All Things Russia & Ukraine

[seacoaster]

Boycott Stupid.

[MDlaxfan76]

Do you know what will happen to Kiev if Zellinsky & his govt & military forces don't relocate to the west of the country & declare Kyiv an open city?

How about you spell the man's name correctly. He has earned much more than that.

I'm workin' on it, ... sticky [L] key. I got it right most of the time, like in the following sentence (which you did not quote).
Do you think it should have 2 Y's ? I've seen it that way on FNC.

Most of the time the second Y is dropped. But not 2 Ls and it's an e not an I. You keep misspelling it, though it varies how you do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy

[MDlaxfan76]

Frankly, I think all of the partisan finger pointing at what woulda shoulda coulda been done by various administrations and congresses is quite off where we should be right now. After this is all over, there will be plenty of time for historical analysis.

The reality is that the US doesn't control the decisions of NATO. We have a huge voice, and we've wanted that influence, but we're not in unilateral control. And so, how unified NATO is behind the choices any particular US Admin and Congress would prefer is critical. That unity has not been 100% most of the periods following the fall of the Soviet Union, and the bias of most of the participants has been to build economic cooperative ties with Russia rather than take provocative actions, or at least some combination of such.

Whatever we do going forward, absent a unilateral war decision by the US, is going to need coherence within NATO.

[jhu72]

Boycott Stupid.

Meanwhile, you might check this guy's twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko

proof conclusive that the Russian soldiers have been lied to by Putin as to why, what, and who they are fighting. Now I am no military expert, but this doesn't seem like it is a strategy or tactic that leads to success for Putin. Man is a mad dog. He, personally needs to be put down. Meanwhile back in the good ole US of A, we have Trumpnista slime worshiping this guy.

I sure hope we are talking behind the scenes with some Russians who see and understand how critical it is for them that he be put down.

It’s easy to talk tough on the Internet when you conveniently forget Putin is sitting on about 10,000 nuclear warheads. You want to ‘put down a mad dog’?! You best not miss, cause he’s got nothing to lose in response.

Putin doesn't have the ability to use the nukes all by himself. He needs others in the chain of command to follow.

And you think his entire staff will rebel against Putin if a gun is being held to their heads while he demands they launch?

These are delicate times, not times for cocky boldness.

Thankfully, our boy Joe is in Delaware for the weekend! What exemplary leadership in times of chaos.

Not being bold, being realistic and pragmatic. It was always crystal clear, that if the invasion didn't work out -- AND IT IS NOT -- Putin would threaten use of nukes.

[NattyBohChamps04]

Yeah, the finger pointing is a distraction to keep us divided. Basically saying Ukraine shouldn't have been wearing a sexy dress if it didn't wanna be raped.

Fortunately a number of right wing pundits and politicians are starting to put out statements no longer supporting Putin and Russia and calling for an end to the invasion. It was amazing how pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine many were and still are. I guess with millions of dollars from Russia going to Republicans, it's sadly no surprise. Makes you wonder if the financial sanctions are making politicians think twice since one of their money spigots is being turned off. Alleged bank runs are starting in Russia as well.

This invasion is going very, very differently than Putin had thought and hoped. Hoping that trend continues as the US and many other countries keep sending money and military equipment in.

[Peter Brown]

Yeah, the finger pointing is a distraction to keep us divided. Basically saying Ukraine shouldn't have been wearing a sexy dress if it didn't wanna be raped.

Fortunately a number of right wing pundits and politicians are starting to put out statements no longer supporting Putin and Russia and calling for an end to the invasion. It was amazing how pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine many (Republicans) were and still are. I guess with millions of dollars from Russia going to Republicans, it's sadly no surprise. Makes you wonder if the financial sanctions are making politicians think twice since one of their money spigots is being turned off. Alleged bank runs are starting in Russia as well.

This invasion is going very, very differently than Putin had thought and hoped. Hoping that trend continues as the US and many other countries keep sending money and military equipment in.

Pot meets kettle in the same post. Amazing.

[Farfromgeneva]

Frankly, I think all of the partisan finger pointing at what woulda shoulda coulda been done by various administrations and congresses is quite off where we should be right now. After this is all over, there will be plenty of time for historical analysis.

The reality is that the US doesn't control the decisions of NATO. We have a huge voice, and we've wanted that influence, but we're not in unilateral control. And so, how unified NATO is behind the choices any particular US Admin and Congress would prefer is critical. That unity has not been 100% most of the periods following the fall of the Soviet Union, and the bias of most of the participants has been to build economic cooperative ties with Russia rather than take provocative actions, or at least some combination of such.

Whatever we do going forward, absent a unilateral war decision by the US, is going to need coherence within NATO.

Mine are simply let’s press down on Europe/NATO like we can, cutoff all financial access to the outside world we can control between the western world, support Ukraine as much as possible without putting a body in harm just yet but have teams prepped to go and choke this dude out. Make him tap out. And put pressure on Europe to stand on their own two feet as part of the threat. Their bodies first, spend some money on defense and discontinue such heavy reliance on russian energy and other commodities like they should’ve done 10yrs ago.

Baby steps I don’t like. We’re in or we’re out .

[jhu72]

Frankly, I think all of the partisan finger pointing at what woulda shoulda coulda been done by various administrations and congresses is quite off where we should be right now. After this is all over, there will be plenty of time for historical analysis.

The reality is that the US doesn't control the decisions of NATO. We have a huge voice, and we've wanted that influence, but we're not in unilateral control. And so, how unified NATO is behind the choices any particular US Admin and Congress would prefer is critical. That unity has not been 100% most of the periods following the fall of the Soviet Union, and the bias of most of the participants has been to build economic cooperative ties with Russia rather than take provocative actions, or at least some combination of such.

Whatever we do going forward, absent a unilateral war decision by the US, is going to need coherence within NATO.

... and frankly, I view that as a very good thing! We are stronger with them than without.

[seacoaster]

Reminder:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump- ... s-n1122566

[Farfromgeneva]

Yeah, the finger pointing is a distraction to keep us divided. Basically saying Ukraine shouldn't have been wearing a sexy dress if it didn't wanna be raped.

Fortunately a number of right wing pundits and politicians are starting to put out statements no longer supporting Putin and Russia and calling for an end to the invasion. It was amazing how pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine many (Republicans) were and still are. I guess with millions of dollars from Russia going to Republicans, it's sadly no surprise. Makes you wonder if the financial sanctions are making politicians think twice since one of their money spigots is being turned off. Alleged bank runs are starting in Russia as well.

This invasion is going very, very differently than Putin had thought and hoped. Hoping that trend continues as the US and many other countries keep sending money and military equipment in.

Pot meets kettle in the same post. Amazing.

You continuously pointing to Trudeau is a joke.

[Peter Brown]

Yeah, the finger pointing is a distraction to keep us divided. Basically saying Ukraine shouldn't have been wearing a sexy dress if it didn't wanna be raped.

Fortunately a number of right wing pundits and politicians are starting to put out statements no longer supporting Putin and Russia and calling for an end to the invasion. It was amazing how pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine many (Republicans) were and still are. I guess with millions of dollars from Russia going to Republicans, it's sadly no surprise. Makes you wonder if the financial sanctions are making politicians think twice since one of their money spigots is being turned off. Alleged bank runs are starting in Russia as well.

This invasion is going very, very differently than Putin had thought and hoped. Hoping that trend continues as the US and many other countries keep sending money and military equipment in.

Pot meets kettle in the same post. Amazing.

You continuously pointing to Trudeau is a joke.

What’s not a joke is the principal lobbyist for Nordstream 2 was Roberti Global, earning more than $9 million in lobbying fees since 2017, according to disclosure filings. Vin Roberti, a Democrat who was an unofficial adviser to President Joe Biden’s 2008 presidential campaign, is the sole lobbyist still on the account. “Pro Russia”.

[jhu72]

Reminder:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump- ... s-n1122566

... should be clear he is just another Trump stooge that sees the handwriting on the wall. He is done!

[jhu72]

Do you know what will happen to Kiev if Zellinsky & his govt & military forces don't relocate to the west of the country & declare Kyiv an open city?

How about you spell the man's name correctly. He has earned much more than that.

I'm workin' on it, ... sticky [L] key. I got it right most of the time, like in the following sentence (which you did not quote).
Do you think it should have 2 Y's ? I've seen it that way on FNC.

Most of the time the second Y is dropped. But not 2 Ls and it's an e not an I. You keep misspelling it, though it varies how you do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy

... he should change his name, to make it more American friendly

[Farfromgeneva]

Reminder:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump- ... s-n1122566

... should be clear he is just another Trump stooge that sees the handwriting on the wall. He is done!

Didn’t one person indict all fat and sweaty people, claiming they were all democrats in the past? I guess it’s ok if you can take poor peoples donations to spend on trainers and stylists.

[Farfromgeneva]

This frustrates me. We spend resources and contemplate lives while letting them off the hook when it’s their neighbor who’s the aggressor/

Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine Largely Spare Energy Sector, Vital to Europe
Exemptions let Europe keep buying Russian gas and oil, moderating prices while maintaining a major revenue stream for Moscow

Russia is one of the world’s top oil and natural gas producers; a refinery in Omsk, Russia.
PHOTO: ALEXEY MALGAVKO/REUTERS
By Patricia Kowsmann
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and Ian Talley
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Feb. 27, 2022 9:08 am ET

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The West is rolling out increasingly tough sanctions on Russia but it is going out of its way to preserve the country’s biggest source of revenue: energy exports.

In the latest example, the European Union said late Saturday that it had agreed with the U.S., the U.K. and Canada to eject some of Russia’s banks from the global financial system’s payments infrastructure, Swift. The move, if applied to all banks, would be powerful, essentially blocking money transfers in and out of the country. By cutting only some, Western countries are allowing payments, including for energy, to continue through non-sanctioned banks.

Russia is one of the world’s top oil and natural gas producers, and energy exports represent half of the country’s foreign sales. The country, now embroiled in a bitter war in Ukraine, provides around 40% of Europe’s natural gas. The commodity heats the continent, fuels many of its power plants and is a critical input for a range of industrial processes. Russia’s crude production is a major factor in the global oil marketplace.


As the U.S. and its Western allies wage economic war against the Kremlin to coerce it into abandoning its invasion of Ukraine, policymakers have tailored their pressure campaign to protect their energy supply, prevent a surge in oil prices and minimize the damage on their own economies.

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“You can’t get away from the fact that Europe still has a dependency on Russia,” said Justine Walker, head of sanctions and risk at the Associate of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, even as observers argue the exemptions for energy sales dilute the sanctions’ impact.

Fighting Intensifies in Kyiv in Russia’s Invasion of UkraineUkrainian authorities have ordered Kyiv residents to stay indoors until Monday morning while they hunt for Russian infiltrators
A building in Kyiv was damaged by a projectile Saturday.The smoldering remains of armored vehicles and trucks in Kyiv on Saturday after Ukrainian troops and volunteer fighters repelled a Russian advance.Ukrainian service members took cover at the Vasylkiv Air Base on Saturday.People arrived at a train station after crossing the border at Zahony-Csap as they flee Ukraine on Sunday in Zahony, Hungary.A fire at a petroleum storage depot after a Russian missile attack, in Vasylkiv, near Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday.Volunteers in Kyiv prepared Molotov cocktails, or homemade gasoline bombs, as the government called on Ukrainians abroad and foreign volunteers to join the fight.A family took shelter in a basement in Kyiv on Saturday amid air raid sirens and shelling in the capital. An ambulance drove along an empty street on Sunday during a curfew imposed in Kyiv, Ukraine.Many Ukrainian fighters saw their first combat experience Saturday during the battle against Russian attackers in the capital Kyiv.Volunteers receiving weapons and training at a Territorial Defense unit in Kyiv.

The smoldering remains of armored vehicles and trucks in Kyiv on Saturday after Ukrainian troops and volunteer fighters repelled a Russian advance.CHRISTOPHER OCCHICONE FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
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The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia’s largest banks— Sberbank and VTB—but provided broad exemptions on payments for purchases of crude oil, natural gas, fuel and other petroleum products. The EU, meanwhile, chose not to sanction them for now. Already-sanctioned banks will be kicked off Swift, but others will be allowed to stay. Swift-banned banks could also find workarounds, including using other—albeit less efficient and more expensive—messaging systems to conduct transactions such as telex.

The exemptions enable European nations and others to continue buying Russian gas and oil. That tempers prices, including for oil, which have jumped by roughly 40% over the last three months over concerns of disruption to oil markets from a conflict in Ukraine. Higher oil prices boost the amount of money Russia makes for every barrel sold, and spurs inflation across the world.


“The measures themselves and the exemptions are balanced so that we can deliver overwhelming costs while not having unintended consequences,” said Daleep Singh, the U.S. deputy national security adviser for international economics. “Our measures were not designed to disrupt in any way the current flow of energy from Russia to the world.”

U.S. officials say the exemptions were critical for winning political support for a coordinated and complementary pressure campaign from a broad range of economies including the U.S. and U.K., and the 27 member states of the EU.

Watch Ukraine Fuel Depot Near Kyiv in Flames Amid Russian Shelling
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Watch Ukraine Fuel Depot Near Kyiv in Flames Amid Russian Shelling
Watch Ukraine Fuel Depot Near Kyiv in Flames Amid Russian Shelling
Footage shows plumes of black smoke rising from a fuel depot in Vasylkiv, south of Kyiv, as Russian forces targeted airfields and other strategic facilities in Ukraine during the night. Photo: Alisa Yakubovych/Shutterstock
“They need to be powerful enough to demonstrate our resolve and the capacity to impose overwhelming costs,” Mr. Singh said last week. “They should be calibrated such that we can maximize coordination with our allies and partners.”

The sanctions essentially cut the two largest state-controlled banks and their customers from access to the U.S. dollar by forbidding U.S. banks from dealing with them. All U.S. dollar transactions must go through U.S. banks. About 80% of foreign-exchange transactions conducted by Russian banks are denominated in U.S. dollars, according to the U.S. Treasury.


But the U.S. sanctions exemptions permit U.S. banks to continue clearing U.S. dollars for energy-related transactions as long as there is an intermediary—a third-country bank—to facilitate. The move ultimately allows energy-related transactions in U.S. dollars to go through.

The exemption runs through June 24 but can be renewed, the U.S. Treasury said.

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“We’ve carved out energy payments on a time-bound basis to allow for an orderly transition of these flows away from sanctioned institutions,” Mr. Singh said, “and we’ve provided other licenses to provide for an orderly wind-down of business.”

The Russian banks that aren’t sanctioned include Gazprombank, Russia’s third-largest bank and a key channel for foreign payments for oil and gas. Those banks provide an alternative channel for those payments.

The U.S. Treasury also issued exemptions for agricultural exports such as grain, another significant Russian export, and medical and other humanitarian supplies.

Cutting off countries dependent on Russia’s grain exports would risk political instability in those nations, said Ms. Walker, whose group is composed of compliance officers at banks and companies around the world.


Russia is also a major agricultural exporter; harvesting in Russia’s Krasnodar territory.
PHOTO: DMITRY FEOKTISTOV/TASS/ZUMA PRESS
Although many analysts and former officials say the collective action against Russia is unprecedented in its post-Soviet relations with the West, some leaders and lawmakers say the efforts are insufficient. As Russian forces battle to take Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, the U.S. and its trans-Atlantic allies are scrambling to ratchet up the pressure.

“I will not be diplomatic on this,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter Thursday. “Everyone who now doubts whether Russia should be banned from Swift has to understand that the blood of innocent Ukrainian men, women and children will be on their hands too.”


If Europe cuts Russia completely off Swift, “there is a high risk that Germany will no longer be supplied with gas or raw materials," Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner said the same day.

Write to Patricia Kowsmann at [email protected] and Ian Talley at [email protected]

[jhu72]

^^^^ Frustrating indeed. I think the NATO folks (including Pres. Biden) understand this. I suspect we will be supplying fuel to the Euros in future as they will move off Russian supplies along as Russia remains an authoritarian dictatorship.

Reminder:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump- ... s-n1122566

... should be clear he is just another Trump stooge that sees the handwriting on the wall. He is done!

Didn’t one person indict all fat and sweaty people, claiming they were all democrats in the past? I guess it’s ok if you can take poor peoples donations to spend on trainers and stylists.

... I seem to recall that

[NattyBohChamps04]

Yeah, the finger pointing is a distraction to keep us divided. Basically saying Ukraine shouldn't have been wearing a sexy dress if it didn't wanna be raped.

Fortunately a number of right wing pundits and politicians are starting to put out statements no longer supporting Putin and Russia and calling for an end to the invasion. It was amazing how pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine many (Republicans) were and still are. I guess with millions of dollars from Russia going to Republicans, it's sadly no surprise. Makes you wonder if the financial sanctions are making politicians think twice since one of their money spigots is being turned off. Alleged bank runs are starting in Russia as well.

This invasion is going very, very differently than Putin had thought and hoped. Hoping that trend continues as the US and many other countries keep sending money and military equipment in.

Pot meets kettle in the same post. Amazing.

Wow, you so completely missed the point. Additionally, the they're two separate issues in your supposed "Gotcha." I'll say it's still nice that people are less divided on this issue than we were, but we have a ways to go.

Also, Biden is attending a memorial service for a family member in Delaware. He's not on vacation at a resort.

In the theme of Family, Zelenskyy said in his inaugural address "I really do not want my pictures in your offices, for the President is not an icon, an idol or a portrait. Hang your kids' photos instead, and look at them each time you are making a decision."

Can we get some more portraits of DeSantis in his thread?

[Kismet]

Do you know what will happen to Kiev if Zellinsky & his govt & military forces don't relocate to the west of the country & declare Kyiv an open city?

How about you spell the man's name correctly. He has earned much more than that.

I'm workin' on it, ... sticky [L] key. I got it right most of the time, like in the following sentence (which you did not quote).
Do you think it should have 2 Y's ? I've seen it that way on FNC.

Most of the time the second Y is dropped. But not 2 Ls and it's an e not an I. You keep misspelling it, though it varies how you do so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy

Maybe try this

Naagaaniit (pronounced naw-gaw-neet) which is Ojibwe for LEADER.

[youthathletics]

Elon Musk is a bad ass.....can't believe why Joe Rogan would have him on and waste everyone time learning about a man advancing all progressive ideas: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/149 ... ZCS-29KCvg

[jhu72]

Elon Musk is a bad ass.....can't believe why Joe Rogan would have him on and waste everyone time learning about a man advancing all progressive ideas: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/149 ... ZCS-29KCvg

Musk is not progressive in my book. He is pure opportunist. I personally don't like the guy.