others as we wish to be treated, and even though many are not warriors in this world, there isn't a soul among us that could not learn valuable lessons from these exceptionally well-trained, human beings, who demonstrate consummate self-control, and yes even love for their enemies.

I do wonder if the British Military has the same ethos, it seems there were times in the past, but I do wonder if our own military has been as undermined as the rest of British society, and if such an ethos exists any more?

I am so happy for you Scott, your hard work and dedication is bringing you great, and well-deserved dividends, and because of that we too get a share in your experiences, and get to see the real face and faces of Russia.

I was totally, and pleasantly surprised to see Steven Seagal there, and didn't know he had become an ambassador for Russia ... I mean Wow, just Wow, I never thought he and I shared the same views, but what a lovely, encouraging surprise.

Thank you Scott for sharing this, this really is an excellent way to see the real Russia and Russians, and to realise, more and more, that Russia, is without doubt, a moral and good nation, whilst those around her prove their ever-increasing lack of such.

Jmdan's avatar

Wonderful. I'm very jealous!!

TnDoc's avatar

Thanks for sharing this special time with us, Scott - and, for your voice for peace!