Leigh Turner writer

Putin 'morally responsible' for 'unsurvivable' Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess, inquiry finds An inquiry into Ms Sturgess' death in 2018 came after an attempt to poison an ex-Russian double agent living in Salisbury.

Quite. www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...

Patagonia to Costa Rica 3: Ecuador My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches Ecuador, featuring Quito, the Cotopaxi volcano, and the Galapagos Islands.

My post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 3: Ecuador" is now complete. It includes pictures of Quito, the Cotopaxi Volcano, and the Galapagos Islands. There are also links to earlier posts, about Chile and Peru. rleighturner.com/ecuador/ #Ecuador #Galapagos #patrica #lessonsindiplomacy #writiinginspiration

My #patrica trip reaches #Quito: churches, depictions of hell, a walk up the #Cotopaxi volcano. Next up: the Galapagos. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers

Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru The second stage of my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip is Peru, taking in Cusco and Inca remains including Machu Picchu.

My blog post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru" is now complete. It includes pictures of such places as Machu Picchu, Cusco and #Lima. I'd welcome readers, and comments. There's also a link to the first post, about Chile. I hope you enjoy it. rleighturner.com/peru/ #Peru #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica

Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru The second stage of my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip is Peru, taking in Cusco and Inca remains including Machu Picchu.

My blog post "Patagonia to Costa Rica 2: Peru" is now complete. It includes pictures of such places as Machu Picchu, Cusco and #Lima. I'd welcome readers, and comments. There's also a link to the first post, about Chile. I hope you enjoy it. rleighturner.com/peru/ #Peru #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica

My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches Machu Picchu. On a misty, rainy day the site surpasses all expectations. For full account and more pictures see my blog rleighturner.com/peru/. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #writinginspiration

Scenes from #Cuzco in #Peru: walls at Saksayhuaman; street vendor; at Saksayhuaman; crucifixion at Qorikancha (former Temple of Sun now a Dominican friary, with Inca foundations). #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration

My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip reaches the Atacama Desert in Chile. Pics: Tropic of Capricorn, Moon Valley, El Tatio geysers and volcanoes. See my blog for more. #lessonsindiplomacy #patrica #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #atacama #chile

US and Russian officials draft plan to end Ukraine war based on capitulation from Kyiv It is unclear if Trump administration backs deal that would mean Kyiv giving up territory and slashing size of military

Reports in the FT and guardian suggest President #Trump is still moving to sell out #Ukraine. This would be strongly against US interests as I have written eg here: rleighturner.com/trump-sell-o... www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing Lessons in Diplomacy: progress isn’t only good

My new video: “Lessons in Diplomacy: Progress isn’t only good”. I’ve also just updated my #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) blog on my website, with new text and pictures. Do subscribe! #lessonsindiplomacy #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #Chile #Patagonia youtube.com/shorts/BI2Rl...

Why oh why?

In Puerto Natales, Patagonia, #Chile. An empanada, sea lion cubs, glaciers and enticing street signs. (“#Patrica” refers to my planned trip from Patagonia to Costa Rica) #lessonsindiplomacy #book #books #booktok #diplomacybooks #booksaboutdiplomacy #writinginspiration #stories #writing #writers

My #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica) trip starts in Santiago de Chile. A sprawling city surrounded by mountains. Sunrise over #Brazil; crossing the #Andes; and a first (outstanding) Pisco sour. #lessonsindiplomacy. For more, see LinkedIn or TikTok.

Weighing luggage items for my forthcoming trip to Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica. Trying to keep the weight down… Hashtag #patrica (Patagonia to Costa Rica). I like the packaging of the bracelet: “Don’t bite me please”… #writinginspiration #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok

YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing Birdsong at the Russian Church in Vienna

I took this video of the Russian Church in Vienna from the British residence 5 years ago. It's unique: for most of history, this view has been blocked by the German Embassy, which sits between - as now. #russianchurch #vienna #writinginspiration #lessonsindiplomacy www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJmc...

Up early for a train from Amsterdam to Bonn - where I was posted 1998-9 before moving with the German government and the embassy to Berlin in a convoy of removal vans. Lovely sunrise. I’ll be giving talks today and tomorrow (in Düsseldorf) based on my book “Lessons in Diplomacy”.

What do you think?

Hand of Moscow? The men jailed for vandalism in French hybrid warfare case Three Bulgarians are jailed for painting red hands on France's Holocaust Memorial in a suspected case of Russian "destabilisation".

Worth bearing in mind next time you feel incensed about something. Who might be trying to incense you? I've just written a thriller about the implications of this for all of us. www.bbc.com/news/article... #russia #ukraine #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy

One of my favourites.

…(penultimate pic, zoom in) the cafe at Otto Wagner‘s PTT building with its dire warnings for cup-stealers… thanks to all who came to the talks and stay in touch! 🧵 2 of 2

Busy 3 days in #Vienna: Talks at Army Museum; House of Scotland); Rotary Wien Süd; the Diplomatic Academy and Shakespeare & Co. Also Vienna Woods, Mexicoplatz, Cafe Goldegg and… 🧵 1 of 2

YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing Can you get to the top without working hard?

My latest YouTube video addresses a key question: Can you get ti the top without working too hard? youtube.com/shorts/mvpoi...

Enjoying the queues, broken conveyor belts, rain and delays of a #Schipol Monday morning. But nice to head for 5 talks about „Lessons in Diplomacy“ in lovely #Vienna! PS I liked the ambitious „duty free“ limits. 110 litres of beer on a flight? As for „Grab and Fly“ as an outlet name, I despair.

How 48 Ukrainian children were saved from Kharkiv kindergarten hit by Russian drone The story of a dramatic and heroic rescue that has captured the public imagination in Ukraine.

Shocking scenes from this BBC report on an attack on a nursery in #Ukraine. We should not allow fatigue with Russia's invasion to make such images routine. This is #Russia attacking a peaceful neighbour that before 2014 had never harmed a single Russian. www.bbc.com/news/article...

YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing President Trump’s new sanctions on Russia are a great move. Here’s why.

President #Trump’s new sanctions against Russian oil companies, are a great move. For the first time since January, Trump has introduced measures that could put real pressure on #Putin end #Russia’s war agains #Ukraine. It’s a welcome step. #lessonsindiplomacy youtube.com/shorts/lwg2c...

YouTube video by Times Radio Putin’s dreams dwindle as frozen Russian assets prove he can’t outlast us | Former UK ambassador

My (long) interview about #Russia and #Ukraine on Times Radio "Frontline" earlier today. The announcement of US sanctions against Russian oil companies is welcome. But we need a consistent long-term policy of pressure on #Putin to bring him to the negotiating table youtu.be/yUoBlMeg9fc?...

This seems to be a legitimate story. If #China and #India significantly reduces their purchases of oil from #Russia, that could in the medium-long term reduce Moscow's ability to fund its war against #Ukraine. Next question: what will #Turkey do? www.reuters.com/business/ene... #Russiaukraine

It’s an issue nearly everywhere apart from a few African countries.

YouTube video by Leigh Turner Writing Is diplomacy getting harder? Why?

My recent post on why diplomacy is getting harder - taking an example of the Falklands - is proving popular: www.youtube.com/watch?v=juUE...

Can you post your latest stuff on Bluesky? Still avoiding the legacy app.