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Reiner Otto
10-22-24, 15:44
Please see my reply to Xpartan.
1) Russia wouldn't tolerate American missiles being placed in Ukraine, hence no NATO expansion into Ukraine. That was a red line.
2) The Americans wouldn't tolerate Soviet missiles in Cuba. That was their red line.
There is a difference between a blockade (a la Cuba) to prevent missile installation, actually being delivered, and the real invasion of a country, where missiles might be installed.
Obviously, you can not see it.
On board the blocked ships bound to Cuba, there were Russian missiles; USA did not invade Cuba, though.
No American missiles within UA; however, Russia invaded UA.
Obviously, you do not see the difference.
There is a difference between a blockade (a la Cuba) to prevent missile installation, actually being delivered, and the real invasion of a country, where missiles might be installed.
Obviously, you can not see it.
On board the blocked ships bound to Cuba, there were Russian missiles; USA did not invade Cuba, though.
No American missiles within UA; however, Russia invaded UA.
Obviously, you do not see the difference.You are missing the point. Great powers have red lines. Great powers fuck other countries up. Whether some of you guys want to admit it or not, Russia is a great power. Ukraine joining NATO was Russia's red line and not to be crossed.
Russia demanded Ukraine's neutrality and for it to never join NATO. That was not given and anyone that knows anything knows that very well. And for some of you it all started out of the blue on Feb 22nd, 2022. That is not the case. The conflict and war really started in 2014 when the USA and EU engineered a coup that removed the democratically elected President of Ukraine. If you really want to know when the conflict started, look back at 2008 when the war criminal G. W Bush first invited Ukraine to join NATO.
John Clayton
10-22-24, 17:37
You are missing the point. Great powers have red lines. Great powers fuck other countries up. Whether some of you guys want to admit it or not, Russia is a great power. Ukraine joining NATO was Russia's red line and not to be crossed.
Russia demanded Ukraine's neutrality and for it to never join NATO. That was not given and anyone that knows anything knows that very well. And for some of you it all started out of the blue on Feb 22nd, 2022. That is not the case. The conflict and war really started in 2014 when the USA and EU engineered a coup that removed the democratically elected President of Ukraine. If you really want to know when the conflict started, look back at 2008 when the war criminal G. W Bush first invited Ukraine to join NATO.This is 100% revisiionist lies. Putin's invasion is a war of aggression pure territorial aggrandizement.
Russia is not a "great power" ...it is not great. Its economy is smaller than the US state of New York. Guys who brag about how strong they are, how big their dick is, how many chicks they fucked or how much money they have know, deep in their subconscious, how untrue it all is. True, the RF has thousands of nukes left over from the USSR; however, given the state of the armed forces, how many would actually work is unclear. The greater truth is that the RF is finished as an economic and political entity.
Why is the stupid fucking War still going on?Because the last Ukrainian is not yet dead?
John Clayton
10-22-24, 19:39
Because the last Ukrainian is not yet dead?You should negociate future payments for your propaganda to be in a hard currency.
Reiner Otto
10-22-24, 21:20
Great powers fuck other countries up. Whether some of you guys want to admit it or not, Russia is a great power. Yea, thus Russia has any right to "fuck up UA" simply because Russia is a great power.
Probably, that's it what Putler learned from Adolf.
Please see my reply to Xpartan.
Russia wouldn't tolerate American missiles being placed in Ukraine, hence no NATO expansion into Ukraine. That was a red line.
The Americans wouldn't tolerate Soviet missiles in Cuba. That was their red line.
I hope you can follow?Placement or non-placement of any kind of weaponry in Ukraine could've been negotiated if the degenerate fascist Kremlin regime didn't decide to solve all their problems with a victorious 3-day campaign.
Now, your second army of the world in Ukraine is in no position to "not tolerate" anything.
What's plan be after your bluff is called?
"They fucked up in 2014," Biden said to a friend, according to Woodward. "That's why we are here. We fucked it up".
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/08/politics/bob-woodward-book-war-joe-biden-putin-netanyahu-trump/index.htmlDid you actually read this article, LOL? I don't think so, LOL.
I've always felt that two most capable presidents of the modern times, Clinton and Obama, royally fucked up in international affairs.
In 1992, Clinton pushed Ukraine into the corner demanding, threatening, blackmailing them into giving up their nukes in exchange for the empty declaration that wasn't worth either ink or paper it was printed on.
Obama responded to the 2014 invasion of Crimea with a toothless set of ineffective sanctions that Putin easily skirted with the help of his agents and useful idiots in the West.
Politicians never learn, it seems.
Ahead of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Biden complained that Obama didnt do enough to stop Putin in 2014, when the Russian leader invaded Crimea.
They fucked up in 2014, Biden said to a friend, according to Woodward. Thats why we are here. We fucked it up. Barack never took Putin seriously.
Biden added, We did nothing. We gave Putin a license to continue! Biden was angry: Well, Im revoking his fucking license!
That fucking Putin, Biden said to advisers in the Oval Office not long after Russias invasion of Ukraine, according to Woodward. Putin is evil. We are dealing with the epitome of evil.
Biden confronted Putin with the intelligence twice in December 2021, first in a video conference and then in what Woodward describes as a hot 50-minute call that became so heated that at one point that Putin raised the risk of nuclear war in a threatening way."
Biden responded by reminding Putin that its impossible to win a nuclear war."
"One of the most dramatic scenes in War reveals just how alarmed Biden and his national security team became over the prospect of Putin using nuclear weapons.
By September 2022, US intelligence reports deemed exquisite revealed a deeply unnerving assessment of Putin that he was so desperate about battlefield losses that he might use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Based on the alarming new intelligence reports, the White House believed there was a 50% chance Russia would use a tactical nuclear weapon a striking assessment that had skyrocketed up from 5% and then 10%, Woodward reports.
On all channels, get on the line with the Russians, Biden instructed his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. Tell them what we will do in response, he said, according to Woodward.
The book recounts a tense phone call between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart in October 2022.
If you did this, all the restraints that we have been operating under in Ukraine would be reconsidered, Austin said to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, according to Woodward. This would isolate Russia on the world stage to a degree you Russians cannot fully appreciate.
I dont take kindly to being threatened, Shoigu responded.
Mr. Minister, Austin said, according to Woodward, I am the leader of the most powerful military in the history of the world. I dont make threats.
Two days later, the Russians requested another call. This time, the Russian defense minister dramatically claimed the Ukrainians were planning to use a dirty bomb a false story the US believed the Kremlin was pushing as a pretext to deploy a nuclear weapon.
We dont believe you, Austin said firmly in response, according to Woodward. We dont see any indications of this, and the world will see through this.
Dont do it, he said to Shoigu.
I understand, Shoigu replied.
It was probably the most hair-raising moment of the whole war, Colin Kahl, a senior Pentagon official, later said of the episode."Shit, I've got to read this book.
https://news.usni.org/2017/08/15/u-s-navy-seabees-building-maritime-operations-center-black-sea-coast
The above meant moving NATO infrastructure closer to our borders. We will not allow Aegis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegis_Ballistic_Missile_Defense_System) there or for better anywhere close.
Yea, thus Russia has any right to "fuck up UA" simply because Russia is a great power.
Probably, that's it what Putler learned from Adolf.Again, you are missing the point. I'm not saying it's right. But that is the world we live in, isn't it?
Look at what America did to Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria. The Soviets did similar shit.
No, not because they're bombing homes, destroy apartment buildings, and kill civilians.
No, not because they're bombing homes, destroy apartment buildings, and kill civilians in Kursk, Russia. Just like their fuhrer, they really don't give a shit who to kill.
No, they're unhappy because it's been months since they were paid their special combat bonuses. So they made their grievances known, by writing on one of their bombs.
"Dear Ministry of Defense, I'm an FAB with UMPK. Soon I will fly to destroy occupiers in Kursk Oblast. I'm upset for my crew, they have not received bonus pay for counterterrorist operations since August. Sort it out! P.S. You can make mistakes, but you can't lie."For those who don't know, that last line (You can make mistakes, but you can't lie) is from a speech of the new Minister of Offence Belousov, which has made it into numerous memes. Belousov, just like all of them, lies persistently and profusely.
FAB-500's are 1,100-pound air-dropped bombs guided by the UMPK winged system.
See, every penny in Russia (I mean what's left after the steal) goes into getting the new recruits to sign up for the meatgrinder duties. Some regions pay as much as 3 million rubles, which is almost $40,000--the sum, 99% of Russians will never have earned in their lifetimes. The goal is to get the meat to the front lines. After that, the money train usually stops. Who gives a fuck, they can't leave anyway.
However, I was really surprised that pilots have money issues, too. Unlike totally disposable infantry grunts, pilots are elite. Things are probably going even worse for stepmother-Russia than I previously thought.
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1848690497369375083
Putin wants to ditch dollars and trade in local currencies. Yet, his failed mafia state can't even provide a smattering of VIP guests with a reliable way of converting their currencies.
What a country!
Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting a major summit with more than 20 world leaders whom he's trying to convince to ditch the dollar.
De-dollarization is one of Putin's priorities because trading in local currencies would mean that a heavily sanctioned Russia wouldn't be beholden to the Western US-dollar-dominated global financial order.
But it's not easy to move away from the greenback. The organizers of the BRICS summit have advised foreign attendees to bring cash specifically US dollars and euros to the event in the Russian city of Kazan.
Most Russian banks will only take US dollars or euros which Moscow has deemed "toxic currencies" to exchange for rubles, according to a guide on the summit's website.https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/putin-s-dollar-problem-is-on-clear-display-at-the-brics-summit-starting-with-the-moment-guests-land-at-the-airport/ar-AA1sLK7U
Everyone knows the video of Ukrainian air force bombing Lugansk on June 2, 2014 - that is using army against own civilian population.
https://youtu.be/0xp_v7odTrY?si=5c6i0l-Od4O9Z5TZ
The second video is Ukrainian TV reporting that the explosions were caused by 'exploding air conditioners' in the building.
https://youtu.be/88ho3YkaLIk?si=NiU3z2oMMsnXKO-p
Everyone knows the video of Ukrainian air force bombing Lugansk on June 2, 2014 - that is using army against own civilian population.
https://youtu.be/0xp_v7odTrY?si=5c6i0l-Od4O9Z5TZ
The second video is Ukrainian TV reporting that the explosions were caused by 'exploding air conditioners' in the building.
https://youtu.be/88ho3YkaLIk?si=NiU3z2oMMsnXKO-pI'm glad they are a part of Russia now. May all of Ukraine and Russia be at peace soon.
I'm glad they are a part of Russia now. May all of Ukraine and Russia be at peace soon.Yup, hopefully by February or latest March 2025.
The comprehensive strategic security agreement between RF and and. Korea has been ratified. This follows the similar agreement with PRC. The agreement with Iran to follow soon. All countries are neighboring, their combined nuclear, industrial, military and mobilization resource matches NATO's. Without NATO the conflict would never have been even started. I have only recently read that the West as if has been planning to incur a strategic defeat on Russia. That is a good uncut shit indeed, whom they are buying it from?
Yup, hopefully by February or latest March 2025.I think it will take Russia the summer of 2025 to conquer all of the Donbas. There are already moves in the Zaporizhya direction and then of course there is Kherson. Let's see. Hopefully Trump wins and forces the Kiev regime to come to the negotiating table and get to grips with reality, not fantasy like their 'Victory Plan' which even the collective West is laughing at.
Reiner Otto
10-27-24, 06:51
There are already moves in the Zaporizhya direction and then of course there is Kherson.Kherson? You expect the aggressors to cross the Dnjepr to the West side? You are joking.
I think it will take Russia the summer of 2025 to conquer all of the Donbas. There are already moves in the Zaporizhya direction and then of course there is Kherson. Let's see. Hopefully Trump wins and forces the Kiev regime to come to the negotiating table and get to grips with reality, not fantasy like their 'Victory Plan' which even the collective West is laughing at. The only thing that can save Russia is a Trump victory, anything else, and there will only be capitulation.
Kherson? You expect the aggressors to cross the Dnjepr to the West side? You are joking.I do expect that, yes. When, I don't know.
Elvis 2008
10-27-24, 15:50
I think it will take Russia the summer of 2025 to conquer all of the Donbas. There are already moves in the Zaporizhya direction and then of course there is Kherson. Let's see. Hopefully Trump wins and forces the Kiev regime to come to the negotiating table and get to grips with reality, not fantasy like their 'Victory Plan' which even the collective West is laughing at.Yeah, I am not sure the Zelensky crew is ready to leave. The amount of "fact checking" on the alleged assets he has bought are unreal. The only reason we know about the $1. 1 million jewelry purchase Ms. Zelensky had was because she had the employee fired: https://thenationonlineng.net/olena-zelenska-spends-1100000-on-cartier-jewelry-gets-sales-employee-fired/.
I am sure that was just a drop in the bucket. If Trump wins, Zelensky is going to want one helluva big golden parachute.
Not that anyone would admit that this is WW3 now, but has anyone mentioned the North Koreans are fighting with the Russians?
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-we-know-about-north-korean-troops-joining-russias-war-ukraine-2024-10-21/
Thing about Trump is he sold New York real estate and is used to dealing with and negotiating with the rich and powerful. And Kamala? She was going down on the rich and powerful.
This was should have had a negotiated truce two years ago.
Reiner Otto
10-27-24, 20:16
1) The only reason we know about the $1. 1 million jewelry purchase Ms. Zelensky had was because she had the employee fired: https://thenationonlineng.net/olena-zelenska-spends-1100000-on-cartier-jewelry-gets-sales-employee-fired/.
2) but has anyone mentioned the North Koreans are fighting with the Russians?
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-we-know-about-north-korean-troops-joining-russias-war-ukraine-2024-10-21/
1) You should broaden your view. OR, you should try better to spread very doubtful "information".
Considered to be a fake / lie:
https://www.newsweek.com/olena-zelenska-first-lady-ukraine-million-dollar-shopping-trip-new-york-cartier-1832373
2) Great, you mention it once again. Because the more Russians know about it, the more Putlers domestic image as strong leader will be damaged:
We have a weak president. He is not able to protect "The Motherland" without foreign help.
Elvis 2008
10-27-24, 22:28
1) You should broaden your view. OR, you should try better to spread very doubtful "information".
Considered to be a fake / lie:
https://www.newsweek.com/olena-zelenska-first-lady-ukraine-million-dollar-shopping-trip-new-york-cartier-1832373.Yes, that fact checking thing comes up again. I am sure not a penny of all that money has been wasted or gone to nazis.
2) Great, you mention it once again. Because the more Russians know about it, the more Putlers domestic image as strong leader will be damaged:
We have a weak president. He is not able to protect "The Motherland" without foreign help.Yes because image versus winning the war is what is important. You just showed me what the typical American Democrat's view on the war is, hurting Putin's image. And by all means, we Democrats want to degrade the image of a guy with nuclear weapons. Yes, that will turn out well.
Let me give you what I call the Democratic douche litmus test and see how you score. Was banning Donald Trump for Twitter smart? That was supposed to hurt his image. Now, keep in mind, that action caused Donald Trump to start Truth Social, and his stake in it is worth $4 billion now.
For the record, I cannot get any Democrat on record to say banning Trump was stupid. And I am sure no Democrat will say Kamala saying NATO was firmly behind Ukraine before this war began was not stupid either.
I will be frank. I think Kamala loses because of how she terribly she handled the hurricane relief efforts. We have all this money for illegal immigrants, Israel and Ukraine to make Putin look badly but the people who lost everything and are trapped and dying. Fuck you, here is $500 and we are going to hand out money to those who traditionally been discriminated against first. And oh yeah, FEMA is out of money too.
Do you see how some people could be offended that you care more about Putin's image than people dying? Oh yeah, I forgot. Only Westerners are people. The Russians are orcs.
Yeah, I am not sure the Zelensky crew is ready to leave. The amount of "fact checking" on the alleged assets he has bought are unreal. The only reason we know about the $1. 1 million jewelry purchase Ms. Zelensky had was because she had the employee fired: https://thenationonlineng.net/olena-zelenska-spends-1100000-on-cartier-jewelry-gets-sales-employee-fired/.
I am sure that was just a drop in the bucket. If Trump wins, Zelensky is going to want one helluva big golden parachute.
Not that anyone would admit that this is WW3 now, but has anyone mentioned the North Koreans are fighting with the Russians?
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-we-know-about-north-korean-troops-joining-russias-war-ukraine-2024-10-21/
Thing about Trump is he sold New York real estate and is used to dealing with and negotiating with the rich and powerful. And Kamala? She was going down on the rich and powerful.
This was should have had a negotiated truce two years ago.Elvis it takes a lot more than BJ skills to get a Harvard law degree, and to get within striking distance of becoming the POTUS. You know that. It takes a lot more than the same to mop the floor with Trump in an internationally televised debate, though on that point I"m being generous.
And Trump can no more solve the Ukraine war in a day than he can build a wall across the southern border and make Mexico pay for it. For one thing, Europe has a real interest in seeing that Putin isn't awarded for his aggressions. Two, even if Russia were given a favorable truce or settlement, there will long be resistance movements.
It's also disappointing seeing you buddy up to someone like crud red, and if you really consider yourself a conservative, Ronnie is turning in his grave.
Food for thought.
So it"s WW3 because North Korea, the weirdo isolated state sent a few thousand soldiers to fight for Russia? ROFL This speaks more to the desperation of Russian than anything, but word is many of these are tucking and running hoping for asylum in free, prosperous countries. But rather than try to give significance to the insignificant, why don't you go and live in one of these countries?
Elvis it takes a lot more than BJ skills to get a Harvard law degree, and to get within striking distance of becoming the POTUS. You know that. It takes a lot more than the same to mop the floor with Trump in an internationally televised debate, though on that point I"m being generous.
And Trump can no more solve the Ukraine war in a day than he can build a wall across the southern border and make Mexico pay for it. For one thing, Europe has a real interest in seeing that Putin isn't awarded for his aggressions. Two, even if Russia were given a favorable truce or settlement, there will long be resistance movements.
It's also disappointing seeing you buddy up to someone like crud red, and if you really consider yourself a conservative, Ronnie is turning in his grave.
Food for thought.I think it's the first time I've seen Elvis use the word "Nazis" in reference to Ukraine. Like you said, the alignment of THAT American with clear-cut Russian propagandists like BlahRed is now complete.
I must say, at this point Trumpists' incessant quest to get brainwashed by juvenile, two-bit Kremlin bots shouldn't surprise me anymore, but it still does somehow.
Reiner Otto
10-28-24, 07:26
Your comparison of Trump and Putler regarding image is irrelevant.
Trump makes a political show for Americans, who like that. Putler has to be a strong leader to Russian population, to keep his support.
BTW, the Chinese are politely grinning. Let Putler, Europe and the USA be harmed alltogether.
Time will come, when they will use the same "arguments" as Putler, to reach for resources and land: This was Chinese land historically.
Lot of people with Chinese roots are deprived of their rights, . Not to care about any written agreements. As Putler broke the "Budapest Agreement" himself.
How can he expect other nations to keep their agreements with Russia?
Thing about Trump is he sold New York real estate and is used to dealing with and negotiating with the rich and powerful. And Kamala? She was going down on the rich and powerful.LOL. Well if Kamala could give BJ's to Putin and Zelensky and get this to go away that would be fantastic.
There are however two problems with that. I imagine becoming president of the USA is kind of like marrying and becoming the matriarch of the household -- once a woman has a wedding ring, the hummers are history. You of all people should know this. Well, if Kamala's elected President she's not going around sucking "rich and powerful" dick anymore.
Secondly, she's reached her "expired by" date. Would you settle for BJ's from Kamala Harris if you controlled the largest nuclear arsenal in the world? Putin is not Bill Clinton. And, worse still, in her current condition, Kamala is uglier than Monica Lewinsky!
So it"s WW3 because North Korea, the weirdo isolated state sent a few thousand soldiers to fight for Russia? ROFL This speaks more to the desperation of Russian than anything, but word is many of these are tucking and running hoping for asylum in free, prosperous countries. But rather than try to give significance to the insignificant, why don't you go and live in one of these countries?Try living in Donbas for a while and see if you don't think it makes sense to stop the fighting.
Elvis 2008
10-29-24, 01:20
So it"s WW3 because North Korea, the weirdo isolated state sent a few thousand soldiers to fight for Russia? ROFL This speaks more to the desperation of Russian than anything, but word is many of these are tucking and running hoping for asylum in free, prosperous countries. But rather than try to give significance to the insignificant, why don't you go and live in one of these countries?Here is a novel idea, Paulie. You go fight for Ukraine and let Americans volunteer to have their tax dollars be sent to Ukraine or not. I am paying into the USA tax system now Paulie while you are sucking it dry. I don't get why your opinion should count when it is not your money that is being spent.
There was all this money for Ukraine, Israel, and the illegals. Then when it came time to help the people who suffered from hurricanes in North Carolina or the people in Hawaii whose homes were burned down they got a few measly bucks, and you are talking about what Europe wants and Putin's image? You are out of your mind.
All this smack and not one of you could answer the simple question. Was banning Trump from Twitter smart? Even when what you Democratic douches do is so fucking stupid you put $4 billion into Trump's pocket, your mortal enemy, you cannot admit to being wrong about anything. When is this shit going to be over with? When are we going to stop this mindless waste of human life and money? Where is that Ukrainian victory you douches have been talking about for nearly 3 years?
Elvis 2008
10-29-24, 01:28
Elvis it takes a lot more than BJ skills to get a Harvard law degree, and to get within striking distance of becoming the POTUS. You know that.
Food for thought.Food for thought? You think Kamala went to Harvard? Where did you get that bird brained idea?
She went to law school in California, and it was not at Stanford, Berkley, USC, or UCLA. She went to UC Hastings.
And she failed the California bar exam the first time she took it.
What else does she have besides BJ skills?
Elvis 2008
10-29-24, 01:43
LOL. Well if Kamala could give BJ's to Putin and Zelensky and get this to go away that would be fantastic.Oh, I am sure they both have better than her. With all the botox and fillers and makeup, Kamala looks pretty good on TV. There is a photo on the internet of her without making up and she looks like what she really is, a dried up drunk. She is such a lush the best chance the USA has with her is not with a BJ but doing vodka shots against Putin. She would probably lose but maybe a drunk Kamala might say something interesting or funny.
Well, if Kamala's elected President she's not going around sucking "rich and powerful" dick anymore.Well, it is more like kissing ass than sucking dick. The rick Democratic donors who withdrew support from Biden are going to be owed for their support. Only thing Kamala is running for is the money. She does not articulate anything specific. Most of Biden's policies will stay in place because the deep state is really running everything now.
If Kamala is elected, this war keeps on another four years and we go another $1 trillion in debt, and the weapons manufacturers that get that trillion dollars kick back like a $100 million to her by paying her $1 million per speech she reads off a teleprompter. That is the easiest bet in the world.
Have you heard any Democratic douche here mention anything about peace?
Try living in Donbas for a while and see if you don't think it makes sense to stop the fighting.There are three ways to stop the fighting, and what Donbas residents think or don't think makes no difference at all.
The first option, the party that starts the fighting -- in this clear-cut case, Putin's failed mafia state -- stops the fighting on their own accord. Well, good luck with that.
The second option, the party that resists the aggressor together with their allies make it impossible for the aggressor to continue fighting. It doesn't have to and probably won't be a clear military victory, but rather a combination of external and internal pressure that will end this war (and Russia's imperialistic ambitions with it) once and for all.
The third options, both parties are bled dry and unable to continue, so the fighting stops with an armistice that freezes the conflict for the time being.
As for Donbas residents you're so concerned about, you're too late. There're almost no able men left, as they were all crippled or killed during the first year of war after having been sent to the frontlines to their imminent deaths or disfigurements.
Forced conscription: how Russia wipes out the male population of occupied Donbas
https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/04/28/forced-conscription-how-russia-wipes-out-the-male-population-of-occupied-donbas/
For the past few months, I have been posting here about how the collective west aka NATO provoked this needless, savage war in Ukraine. I also clearly stated that these bastards do not want Ukraine to win. Their objective is to make Russia bleed until the last Ukrainian. The two are not the same. Now, Ukrainians are saying the same thing as me. I stand vindicated.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/29/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-russia-war.html
A volunteer helping to evacuate people near Pokrovsk, an eastern town that Russian troops are closing in on, said the West just wanted to weaken Russia, not help Ukraine win.
"Soon, there may be no one left even to use the weapons they give us," said the volunteer, Yevhen Tuzov, "because all our Western partners want is for us to fight until the last Ukrainian. ".
There are three ways to stop the fighting, and what Donbas residents think or don't think makes no difference at all.
The first option, the party that starts the fighting -- in this clear-cut case, Putin's failed mafia state -- stops the fighting on their own accord. Well, good luck with that.
The second option, the party that resists the aggressor together with their allies make it impossible for the aggressor to continue fighting. It doesn't have to and probably won't be a clear military victory, but rather a combination of external and internal pressure that will end this war (and Russia's imperialistic ambitions with it) once and for all.
The third options, both parties are bled dry and unable to continue, so the fighting stops with an armistice that freezes the conflict for the time being.
The first and second options are pipe dreams. There will be an option 4 which will be a bit similar to the third option you listed, as in the fighting will stop and there will be a demilitarized zone and Russia will win an ugly victory and will keep the territory they have captured, which basically means that Ukraine lost which is what I have said from day 1 will happen. Nice to see that even the delusional dumbfucks are coming to grips with reality.
NATO disbanded, the US brings its troops home ending the occupation of Europe as a result of WWII, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine unify in one state and the Federation enters into a strategic agreement with Germany, how about this? This is only the start. Korea unifies in the interest of its people, as well as China and Taiwan finally unify. Israel opts for one state solution where everyone loves each other as their close family and every citizen has the same rights and obligations. The era of peace ensues. The arms are repurposed into plows, and we all live happily thereafter.
It's Good to be Right
For the past few months, I have been posting here about how the collective west aka NATO provoked this needless, savage war in Ukraine. I also clearly stated that these bastards do not want Ukraine to win. Their objective is to make Russia bleed until the last Ukrainian. The two are not the same. Now, Ukrainians are saying the same thing as me. I stand vindicated.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/29/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-russia-war.html
A volunteer helping to evacuate people near Pokrovsk, an eastern town that Russian troops are closing in on, said the West just wanted to weaken Russia, not help Ukraine win.
"Soon, there may be no one left even to use the weapons they give us," said the volunteer, Yevhen Tuzov, "because all our Western partners want is for us to fight until the last Ukrainian. ".
The first and second options are pipe dreams. There will be an option 4 which will be a bit similar to the third option you listed, as in the fighting will stop and there will be a demilitarized zone and Russia will win an ugly victory and will keep the territory they have captured, which basically means that Ukraine lost which is what I have said from day 1 will happen. Nice to see that even the delusional dumbfucks are coming to grips with reality.There's a lot of wisdom in what you wrote Brother Blood Red. Tremendous wisdom.
I have two points of disagreement.
First, Xpartan may from time to time be delusional. But he is not a d_k.
Second, you should not gloat in being right. Rather you should fall down on your knees and weep, because the rest of the world wouldn't listen to people like you and me who saw the writing on the wall. You should weep Brother Blood Red, for the hundreds of thousands who died in battle in Ukraine or who will live the rest of their lives maimed. For the poverty and destitution brought about by almost three years of war. And even more for the millions who died in the Middle East as a result of the post-9/11 wars. And for the millions more who were uprooted and had to travel to strange lands and live in squalid refugee camps.
I'll leave you with the Bible Study Tools commentary for John 11:35:
As he was going along to the grave, as he was meditating upon...the greater damnation that would befall the Jews then present, who, notwithstanding the miracle would not believe in him, Jesus wept.
-- The Reverend Tiny
There's a lot of wisdom in what you wrote Brother Blood Red. Tremendous wisdom.
Second, you should not gloat in being right. Rather you should fall down on your knees and weep, because the rest of the world wouldn't listen to people like you and me who saw the writing on the wall. You should weep Brother Blood Red, for the hundreds of thousands who died in battle in Ukraine or who will live the rest of their lives maimed.
-- The Reverend TinyThank you for your post. I apologize if it looked like I was gloating, I wasn't and didn't mean to if it came across like that. I have consistently said that my heart breaks for ordinary Ukrainians caught in this needless savage war provoked by the collective west just to make Russia bleed. I hope and pray that it ends soon. God bless the Ukrainian people. Peace.
NATO disbanded, the US brings its troops home ending the occupation of Europe as a result of WWII, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine unify in one state and the Federation enters into a strategic agreement with Germany, how about this? This is only the start. Korea unifies in the interest of its people, as well as China and Taiwan finally unify. Israel opts for one state solution where everyone loves each other as their close family and every citizen has the same rights and obligations. The era of peace ensues. The arms are repurposed into plows, and we all live happily thereafter.In a perfect world.
There's a lot of wisdom in what you wrote Brother Blood Red. Tremendous wisdom.What's next -- a virtual BJ for this two-bit propagandist on Zoom? Wouldn't surprise me.
If people knew history, even halfheartedly, they would realize that there is REALLY nothing new under the sun. Everything that's about to happen to Russia has already happened before.
Russia never learns. In 21st century it's acting the same way as it did 100 years ago, and 100 years before then, etc.
The Russian equivalent of "keep shooting yourself in the foot" is "stepping on the same rake". And they do it with great enthusiasm--step on the same rake over and over again, because Russia!
Look, I'm not saying that everyone should rush to google-search Russia and 2016. For some it would be a total waste of time.
Propacondoms won't benefit from history lessons for they're simply earning their rubles. And neither will hard-boiled fanatics for they already "know" everything there is to it.
But actual Russophiles and / or "useful idiots" who honestly expect that Putin's failed mafia state may somehow emerge victorious from this idiotic, deplorable and suicidal war they started for no reason, should definitely educate themselves about those "brilliant" Russian foreign and domestic victories of the summer of 1916, and what happened to Russia and the Russians soon after.
Look it up. You know how to read, so use that skill to your advantage.
LOL. Well if Kamala could give BJ's to Putin and Zelensky and get this to go away that would be fantastic.
What else does she have besides BJ skills?
Oh how Russia's useful idiots here, must be really going senile, like their 78 yr old, Donald J. Trump.
Because clearly, only a few days ago, Trump was gleefully rambling on, for 9 minutes, talking about, what many reported as, him no doubt imaging himself, "sucking on 'dead man's dick', in the men's showers", from the late, great, Arnold Palmer's genitals (...kkkk!)
So no need to make up shit about, "Trump sucking Putin's dick or Trump taking it up the ass from Putin...", he'll probably tell you about it himself, at one of his boring rallies (...kkkk!), given enough "verbal rope", with which to "weave", that sordid Russian sodomy story!
Why do you Trumpsters, think he dances with closefisted, hand pumping action, from side-to-side, like he's "jerking-off two dicks simultaneously"...duh!
(...kkkk!)
What's next -- a virtual BJ for this two-bit propagandist on Zoom? Wouldn't surprise me.Neoconservative.
Oh how Russia's useful idiots here, must be going senile, like Donald.
Because clearly, only a few days ago, Trump was gleefully rambling on, for 9 minutes, talking about, what many reported as, him no doubt imaging himself, "sucking on 'dead man's dick', in the men's showers", from the late, great, Arnold Palmer's genitals (...kkkk!)
So no need to make up shit about, "Trump sucking Putin's dick or Trump taking up the ass from Putin...", he'll probably tell you about it himself, at one of his boring rallies (...kkkk!), given enough "verbal rope", with which to "weave", that sordid Russian sodomy story!
Why do you Trumpsters, think he dances with closefisted, hand pumping action, from side-to-side, like he's "jerking-off two dicks simultaneously"...duh! (...kkkk!)Another neoconservative.
Look, I'm not saying that everyone should rush to google-search Russia and 2016. For some it would be a total waste of time. Still dwelling on Russian collusion in 2016. And the Steele Report, which came out in 2016 too. You're probably reminiscing about the part where Trump told those Moscow prostitutes to piss in the same bed Obama slept in. Thanks for writing this down. It's nice to know what's going through a neoconservative's head. You and Spidy have enlightened us!
Elvis 2008
10-31-24, 05:39
Oh how Russia's useful idiots here, must be really going senile, like their 78 yr old, Donald J. Trump.
Because clearly, only a few days ago, Trump was gleefully rambling on, for 9 minutes, talking about, what many reported as, him no doubt imaging himself, "sucking on 'dead man's dick', in the men's showers", from the late, great, Arnold Palmer's genitals (...kkkk!)
So no need to make up shit about, "Trump sucking Putin's dick or Trump taking up the ass from Putin...", he'll probably tell you about it himself, at one of his boring rallies (...kkkk!), given enough "verbal rope", with which to "weave", that sordid Russian sodomy story!
Why do you Trumpsters, think he dances with closefisted, hand pumping action, from side-to-side, like he's "jerking-off two dicks simultaneously"...duh!
(...kkkk!)If you are going to quote my question, what does Kamala have to offer outside of good BJ skills, then maybe you should answer it. By going on with this rambling anti-Trump nonsense, you just admitted she has nothing beyond BJ skills.
If Kamala wins, there will be millions more who die and trillions more dollars wasted in Ukraine. You Democratic douches have no plan for peace, only for perpetual war.
Xpartan, Please Google Stalingrad and 1943. For extra credit Google Vasily Chuikov.
What's next -- a virtual BJ for this two-bit propagandist on Zoom? Wouldn't surprise me.Everything I said is coming true. Even the pathetic western mainstream media is reporting the truth now. Why? Because they see the writing on the wall, and they will throw poor Ukraine under the bus and move on to the next conflict. And what will they do then? They will just stop talking about Ukraine. Kinda like they did with Afghanistan. Evil.
Still dwelling on Russian collusion in 2016. And the Steele Report, which came out in 2016 too. You're probably reminiscing about the part where Trump told those Moscow prostitutes to piss in the same bed Obama slept in. Thanks for writing this down. It's nice to know what's going through a neoconservative's head. You and Spidy have enlightened us!Sorry, I meant google 'Russia and 1916', not 2016.
Neoconservative.Red Herring.
Another neoconservative.Another red herring.
Xpartan, Please Google Stalingrad and 1943. For extra credit Google Vasily Chuikov.And here's the third one. Feeling generous today?
Washington's Position: What is the Key Factor for Ending the War in Ukraine. Quoted below.
Recently, media publications have given the impression that almost the entire world wants the war in Ukraine to end along the front line as soon as possible, and only "one warrior in the field" Volodymyr Zelensky is against it.
Thus, there is a known Chinese-Brazilian initiative, which provides for stopping the war along the front line. It is supported to varying degrees by other countries of the global South. Vladimir Putin spoke positively about it. But Zelensky criticized it.
US presidential candidate from the Republican Party Donald Trump and his team also say that they will very quickly end the war in Ukraine by stopping it along the front line. But Zelensky spoke out categorically against this, saying that he will not make any territorial compromises and is ready to fight until reaching the 1991 borders (in the interpretation of Andriy Yermak. Until reaching the demarcation line of February 2022).
Finally, the media close to the US Democratic Party, whose candidate Kamala Harris is opposing Trump in the elections, have recently been pursuing the line that the Joe Biden administration and the leaders of other Western countries are leaning towards the need to end the war and start negotiations with the Russian Federation, but Zelensky is categorically against it and is pressuring Biden to give permission to strike on Russian territory, invite Ukraine to NATO and provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with all possible weapons. The White House refuses to do this, which "stuns" the belligerent Zelensky.
Yesterday's articles in the Economist and the New York Times are indicative in this regard, stating that the West does not have enough weapons to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces recapture territories, and that in the event of a long war, Ukraine may run out of weapons before the Russian Federation and suffer defeat.
Various reasons are given for Zelensky's refusal to engage in dialogue on stopping the war along the front lines. For example, fears of Ukrainian discontent, unwillingness to end the war without receiving clear security guarantees in the form of membership or at least an invitation to NATO, etc.
Many of these reasons are clearly far-fetched. For example, it is very doubtful that the Ukrainian society, tired of the war, will be very outraged by its end, which we wrote about in detail. And as for membership and invitation to NATO, it is obvious that while the war is going on, the probability of this is close to zero. And only after the end of the war can we talk about some real movement towards the Alliance.
But even this is not the main reason to doubt the veracity of the thesis "everyone, including the United States, is for the earliest possible end to the war along the front line and only Zelensky is against it. ".
The main thing is that such a formulation in itself is completely insane.
You can have different attitudes towards the managerial and intellectual abilities of Zelensky and Yermak, but they are clearly not suicidal. And therefore it is impossible to imagine a situation in which the West forces Kiev to stop the war along the front line, hinting that it is running out of weapons and money, but Zelensky resists. After all, it is obvious to everyone that without the help of the West, Ukraine will be defeated and further resistance will be possible only in the format of a guerrilla war.
Therefore, if Zelensky takes such a position, it means that Washington supports it. This means that the real (and not the media) position of the Biden administration is to continue the war further. And the discussion there is only on the question of how to do this: expand military aid and NATO's participation in the war in general, without fear of crossing Putin's "red lines", or exercise caution in order to prevent a direct clash between the US and Russia with the risk of a nuclear war.
As for publications in the media close to the Democratic Party that Washington wants peace, but Zelensky stands his ground, this could simply be a staged pre-election melodrama aimed at undermining Trump's thesis that Biden and Harris are leading the United States to World War III. Or it could be a broadcast of the position of the representatives of the "peace party" in the Biden administration, which is currently not dominant in the White House.
However, if the situation changes and the US authorities take the position of ending the war along the front line, then this will be an 80% solution to the issue. 20% will remain for agreeing on the terms of the ceasefire. This will be very difficult (since these conditions are opposite for Ukraine and the Russian Federation), but possible. The United States has a decisive influence on Kiev, as well as on its allies in Europe. And therefore Washington has many levers to encourage both the Ukrainian authorities and the Europeans (if they are against it, which is unlikely) to compromise. And the Kremlin (if it starts to slow down the process) can be influenced through China and other countries of the global South.
Will the US position on the war in Ukraine change?
Far from certain. It is not even a fact that this will happen in the event of a victory for Trump, who promises to "end the war in 24 hours. " The Republican Party has many of its own "hawks" who call for an even more radical policy than Biden. And the comments of Trump's foreign policy advisers are contradictory. On the one hand, they advocate ending the war in Ukraine along the front line, on the other hand, they threaten to tighten sanctions against Russia, China and Iran as much as possible, which may lead not to peace, but to a rapid escalation.
But in general, a change (or no change) in the US position depends on which concept wins in the circles of the American elites.
Now the dominant concept there is that continuing the war in Ukraine is beneficial for the US and at the same time not dangerous.
On February 24,2023, on the anniversary of the invasion, Politico published a huge text in which Biden administration officials described in detail what happened on the eve of the start of a full-scale war. From their statements, it follows that they knew about Putin's plans to attack Ukraine since the fall of 2021. They were also fully aware that the proposals put forward by Moscow in December 2021 to the US and NATO to agree not to expand the Alliance to the east and not to include Ukraine in NATO were essentially an ultimatum, the refusal to comply with which would lead to a Russian invasion.
However, in the entire huge text about the discussions in the US on the eve of the invasion, not a single comment mentioned the idea: maybe it's worth signing an agreement with the Russians that Ukraine will not be accepted into NATO? After all, it's a pity for the Ukrainians, many people will die. Especially since we ourselves don't really want to accept Ukraine into NATO and are not going to fight with Russia over it.
Judging by the article, no one even thought of such a thing, even as a proposal for discussion.
Why? The most logical answer: the US authorities saw the Russian invasion of Ukraine not as a threat to themselves, for the sake of preventing which it would be necessary to make some compromises with the Russian Federation, but as a unique opportunity. An opportunity to solve many problems at once.
Firstly, to draw its geopolitical opponent (Russia) into a war of attrition. Moreover, the Kremlin got involved in it on its own initiative, which created an extremely convenient pretext for Washington to introduce sanctions against the Russian Federation, as well as to firmly tie Europe to itself, cutting off its ties with Russia, the development of which in the long term could lead to the EU moving away from the US. The invasion of Ukraine almost eliminated this very big threat for Washington.
Secondly, to weaken its two main economic competitors: China and Europe. The EU was seriously hit by the severance of economic ties with Russia (on which the US also makes good money, replacing Russian gas with American), and Beijing is losing its position on the European market, since the Europeans, who found themselves in a tight relationship with the US due to the war in Ukraine, are unable to refuse Washington's imposition of protective duties on Chinese goods.
At the same time, for the proponents of this concept, the risks of war for the United States do not seem too great.
The American army is not participating in the war. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are fighting against the Russian Federation. And any outcome of the war for the United States, from the point of view of the supporters of this concept, will not be critical. If Russia is defeated and Putin is overthrown. Very good. The war will go "long" - also not bad, Russia will continue to be exhausted. Moscow will win and conquer Ukraine. Bad, very unpleasant, but not fatal. In the end, the United States survived the victory of the Taliban in Afghanistan. They can also survive the defeat of Ukraine, the occupation of which will hang like weights on Moscow's feet, forcing Russia to spend huge resources on it. And Europe, frightened by the Russian threat, will be even more closely tied to the United States and economically weakened even more. In fear of a new war, investors will speed up the withdrawal of money from the EU to America. And if another flare-up occurs in Asia. In Taiwan, between India and Pakistan, or in Korea. Then huge Asian money will flow to the United States. America will become an island of stability in the raging bloody world of wars of the future. Like Elysium from the famous science fiction movie. Protected by two oceans, nuclear weapons and a powerful navy.
However, this concept has its opponents. This is the so-called "peace party" in the West, whose positions have been strengthening lately, although they are not yet dominant.
The main argument of the "peace party" supporters is that the continuation of the war in Ukraine creates high risks of NATO being drawn into it, which is fraught with the threat of a nuclear war that would destroy, among other things, the American "Elysium".
They also believe that the continuation of the war carries the risk of defeat and capitulation of Ukraine. Which will not go smoothly for the West, undermining the trust of its allies around the world. The "peace party" supporters see stopping the war along the front line as a way to guarantee that there will be no defeat or capitulation of Ukraine. The country will retain its statehood, army, access to the sea, prospects for joining the EU and even (if agreements are reached with the Russian Federation) NATO.
In addition, the West's growing financial problems. In particular, with its huge foreign debt and money supply. Do not allow it to increase military spending without the risk of destabilizing the economy or without significantly reducing social spending.
There are also supporters of the point of view that Russia. Even with Putin at its helm. Can and should be included in the global West, turning it into the global North, which, given Russia's natural resources and nuclear arsenal, will become an impenetrable and self-sufficient fortress.
In addition, in Europe, especially in Germany and Italy, there are many who want to end the war as soon as possible in order to restore economic ties with the Russian Federation.
Let us repeat that the position of the "party of peace" is not yet dominant in the West, but its influence is growing.
And which side the scales will tip depends not so much on the results of the US elections (although they will certainly have an impact), but on the more global choice of strategy for the future that Western elites face.
The first option is to finally choose the "Elysium" strategy, and then the war does not need to be stopped, but, on the contrary, it needs to be constantly fueled. And Zelensky's statements about "war to the bitter end" fit into this strategy, since they provide an argument against ending the war along the front line: Ukraine itself does not agree with this, and we cannot force it.
The second option is to reach agreements with non-Western countries on a new world order with a new system of global security (if, of course, non-Western countries, including the Russian Federation, are ready for this). And then the war in Ukraine will have to be stopped, although this will be very difficult.
The global "war party", whose representatives are in Ukraine, the West and Russia, will try to torpedo any attempts to end the fighting, as has happened more than once in the past.
However, a change in the US position on the war in Ukraine will certainly be of great importance and will allow the path to its end to begin.
Washington's Position: What is the Key Factor for Ending the War in Ukraine....The Key factor is for the invading Russians to leave and go back to their own country.
I hope that someone of you who has real experience in UA can give me some good advice!
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. Permitted to travelling out of the country because she has a credit / loan at a bank.
And until is not settled she cannot leave Ukraine.
That's bit weird, also because loan had to be settled within next 10 days, otherwise bank will take the flat.
Is it possible that such a situation really exists?
I hope that someone of you who has real experience in UA can give me some good advice!
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. Permitted to travelling out of the country because she has a credit / loan at a bank.
And until is not settled she cannot leave Ukraine.
That's bit weird, also because loan had to be settled within next 10 days, otherwise bank will take the flat.
Is it possible that such a situation really exists?On the surface it sounds like a scam. But see "Can I not be allowed to travel because of debts" here.
https://visitukraine.today/blog/3636/leaving-ukraine-in-2024-what-are-the-reasons-why-women-may-be-refused-to-cross-the-border#google_vignette.
She may be telling the truth. Proceed with caution, if you decide to proceed. The 10 days sounds like a big red flag, especially if she wants you to come up with the money to settle the debt.
On the surface it sounds like a scam. But see "Can I not be allowed to travel because of debts" here.
https://visitukraine.today/blog/3636/leaving-ukraine-in-2024-what-are-the-reasons-why-women-may-be-refused-to-cross-the-border#google_vignette.
She may be telling the truth. Proceed with caution, if you decide to proceed. The 10 days sounds like a big red flag, especially if she wants you to come up with the money to settle the debt.Agree with this, this is almost certainly a scam.
Reiner Otto
11-02-24, 20:56
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. I understand, you were not personally in Kyiv with her, but she only told you about the issues.
Then most likely it is a scam. I lived and worked about 5 yrs in UA, before Russian invasion, and I was very impressed about the scammers creativity to draw money.
From Americans. I even had a good friend, centrefold on the website of a well known love agency, also participating in meetings with US boys on a trip to UA, to find a wife.
Who told me about some very smart tricks.
Anyway, you might have won the Grand Prize in the lottery, thus you might suggest, to deliver the required cash to repay the loan, but, not being stupid, you will only do it personally.
To the bank with her. Of course, you will come to Kyiev, for that. Which means, on short term a flight to Warshaw (PL), and then to take the train.
In case, she is serious, she will be impressed about your smartness.
I hope that someone of you who has real experience in UA can give me some good advice!
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. Permitted to travelling out of the country because she has a credit / loan at a bank.
And until is not settled she cannot leave Ukraine.
That's bit weird, also because loan had to be settled within next 10 days, otherwise bank will take the flat.
Is it possible that such a situation really exists?Yes, it's possible, but how does it help you?
What's PROBABLE, rather than possible, is that it's a scam. Her mortgage needs to be settled within 10 days, and yet she's going to waist her precious time to meet you abroad? Really?
Even if this looming foreclosure is true, she's still using you as a meal ticket. Does it sit right with you?
And by the way what Reiner suggested below (walking into the bank together) wouldn't be a proof of anything. A good con can include this arrangement.
Look, if you're in love, nothing I say matters. But here is what I'd do.
Tell her you're sorry, but you have a lot of financial obligations and don't have that kind of money available. The next question out of her mouth will be how much you can spare.
Try it and see for yourself.
The Key factor is for the invading Russians to leave and go back to their own country.Yep. The truth is simple and short. It doesn't need many letters.
What Questner 'forgot' to mention is that his self-serving, long-winded quote was lifted from a pro-Putin garbage sheet, which, in turn, is a translation of another treacherous garbage sheet helmed by sanctioned in Ukraine Putin's mouthpiece Ihor Huzhva. No surprise, Questner chose to omit the attributions.
https://vpk.name/en/935140_washingtons-position-what-is-the-key-factor-for-ending-the-conflict-in-ukraine-countryua-ukraine.html
https://strana.news/ukr/news/474390-shcho-vpline-na-zavershennja-vijni-v-ukrajini-kljuchovi-faktori.html
https://imi.org.ua/en/news/zelensky-put-into-effect-decision-of-nsdc-on-sanctions-against-shariyiv-and-guzhva-i40818
I hope that someone of you who has real experience in UA can give me some good advice!
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. Permitted to travelling out of the country because she has a credit / loan at a bank.
And until is not settled she cannot leave Ukraine.
That's bit weird, also because loan had to be settled within next 10 days, otherwise bank will take the flat.
Is it possible that such a situation really exists?Anything can happen to your account now in Ukraine: it can be wiped out, arrested, blocked etc. However, under no circumstances you should send even a cent "there"! This is not negotiable!
DramaFree11
11-03-24, 03:08
I hope that someone of you who has real experience in UA can give me some good advice!
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. Permitted to travelling out of the country because she has a credit / loan at a bank.
And until is not settled she cannot leave Ukraine.
That's bit weird, also because loan had to be settled within next 10 days, otherwise bank will take the flat.
Is it possible that such a situation really exists?When will you guys learn!! Everything about Ukraine is one big scam, cut your losses and move on.
I hope that someone of you who has real experience in UA can give me some good advice!
I met via SA a woman (30+ yrs) from Kyiv with whom I'm in touch now for nearly 2 months, lots of msg on Wapp, also often we do calls and video talks.
We should meet in the following days, and when she went to pick up her passport, she was told at the migration office that she's not allowed. Permitted to travelling out of the country because she has a credit / loan at a bank.
And until is not settled she cannot leave Ukraine.
That's bit weird, also because loan had to be settled within next 10 days, otherwise bank will take the flat.
Is it possible that such a situation really exists?You are indeed being scammed.
Not that this is an eye-opening article, but it nicely confirms what we already know. A peace treaty with the current Russian fascist government is a fantasy. Any potential agreement with Putin will be broken at the time of his choosing and will eventually wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth.
Of course, it would be nice if the US stopped handcuffing Ukraine in their fight against the brutal fascist regime that intentionally targets hospitals and apartment buildings. It's unfathomable for the US to prohibit a warring nation from hitting the enemy wherever needed, including targets deep inside the RF.
Still, the article is a timely reminder that the world hasn't given up on Ukraine as Russian propacondoms and useful idiots would have us believe. Far from it.
The Price of Principle Is Dwarfed by the Cost of Capitulation in Ukraine
We must never forget how this war began. For years, Russian President Vladimir Putin had harassed and assaulted the independent nation-state of Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, he crossed the line into all-out invasion, and the Kremlin started the largest war in Europe since World War II.
When the largest military in Europe becomes a force of aggression, the whole continent feels the shock. When a permanent member of the UN Security Council tries to deny self-rule to more than 40 million people, the whole world feels the blow. And when a dictator puts his imperial fantasies ahead of the rights of a free people, the whole international system feels the outrage.
Ukraine matters to U.S. security for four blunt reasons. Putin's war is a direct threat to European security, a clear challenge to our NATO allies, an attack on our shared values, and a frontal assault on the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe.
Yet after nearly 1000 days of war, Putin hasn't achieved a single one of his strategic objectives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky didn't flee. Kyiv didn't fall. And Ukraine didn't fold.
Instead, Russia has paid a staggering price for Putin's imperial folly, with hundreds of thousands of Russian casualties since February 2022 and more than $200 billion squandered. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russian losses in just the first year of Putin's war were more than Moscow's losses in all of its conflicts since World War II combined.
Ukraine has suffered terribly at Putin's hands. But as I saw again in Kyiv last week, Ukraine stands unbowed and even strengthened. Ukraine's fight began with soldiers setting tank traps on the streets of Kyiv and ordinary citizens making Molotov cocktails to defend their homes. It continues today with a battle-tested Ukrainian military and security forces and a roaring Ukrainian defense industrial base. Ukrainian factories are now pumping out some of the best drones in the world, and experienced Ukrainian air defenders are protecting their forces and their families.
The spirit of Ukraine has inspired the world. It has reminded us all to never take our freedom for granted. We fully understand the moral chasm between aggressor and defender. We will not be gulled by the frauds and falsehoods of the Kremlins apologists. And we will continue to defend the Ukrainian peoples right to live in security and freedom.
Putin's assault is a warning. It is a sneak preview of a world built by tyrants and thugs, a chaotic, violent world carved into spheres of influence; a world where bullies trample their smaller neighbors; and a world where aggressors force free people to live in fear.
Ukraine does not belong to Putin. Ukraine belongs to the Ukrainian people. And Moscow will never prevail in Ukraine.
Putin thought Ukraine would surrender. He was wrong. Putin thought our democracies would cave. He was wrong. Putin thought the free world would cower. He was wrong. And Putin thinks he will win. He is wrong.https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/price-principle-dwarfed-cost-capitulation-ukraine
On the surface it sounds like a scam. But see "Can I not be allowed to travel because of debts" here.
https://visitukraine.today/blog/3636/leaving-ukraine-in-2024-what-are-the-reasons-why-women-may-be-refused-to-cross-the-border#google_vignette.
She may be telling the truth. Proceed with caution, if you decide to proceed. The 10 days sounds like a big red flag, especially if she wants you to come up with the money to settle the debt.Well, she sent me all the documentation.
Loan contract with the bank, a letter from the bailiff that she is not allowed to leave the country, a notice from PrivatBank with all credit infos and that nothing has been paid for 3 months.
She also sent me passport copy and travel insurance.
In loan credit also I was able to see about 10 days notice, if is not paid either interests or the loan instalment / s.
Everything looks a bit unusual and I don't know if it's all real or if it's such a well-prepared scam. Your link was helpful, and seeing others opinion that is scam makes my doubts still being strong.
I understand, you were not personally in Kyiv with her, but she only told you about the issues.
Then most likely it is a scam. I lived and worked about 5 yrs in UA, before Russian invasion, and I was very impressed about the scammers creativity to draw money.
From Americans. I even had a good friend, centrefold on the website of a well known love agency, also participating in meetings with US boys on a trip to UA, to find a wife.
Who told me about some very smart tricks.
Anyway, you might have won the Grand Prize in the lottery, thus you might suggest, to deliver the required cash to repay the loan, but, not being stupid, you will only do it personally.
To the bank with her. Of course, you will come to Kyiev, for that. Which means, on short term a flight to Warshaw (PL), and then to take the train.
In case, she is serious, she will be impressed about your smartness.True, I haven't been in Kyiv, at the moment even I cannot go there since what's sure is that I can't and won't cancel my working obligations and travels. And she knows that. And as one possible solution can be also that I go to Kyiv, when it will be doable.
Like I sent to Tiny12 in reply, she supplied me with all documentation, so, or the scam is really that well prepared or her issue w bank loan / travel ban is real. Feeling like Hamlet with "To be, or not to be" :)))
Yes, it's possible, but how does it help you?
What's PROBABLE, rather than possible, is that it's a scam. Her mortgage needs to be settled within 10 days, and yet she's going to waist her precious time to meet you abroad? Really?
Even if this looming foreclosure is true, she's still using you as a meal ticket. Does it sit right with you?
And by the way what Reiner suggested below (walking into the bank together) wouldn't be a proof of anything. A good con can include this arrangement.
Look, if you're in love, nothing I say matters. But here is what I'd do.
Tell her you're sorry, but you have a lot of financial obligations and don't have that kind of money available. The next question out of her mouth will be how much you can spare.
Try it and see for yourself.I told her I cannot send her anything until I don't check all this matter and because of our / my other financial obligation. Which are in this very moment true, due to our upcoming 2 music projects payments. And she didn't ask anything. Only that she borrowed something from her mom, and that she will see to get more from some friends.
But stays that she is continuing with communication with me, in the sense of not keep asking for sending money.
Thanks for your view!
Neoconservative.
If you are going to quote my question, what does Kamala have to offer outside of good BJ skills, then maybe you should answer it. By going on with this rambling anti-Trump nonsense, you just admitted she has nothing beyond BJ skills.
If Kamala wins, there will be millions more who die and trillions more dollars wasted in Ukraine. You Democratic douches have no plan for peace, only for perpetual war.
Trump appears to literally jerk-off his microphone and gives it a a blow-job, like he's sucking Putin's dick, at his latest Wisconsin rally.
Trump shows Wisconsin, how he likes to suck Russian shrimp dicks, using his microphone {...my interpretation...} https://youtu.be/pAjbY5trGdE?t=188
Did I not tell you useful Russian idiots, Trump loves sucking dick and he would do it at one of his rallies...eh Voilà! (...kkkk!)
You're probably reminiscing about the part where Trump told those Moscow prostitutes to piss in the same bed Obama slept in. ...
The moment in the video, that Trump opens his mouth, to take "microphone head", had to be him, reminiscing about the part where those so called hookers, after no doubt, rolling around in said pissed upon Obama bed, soon thereafter had Trump open his mouth and take a nice golden shower. (...kkkk!)
And we all know how much Trump loves gold, golden toilets and golden showers apparently! (...kkkk!)
Everything looks a bit unusual and I don't know if it's all real or if it's such a well-prepared scam.Typical internet romance scam, she was grooming you from the beginning, all lovey lovey with future plans etc. And all of the sudden a financial issue arises. Cut her off she is a waste of time.
Trump appears to literally jerk-off his microphone and gives it a a blow-job, like he's sucking Putin's dick, at his latest Wisconsin rally.
Trump shows Wisconsin, how he likes to suck Russian shrimp dicks, using his microphone {...my interpretation...} https://youtu.be/pAjbY5trGdE?t=188
Did I not tell you useful Russian idiots, Trump loves sucking dick and he would do it at one of his rallies...eh Voil! (...kkkk!)
The moment in the video, that Trump opens his mouth, to take "microphone head", had to be him, reminiscing about the part where those so called hookers, after no doubt, rolling around in said pissed upon Obama bed, soon thereafter had Trump open his mouth and take a nice golden shower. (...kkkk!)
And we all know how much Trump loves gold, golden toilets and golden showers apparently! (...kkkk!) Please don't make fun of old people. Sometimes they can make involuntary movements where they appear to be mimicking fellatio. At least he doesn't dry hump every attractive woman he gets close to, like your hero Joe Biden. And, unlike Kamala, he doesn't actually perform fellatio to further his political or foreign policy goals, to our knowledge. Before you get started, Trump hasn't randomly grabbed a pussy in over 10 years.
Anyway, you are off topic. I was able to vote this year in the USA Elections, and it wasn't for Trump or Harris. But if Trump is elected, the bright spot will be Ukraine. He might just play a part in ending this war, and the bloodshed and upheaval that go with it. Harris on the other hand is more likely to want to continue to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian.
I told her I cannot send her anything until I don't check all this matter and because of our / my other financial obligation. Which are in this very moment true, due to our upcoming 2 music projects payments. And she didn't ask anything. Only that she borrowed something from her mom, and that she will see to get more from some friends.
But stays that she is continuing with communication with me, in the sense of not keep asking for sending money.
Thanks for your view!Well, it sounds like that problem solved itself, due to the music projects. Hope you'll check back later and let us know how it all turned out. Seeking.com can be a minefield!
Please don't make fun of old people. Sometimes they can make involuntary movements where they appear to be mimicking fellatio. At least he doesn't dry hump every attractive woman he gets close to, like your hero Joe Biden. And, unlike Kamala, he doesn't actually perform fellatio to further his political or foreign policy goals, to our knowledge. Before you get started, Trump hasn't randomly grabbed a pussy in over 10 years.
Anyway, you are off topic.Trump's fondness for Putin's dick is not off-topic. It's THE reason why Putin is feeding the meat grinder with 1,500 Russians DAILY in order to grab as much land as possible--all in his gamble that Trump comes out on top tomorrow.
And of course, it's totally OK to make crude jokes of some old people (and women too), but not the others. But now, I guess, I'm off topic, so I'll stop.
Not that this is an eye-opening article, but it nicely confirms what we already know. A peace treaty with the current Russian fascist government is a fantasy. Any potential agreement with Putin will be broken at the time of his choosing and will eventually wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth.
Of course, it would be nice if the US stopped handcuffing Ukraine in their fight against the brutal fascist regime that intentionally targets hospitals and apartment buildings. It's unfathomable for the US to prohibit a warring nation from hitting the enemy wherever needed, including targets deep inside the RF.
This post of yours shows that you have ZERO understanding of international relations, geo politics and realpolitik. You quoted Austin, but you clearly don't know that this same individual openly told us over 2 years ago what the USA objective is in this needless war and he was very blunt about it. He said that the objective was to WEAKEN Russia. He said NOTHING about Ukraine winning. What idiots like you still don't get is that the USA and NATO and the collective west don't want to help Ukraine win. Because they know Ukraine CANNOT win. Ukraine winning would need NATO to get fully involved, boots on the ground. Ukraine isn't important enough for them to do that. They used and sacrificed Ukraine to try to weaken Russia, plain and simple, which is horrific. But tools like you still don't get it which I find humorous although in your case, not really.
Please don't make fun of old people. Sometimes they can make involuntary movements where they appear to be mimicking fellatio. At least he doesn't dry hump every attractive woman he gets close to, like your hero Joe Biden. And, unlike Kamala, he doesn't actually perform fellatio to further his political or foreign policy goals, to our knowledge. Before you get started, Trump hasn't randomly grabbed a pussy in over 10 years. (...kkkk!) I understand, you gullible MAGA folk, tend to turn a blind-eye or pretend not to see, the majority of political "cock sucking", ass kissing or talking it "up the the shaft", that Trump does on the regular, for his fascist authoritarian tyrant buddies in far-right regimes, as years of Trump brainwashing tends to do that to weak minds.
But FEAR NOT, that's why, the good folk here, are here to always remind you, of what his "cock sucking" proclivities look like. See pic below, if still unsure of what this looks like! (...kkkk!)
Anyway, you are off topic. ...
Since when, was anyone "off topic", in an ISG styled "Stupid Shit in {...fill-in-the-country-or-city...}" type forum or thread? (...kkkk!)
Only those that are out of options, for defending Trump sucking on Putin's "shrimp dick cock-tails", would think, such an apt post for Trump's penchant for sucking Russian cock and Russian golden showers, was so called, "off topic."
(...kkkk!) I understand, you gullible MAGA folk, tend to turn a blind-eye or pretend not to see, the majority of political "cock sucking", ass kissing or talking it "up the the shaft", that Trump does on the regular, for his fascist authoritarian tyrant buddies in far-right regimes, as years of Trump brainwashing tends to do that to weak minds.
But FEAR NOT, that's why, the good folk here, are here to always remind you, of what his "cock sucking" proclivities look like. See pic below, if still unsure of what this looks like! (...kkkk!)
Since when, was anyone "off topic", in an ISG styled "Stupid Shit in {...fill-in-the-country-or-city...}" type forum or thread? (...kkkk!)
Only those that are out of options, for defending Trump sucking on Putin's "shrimp dick cock-tails", would think, such an apt post for Trump's penchant for sucking Russian cock and Russian golden showers, was so called, "off topic."
Trump's fondness for Putin's dick is not off-topic. It's THE reason why Putin is feeding the meat grinder with 1,500 Russians DAILY in order to grab as much land as possible--all in his gamble that Trump comes out on top tomorrow.
And of course, it's totally OK to make crude jokes of some old people (and women too), but not the others. But now, I guess, I'm off topic, so I'll stop.Fair enough. Well then, I hope Trump gets on with some serious dick sucking and helps end this senseless war.
Fair enough. Well played, Repubs and well played MAGA!
Well then, I hope Trump gets on with some serious dick sucking and helps end this senseless war. Russian Putin, "dick sucking, dick sucking", is a skill set, he certainly has in abundance! (...kkkk)
Good luck MAGA and best of luck to Ukraine!
Fair enough. Well then, I hope Trump gets on with some serious dick sucking and helps end this senseless war.It seems you misunderstand what "dick sucking" actually means.
I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, This is genius. Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine of Ukraine. Putin declares it as independent. Oh, thats wonderful.
So, Putin is now saying, Its independent, a large section of Ukraine. I said, How smart is that? And hes gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. Thats strongest peace force We could use that on our southern border. Thats the strongest peace force Ive ever seen. There were more army tanks than Ive ever seen. Theyre gonna keep peace all right. No, but think of it. Heres a guy whos very savvy
But here's a guy that says, you know, "I'm going to declare a big portion of Ukraine independent," he used the word "independent," "and we're going to go out and we're going to go in and we're going to help keep peace. " You got to say that's pretty savvy.Now, that's some genuine, bona fide, I'd say even eloquent dick-sucking for you! Wouldn't you agree?
No, please, don't answer this.
Anyways, since we've already established that Trump sold Ukraine down the river on the very first day of Putin's all out invasion, I hope that Biden finds a way to secure his legacy by pushing the aid to Ukraine quickly. Not only the $6 billion, which we've pledged but still failed to deliver, but most importantly the consent for Ukraine to use the US hardware anywhere in Russia. It's going to be the longest 4 years in Ukraine history after the WW2.
Well played, Repubs and well played MAGA!
Russian Putin, "dick sucking, dick sucking", is a skill set, he certainly has in abundance! (...kkkk)
Good luck MAGA and best of luck to Ukraine!Some people are winners and some voted for kamala.
Some people are winners and some voted for kamala.Some people are. Others who can't afford to part with $20 to support the forum they're so heavily using (even if just to call people names) -- not so much, really.
Reiner Otto
11-07-24, 09:10
Some people are winners and some voted for kamala.Unfortunately, stupidity is very infectious.
Hopefully Trump plays a part in putting an end to this savage needless war. I don't think the Russians will be interested in a frozen conflict type of deal where NATO continues to arm Ukraine and says Ukraine won't join NATO for say 20 years. Not going to have any of that non sense.
Ukrainian reconciliation. IN BRIEF: What President Putin told the Valdai discussion club:
The West has brought the situation to a coup in Ukraine and forced Russia to begin the special military operation. In this sense, it achieved its goal: "Our opponents find new ways, instruments, trying to get rid of us. Now, they use Ukraine as such instrument, they use Ukrainians, whom they shamelessly drill against Russians, effectively turning them into cannon fodder. ".
Kiev received orders from overseas to hold the ground in Russia's Kursk Region at all costs until the US presidential election. As a result, Kiev lost over 30,000 troops over more than three months of hostilities - "more than the Kiev regime's total losses during the entire year of 2023. ".
Good-neighborly relations between Russia and Ukraine are impossible without Kiev's neutrality. This is the main precondition to make sure that Ukraine does not become an instrument in someone else's hands: "The basic preconditions for the normalization of relations will not be established, and the situation would unfold by an unpredictable scenario. We would very much like to avoid it. ".
The border between Ukraine and Russia should run along the line determined by the sovereign decision of the residents of Donbass and Novorossiya who joined Russia following the results of the referendum: "Everything depends on the dynamics of the ongoing events. ".
Moscow is ready for peace talks on Ukraine, based not on Kiev's "wishlists that change from month to month but <. On the situation on the ground and the agreements that were reached in Istanbul. ".
Ukraine needs not a temporary truce, but a long-term settlement, which is crucial for the two brotherly peoples: "It should not be about a truce for half an hour or six months, just for shells to be delivered there. We should create favorable conditions for restoring relations and future cooperation in the interests of the two peoples, which are certainly brotherly, no matter how much the situation has been complicated by rhetoric and today's tragic events. ".
Source: https://tass.com/politics/1869419.
Russian Putin, "dick sucking, dick sucking", is a skill set, he certainly has in abundance! (...kkkk)
Good luck MAGA and best of luck to Ukraine!The only cock sucker is in Ukraine and he already made his first call to say all holes are wide open.
The only cock sucker is in Ukraine and he already made his first call to say all holes are wide open.I respectfully (LOL) disagree. There are tens of thousands of cocksuckers in Ukraine who are:
- sent to one-way meat assaults daily (an average life of a Russian meat-stormer is 1 month);.
- or paying their commanders and their thugs for NOT being sent to meat assaults;.
- or thrown into the pits and getting tortured until they agree to go into meat assaults;.
- or thrown into the pits and getting tortured until they agree to pay.
Why are these Russian soldiers cocksuckers you ask? Because rather than cutting their so-called commanders' throats for being treated like little cocksuckers, they wait until AFU do their job for them.
Notorious Russian general who tortured own troops killed on motorbike by Ukrainian drone
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/notorious-russian-general-who-tortured-own-troops-killed-on-motorbike-by-ukrainian-drone/ar-AA1tKsQ6?ocid=BingNewsSerp
The only thing US Ukrainians are talking about after the election is deportation. Crickets on the end of foreign help.
The only thing US Ukrainians are talking about after the election is deportation. Crickets on the end of foreign help.Can't wait to see what will happen to the Russians.
Food for thought? You think Kamala went to Harvard? Where did you get that bird brained idea?
She went to law school in California, and it was not at Stanford, Berkley, USC, or UCLA. She went to UC Hastings.
And she failed the California bar exam the first time she took it.
What else does she have besides BJ skills?Yea the Harvard part was a mistake, but it all begs the question, what do have to offer but BJs when you literally spend half of your life, arguing politics on hooker forum free for all threads that hardly anyone reads? That in itself is a BJ, or circle jerk, depending on your preferred terminology.
And you look like a complete fool when you say the world is currently engaged in World War 3 because North Korea sent a few thousand troops to help Russia. You completely dodged that point because you were impaled by it.
But at little Tiny mind considers you an "independent thinker. " Collecting and rapidly embracing information from Russian propaganda and other spurious online sources makes "a free thinker to the run of the mill dumbass about these days.
Here is a novel idea, Paulie. You go fight for Ukraine and let Americans volunteer to have their tax dollars be sent to Ukraine or not.Yes, you cowardly have made this same fallacious argument under one of your other user names. If a foreign country invades my country, and especially my neighborhood, I will fight, though with some limitations as I am up in years.
The US supports democracy, especially in Europe, and Ukraine wants to fight. Our support though has limited.
And you claim that hurricane aid has been sparse and largely witheld is a lie that you choose to believe from highly biased sources, while you avoid any fact checking.
Hopefully Trump plays a part in putting an end to this savage needless war. I don't think the Russians will be interested in a frozen conflict type of deal where NATO continues to arm Ukraine and says Ukraine won't join NATO for say 20 years. Not going to have any of that non sense.NATO isn't going to exclude Ukarine, or any other country for 20 years or any other length of time. It"s against the charter.
Ultimately Trump is going to prove a lot less help for Russia than you, Tiny, and Elvis are hoping.
Ukrainian reconciliation. IN BRIEF: What President Putin told the Valdai discussion club:
The West has brought the situation to a coup in Ukraine and forced Russia to begin the special military operation. In this sense, it achieved its goal: "Our opponents find new ways, instruments, trying to get rid of us. Now, they use Ukraine as such instrument, they use Ukrainians, whom they shamelessly drill against Russians, effectively turning them into cannon fodder. ".
Kiev received orders from overseas to hold the ground in Russia's Kursk Region at all costs until the US presidential election. As a result, Kiev lost over 30,000 troops over more than three months of hostilities - "more than the Kiev regime's total losses during the entire year of 2023. ".
Good-neighborly relations between Russia and Ukraine are impossible without Kiev's neutrality. This is the main precondition to make sure that Ukraine does not become an instrument in someone else's hands: "The basic preconditions for the normalization of relations will not be established, and the situation would unfold by an unpredictable scenario. We would very much like to avoid it. ".
The border between Ukraine and Russia should run along the line determined by the sovereign decision of the residents of Donbass and Novorossiya who joined Russia following the results of the referendum: "Everything depends on the dynamics of the ongoing events. ".
Moscow is ready for peace talks on Ukraine, based not on Kiev's "wishlists that change from month to month but <. On the situation on the ground and the agreements that were reached in Istanbul. ".
Ukraine needs not a temporary truce, but a long-term settlement, which is crucial for the two brotherly peoples: "It should not be about a truce for half an hour or six months, just for shells to be delivered there. We should create favorable conditions for restoring relations and future cooperation in the interests of the two peoples, which are certainly brotherly, no matter how much the situation has been complicated by rhetoric and today's tragic events. ".
X
Source: https://tass.com/politics/1869419.This is Russian propaganda. Why not post it in the Russia forum, the far more appropriate place for you, Blood Red, Tiny, and Elvis to hangout?
The democratically elected legislative, according to the Ukrainian constitution, removed a corrupt leader. It wasn't a "coup. " This "president Putin" you talk about is a cold blooded murderer that kills his political opponents, beats up and jails peaceful protestors, and targets civilians in an illegal invasion of his neighbor.
This is Russian propaganda. Why not post it in the Russia forum, the far more appropriate place for you, Blood Red, Tiny, and Elvis to hangout?
The democratically elected legislative, according to the Ukrainian constitution, removed a corrupt leader. It wasn't a "coup. " This "president Putin" you talk about is a cold blooded murderer that kills his political opponents, beats up and jails peaceful protestors, and targets civilians in an illegal invasion of his neighbor.Notice, that they never ever post a word about the war in Russian forums, only Ukrainian places. There is a reason for that.
Reiner Otto
11-11-24, 19:29
Good-neighborly relations between Russia and Ukraine are impossible without Kiev's neutrality. This is just blabla. Look at Moldova: Neutrality is written in their constitution. But Red Army troops on Moldovian soil, though.
That is my best nickname for Tiny, who says Elvis is a "free thinker," well how much fact checking do you think Elvis does? You are a syrupy, nauseating insult to true intellectuals, who by definition test the claims. They don't just believe it when some big mouth YouTuber lays out his latest provocative and spurious argument. They don't just swallow Trump's millionth lie. They fact check.
It's like the Marquis de Twot, and this stupid moron I met here in Medellin in Sweet Georgia Cafe who said he was a Marine. Well that's exactly what they mostly want in the Marines is meat heads. But he was going on about how Biden got so many more votes than Kamala, as proof of a stolen 2020 election. Okay got it, so I asked the 80 IQ guy where he thought all the extra votes came from in 2020, and he of course said illegals. Then I asked his dumbfuck ass why these illegals, who are now greater in numbers, didn't steal the latest election. He had no answer, so I guess he's only left with Jewish space lasers, or whatever hogwash Elvis can pull off the blogs. But that's free thought according to Spineless.
This is Russian propaganda. Why not post it in the Russia forum, the far more appropriate place for you, Blood Red, Tiny, and Elvis to hangout?
The democratically elected legislative, according to the Ukrainian constitution, removed a corrupt leader. It wasn't a "coup. " This "president Putin" you talk about is a cold blooded murderer that kills his political opponents, beats up and jails peaceful protestors, and targets civilians in an illegal invasion of his neighbor.
NATO isn't going to exclude Ukarine, or any other country for 20 years or any other length of time. It"s against the charter.
Ultimately Trump is going to prove a lot less help for Russia than you, Tiny, and Elvis are hoping.
Yes, you cowardly have made this same fallacious argument under one of your other user names. If a foreign country invades my country, and especially my neighborhood, I will fight, though with some limitations as I am up in years.
The US supports democracy, especially in Europe, and Ukraine wants to fight. Our support though has limited.
And you claim that hurricane aid has been sparse and largely witheld is a lie that you choose to believe from highly biased sources, while you avoid any fact checking.
Yea the Harvard part was a mistake, but it all begs the question, what do have to offer but BJs when you literally spend half of your life, arguing politics on hooker forum free for all threads that hardly anyone reads? That in itself is a BJ, or circle jerk, depending on your preferred terminology.
And you look like a complete fool when you say the world is currently engaged in World War 3 because North Korea sent a few thousand troops to help Russia. You completely dodged that point because you were impaled by it.
But at little Tiny mind considers you an "independent thinker. " Collecting and rapidly embracing information from Russian propaganda and other spurious online sources makes "a free thinker to the run of the mill dumbass about these days.Neoconservative.
Notice, that they never ever post a word about the war in Russian forums, only Ukrainian places. There is a reason for that.There's no Stupid Shit in Moscow thread.
This thread would be dead without posters like us. I guess from time to time the gentlemen with your view could give each other "attaboys" though. Although given how things have developed, they would now be few and far between.
While I would particularly appreciate Blood Red's thoughts, any board member's civil input would be appreciated.
The Telegraph and the Wall Street Journal recently broke a story based on reports from several unnamed Trump staffers. Trump's peace plans sound a lot like what J. D. Vance has been saying. Here's an outline.
The current line between the two sides would be frozen in place.
Ukraine would agree to shelve its ambition to join NATO for 20 years.
The USA And Europe would pump Ukraine full of weapons for purposes of deterrence.
The USA Would not contribute troops to patrol the buffer zone nor would it finance the mission. (I know, this conflicts with the previous point.) Instead Europeans would. The WSJ quotes an unnamed source, ""We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European. We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it. ".
Do you think this plan is workable? A good starting point for negotiations? There are obvious aspects the Russians and Ukrainians won't like. And putting all the burden on the Europeans while the USA Is calling the shots would create problems. Are the Europeans going to be like UN peacekeepers? Or armed to the teeth? If the later then Russia would have NATO on its doorstep. That would probably be a nonstarter.
There's an interesting quote in the Telegraph article from George Osborne, who was David Cameron's Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Secretary of State:
"Is it realistic to expect a complete victory for Ukraine, the complete ejection of Russia from Ukrainian territory? And if it's not, you know, it may suit our vanity in the West to say 'plucky Ukrainians', but it's not our children who are dying," the former chancellor said.
It's also totally unrealistic, in my view, to think that Europe alone, including the UK, can go on supporting Ukraine without the support of the United States, even though Joe Biden actually is rushing to spend the $61 billion that Congress recently voted in terms of American aid for Ukraine before he leaves office. ".
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/07/donald-trump-ukraine-peace-plan-british-troops-buffer-zone/
Elvis 2008
11-12-24, 02:45
Yea the Harvard part was a mistake, The only questions your comment begs is why are you such a fucking liar and how many other times have you pulled shit out of your ass?
Elvis 2008
11-12-24, 02:48
Neoconservative.Given what he has posted on Covid, I would say more fascist than neoconservative. He wants one party rule by Democrats. All he cares about is his SS check and nothing more.
Elvis 2008
11-12-24, 02:50
This is Russian propaganda. Why not post it in the Russia forum, the far more appropriate place for you, Blood Red, Tiny, and Elvis to hangout?
Why don't you quit insulting people and get your facts right Mr. Kamala went to Harvard?
Elvis 2008
11-12-24, 03:42
Hopefully Trump plays a part in putting an end to this savage needless war. I don't think the Russians will be interested in a frozen conflict type of deal where NATO continues to arm Ukraine and says Ukraine won't join NATO for say 20 years. Not going to have any of that non sense.BR, Putin is a scum bag. Everyone knows that. Thing is the idiotic Democrats believed that Trump won in 2016 because of Putin. They really did. Because they felt like Trump won because of Putin, their goal was to "weaken Putin" thinking that would allow them to win in 2024.
Thing about the Democratic douches is they keep going back to this mindless Russian propaganda bullshit because they think Trump won because of Russian propaganda.
The funny part about this massive landslide is Trump got about the same number of votes as he did in 2020 about 75 million.
Thing is when you look at how much the Democratic candidate got: it was 63 million for Obama in 2012,66 million for Hiliary in 2016, and Kamala got 70 million in 2024. There is nothing out of the ordinary there right?
The problem is in 2020 Biden got 81.4 million votes which means 11 million voters failed to show up for Kamala or that is the number of votes Democrats created out of thin air. I do not know where you fall on this issue, but I will tell you that I believe that a huge portion of those votes were fake, and I think that a large portion of that cheating was justified by compensating for the way Russia supposedly cheated in 2016.
There is no way Democrats can bring out another bullshit Russiagate story again. Keep in mind that the truckers protesting in Canada in 2021 were supposedly backed by Putin as well.
The Democrats elected someone as their candidate who did not get a single vote in a primary and staged a coup against Biden. Their candidate was so fake that every time she spoke it was memorized or off a teleprompter. She needed 60 minutes to edit her interview and refused to go on Joe Rogan when Rogan refused that their interview be edited.
So with the Democratic douches who believe Russia is evil, that Russia attacked Ukraine versus being provoked is an easy story to swallow but what now? Well, you can see how pathetic and finger pointing the reaction is here now? What you can see is a bunch of people finger pointing at the flaws of others versus acknowledging that they were duped.
As for what happens next, I think Trump has been talking to Putin through intermediate sources for a long time and knows what Russia can live with. The tricky part for me is putting in a clause that some Democrat cannot just undo in 4 years or later.
While I would particularly appreciate Blood Red's thoughts, any board member's civil input would be appreciated.
The Telegraph and the Wall Street Journal recently broke a story based on reports from several unnamed Trump staffers. Trump's peace plans sound a lot like what J. D. Vance has been saying. Here's an outline.
The current line between the two sides would be frozen in place.
Ukraine would agree to shelve its ambition to join NATO for 20 years.
The USA And Europe would pump Ukraine full of weapons for purposes of deterrence.
The USA Would not contribute troops to patrol the buffer zone nor would it finance the mission. (I know, this conflicts with the previous point.) Instead Europeans would. The WSJ quotes an unnamed source, ""We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European. We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it. ".
Do you think this plan is workable? A good starting point for negotiations? There are obvious aspects the Russians and Ukrainians won't like. And putting all the burden on the Europeans while the USA Is calling the shots would create problems. Are the Europeans going to be like UN peacekeepers? Or armed to the teeth? If the later then Russia would have NATO on its doorstep. That would probably be a nonstarter.
There's an interesting quote in the Telegraph article from George Osborne, who was David Cameron's Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Secretary of State:
"Is it realistic to expect a complete victory for Ukraine, the complete ejection of Russia from Ukrainian territory? And if it's not, you know, it may suit our vanity in the West to say 'plucky Ukrainians', but it's not our children who are dying," the former chancellor said.
It's also totally unrealistic, in my view, to think that Europe alone, including the UK, can go on supporting Ukraine without the support of the United States, even though Joe Biden actually is rushing to spend the $61 billion that Congress recently voted in terms of American aid for Ukraine before he leaves office. ".
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/07/donald-trump-ukraine-peace-plan-british-troops-buffer-zone/The current line between the two sides would be frozen in place. - No, we don't need it and won't allow it.
Ukraine would agree to shelve its ambition to join NATO for 20 years. - No, why? We won't agree to it.
The USA And Europe would pump Ukraine full of weapons for purposes of deterrence. - Already doing it and we destroy it. Pump more and we are going to supply forces inside Ukraine with weapons against NATO countries.
The USA Would not contribute troops to patrol the buffer zone nor would it finance the mission. (I know, this conflicts with the previous point.) Instead Europeans would. The WSJ quotes an unnamed source, ""We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European. We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it. ". - They would be considered intervention forces and be hit with tactical nuclear weapons.
The best Ukraine can do is to hold elections, agree to Putin's plan and become a federal state, non-nuclear, non-aligned on Austrian way.
Question: Would it be considered open aggression against Russia if certain NATO member countries decide to lift restrictions on Kiev's use of long-range missiles to strike the Russian territory?
Sergey Lavrov: It is not entirely accurate to suggest that Western countries may grant permission for Kiev to use long-range weapons supplied to them for strikes on Russian territory. If such weapons are employed, it would signify that not only Ukraine but also NATO countries are openly fighting Russia, no longer bothering to conceal the presence of so-called mercenaries, volunteers, instructors, and other individuals "under false colours. " In other words, the true nature of the conflict, which Western leaders have attempted to obscure (albeit not very effectively), will be exposed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed this issue.
It should be clear to all that Ukrainians cannot operate Western high-tech long-range weapons independently. They will have to rely on Western experts and intelligence, including information obtained from the NATO space group.
We must not overlook the fact that NATO has long ceased to hide its aggressive policies towards Russia. NATO strategies describe our country as "the most significant and direct threat to security. " The alliance's leadership frequently speaks of Russia allegedly planning to attack a NATO member state within the coming years. Europe is being militarised at an alarming pace. During their drills, NATO forces practice offensive operations against Russia.
Our opponents should not be under any illusions. In the event of aggressive actions by NATO or its individual member states against our country, an appropriate response will ensue, in full compliance with Russia's sovereign right to self-defence and the use of any means necessary to ensure its security, as stipulated in the UN Charter. And no one will be able to lie low, whether across the Atlantic Ocean or the English Channel.
Source: https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/themes/id/1979380/.
There's no Stupid Shit in Moscow thread.
This thread would be dead without posters like us. I guess from time to time the gentlemen with your view could give each other "attaboys" though. Although given how things have developed, they would now be few and far between.There is a general info thread, and there is nothing stopping people from creating a new one in Russia for the war.
Whether this thread is dead or not, is irrelevant. The forum is primarily to discuss mongering not warfare and geopolitics.
Spineless aka Tiny
That is my best nickname for Tiny, who says Elvis is a "free thinker," well how much fact checking do you think Elvis does? You are a syrupy, nauseating insult to true intellectuals, who by definition test the claims. They don't just believe it when some big mouth YouTuber lays out his latest provocative and spurious argument. They don't just swallow Trump's millionth lie. They fact check.
It's like the Marquis de Twot, and this stupid moron I met here in Medellin in Sweet Georgia Cafe who said he was a Marine. Well that's exactly what they mostly want in the Marines is meat heads. But he was going on about how Biden got so many more votes than Kamala, as proof of a stolen 2020 election. Okay got it, so I asked the 80 IQ guy where he thought all the extra votes came from in 2020, and he of course said illegals. Then I asked his dumbfuck ass why these illegals, who are now greater in numbers, didn't steal the latest election. He had no answer, so I guess he's only left with Jewish space lasers, or whatever hogwash Elvis can pull off the blogs. But that's free thought according to Spineless.
Apologies. That post was 100% directed at the Marquis and you were collateral damage. I picked the first Elvis post I came across that showed a position independent from the mainstream American political parties. I remember selectively quoting him to avoid the word "douche", but missed the second one. If I had it to do over I'd also put "..." in place of Paulie97.
I do share Elvis' general sentiment. I don't like my tax dollars being used to enable war and death. I'd much rather see them used to promote peace and reduce extreme poverty. There are some issues I don't agree with Elvis about, for example the "stolen" 2020 election you mentioned. But he is an "independent thinker." His posts, unlike most of what's in the politics forum, are often worth reading and original. Or at least I've never seen some of his ideas expressed in what I read. Admittedly he could stand to cut down on the mudslinging, as could you.
To your credit you haven't been throwing the word "coward" around like some posters here to describe board members you disagree with. "Spineless" fits that category though.
The current line between the two sides would be frozen in place. - No, we don't need it and won't allow it.Why not? Russia's official position I believe is that it wants all of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk. It seems like modifying that to just the occupied territory wouldn't be that big of a pullback, to end the war.
The best Ukraine can do is to hold elections, agree to Putin's plan and become a federal state, non-nuclear, non-aligned on Austrian way.Ukraine becoming like Austria, including becoming an EU state ASAP, could be an ideal solution. Europe would spend money building up a prosperous Ukraine instead of enabling a war. Actually ideally it would be great to see Ukraine and Russia as members of the EU and NATO someday in the future. It might have happened by now if not for the neoconservatives, and military and defense establishments who, through the years, depended on hostility toward Russia to maintain their power and funding.
Reiner Otto
11-12-24, 19:19
That the Republican Americans here favor Putlers aggressive attitude. And honor it by agreeing to new borders, drawn by military aggression.
Because the USA would like to do the same, wright? What the RF can do, Gods own country can do as well.
Especially, after both parties (USA and RF) convinced (read: betrayed) the UA in the past to drop or not to develop nuclear weapons.
So, its proven, both, USA and RF can force non-obeying countries / neighbors under their rule, simple using nuclear threat.
Consequence: Because of all this betrayel, other countries will develop nuclear weapons.
Who should ever trust you again, cowboys?
BTW: Hitlers war forced upon him, because of the regulations from Versailles.
...Because the USA would like to do the same, wright? What the RF can do, Gods own country can do as well.
Especially, after both parties (USA and RF) convinced....the UA in the past to drop or not to develop nuclear weapons.
So, its proven, both, USA and RF can force non-obeying countries / neighbors under their rule, simple using nuclear threat.
Consequence: Because of all this betrayel, other countries will develop nuclear weapons.
Who should ever trust you again, cowboys?
BTW: Hitlers war forced upon him, because of the regulations from Versailles.That's reality, because of their conventional and nuclear weapons and large militaries. If they were to decide to get medieval, the USA and Russia can pretty much have their way with non-nuclear powers. It's not ideal, but the world has to deal with it. As to the subject at hand, the best way to deal with it is push for a quick settlement to the war that, to the extent possible, saves face for all involved.
If ridiculous reparations hadn't been forced on Germany probably Hitler never would have assumed power, although you'd probably know more about that than I do.
Elvis 2008
11-12-24, 21:35
how much fact checking do you think Elvis does?You are the one who needs to be fact checked you dumb Democratic douche. You blathered on that we had a cure for Covid, that vaccines worked, that more Republicans were going to die with Covid, said anyone against this war was a Putin dick sucker, and the latest in your unending string of bullshit is Kamla went to Harvard!
Okay got it, so I asked the 80 IQ guy where he thought all the extra votes came from in 2020, and he of course said illegals. Then I asked his dumbfuck ass why these illegals, who are now greater in numbers, didn't steal the latest election. He had no answer, so I guess he's only left with Jewish space lasers, or whatever hogwash Elvis can pull off the blogs. But that's free thought according to Spineless. As for this election not being stolen, I said without depositions the notion that there was no voter fraud in 2020 is pure bullshit but Republicans had to live with the results. Politically speaking, they should not have expected judges to change the results AFTER the election, but if you think Republicans did not do a shitload to prevent fraud in 2024, then you have your fucking head in the sand.
If you are dumb as to believe that Biden really got more black votes than Kamala did in 2024 or Obama did in 2012, I have some swamp land to sell you.
How in the fuck did Biden get 81.5 million votes in 2020 and Kamala only got 70 million in 2024? Let me tell you something you stupid douche. There are multiple data points over the last 4 elections and the only one not in alignment are the vote totals for Biden in 2020. Just wait until 2028 and 2032, and it is going to be patently obvious how much you douches cheated.
The most disgusting act isn't even the election or destroying freedom for a virus with a 0. 2% mortality rate. It is killing millions of Russians and Ukrainians in a stupid war for your political objectives.
Have you noticed that everyone wants peace now that Trump is president? Of course not. You only read the shit that reinforces your perverted views of the world.
Neoconservative.You, isolationist. Check the history of that ideology and the fruits thereof. But thanks, I'm very rarely called a conservative in any respect. But I think there's a real chance Trump will surprise the far right with his Ukraine policy.
Why not? Russia's official position I believe is that it wants all of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk. It seems like modifying that to just the occupied territory wouldn't be that big of a pullback, to end the war.
Ukraine becoming like Austria, including becoming an EU state ASAP, could be an ideal solution. Europe would spend money building up a prosperous Ukraine instead of enabling a war. Actually ideally it would be great to see Ukraine and Russia as members of the EU and NATO someday in the future. It might have happened by now if not for the neoconservatives, and military and defense establishments who, through the years, depended on hostility toward Russia to maintain their power and funding.All 4 regions are constitutionally part of RF now. Russia won't negotiate over its territory. We also won't allow any interventionist force into Ukraine. There are also many operational military aspects. There are future industrial economic aspects as new regions form a complete industrial loop in metal production, mining, transportation etc. There are also political and local elites aspects as well.
All Ukraine is within historic Russian territory and is part of common historic and territorial continuum.
NATO is an anachronism created 3 generations ago which serves today as a means to occupy Europe and to extort 2 cents out of its flesh through military spending.
The US is the main sponsor and beneficiary of the 2014 coup and current conflict. The US should dismantle the Ukraine project and direct its MIC away.
That the Republican Americans here favor Putlers aggressive attitude. And honor it by agreeing to new borders, drawn by military aggression.
Because the USA would like to do the same, wright? What the RF can do, Gods own country can do as well.
Especially, after both parties (USA and RF) convinced (read: betrayed) the UA in the past to drop or not to develop nuclear weapons.
So, its proven, both, USA and RF can force non-obeying countries / neighbors under their rule, simple using nuclear threat.
Consequence: Because of all this betrayel, other countries will develop nuclear weapons.
Who should ever trust you again, cowboys?
BTW: Hitlers war forced upon him, because of the regulations from Versailles.Don't do this. Don't put Russia and the US on the same level. Hell, don't put them in the same room or even town. Trumpism is a bug, not a feature.
It's an aberration. It's America gone nuts. Granted, I didn't expect 50% of my countrymen to be so persistent about going nuts, but what can I say--whoopsies.
Putinism, on the other hand, is not a bug, it's a feature. Russia has always been homicidal. Russia has always been ruled by tyrants. Putin just brought it all back after a brief Sabbatical.
Right-wing populism is not just a US problem. It's swept the world, and you, a European, should be well aware of this phenomenon.
That's reality, because of their conventional and nuclear weapons and large militaries. If they were to decide to get medieval, the USA and Russia can pretty much have their way with non-nuclear powers. It's not ideal, but the world has to deal with it. As to the subject at hand, the best way to deal with it is push for a quick settlement to the war that, to the extent possible, saves face for all involved.
If ridiculous reparations hadn't been forced on Germany probably Hitler never would have assumed power, although you'd probably know more about that than I do.1. Russia DID go medieval on its neighbor. The only reason it hasn't used nukes (yet) is they'd been warned about what would happen. They can use a world stage as a poker table all they want, but they aren't in rush to become martyrs.
2. It's amazing how isolationists always repeat the same refrain used by Hitler himself. Every time he would attack yet another country, he would go on about the evil West that forced him, a quiet and innocent piece-lover to bomb another European city to oblivion. You have no evidence to insist that Hitler wouldn't have assumed power if it hadn't for the reparations. Germany lost a war, for Christ's sake. Losing wars is never fun.
Elvis 2008
11-13-24, 17:09
Trumpism is a bug, not a feature.
It's an aberration. It's America gone nuts.No, you are the one who is nuts. Look at the 1:44 mark in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3BEfT64r1U
The Taliban wants peace as does Hamas, China, and Russia. The Europeans want to buy American LNG. The Houthis said they are going to stop blowing ships up in the Red Sea. Crypto and the stock market have hit all time highs. And Trump is not even in office yet!
And then there is the latest Democratic douche trash at work: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fired-fema-supervisor-claims-avoiding-trump-homes-was-widespread-practice-due-political.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor accused of directing workers to skip hurricane-ravaged homes in Florida with Trump signs, claimed in an interview Monday that the policy was widespread and that she was being scapegoated.
Oh, yeah, X man, you are such the sane one. You want war. You want people to be without homes if they do not support your political party. My God, you are such a douche!
...I think there's a real chance Trump will surprise the far right with his Ukraine policy.I believe you mean to say "isolationists" instead of the far right. Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders are the standard bearers for isolationism in the Republican and Democratic Parties, and most reasonable people wouldn't consider them far right. They both support legalization of marijuana for example.
Anyway if that's what you mean, I agree with you. Marco Rubio, who may become Secretary of State, is a neoconservative. Pete Hegseth, future Secretary of Defense, probably is too.
Some follow ups Questner.
All 4 regions are constitutionally part of RF now. Russia won't negotiate over its territory. We also won't allow any interventionist force into Ukraine. There are also many operational military aspects. There are future industrial economic aspects as new regions form a complete industrial loop in metal production, mining, transportation etc. There are also political and local elites aspects as well.
All Ukraine is within historic Russian territory and is part of common historic and territorial continuum.That may have made a lot of sense in 1991. Perhaps the USSR shouldn't have split up into many republics. A lot of people from former Soviet Republics in central Asia have moved to Russia for economic reasons, and they wouldn't necessarily want to do that if they lived in the same country. Perhaps Russia, Ukraine and Belarus should have formed a common government.
But does what you're saying make sense now? You'd think that industrial loops and the like now are more integrated with Russia in Russian occupied territory and vice versa. Is this worth fighting over?
NATO is an anachronism created 3 generations ago which serves today as a means to occupy Europe and to extort 2 cents out of its flesh through military spending.Would you agree that Russia, Europe and the USA should be natural friends, instead of enemies? And do you think that will ever happen? What would it take to make it happen? My observations would lead me to believe we're a lot more alike than different, certainly on a people-to-people basis.
The US is the main sponsor and beneficiary of the 2014 coup and current conflict. The US should dismantle the Ukraine project and direct its MIC away.I don't believe the USA is a beneficiary. It's the opposite. The country has blown a lot of money on the war. And the conflict hurt the world economy.
The Taliban wants peace as does Hamas, China, and Russia. The Europeans want to buy American LNG. The Houthis said they are going to stop blowing ships up in the Red Sea. Crypto and the stock market have hit all time highs. And Trump is not even in office yet!Youtube has me temporarily locked out unless I login using my Google ID and I don't want to give the bastards the satisfaction. So I haven't seen the video. As you know I'm not a Trump fan, because of his character and what happened after the 2020 election. But you're right. I like his foreign policy better than any US president's during our adult lifetimes, and hopefully the world will reap the benefits.
2. It's amazing how isolationists always repeat the same refrain used by Hitler himself. Every time he would attack yet another country, he would go on about the evil West that forced him, a quiet and innocent piece-lover to bomb another European city to oblivion. You have no evidence to insist that Hitler wouldn't have assumed power if it hadn't for the reparations. Germany lost a war, for Christ's sake. Losing wars is never fun.I asked ChatGPT! It's a lot smarter than the both of us put together! Here are its conclusions.
Pro Tiny: Historical voting data shows that the Nazi Party's support surged during times of heightened economic hardship, especially after reparations and economic instability intensified. In 1928, the Nazis had less than 3% of the vote. But by 1932, amid the Great Depression and economic collapse tied to reparations, they had become the largest party in the Reichstag.
Many voters explicitly cited economic grievances and resentment of Versailles as reasons for turning to the Nazis, showing that reparations were directly tied to the Nazi Party's appeal.
Pro Xpartan: While reparations were critical, they were not the only factor. Other elements, such as Hitler's oratory skills, effective Nazi propaganda, fear of communism, and political blunders by Weimar leaders, also contributed. Some historians argue that while reparations set the stage for economic hardship, political instability might have led to extremist rule regardless.
Conclusion: In summary, while reparations alone didn't create Hitler's rise to power, they amplified the economic desperation, nationalist resentment, and political instability that Hitler exploited. It's plausible that without reparations, the extreme conditions fueling Nazi support would have been less severe, potentially preventing Hitler's ascent.
No, you are the one who is nuts. Look at the 1:44 mark in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3BEfT64r1U
The Taliban wants peace as does Hamas, China, and Russia. The Europeans want to buy American LNG. The Houthis said they are going to stop blowing ships up in the Red Sea. Crypto and the stock market have hit all time highs. And Trump is not even in office yet!Since you're a man-child with critical thinking skills of a 5-year old, it's pointless to argue with you. In 4 years time, when Trump monumentally fails in all his endeavors, be it immigration, economy, or foreign affairs, you will parrot his new / old bullshit with the same unwavering faith and disregard for reality. That's just you being you.
That said, yes, Trump is not in office yet! Right now he's doing what he loves most--running his mouth, promising the world, picking sycophants, and no one holds him accountable for whatever the hell he's mumbling. Good times that will end very, very soon.
You, isolationist. Check the history of that ideology and the fruits thereof. But thanks, I'm very rarely called a conservative in any respect. But I think there's a real chance Trump will surprise the far right with his Ukraine policy.I wish I had your optimism. But no, for one reason or another, he's Putin's puppet. He can talk and act tough, but unless they have a totally unexpected falling out, he'll keep doing his bidding. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I don't think I will be.
I asked ChatGPT! It's a lot smarter than the both of us put together! Here are its conclusions.
Pro Tiny: Historical voting data shows that the Nazi Party's support surged during times of heightened economic hardship, especially after reparations and economic instability intensified. In 1928, the Nazis had less than 3% of the vote. But by 1932, amid the Great Depression and economic collapse tied to reparations, they had become the largest party in the Reichstag.
Many voters explicitly cited economic grievances and resentment of Versailles as reasons for turning to the Nazis, showing that reparations were directly tied to the Nazi Party's appeal.
Pro Xpartan: While reparations were critical, they were not the only factor. Other elements, such as Hitler's oratory skills, effective Nazi propaganda, fear of communism, and political blunders by Weimar leaders, also contributed. Some historians argue that while reparations set the stage for economic hardship, political instability might have led to extremist rule regardless.
Conclusion: In summary, while reparations alone didn't create Hitler's rise to power, they amplified the economic desperation, nationalist resentment, and political instability that Hitler exploited. It's plausible that without reparations, the extreme conditions fueling Nazi support would have been less severe, potentially preventing Hitler's ascent.Can't say I disagree. Amplified--yes, potentially--yes, and plausible also yes. All the right words. IMHO, German revanchism, more than any reparations was responsible for Hitler. Not unlike the conditions that have been brewing cultivated by Kremlin for the last 17 years. Imagine if Hitler and Hitlerism were dealt with when the world still had a chance.
Elvis 2008
11-14-24, 21:12
Since you're a man-child with critical thinking skills of a 5-year old, it's pointless to argue with you.LOL. You are a child who cannot admit to being wrong about anything. I said the Trump criminal trial was a joke. You said orange (Trump) would be in orange (jail). You thought Harris was doing well and that Ukraine was going to win this war.
For someone is full of himself as you are, I am such the adult!, show me one time you predicted anything right. Quite frankly, you are the five year old pretending to be a genius when all you do is repeat MSNBC talking points.
In 4 years time, when Trump monumentally fails in all his endeavors, be it immigration, economy, or foreign affairsGiven your horrific track record, your prediction of failure is music to the ears of all Trump voters.
Elvis 2008
11-14-24, 21:35
Youtube has me temporarily locked out unless I login using my Google ID and I don't want to give the bastards the satisfaction. So I haven't seen the video. As you know I'm not a Trump fan, because of his character and what happened after the 2020 election. But you're right. I like his foreign policy better than any US president's during our adult lifetimes, and hopefully the world will reap the benefits.I do too and love all his appointments. I looked up Biden's vaunted IRS in 2023 and saw that they audited about half a million people and collected like $30 billion. I think that is like half of what is sent to Ukraine every year. There is this constant notion of rich people getting away with holding all this money when in fact government spending dwarfs the richest people by a country mile.
I think Trump's biggest mistake was kowtowing to the bureaucrats on Covid. He spent like crazy in 2020 and it was not necessary. Thing is there was this huge cost that few thought would happen with all this government spending, inflation. Last I checked the Trump tax cuts cost $200 billion per year. Because of inflation and higher interest rates interest on the national debt, our interest payments have gone from $500 billion under Trump to $1. 1 trillion under Biden yet all these dumb Democratic douches talk about is the budget deficit and tax cuts. It is bullshit.
I am so sick of these WW2 and Hilter analogies. Wars back then were fought over scarce resources. That is less of an issue today, and we have fucking nukes. For all this talk about Putin taking over Europe, no one has given any reason as to why he would want to. Russia has more land than any country in the world.
If you are telling me Putin is the boogeyman while you are picking my pocket, YOU are the boogeyman.
With the video, what you saw is Hamas wanting peace, the Saudis kicking Hamas out of their country, the Houthis saying they were no longer going to attack ships in the Red Sea, Moscow saying there were willing to negotiate with Ukraine, and China making peaceful commentary, and you know why? Because Biden loved war and spent a lot on it. With Trump there is a helluva lot less money in war. A friend of mine said the real reason the Houthis were attacking ships in the Red Sea is they were hopeful Biden would pay them not to. And all this happened after Trump was elected.
To be honest, my biggest fear was Trump would back down from a fight with the DOJ and fall back into the spending ways of his first term. I am glad that fear was unfounded.
Hopefully, Trump gets us out of NATO, returns how much that has cost the American taxpayer with an additional tax cut, and gets LNG plants going so that Europe can buy gas from us. It would be nice to have a president interested in putting money in our pocket versus robbing us blind to pay for dumb wars like this one.
MarquisdeSade1
11-15-24, 05:06
BR, Putin is a scum bag. Everyone knows that. Thing is the idiotic Democrats believed that Trump won in 2016 because of Putin. They really did. Because they felt like Trump won because of Putin, their goal was to "weaken Putin" thinking that would allow them to win in 2024.
Thing about the Democratic douches is they keep going back to this mindless Russian propaganda bullshit because they think Trump won because of Russian propaganda.
The funny part about this massive landslide is Trump got about the same number of votes as he did in 2020 about 75 million.
Thing is when you look at how much the Democratic candidate got: it was 63 million for Obama in 2012,66 million for Hiliary in 2016, and Kamala got 70 million in 2024. There is nothing out of the ordinary there right?
The problem is in 2020 Biden got 81.4 million votes which means 11 million voters failed to show up for Kamala or that is the number of votes Democrats created out of thin air. I do not know where you fall on this issue, but I will tell you that I believe that a huge portion of those votes were fake, and I think that a large portion of that cheating was justified by compensating for the way Russia supposedly cheated in 2016.
There is no way Democrats can bring out another bullshit Russiagate story again. Keep in mind that the truckers protesting in Canada in 2021 were supposedly backed by Putin as well.
The Democrats elected someone as their candidate who did not get a single vote in a primary and staged a coup against Biden. Their candidate was so fake that every time she spoke it was memorized or off a teleprompter. She needed 60 minutes to edit her interview and refused to go on Joe Rogan when Rogan refused that their interview be edited.
So with the Democratic douches who believe Russia is evil, that Russia attacked Ukraine versus being provoked is an easy story to swallow but what now? Well, you can see how pathetic and finger pointing the reaction is here now? What you can see is a bunch of people finger pointing at the flaws of others versus acknowledging that they were duped.
As for what happens next, I think Trump has been talking to Putin through intermediate sources for a long time and knows what Russia can live with. The tricky part for me is putting in a clause that some Democrat cannot just undo in 4 years or later.To the victors go the spoils.
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/musk-putin-secret-conversations-37e1c187
May I be the first to suggest we rename Washington and Kyiv after one of the Greatest of men!!
I love all the Russian people espec My Dearest Vladimir.
Long live the Motherland!!
Some follow ups Questner.
That may have made a lot of sense in 1991. Perhaps the USSR shouldn't have split up into many republics. A lot of people from former Soviet Republics in central Asia have moved to Russia for economic reasons, and they wouldn't necessarily want to do that if they lived in the same country. Perhaps Russia, Ukraine and Belarus should have formed a common government.
But does what you're saying make sense now? You'd think that industrial loops and the like now are more integrated with Russia in Russian occupied territory and vice versa. Is this worth fighting over?
- Maybe I would opt for another plan of action. Why would we transfer our own land to foreign owners at the whim of a gang of crooks and traitors now when we were fighting for generations to keep it ours?
Would you agree that Russia, Europe and the USA should be natural friends, instead of enemies? And do you think that will ever happen? What would it take to make it happen? My observations would lead me to believe we're a lot more alike than different, certainly on a people-to-people basis.
- Let's start with the return of confiscated diplomatic property in the US, return of frozen funds and lift of sanctions
I don't believe the USA is a beneficiary. It's the opposite. The country has blown a lot of money on the war. And the conflict hurt the world economy.
- You have to see how real politik works: the US has been destroying its main economic and political competitor that is Europe, hurting Russia all with a narrow group of people stealing and profiting from war
See following the quotes above.
I love all the Russian people espec My Dearest Vladimir.
Long live the Motherland!!Amores perros.
Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Ezra Pound. They loved too. Deeply.
Now it's your turn.
You're in a good company.
Reiner Otto
11-15-24, 08:40
It would be nice to have a president interested in putting money in our pocket versus robbing us blind to pay for dumb wars like this one.Sounds like a similar betrayal of UA like Putler did. Written agreements, like the Budapest Memorandum, only required to keep American and Russian interests. As long as an agreement is beneficial to the USA, it has to be kept by the other party. In worst case, Navy, Army or Air Force will look after it. The USA, of course, has no obligation at all.
I do too and love all his appointments. I looked up Biden's vaunted IRS in 2023 and saw that they audited about half a million people and collected like $30 billion. I think that is like half of what is sent to Ukraine every year. There is this constant notion of rich people getting away with holding all this money when in fact government spending dwarfs the richest people by a country mile.
I think Trump's biggest mistake was kowtowing to the bureaucrats on Covid. He spent like crazy in 2020 and it was not necessary. Thing is there was this huge cost that few thought would happen with all this government spending, inflation. Last I checked the Trump tax cuts cost $200 billion per year. Because of inflation and higher interest rates interest on the national debt, our interest payments have gone from $500 billion under Trump to $1. 1 trillion under Biden yet all these dumb Democratic douches talk about is the budget deficit and tax cuts. It is bullshit.
I am so sick of these WW2 and Hilter analogies. Wars back then were fought over scarce resources. That is less of an issue today, and we have fucking nukes. For all this talk about Putin taking over Europe, no one has given any reason as to why he would want to. Russia has more land than any country in the world.
If you are telling me Putin is the boogeyman while you are picking my pocket, YOU are the boogeyman.
With the video, what you saw is Hamas wanting peace, the Saudis kicking Hamas out of their country, the Houthis saying they were no longer going to attack ships in the Red Sea, Moscow saying there were willing to negotiate with Ukraine, and China making peaceful commentary, and you know why? Because Biden loved war and spent a lot on it. With Trump there is a helluva lot less money in war. A friend of mine said the real reason the Houthis were attacking ships in the Red Sea is they were hopeful Biden would pay them not to. And all this happened after Trump was elected.
To be honest, my biggest fear was Trump would back down from a fight with the DOJ and fall back into the spending ways of his first term. I am glad that fear was unfounded.
Hopefully, Trump gets us out of NATO, returns how much that has cost the American taxpayer with an additional tax cut, and gets LNG plants going so that Europe can buy gas from us. It would be nice to have a president interested in putting money in our pocket versus robbing us blind to pay for dumb wars like this one.Despite the criticism from the press, I like the Gabbard appointment. She's not a neoconservative, and unlike many in the Biden and Trump administrations, she doesn't want war with China. I'd love to see Musk take an axe to some of our foolish expenditures on defense, like senseless foreign involvements, although that may be too much to hope for. And agree with you. Trump's biggest failing was spending too much money, especially as we were getting to the tail end of 2020. Note that Pelosi and House Democrats played just as big a role in that as he did though.
Agreed about the LNG. Why would you want to shut down permitting like Biden did? LNG overall probably reduces carbon emissions, by substituting for coal.
See following the quotes above.Thanks Questner. I agree about the confiscated property, frozen funds and sanctions. It seems like the USA would have learned from Cuba and Iran that those types of measures backfire. But instead America keeps them in effect forever. As to USA realpolitik of the the type you describe, I believe the beneficiaries are the USA military and defense establishment, not American individuals or businesses.
Elvis 2008
11-16-24, 02:01
Sounds like a similar betrayal of UA like Putler did.Sorry, but I do not agree with the notion that a bunch of Democrats who provoked Russia and helped start a war that has hurt Ukraine, Russia, and the USA then later drafted statements and agreements means we have to follow them. Ukraine needed to assess the notion that a change of power in the USA would result in this agreement being terminated.
Whatever promises Ukraine was given, the American pols who did so had no justification in putting the interest of Ukrainian citizens over American citizens. I don't give a rat ass about Ukraine taking the word of Democratic law makers. Ukraine was stupid to have listened to those Dems. The 2024 election was a sharp rebuke of not just the Democratic presidential candidates but the Congressional ones.
Americans are sick to death of these costly endless wars.
Elvis 2008
11-16-24, 02:13
Despite the criticism from the press, I like the Gabbard appointment. She's not a neoconservative, and unlike many in the Biden and Trump administrations, she doesn't want war with China. I agree, and I like Pete Hegseth as well. They both have served in the military. What I see from them and what I have seen from every person I know has served in the military in the last ten years is this. The soldiers like the military for the skills they gained, the discipline they learned, have intense love for their fellow soldiers but not one feels like they were serving and protecting our country which is why they signed up.
One soldier summed it up perfectly. He said our supposed enemies were not the nations that were the greatest threat to American citizens, but they were the greatest threat to the USA dollar. Can you imagine that? Risking your life to go to war with a country that is dreaming up an alternative to the dollar? That is not what the military is for. If these fucking pols want a strong dollar, they should embrace sound economic policies not the effing military.
The clown says the war will end sooner with the new team. All that suffering and the moron gets it now.
John Clayton
11-16-24, 23:51
Sorry, but I do not agree with the notion that a bunch of Democrats who provoked Russia and helped start a war that has hurt Ukraine, Russia, and the USA then later drafted statements and agreements means we have to follow them... Maybe that agreement is the 1994 Budapest Memorandum? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum). Check it out. Signed under Clinton but negociated by the H. W. Bush administration. Britain, France, China and the Russian Federation are also cosigners. All parties agreed to defend the boundaries of Ukraine in exchange for them giving up their (1700+) nuclear weapons. Do you believe Russia would have invaded Ukraine if it still had those nukes?
I agree, and I like Pete Hegseth as well. They both have served in the military. What I see from them and what I have seen from every person I know has served in the military in the last ten years is this. The soldiers like the military for the skills they gained, the discipline they learned, have intense love for their fellow soldiers but not one feels like they were serving and protecting our country which is why they signed up.
One soldier summed it up perfectly. He said our supposed enemies were not the nations that were the greatest threat to American citizens, but they were the greatest threat to the USA dollar. Can you imagine that? Risking your life to go to war with a country that is dreaming up an alternative to the dollar? That is not what the military is for. If these fucking pols want a strong dollar, they should embrace sound economic policies not the effing military.Once again, Elvis is excising his constitutional right to spew more lies and unmitigated insanity.
1. No one is calling for Americans to fight and risk their lives for Ukraine, least of all the Ukrainians.
2. Any alternative to the US dollar is a pipe dream. No economists worth their salt take BRIC seriously. It's a a loose, want to-be, dysfunctional association with non-convertable currencies, torn by distrust and internal struggles.
Well, at least you're consistent. No one can take it away from you.
Elvis 2008
11-17-24, 00:09
Maybe that agreement is the 1994 Budapest Memorandum? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum). Check it out. Signed under Clinton but negociated by the H. W. Bush administration. Britain, France, China and the Russian Federation are also cosigners. All parties agreed to defend the boundaries of Ukraine in exchange for them giving up their (1700+) nuclear weapons. Do you believe Russia would have invaded Ukraine if it still had those nukes?So you want Ukraine to have nukes now?
The clown says the war will end sooner with the new team. All that suffering and the moron gets it now.He knows the money will soon run out so of course that sack of shit will talk like this now. History will judge that clown very harshly.
Maybe that agreement is the 1994 Budapest Memorandum? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum). Check it out. Signed under Clinton but negociated by the H. W. Bush administration. Britain, France, China and the Russian Federation are also cosigners. All parties agreed to defend the boundaries of Ukraine in exchange for them giving up their (1700+) nuclear weapons. Do you believe Russia would have invaded Ukraine if it still had those nukes?So why didn't they? Is it cause they are cunts that don't give a shit about Ukraine?
Also, those nukes in Ukraine belonged to Russia, the successor to the USSR and hence were returned to the owner.
Once again, Elvis is excising his constitutional right to spew more lies and unmitigated insanity.
1. No one is calling for Americans to fight and risk their lives for Ukraine, least of all the Ukrainians.
.Of course not, there are still Ukrainians to send to the front line to die for nothing. Until the last Ukrainian as Lindsey Graham said.
Reiner Otto
11-17-24, 15:22
Also, those nukes in Ukraine belonged to Russia, the successor to the USSR and hence were returned to the owner.This is only your private, unfounded opinion. Or the official Russian opinion, you (have to) follow. Which does not reflect historical facts.
Quoting: POST-SOVIET RUSSIA AND UKRAINE:
WHO CAN PUSH THE BUTTON?
By Alexander A. Pikayev, 1994.
Dr. Alexander A. Pikayev is Senior Researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations.
(IMEMO). He is also Research Director of the newly-formed Center for Critical Technologies and Nonproliferation in Moscow.
... In late 1993, the Ukrainians began removing warheads from the Ballistic missiles. The removal, Transportation, and storage were provided by Ukrainian troops. This
became a watershed, which marked the transition of Kiev's command and control into a stage of more autonomous and active operations. For the first time, the Ukrainian troops on their own initiative, physically touched nuclear weapons.
The Budapester Memorandum, 1994, was to exchange the nuclear armament of the UA against safety guarantees and some money for the UA, and to agree to the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty of Nuclear Weapons).
Which means, first the UA was f. By Putler, ignoring the Budapest Memorandum, and then UA to be f. By the USA, too, dropping support.
Consequence for all non-atomic countries, that the NPT has only the value of used toilet paper. Non-atomic country has to become atomic, to be protected.
Reiner Otto
11-17-24, 15:36
Ukraine needed to assess the notion that a change of power in the USA would result in this agreement being terminated.
Whatever promises Ukraine was given, the American pols who did so had no justification in putting the interest of Ukrainian citizens over American citizens.Wow, I like that. Because it confirms, what lot of foreigners claim for a long time already: You can not trust the USA. You can not even trust written agreements, officially signed by the USA.
Wow, I like that. Because it confirms, what lot of foreigners claim for a long time already: You can not trust the USA. You can not even trust written agreements, officially signed by the USA.That's true.
So why didn't they? Is it cause they are cunts that don't give a shit about Ukraine?Doesn't it make your Failed Mafia State a very special kind of ****? The **** that invaded the neighbor it swore to defend?
This is only your private, unfounded opinion. Or the official Russian opinion, you (have to) follow. Which does not reflect historical facts.
Quoting: POST-SOVIET RUSSIA AND UKRAINE:
WHO CAN PUSH THE BUTTON?
By Alexander A. Pikayev, 1994.
Dr. Alexander A. Pikayev is Senior Researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations.
(IMEMO). He is also Research Director of the newly-formed Center for Critical Technologies and Nonproliferation in Moscow.
... In late 1993, the Ukrainians began removing warheads from the Ballistic missiles. The removal, Transportation, and storage were provided by Ukrainian troops. This
became a watershed, which marked the transition of Kiev's command and control into a stage of more autonomous and active operations. For the first time, the Ukrainian troops on their own initiative, physically touched nuclear weapons.
The Budapester Memorandum, 1994, was to exchange the nuclear armament of the UA against safety guarantees and some money for the UA, and to agree to the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty of Nuclear Weapons).
Which means, first the UA was f. By Putler, ignoring the Budapest Memorandum, and then UA to be f. By the USA, too, dropping support.
Consequence for all non-atomic countries, that the NPT has only the value of used toilet paper. Non-atomic country has to become atomic, to be protected.I don't know what's so hard for you to understand. The nukes belonged to the Soviet Union. They were in places like Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc. Russia was the inheritor to the Soviet Union. That's why all the former Soviet Republics I listed returned those nukes to Russia, as did Ukraine.
Wow, I like that. Because it confirms, what lot of foreigners claim for a long time already: You can not trust the USA. You can not even trust written agreements, officially signed by the USA.That's right. Soon all of you will understand that America aka NATO just used Ukraine to weaken Russia but, in the process, destroyed the country. And that they don't care about that, they sacrificed Ukraine for their proxy war and that is horrific.
John Clayton
11-18-24, 23:09
That's right. Soon all of you will understand that America aka NATO just used Ukraine to weaken Russia but, in the process, destroyed the country. And that they don't care about that, they sacrificed Ukraine for their proxy war and that is horrific.This is Russian propaganda, word for word. Ukraine is a sovereign nation with internationally recognized borders. Simply and truthfully, it was invaded by Russia in 2014 in a war of aggression in an act of pure territorial aggrandizement. NATO and the US did not foment this war; if anything, they did not resist it strongly enough in 2014 or 2022. The war would stop immediately if the RF withdrew behind the 1992 border, which they guaranteed by treaty in 1994.
This is Russian propaganda, word for word. Ukraine is a sovereign nation with internationally recognized borders. Simply and truthfully, it was invaded by Russia in 2014 in a war of aggression in an act of pure territorial aggrandizement. NATO and the US did not foment this war; if anything, they did not resist it strongly enough in 2014 or 2022. The war would stop immediately if the RF withdrew behind the 1992 border, which they guaranteed by treaty in 1994.You live in gaga land.
John Clayton
11-19-24, 18:32
You live in gaga land.How're your Russian stocks doing?
Elvis 2008
11-19-24, 20:55
Wow, I like that. Because it confirms, what lot of foreigners claim for a long time already: You can not trust the USA. You can not even trust written agreements, officially signed by the USA.I am an American, and I do not trust our government. I do not know why anyone else would either.
This is Russian propaganda, word for word. Ukraine is a sovereign nation with internationally recognized borders. Simply and truthfully, it was invaded by Russia in 2014 in a war of aggression in an act of pure territorial aggrandizement. NATO and the US did not foment this war; if anything, they did not resist it strongly enough in 2014 or 2022. The war would stop immediately if the RF withdrew behind the 1992 border, which they guaranteed by treaty in 1994.I know some well known and respected CIA liasons that claim otherwise. Just ask a simple question. How many baracks and US military bases exist *OUTSIDE* the US and where are they situated?
Putin's glorious DPRK allies have finally joined their Russian brothers in arms in doing what Russians do best: marauding, drinking and raping. But since they're currently deployed in Kursk, they've taken their fight to Russian civilians. That's only logical for there're not many Ukrainian Bandera Nazi scum in step-Mother Russia, right? But I digress.
North Korean Soldiers Accused of Gang-Raping Russian Student During Training
North Korean soldiers deployed to Russias Kursk region to participate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict were apprehended on November 12 on charges of gang-raping a local university student.
As part of the North Korean Military Adaptation Program, the victim was staying in the village of Kromsky Viki, approximately 15 kilometers (approximately 9.3 miles) from the combat zone in the Kursk region.
In an account shared on a Telegram channel reporting on the Ukraine war, she stated that I woke up in the middle of the night feeling suffocated. She continued that men speaking Korean taped my mouth, tied my hands, stripped me, and began beating and raping me, adding I was raped consecutively by four or five men. Their appearances were similar; she couldnt determine the exact number.
She recounted that after enduring two hours of abuse, she managed to escape while the soldiers were searching for vodka. She described the experience as unbearable and horrific, expressing uncertainty about how to continue living after such an ordeal.https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/north-korean-soldiers-accused-of-gang-raping-russian-student-during-training/ar-AA1uvv8N
I know some well known and respected CIA liasons that claim otherwise. Just ask a simple question. How many baracks and US military bases exist *OUTSIDE* the US and where are they situated?Now I've officially seen everything.
Try harder next time.
Putin's glorious DPRK allies have finally joined their Russian brothers in arms in doing what Russians do best: marauding, drinking and raping. But since they're currently deployed in Kursk, they've taken their fight to Russian civilians. That's only logical for there're not many Ukrainian Bandera Nazi scum in step-Mother Russia, right? But I digress.
North Korean Soldiers Accused of Gang-Raping Russian Student During Training
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/north-korean-soldiers-accused-of-gang-raping-russian-student-during-training/ar-AA1uvv8NWhere is the evidence of North Korean troops in Kursk or any other place in Ukraine? A post by a Telegram channel isn't evidence, shit4 brains.
Following an update to the nuclear doctrine by Russia, there are two comprehensive cooperation agreements in the making, one with Iran and the second with Venezuela. The agreement with and Korea has been ratified and signed by both parties with the exchange of the ratified documents to follow. These have very clear messages indeed.
'It's a slaughter': Video claiming to show North Korean soldier captured in Kursk emerges
The video shows a man, presumed to be a North Korean soldier, lying in a hospital bed with bandages wrapped around his head and face, stained with blood and pus. His speech is hard to understand, but the video claims that he said in what did appear to be a North Korean accent that he was the only survivor of the Kursk engagement.
According to the video, the soldier stated that the Russian military deceived them, claiming the North Koreans would "build fortifications and guard the objects."
But they sent us on an assault in the Kursk region, without any reconnaissance or proper weapons to defend ourselves, he said.
He added, There were about 40 of us, but all are dead, I am left alone, I have nothing to lose. He described how shrapnel decapitated his comrades, and that he survived by hiding under their bodies.
"The Ukrainians killed everyone, the blame for their death lies with the Russian army and President Putin, he deceived our Great Leader, the sun-faced Kim Jong-un," he said, according to the subtitles.https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-11-01/national/northKorea/Its-a-slaughter-Video-claiming-to-show-North-Korean-soldier-captured-in-Kursk-emerges/2168699
Below is the quote from the Ukrainian POV on the events of 2004:
On November 22nd a round date passed by without much notice - 20 years since the beginning of the first ("orange") Maidan in 2004.
Meanwhile, this event played a huge role in the history of Ukraine. In particular, it became one of the steps leading to the current bloody war.
Therefore, it is worth remembering what preceded the Maidan and what consequences it had.
The path to it began about 25 years ago. In the fall of 1999.
In the 90's, after the collapse of the USSR, the geopolitical landscape in the post-Soviet space was fundamentally different from what we see now.
Ukraine, as well as most other CIS countries, was then on the periphery of Washington's attention, which saw Yeltsin's Russia as its main partner and "stronghold" in the territory of the former Union.
However, gradually, more and more "alarm bells" sounded for the Americans that the Russian Federation was not going in the direction they would like.
One of these rang in 1999, when the Russian Federation did not support NATO's attack on Yugoslavia. In August, Yeltsin announced FSB chief Vladimir Putin as his successor. Putin promised to "whack" terrorists in the toilet, after the explosions of apartment buildings in Moscow in the fall of 1999, he started the second Chechen war, and quickly increased his rating. Washington viewed all these processes with great concern. And after Putin came to power, there were even more warning signs, and America came to the conclusion that "Russia had taken a wrong turn. ".
Accordingly, it became necessary to look for a new "support point" in the post-Soviet space, with the help of which, in addition, it would be possible to influence Russia, trying to return the Russian Federation to the "true path. " Or, at a minimum, not to allow it to grow stronger and start its own game with Europe, separate from the Americans.
Then, for the first time, a substantive and systemic interest in Ukraine at a high level awakened in the United States. Moreover, at that time, Zbigniew Brzezinski's theory was popular that "Russia will never become an empire again without Ukraine. " This theory was obviously false (within the 1991 borders, even without Ukraine and regardless of the nature of relations with Ukraine, the Russian Federation had every opportunity to develop and increase its power), but it played a major role in subsequent events, since it sharply exaggerated the geopolitical significance of Ukraine and, accordingly, pushed Russia and the West to fight for influence over it.
At the end of 1999, Leonid Kuchma, who was re-elected for his second presidential term, appointed the head of the National Bank, Viktor Yushchenko, as Prime Minister. According to a widespread version, he did this on the recommendation of the United States. Kuchma agreed with it, on the one hand, to get more favorable conditions for restructuring the external debt. And on the other hand, in order to generally improve relations with Washington, which, by that time, had become tense. Kuchma was increasingly accused of corruption, violation of human rights and freedoms, and election fraud.
Yushchenko solved the first problem (debt restructuring) quite quickly. But he made the second problem (the deterioration of Kuchma's relations with the West) worse.
The popularity of the new prime minister and his political weight in the country began to grow. And many began to view him as a future president. Including in the West. Accordingly, various questions to Kuchma began to arise more and more often in Washington. And the patronage of Western countries to Viktor Yushchenko became more and more obvious.
Kuchma soon recognized these signals and began preparing a sharp turnaround in the fall of 2000. In domestic policy, the resignation of the Yushchenko government. In foreign policy, rapprochement with the Russian Federation. That year, Kuchma met with Putin several times. And by early September, information appeared that they were discussing the creation of a joint consortium to manage Ukraine's gas transportation system.
However, an event occurred that ruined these plans: the tape scandal broke out, which became a powerful blow to the president. Protests began, supported by the West. And George Soros directly called on Kuchma to resign.
Kuchma held on to his post, Yushchenko's government was dismissed by the Verkhovna Rada, but the situation in the country was already radically different. Kuchma's power was wavering and he could no longer even think about running for a third term. And Yushchenko, on whom the West was openly counting, was perceived by an increasing number of people and representatives of the elite as the next president.
However, Kuchma and his inner circle did not consider Yushchenko as such. First, they tried to amend the Constitution in order to turn the president into a figurehead, and then, when this plan failed in April 2004, they agreed (largely out of necessity) to nominate the then prime minister, former governor of Donetsk Oblast, Viktor Yanukovych, for president.
The 2004 elections had long-term consequences. They were the first to test the technology of dividing voters into two hostile camps.
Yushchenko's political strategists talked about "Donetsk bandits", demonizing not only Yanukovych and his associates, but also all residents of Donbass.
Yanukovych's political strategists. About "fascists and Banderites" who "hate the southeast".
At the same time, a geopolitical line was built into the political technology. Who are you for, Russia or Europe?
The split created in this way led to natural consequences. A sharp increase in the confrontation in society, which resulted in the Maidan of Yushchenko's supporters (who did not recognize the declared victory of Yanukovych in the second round of the elections) and the threat of secession of the southeast from Ukraine, publicly declared at the congress of Yanukovych's supporters in Severodonetsk. External players. Russia and the West. Also actively joined the confrontation, helping the two competing camps.
Then everything worked out. The parties came to a compromise: Yushchenko was elected president in the third round, but the parliament adopted amendments to the Constitution, which reduced his powers.
It was already clear then that turning Ukraine into a field of geopolitical confrontation between the West and Russia and provoking by politicians hostility between residents of different regions was a mine of enormous power under Ukrainian statehood.
Ukraine had a choice of three strategic development paths.
The first was to take a clear course towards integration into Western institutions. The EU and NATO.
The second was to take a course towards integration with Russia, joining the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and other organizations headed by Moscow, such as Kazakhstan or Belarus.
The third was to take a position of official neutrality.
The first two paths were practically impossible for Ukraine at that time without very large upheavals. Due to the opposition of geopolitical players and the split in society on these issues.
But the path of neutrality was real. Moreover, it suited the Ukrainian elites (who wanted to run the country themselves, not allowing either the West or Russia to reach the commanding heights in the economy and politics). This was the policy that Kuchma tried to pursue before the tape scandal. In general, this path was acceptable for society. But in order to follow it, both society and the elites had to be consolidated around this idea. Which implied a taboo on discussing the issue of geopolitical orientation in domestic politics (neutrality should not be questioned by anyone), as well as on any topics that would divide society.
However, the Ukrainian elites took a different, worse path. They perceived the political technology of dividing society as a very convenient method of managing voters, and at the same time as a very profitable way (as it seemed to them then) of flirting with the West and the Russian Federation in order to receive preferences from both sides.
The Ukrainian elites were divided into supposedly "pro-Russian" and supposedly "pro-European" political forces, which replaced each other in power. And sometimes simply ran from one camp to another.
A typical example is Petro Poroshenko, who in 2000, together with Azarov, became the founder of the Party of Regions, in 2001 bought the Lipetsk factory, and then joined Yushchenko's entourage, becoming one of the leaders of the Maidan. After Yanukovych came to power, Poroshenko supported the Kharkiv agreements on extending the stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, became the Minister of Economy in the Azarov government, was friends with the Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Zurabov, attended a meeting of the Skovoroda club, which was held by the Russian TV presenter Dmitry Kiselev in the Kureni restaurant in Kiev. And in 2013, he again became one of the leaders of the Maidan.
Let us repeat that the Ukrainian elites in reality did not want to go either to the West or to Russia. They simply wanted to continue "milking" the country according to the principle "Texas should be robbed by Texans. " Earn money from economic ties with the Russian Federation and keep the money taken out of Ukraine in the West, while also receiving cheap loans from there.
This scheme worked for some time – while Russia's relations with the West were still relatively normal.
However, in 2010-2012 these relations became strained. Russia and the USA began to enter into a clinch.
Firstly, the 2008 crisis significantly changed the balance of power both in the world and in Europe. It hit the West the hardest, weakening it. At the same time, Russia (due to high energy prices), China and other countries of the global south (due to more efficient and competitive production) strengthened their positions. In addition, the moral authority of the United States in the world was undermined by the policy of the neoconservatives of the George W. Bush era and the war in Iraq.
As a result, Europe began to increasingly strengthen ties with Russia and China. First of all, economic (trade and mutual investments). But politics always follows economics. At that time, there were popular predictions about the creation of a "united Europe from Lisbon to Kamchatka" with the entry of Russia into the European Union, which would turn the EU into a powerful and self-sufficient geopolitical player, and Russia into one of its leaders (along with Germany and France).
Naturally, this was not a close and difficult prospect, but it did not seem completely fantastic at the time. Russia in 2013 was very different from Russia in 2024. It was not a democratic country, but it was not a harsh dictatorship either. It was a moderate authoritarian regime, under which Navalny could run for mayor of Moscow, taking second place, modernization according to European standards was taking place in many areas, people were getting used to paying taxes, the standard of living was rapidly growing, corruption was decreasing, and the quality of public administration was improving.
However, the option of an alliance between Russia and the EU was perceived by the Americans as a major threat. Accordingly, in the eyes of Washington, the role of Ukraine sharply increased. As a country where the interests of the European Union and the Russian Federation clashed, and the struggle for influence over which could destroy relations between Russia and Europe.
Secondly, Moscow intensified integration processes in the CIS by launching the Customs Union, which included Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (Putin presented the see you as a way to strengthen the positions of post-Soviet countries before negotiations on an economic alliance with the EU). The Kremlin tried to lure Ukraine into the Customs Union, which the West did not want to allow.
Finally, a personal confrontation was added: the Americans opposed Putin's third presidential term. According to Russian critic Garry Kasparov, Biden directly told Putin during a visit to Moscow in March 2011 that he did not need to run for president again (Kasparov claims that Biden himself reported this conversation at a meeting with the Russian opposition, and no one has since refuted this fact). Putin did not listen and was re-elected in 2012. The US demand not to run and Putin's refusal to comply further strained relations between Moscow and Washington, moving them to a "personal" level. The Americans sought to punish Putin for his "disobedience" so that others would learn a lesson, and Putin wanted to show them that he was a "tough guy" with whom they should talk as equals, and not tell him what to do and what not to do.
Ukraine, perhaps, even in such conditions, still had a chance to avoid turning into a battlefield. A chance to leave the brewing conflict in the "geopolitical AWOL", taking an emphatically neutral position, trying not to exacerbate the contradictions between the Russian Federation and the EU in the Ukrainian direction, but on the contrary, trying to smooth them out, if possible. But for such a strategy, at a minimum, a consensus on this issue within Ukraine was necessary, which was nowhere near in sight. Yanukovych threw Tymoshenko in jail, and the opposition launched chants of "thank you to the residents of Donbass for the fruitcake president" into the people.
Finally, a fatal role was played by the fact that Yanukovych, not appreciating the danger for Ukraine and himself personally from the growing confrontation between the Russian Federation and the West, decided, out of habit, to make money on it by throwing coal into the furnace of geopolitical contradictions.
Although initially Yanukovych pursued a very cautious policy. He signed the Kharkiv agreements with Russia on the Black Sea Fleet in exchange for a discount on gas. He also pushed through the Rada the law "On the principles of foreign and domestic policy", which established the non-aligned status of Ukraine. At the same time, he continued to develop relations with the West.
But by the end of 2010, world oil prices had risen sharply, and so had the price of gas for Ukraine. And Yanukovych began difficult negotiations with the Russian Federation about a new discount on gas. The Kremlin was ready to provide it, but only in exchange for joining the Customs Union, which Yanukovych did not want to join. Firstly, he did not intend to share control over customs (which played a major role in corruption schemes) with any supranational bodies. On the other hand, he feared a harsh reaction from the West and the opposition.
That is why Yanukovych started looking for a way to get a discount on gas (as well as other preferences from the Russian Federation) without joining the Customs Union. And, as it seemed to him, he found such a way. To intensify negotiations on signing the Association Agreement with the EU, and then "sell" Putin the refusal to sign it. And to get everything he needed from Moscow without membership in the Customs Union. Formally, this plan was almost 100% successful. In November 2013, Ukraine suspended negotiations on signing the Agreement, and in December, Putin gave Ukraine a big discount on gas and a huge loan. And all this. Without joining the Customs Union. Using the resource he received, Yanukovych had the opportunity to raise salaries and pensions on the eve of the presidential elections scheduled for March 2015, and to win them.
That is, Yanukovych could have celebrated a grand geopolitical victory, but there was one nuance. By that time the Maidan was already raging.
In many ways, Yanukovych himself prepared it. Trying to "raise the stakes" in negotiations with Putin, he portrayed himself as an ardent Euro-integrator, and official propaganda presented the Association with the EU in much the same way as in Soviet times they talked about the coming onset of communism. This gave rise to great hopes among a significant part of the population ("we are about to join the EU! The West was already anticipating how he would "beat Putin".
And when suddenly, without much explanation, Yanukovych pressed the "stop" pedal, halting negotiations on the Association Agreement, this caused a storm both inside and outside the country. And the opposition and businessmen close to it saw in this storm a chance, by leading the Maidan, to remove the "Donetsk people" from power and to sit down in their place on corruption schemes.
Yanukovych made too sharp a turn, was unable to keep the situation under control and Maidan toppled him.
What happened next is well known (we wrote about this topic in detail here and here).
Subsequent events overshadowed what preceded them, including the Maidan of 2004.
But it is important to remember it in order to understand the origins of problems that did not begin in 2022 or even in 2014.
Following an update to the nuclear doctrine by Russia, there are two comprehensive cooperation agreements in the making, one with Iran and the second with Venezuela. The agreement with and Korea has been ratified and signed by both parties with the exchange of the ratified documents to follow. These have very clear messages indeed.The very clear message is that over the last 30 years or so, the dumb shits in Washington, London, Paris, etc. fucked up. The West has made Russia into a pariah. If we had friendly relations, Russia would be trying to control nuclear proliferation instead. It's time to end the war and start to repair the damage.
Below is the quote from the Ukrainian POV on the events of 2004:
Subsequent events overshadowed what preceded them, including the Maidan of 2004.
But it is important to remember it in order to understand the origins of problems that did not begin in 2022 or even in 2014.Putin propagandists always try to complicate things. The truth, on the other hand, is plain and simple.
First thing that's important to remember is that Putin invaded an independent country because it dared to choose its own path.
Second thing that's important to remember is that Putin's Russia today is a rotten to the core fascist state, with a regime that's in many ways more repressive than Mussolini's Italy of 1930's.
Third thing that's important to remember is that Putin is a mass murderer who has already murdered close to 1 million people, both Russians and Ukrainians.
That's it. The whole "origin of problems" is Putin himself plus some Russians' insane, atavistic nostalgia over their "great empire" (which has never been great to begin with).
'It's a slaughter': Video claiming to show North Korean soldier captured in Kursk emerges
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-11-01/national/northKorea/Its-a-slaughter-Video-claiming-to-show-North-Korean-soldier-captured-in-Kursk-emerges/2168699Where is the video? Video 'claiming'. LOL. You imbecile.
There are however ex British soldiers in Kursk.
https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/1860721377889628276/video/1
John Clayton
11-25-24, 18:07
There are however ex British soldiers in Kursk.
https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/1860721377889628276/video/1I feel bad for you having to maintain the official line. RUB / USD is about. 0096 today. From a monetary POV, if it falls below. 0085 it's over. My advice? Sell any Russian stocks and convert as many rubles as you can while you have time.
The very clear message is that over the last 30 years or so, the dumb shits in Washington, London, Paris, etc. fucked up. The West has made Russia into a pariah. If we had friendly relations, Russia would be trying to control nuclear proliferation instead. It's time to end the war and start to repair the damage.The US nukes first of all should not be deployed in the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkiye, Italy and Germany as it contravenes the non-proliferation agreements, by the way.
As for a 'pariah' we don't feel it this way, it's just another example of a Western POV. In fact majority of countries by the number, population, territory etc are our friends.
As for a 'pariah' we don't feel it this way, it's just another example of a Western POV. In fact majority of countries by the number, population, territory etc are our friends.Sorry, "pariah" was a bad choice of words. I agree.
I feel bad for you having to maintain the official line. RUB / USD is about. 0096 today. From a monetary POV, if it falls below. 0085 it's over. My advice? Sell any Russian stocks and convert as many rubles as you can while you have time.That's mostly a function of USA Dollar strength. The dollar's been gaining against most currencies. Russia's current account (trade balance) and external debt are in great shape. Its sovereign reserves would be huge if part hadn't been impounded by western nations, and they're still large. The real interest rate is greater than 10%. In other words, I don't think you have much of a case.
Where is the video? Video 'claiming'. LOL. You imbecile.Boy, don't I love it when Russian propacondoms are trying to catch me on a lie!
https://x.com/i/status/1852039145482523086
Today:
1 US Dollar = 105.40 Russian Ruble and counting.
And a little history:
- Jan 2014 (pre-Crimea grab): 35 to $1.
- Jan 2015:69 to $1.
- Jan 2022 (pre-Kyiv in 3 days): 77 to $1.
- Nov 2024 (1,000 days post Kyiv in 3 days): 105 to $1 USD.
What was that? Western sanctions have made Russian economy stronger than ever?
Well then, keep up the good work, hehe.
That's mostly a function of USA Dollar strength. The dollar's been gaining against most currencies. Russia's current account (trade balance) and external debt are in great shape. Its sovereign reserves would be huge if part hadn't been impounded by western nations, and they're still large. The real interest rate is greater than 10%. In other words, I don't think you have much of a case.And don't you ever listen to all those so-called economists and other shit-for-brain "professionals". What the hell do they know, right?
Rouble slides as new Russian sanctions stifle foreign trade
https://www.ft.com/content/6189fdb4-d1ef-4e0b-a7f1-e7f9a7286df5
Rouble slumps to over two-year low on new sanctions, geopolitical tension
https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/rouble-slumps-over-two-year-low-new-sanctions-geopolitical-tension-2024-11-22
Russian Ruble Hits Lowest Level Against Dollar Since March 2022
https://www.barrons.com/articles/russian-ruble-hits-lowest-level-against-us-dollar-since-march-2022-central-bank-bd988a73
John Clayton
11-27-24, 07:02
...Russia's current account (trade balance) and external debt are in great shape. Its sovereign reserves would be huge if ...Yeah, haha. So far, the only recent hero of the RF has been Elvira Nabiullina, but there's very little that even a superb technocrat like her can do at this point...I'm waiting for her to get pushed out of a window or drink some bad tea. Really, I'm just trying to lay out a little dispassionate macroeconomic advice for the Russians on this forum, which is that the RF is in a downward economic spiral with a declining demographic, exodus of young people and knowledge workers, stagflation, a scarcity of workers and an economy smaller than the US state of New York. It is also a simple mercantalist economy dependent on the price of oil, which is declining in value. Brent is trading at $73, and I think Ural oil is selling at $20 less. Not only are oil and gas bound to decline in value, but Russian production, dependent on western drilling technology and skilled workers, is going down. My advice -- get what you can for your rubles now.
John Clayton
11-27-24, 16:40
That's mostly a function of USA Dollar strength...Forgot to add, look at RUB vs CNY or JPY.
Forgot to add, look at RUB vs CNY or JPY.Well, especially given what's happened the last 12 hours, you've got a point. Further shutting Russia out from the world financial system is having an effect. If I were Russian, I wouldn't be jumping to exchange for USD right now, with Russian interest rates where they are, around 21% and inflation at 8.5%. This isn't like Turkey. Nabiullina is rational.
And yeah, I should have paid more attention to the actual values of the RUB/USD versus the U.S. dollar index instead of just the trend when I posted. I think what I wrote would have been reasonable up until a couple of weeks ago. The sanctions on Gazprombank are taking a toll.
The sanctions won't "work" by the way, any more than they did with Cuba or Iran. They just make Russia more determined to accomplish its goals, and piss off Russian citizens.
Boy, don't I love it when Russian propacondoms are trying to catch me on a lie!
https://x.com/i/status/1852039145482523086The english subtitles are different than what he is actually saying. Fake news. Run along now, dumbass.
John Clayton
11-27-24, 22:09
...The sanctions won't "work" by the way, any more than they did with Cuba or Iran. They just make Russia more determined to accomplish its goals, and piss off Russian citizens.Re: the inevitable end of the Russian Federation. I previously quoted Hemingway ("The Sun Also Rises") in response to 'How did you go bankrupt? "Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly". Historically, this is reminiscent of the fall of the Tsarist regime in 1917.
The english subtitles are different than what he is actually saying. Fake news. Run along now, dumbass.Just curious. Do they pay you a bonus?
So, after sliding down to 113 yesterday, the ruble has "strengthened" at the 110 to 1 mark.
"Great success" as Barat would say.
Now, we really need to understand what this $$$ rally is really all about.
It means two things, actually no, make it three.
1. Putin has burned through half of his Sovereign Wealth Fund reserves in the last 2 years. On what? Mostly to cover the budget deficits, one after another.
2. There is no actual currency market in Russia. Ruble is propped by the Finance Ministry. Actually, strike that -- there is no market economy, period. Back to the USSR, baby!
3. The dollar rally has a two-fold nature. For one thing, with the dwindling hard currency reserves, rubble is getting harder and harder to prop. But the Russians are also using this "organic" process for a excuse to devalue further and collect more taxes by the year end. As such, it's also a scam to rob people blind.
4. How are Russian people getting robbed? Well, since Russia itself is manufacturing only three things: oil, gas and death, everything else must come from import. That's how.
I'm sorry, did I promise three things? Well, you know Russia. It's a fucking Matreshka.
And now, there are strong rumors that the Saudis will bring the oil prices under $50 per barrel. What does it mean for Putin's inferior product?
It means, there is no way in hell they're going to succeed in keeping this unfolding catastrophe under control. The previous orator was totally right: It has 1917 written all over it.
Well, especially given what's happened the last 12 hours, you've got a point. Further shutting Russia out from the world financial system is having an effect. If I were Russian, I wouldn't be jumping to exchange for USD right now, with Russian interest rates where they are, around 21% and inflation at 8.5%. This isn't like Turkey. Nabiullina is rational.
And yeah, I should have paid more attention to the actual values of the RUB/USD versus the U.S. dollar index instead of just the trend when I posted. I think what I wrote would have been reasonable up until a couple of weeks ago. The sanctions on Gazprombank are taking a toll.
The sanctions won't "work" by the way, any more than they did with Cuba or Iran. They just make Russia more determined to accomplish its goals, and piss off Russian citizens.Inflation isn't at 8.5%, that's just what they are saying from the Kremlin.
If you look at actual prices, the real inflation is much higher.
As an example potatoes (which they grow domestically in abundance) are 64% dearer than at the start of the year.
This investment "advice" will not age well.
Just curious. Do they pay you a bonus?I just pointed out to you your fake news and that the subtitles do not match what that guy is saying. Refrain from posting fake news and lies because I will continue to expose them and your dumbass.
Inflation isn't at 8.5%, that's just what they are saying from the Kremlin.
If you look at actual prices, the real inflation is much higher.
As an example potatoes (which they grow domestically in abundance) are 64% dearer than at the start of the year.
This investment "advice" will not age well.Maybe so and maybe not. Your thoughts about how Ukraine would progress in pushing back Russia have definitely not aged well.
Please take the Tiny Challenge again. Open the link below in two browser windows. Move the date on the interactive map in one of the browser windows back two years, to late November, 2022. Russia has made incremental gains since then. And hundreds of thousands on both sides have been killed and maimed. For nothing. Sounding like a broken record, the two sides need to start talking and negotiate a peace.
https://www.nzz.ch/english/ukraine-war-interactive-map-of-the-current-front-line-ld.1688087
Inflation isn't at 8.5%, that's just what they are saying from the Kremlin.
If you look at actual prices, the real inflation is much higher.
As an example potatoes (which they grow domestically in abundance) are 64% dearer than at the start of the year.
This investment "advice" will not age well.I'm a huge proponent of using primary sources whenever possible. Even corrupt, unreliable and doctored sources, such as one of Putin's government organizations can give a better idea of what's really going on in that black hole of a country than a report concocted by a non-expert journalist (no matter how well-intentioned they are).
The Russian Central bank maintains an English version for its reports. The latest is here: https://cbr.ru/Collection/Collection/File/50781/Infl_exp_24-10_e.pdf.
You can safely skip the intro with its cheerful 8-8. 5% inflation forecast for 2024 and scroll down to the table because the table tells it all.
You'll find that the median "Inflation observed by households" for the previous 12 months reached 15.3% in October and 14.9% for the last three months.
The next row is family expectations. They were a bit optimistic compared to the real thing (13.4% vs. 15.3%.
But no matter how you slice it, there's no way the inflation will get down to 8% or even 8. 5% by the time Putin rings in the New Year.
So we can confidently assume that Russia's actual inflation rate in 2024 will have amounted to 15% AT THE MINIMUM and probably more.
Sounding like a broken record, the two sides need to start talking and negotiate a peace.Sounding like a broken record, but the aggressor needs to be defeated.
The International War Crime Tribunal needs to be established to punish all Russian war criminals who have failed to off themselves by the time they're taken out of their prison cells.
All fascists, isolationists, appeasers, propacondoms, agents of influence, useful idiots and brainless Russophiles need to shut the f* up and pronto.
There are probably many more things that NEED to be done, but I'm a realist.
Those things take time, and they won't happen tonight or tomorrow regardless how much they're NEEDED.
Any state or politician who pushes Ukraine into unconditional "negotiations" with the predator will live in infamy, forever and ever.
I just pointed out to you your fake news and that the subtitles do not match what that guy is saying. Refrain from posting fake news and lies because I will continue to expose them and your dumbass.Once again, Igor, and this is a very simple question: Are you proficient in Korean? Enough to know that the subs don't match?
Look, if you're insulted my question about the bonus, I apologize. I didn't mean to imply that you're only interested in money. After all, if you were only interested in money you wouldn't probably be doing this suck-ass job.
Maybe so and maybe not. Your thoughts about how Ukraine would progress in pushing back Russia have definitely not aged well.Which ones specifically have not aged well?
Please take the Tiny Challenge again. Open the link below in two browser windows. Move the date on the interactive map in one of the browser windows back two years, to late November, 2022. Russia has made incremental gains since then. And hundreds of thousands on both sides have been killed and maimed. For nothing. Sounding like a broken record, the two sides need to start talking and negotiate a peace.Sure, can you take the Captain Obvious challenge? Explain why Russia can't withdraw their troops from other people's sovereign land, and negotiations need to be had that include theft of sovereign property?
Russia can leave at any time of their choosing, Ukraine cannot, it's their own land.
Which ones specifically have not aged well?
Sure, can you take the Captain Obvious challenge? Explain why Russia can't withdraw their troops from other people's sovereign land, and negotiations need to be had that include theft of sovereign property?
Russia can leave at any time of their choosing, Ukraine cannot, it's their own land.This war is insane. It's as if the USA and Canada were at war. Or Irish Catholics fighting Irish Protestants. I have expressed the thought that Zelensky should be more open to negotiation. But you haven't seen much criticism from me here directed towards Zelensky or Putin because I believe the villains were in the west, the Neocons and likeminded Europeans who want to fight the war to the last Ukrainian. There's no Captain Obvious answer, but we've discussed here what happened since 1992 to change Russia from a prospective NATO member into its position now.
As to your first question -- Reviewing some of your posts, you weren't as definitive about the timing of a Ukrainian victory as some other board members, but wrong all the same.
The Americans did not bomb Nordstream 2, it was the Russians. Evidence will be found soon enough, I'm so confident I will happily place a wager on this, do you want to take me up on this? I will bet that it was not the Americans, will you take the bet?
This is the reason why Russia destroyed the pipeline. Gazprom is in breach of their contracts for shutting down gas supply and can be sued because of it. The destroyed pipelines are supposed to be "force majeure" which would give them en excuse not to deliver.
They already played their leverage card by stopping the deliveries.
Try and live in reality, and not in clown world for a change.All these are from after November, 2022, that is, after this had settled into trench warfare where, until recently, the front lines weren't moving:
Ukraine is winning hard...
Typical idiot RuZZian living in the past. Let me explain it for you so that even an Orc can understand. When Bob Gates said that, that was before the RuZZian army was revealed to be a Paper Tiger. Now that everyone knows that Muscovy has a Potemkin army, the whole world is laughing, and people are not afraid. Look at the CSTO, members are getting ready to arrest Putin. Good job!
It's gone too far, he might be able to hang on to Crimea barely, and UA will likely destroy the Kerch bridge, and not allow it to be rebuilt. With that result, he's still fucked. There's no way he can keep the UA land, and then what can he show to the RuZZians? Sweet Fuck All.
They are not being wiped out, rather the opposite, they just got Storm Shadows, they will get more, and then F-16's, what do you think will happen to the Orcs when that comes online?
Ukraine is not being wiped out, they are taking back territory….
Once again, Igor, and this is a very simple question: Are you proficient in Korean? Enough to know that the subs don't match?
Not myself but my Korean friend confirmed it. Do not post lies and fake news in this thread because it will be debunked by me, dipshit.
Just curious. Do they pay you a bonus?Lame. You are so pressed that he exposed your ignorance and your attempt to spread misinformation and fake news. You have absolutely no dignity what so ever. Bugger off you simpleminded fool.
Sounding like a broken record, but the aggressor needs to be defeated.
The International War Crime Tribunal needs to be established to punish all Russian war criminals who have failed to off themselves by the time they're taken out of their prison cells.Do you want a nuclear war?
All fascists, isolationists, appeasers, propacondoms, agents of influence, useful idiots and brainless Russophiles need to shut the f* up and pronto.Ban free speech? You don't really believe that Xpartan.
I'm a huge proponent of using primary sources whenever possible. Even corrupt, unreliable and doctored sources, such as one of Putin's government organizations can give a better idea of what's really going on in that black hole of a country than a report concocted by a non-expert journalist (no matter how well-intentioned they are).
The Russian Central bank maintains an English version for its reports. The latest is here: https://cbr.ru/Collection/Collection/File/50781/Infl_exp_24-10_e.pdf.
You can safely skip the intro with its cheerful 8-8. 5% inflation forecast for 2024 and scroll down to the table because the table tells it all.
You'll find that the median "Inflation observed by households" for the previous 12 months reached 15.3% in October and 14.9% for the last three months.
The next row is family expectations. They were a bit optimistic compared to the real thing (13.4% vs. 15.3%.
But no matter how you slice it, there's no way the inflation will get down to 8% or even 8. 5% by the time Putin rings in the New Year.
So we can confidently assume that Russia's actual inflation rate in 2024 will have amounted to 15% AT THE MINIMUM and probably more.Please delve deeper into the report and read the fine print. Actual inflation is the gray curve in Figure 4 and it's almost always A LOT lower than "inflation observed by households". Actual inflation YoY in October was 8.5%. From the report.
"Estimates of inflation expectations and observed inflation based on household surveys in Russia and abroad almost always exceed actual inflation rates. This difference is ascribed to certain perception patterns....People estimate inflation guided primarily by the those product prices that have increased most significantly."
This is exactly what Vin Dici did below when he confused inflation in the price of potatoes with CPI inflation. And it's one of the reasons your man lost the US presidential election in 2024. People thought inflation was higher than it really was.
As to inflation expectations, yes, the Bank of Russia's forecast is that inflation at the end of 2024 will be in the range of 8% to 8.5%. The report says the consensus forecast by analysts is 7.7% for the end of 2024 and 5.3% for the end of 2025. I cross checked with the Bloomberg consensus, mostly from analysts at major western banks, and the median estimates for inflation at the end of 2024, 2025 and 2026 are 8.2%, 6.7%, and 4.4% respectively. Given the tight monetary policy (interest rates much higher than the inflation rate), the estimates are probably reasonable.
John Clayton
11-30-24, 04:34
Do you want a nuclear war?...Russia knows it is on the wrong side of history. You know you have invaded a sovereign nation in an act of unjustified, aggressive war. Russian knows it is a failing, second rate country. Russians have a deeply repressed feeling of inadequacy and weakness. That is why you are threatening nuclear war -- it derives from subconscious knowledge of weakness and failure.
Russia knows it is on the wrong side of history. You know you have invaded a sovereign nation in an act of unjustified, aggressive war. Russian knows it is a failing, second rate country. Russians have a deeply repressed feeling of inadequacy and weakness. That is why you are threatening nuclear war -- it derives from subconscious knowledge of weakness and failure.Lol. Xpartan thinks he's Joseph McCarthy and now you think I'm Vladimir Putin. Please get a grip on reality.
Not myself but my Korean friend--
OK Igor, thank you for a good laugh.
This war is insane. It's as if the USA and Canada were at war. First, there is nothing insane about it. US and Canada WERE at war.
Second, just because Russians and Ukrainians are Slavic peoples and speak similar languages, it doesn't make them brothers. Ukrainians have hated Russians' guts for centuries and for good reasons, too.
Maybe, just read a little, huh? If you like to comment so much about current events in far-away lands, why not spend some time to learn the context?
Do you want a nuclear war?No. Which is why the West must give Ukraine everything they need. Because if there is one main reason for escalations, it's appeasement.
Ban free speech? You don't really believe that Xpartan.You bet your ass I do. Putin says he's at war with Nato. Why wouldn't we ban his propacondoms and agents of influence who spread his poison for money, as well as morons of all kinds who do it for free? If we're at war, why shouldn't we?
Please delve deeper into the report and read the fine print. Actual inflation is the gray curve in Figure 4 and it's almost always A LOT lower than "inflation observed by households". Actual inflation YoY in October was 8.5%. From the report.
"Estimates of inflation expectations and observed inflation based on household surveys in Russia and abroad almost always exceed actual inflation rates. This difference is ascribed to certain perception patterns....People estimate inflation guided primarily by the those product prices that have increased most significantly."
This is exactly what Vin Dici did below when he confused inflation in the price of potatoes with CPI inflation. And it's one of the reasons your man lost the US presidential election in 2024. People thought inflation was higher than it really was.
As to inflation expectations, yes, the Bank of Russia's forecast is that inflation at the end of 2024 will be in the range of 8% to 8.5%. The report says the consensus forecast by analysts is 7.7% for the end of 2024 and 5.3% for the end of 2025. I cross checked with the Bloomberg consensus, mostly from analysts at major western banks, and the median estimates for inflation at the end of 2024, 2025 and 2026 are 8.2%, 6.7%, and 4.4% respectively. Given the tight monetary policy (interest rates much higher than the inflation rate), the estimates are probably reasonable.What on the green flat earth are you talking about?
A Putin's government organization tells you that its OFFICIAL inflation rate is 8. 5%.
Its surveys tell you that "Inflation observed by households" for the previous 12 months reached 15.3%.
What does it mean for any reasonable person who's not a propacondom, not an agent of influence and not a useful idiot? And who knows that everything coming from that mafia failed state is a lie?
It means the real inflation is much worse, and it is! Ms. Nabiulina doesn't go to markets, she doesn't buy stuff in hardware or electronic stores. You know who do? Households that, according to PUTIN'S SURVEYS just told you that inflation THEY OBSERVED has reached 15.3%.
Of course, it's not even 15.3%. Some economists believe that real-life consumer inflation is hovering around 22-25%.
According to our estimates, real consumer inflation by the end of 2024 will be 22-25%, while maintaining its non-monetary nature, or the so-called phenomenon of "cost inflation", comments Dmitry Morkovkin, Associate Professor of the Department of Economic Theory, Leading Researcher at the Institute for Research of International Economic Relations of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.https://riamo.ru/articles/aktsenty/realnaja-infljatsija-chto-proishodit-s-tsenami-v-rossii-na-samom-dele/?from=inf_cards
First, there is nothing insane about it. US and Canada WERE at war.We apparently have different definitions of insane. War between Canada and the USA, the South and the North in the USA, and the IRA and Northern Ireland were all insane.
Second, just because Russians and Ukrainians are Slavic peoples and speak similar languages, it doesn't make them brothers. Ukrainians have hated Russians' guts for centuries and for good reasons, too.
Maybe, just read a little, huh? If you like to comment so much about current events in far-away lands, why not spend some time to learn the context?You are correct. I don't know much about Russian ancient history. However, particularly with respect to much of eastern and southern Ukraine, I don't believe what you're writing is true. At least it wasn't born out by pre-2014 elections, when the eastern part of Ukraine usually voted for pro-Russian parties.
No. Which is why the West must give Ukraine everything they need. Because if there is one main reason for escalations, it's appeasement.
You bet your ass I do. Putin says he's at war with Nato. Why wouldn't we ban his propacondoms and agents of influence who spread his poison for money, as well as morons of all kinds who do it for free? If we're at war, why shouldn't we?Maybe 20 people read this thread. But if it were popular, could a case be made that you're a propacondom for death and strife by promoting endless war? If Ukraine, prodded by western countries, had entered into peace negotiations a year ago, it could have retained more territory and been provided stronger security guarantees than now. And fewer people would have died needlessly. It's increasingly looking like Blood Red's and Questner's predictions may come true. As to "war with NATO," what do you expect him to say after Biden gives the OK to Ukraine to start launching longer range ballistic missiles into Russian territory.
I think you're a good person by the way, just sadly mistaken and misled.
What on the green flat earth are you talking about?
A Putin's government organization tells you that its OFFICIAL inflation rate is 8. 5%.
Its surveys tell you that "Inflation observed by households" for the previous 12 months reached 15.3%.
What does it mean for any reasonable person who's not a propacondom, not an agent of influence and not a useful idiot? And who knows that everything coming from that mafia failed state is a lie?
It means the real inflation is much worse, and it is! Ms. Nabiulina doesn't go to markets, she doesn't buy stuff in hardware or electronic stores. You know who do? Households that, according to PUTIN'S SURVEYS just told you that inflation THEY OBSERVED has reached 15.3%.
Of course, it's not even 15.3%. Some economists believe that real-life consumer inflation is hovering around 22-25%.
https://riamo.ru/articles/aktsenty/realnaja-infljatsija-chto-proishodit-s-tsenami-v-rossii-na-samom-dele/?from=inf_cardsComparing Steve 9696's and my reports in the Moscow thread, since before COVID the price of a room at Aurora and probably other strip clubs in the same group had remained the same at 6000 Rubles s. And the price of an hour with a stripper had gone up 33%, from 12,000 Rubles to 16,000 rubles. During the same time the official Russian CPI index increased 45%. Based on the price of strippers, the official numbers overstated inflation.
Yeah, you can argue, as I think one of the economists in your link does, about whether higher monthly costs to buy a house are properly reflected in the CPI Index. That's true in Russia and the USA. However I suspect the official number is reasonable. As does a second economist quoted in your link, who thinks the rate will be around 9% to 10%.
And I'm confused. Before you said you trusted the official numbers, like from the Central Bank of Russia. Now you say you don't.
We apparently have different definitions of insane. War between Canada and the USA, the South and the North in the USA, and the IRA and Northern Ireland were all insane. You are correct. I don't know much about Russian ancient history. However, particularly with respect to much of eastern and southern Ukraine, I don't believe what you're writing is true. At least it wasn't born out by pre-2014 elections, when the eastern part of Ukraine usually voted for pro-Russian parties.Let's try and be honest here. When you say "this war is insane" what you're really saying is that Ukraine is insane:
- It won't stop fighting against the superior enemy forces.
- Russia is justified, at least somewhat, in its aggression because some people in the eastern parts of Ukraine would have rather been living under Russia's rule.
That's what Russophiles like you believe. That Russia always has a good reason for whatever aggression it's undertaking at any given time.
Would you say it's accurate?
Maybe 20 people read this thread. But if it were popular, could a case be made that you're a propacondom for death and strife by promoting endless war? I don't know, but if so I'm in a good company. When this man said what he did, he stood alone in the world. With a weak military, no prospects of outside help, against the whole might of the Hitler ruthless military machine and his own colleagues in Parliament.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
It is said that immediately after giving the speech, Churchill muttered to a colleague, "And we'll fight them with the butt ends of broken beer bottles because that's bloody well all we've got!"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_shall_fight_on_the_beaches
But maybe you're right. Maybe any country subjected to the act of aggression from a mightier military machine should just give up. Just think how many Englishmen would've survived the war and lived happily ever after under the glorious protectorate of Nazi Germany!
If Ukraine, prodded by western countries, had entered into peace negotiations a year ago, it could have retained more territory and been provided stronger security guarantees than now. And fewer people would have died needlessly. Yep, sure, totally because Putin is nothing but benevolent. Good point!
It's increasingly looking like Blood Red's and Questner's predictions may come true. As to "war with NATO," what do you expect him to say after Biden gives the OK to Ukraine to start launching longer range ballistic missiles into Russian territory. I think you're a good person by the way, just sadly mistaken and misled.Yes, it saddens me that you can't see these two for what they really are: shameless and unscrupulous liars. So let me return the kind words to you. You're not an idiot or heartless bastard -- you're just blind.
As to "what I expect" I don't expect that creature to say any different because I know what it is. I do, however, expect you not to buy his extravagant bullshit, but it might be asking too much, I see.
Comparing Steve 9696's and my reports in the Moscow thread, since before COVID the price of a room at Aurora and probably other strip clubs in the same group had remained the same at 6000 Rubles s. And the price of an hour with a stripper had gone up 33%, from 12,000 Rubles to 16,000 rubles. During the same time the official Russian CPI index increased 45%. Based on the price of strippers, the official numbers overstated inflation.What wonderful logic! The problem is, though, that the only Russians who keep mongering in Russia are those who don't care about the price. And don't get me wrong, there are plenty of those. Some people keep buying fancy cars, imported clothes and jewelry. The contraband never stops despite all the sanctions.
Yeah, you can argue, as I think one of the economists in your link does, about whether higher monthly costs to buy a house are properly reflected in the CPI Index. That's true in Russia and the USA. However I suspect the official number is reasonable. As does a second economist quoted in your link, who thinks the rate will be around 9% to 10%.Really?
The maximum level mortgage rate at several banks has now gone over 30%, in a move that is likely to have shattering consequences for Russia's property market. Russian home buyers theoretically face loan repayments running into hundreds of thousands of pounds, after mortgage rates in some Russian banks reached an eye-watering 43%.
Recently the Russian Central Bank hiked interest rates to a historic high of 21%, as inflation continues to rise.https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1972771/russian-economy-mortage-rates-sovcom-bank
And I'm confused. Before you said you trusted the official numbers, like from the Central Bank of Russia. Now you say you don't.I see. Let me help you out.
I never said I "trusted the official numbers". What I said (and I apologize for citing myself): "'I'm a huge proponent of using primary sources whenever possible. Even corrupt, unreliable and doctored sources, such as one of Putin's government organizations can give a better idea of what's really going on in that black hole of a country than a report concocted by a non-expert journalist (no matter how well-intentioned they are). ".
Let's try and be honest here. When you say "this war is insane" what you're really saying is that Ukraine is insane:
- It won't stop fighting against the superior enemy forces.
- Russia is justified, at least somewhat, in its aggression because some people in the eastern parts of Ukraine would have rather been living under Russia's rule.
That's what Russophiles like you believe. That Russia always has a good reason for whatever aggression it's undertaking at any given time.
Would you say it's accurate?That's not at all accurate. I believe war in general is insane. Outside of the generals and defense contractors there are no winners. Only losers. And war between countries as similar as Ukraine and Russia is doubly insane. I suspect, before 2014, the people in the Ukrainian area currently under Russian control had more in common culturally with people in southwestern Russia than they did with residents of Lviv.
I don't know, but if so I'm in a good company. When this man said what he did, he stood alone in the world. With a weak military, no prospects of outside help, against the whole might of the Hitler ruthless military machine and his own colleagues in Parliament.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_shall_fight_on_the_beaches
But maybe you're right. Maybe any country subjected to the act of aggression from a mightier military machine should just give up. Just think how many Englishmen would've survived the war and lived happily ever after under the glorious protectorate of Nazi Germany!Yeah, I was watching the Darkest Hour the other night, which at its core is about that speech, and figured you might draw this analogy. Well, the analogy is faulty. Going into World War II, the UK and German economies were roughly the same size. Great Britain is an island nation, and it had the strongest navy in the world. Ukraine, even with western aid, didn't have a prayer. Russia has a much larger population, military and GDP. And it has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.
A better analogy from World War II would be the Volkssturm, the rag tag army composed of old and young men who defended Berlin in the last days of the Reich. That's where Ukraine's headed unless there's peace in a reasonable timeframe. It just doesn't have the manpower.
Yep, sure, totally because Putin is nothing but benevolent. Good point!I wish you saw the writing on the wall. Or actually that the leaders in the countries involved saw the writing on the well, after the conflict settled into the 21st century equivalent of trench warfare.
What wonderful logic! The problem is, though, that the only Russians who keep mongering in Russia are those who don't care about the price. And don't get me wrong, there are plenty of those. Some people keep buying fancy cars, imported clothes and jewelry. The contraband never stops despite all the sanctions.
Really?
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1972771/russian-economy-mortage-rates-sovcom-bank
I see. Let me help you out.
I never said I "trusted the official numbers". What I said (and I apologize for citing myself): "'I'm a huge proponent of using primary sources whenever possible. Even corrupt, unreliable and doctored sources, such as one of Putin's government organizations can give a better idea of what's really going on in that black hole of a country than a report concocted by a non-expert journalist (no matter how well-intentioned they are). ".Please see the last two paragraphs in the link.
"Russian homebuyers have been helped by a generous government mortgage subsidy introduced in 2020 and extended after the imposition of Western sanctions following Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Under the scheme, mortgage rates were fixed at 8% which helped drive a property market boom. ".
If you believe inflation is indeed in the range of 8% to 8. 5%, that's sustainable. Turkey was providing loans at about that level for farm equipment when inflation was 50%.
That's not at all accurate. I believe war in general is insane. Outside of the generals and defense contractors there are no winners. Only losers. And war between countries as similar as Ukraine and Russia is doubly insane. I suspect, before 2014, the people in the Ukrainian area currently under Russian control had more in common culturally with people in southwestern Russia than they did with residents of Lviv.
Yeah, I was watching the Darkest Hour the other night, which at its core is about that speech, and figured you might draw this analogy. Well, the analogy is faulty. Going into World War II, the UK and German economies were roughly the same size. Great Britain is an island nation, and it had the strongest navy in the world. Ukraine, even with western aid, didn't have a prayer. Russia has a much larger population, military and GDP. And it has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.
A better analogy from World War II would be the Volkssturm, the rag tag army composed of old and young men who defended Berlin in the last days of the Reich. That's where Ukraine's headed unless there's peace in a reasonable timeframe. It just doesn't have the manpower. .Right. The war is crazy, so Ukraine must surrender.
No one has ever changed anyone's opinion on the Internet, so you can keep yours. Behind your articulate sophistry lies one entrenched notion: "leave me alone". That's what you want. To be left alone, to avoid hearing or seeing about Russia's atrocities, to avoid being taxed to help a victim of aggression. What you are really saying is that might is right. Give Russia what they want and don't make Putin mad, full stop.
I will always disagree. Also full stop.
Then there is your stubborn refusal to realize that Russia's economy is doomed, something that even Russian economists are saying today and that was unheard of a year ago.
Well, faith is a powerful thing. What else to add?
Only that the government-subsidized 8% mortgage rate is over. It was never a good deal anyway--just a scam that was helping a group of oligarch developers sell overpriced real estate.
In any case, the program was cancelled on July 1.
Or maybe it's just me slinging dirt at mother Russia.
Right. The war is crazy, so Ukraine must surrender.
No one has ever changed anyone's opinion on the Internet, so you can keep yours. Behind your articulate sophistry lies one entrenched notion: "leave me alone". That's what you want. To be left alone, to avoid hearing or seeing about Russia's atrocities, to avoid being taxed to help a victim of aggression. What you are really saying is that might is right. Give Russia what they want and don't make Putin mad, full stop.
I will always disagree. Also full stop.
Then there is your stubborn refusal to realize that Russia's economy is doomed, something that even Russian economists are saying today and that was unheard of a year ago.
Well, faith is a powerful thing. What else to add?
Only that the government-subsidized 8% mortgage rate is over. It was never a good deal anyway--just a scam that was helping a group of oligarch developers sell overpriced real estate.
In any case, the program was cancelled on July 1.
Or maybe it's just me slinging dirt at mother Russia.No, I simply want the two sides to start talking and stop fighting.
Sorry, I thought your article stopped at "mortgage rates were fixed at 8% which helped drive a property market boom. " I see now that it continues after an advertisement and says "the government ended the subsidies. " The effect on inflation would depend in part on how many mortgages were floating rate vs. Fixed rate, and the level of rates for the fixed mortgages. The fact that the western analysts are predicting inflation will remain around the current level for the rest of the year and go down in subsequent years would indicate this isn't something they're expecting to drive out-of-control price increases. It will dampen the housing market.
The analyst consensus for 2025 is for Russian unemployment of 2.8%, a fiscal budget deficit of 1.2%, a current account balance of 2.8%, and GDP growth of 1.5%. Those are all better than the consensus for the EU, and better except for GDP versus the USA. And yes, forecasted CPI inflation for Russia, 6.9%, is higher than for the EU or USA. That doesn't sound like a doomed economy.
Nice to see reality sinking in, just like I said it would. I wonder what the Pro Ukrainian robots in this thread are going to say now. But Zelensky is still delusional or full of shit, or both. The dumbass thinks Russia will accept anything other than NEUTRALITY for Ukraine. And he thinks Ukraine can get the 4 new territories plus Crimea back through diplomatic means. LOL. What a fucking clown.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/major-compromise-how-ukraines-zelenskyy-shifted-goals-to-end-russia-war
In an interview with Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, published on November 29, Zelenskyy said the "hot phase" of the war could end if NATO offered security guarantees for the part of Ukraine currently under Kyiv's control.
He said the return of land occupied by Russia at the moment could be diplomatically negotiated later. The Ukrainian leader reiterated this stance in an interview published by the Japanese news agency Kyodo News on Monday.
John Clayton
12-02-24, 22:53
...But Zelensky is still delusional or full of shit, or both. The dumbass thinks Russia will accept anything other than NEUTRALITY for Ukraine. And he thinks Ukraine can get the 4 new territories plus Crimea back through diplomatic means. LOL. What a fucking clown...To state the obvious, it is misdirection. Zelensky is appearing to be willing to negotiate, knowing that this "position", while appearing reasonable to Trump and the west, is unacceptable to Putin. His game is to temporize while waiting for the death of Putin or collapse of the Russian state.
Russian forces have suffered over 2,000 casualties in a single day for the first time, according to the Ukrainian military.
On Friday, Kyiv's general staff reported that 2,030 Russian troops had been lost over the past 24 hours. It did not specify whether these were killed, captured or missing.
The figure surpassed the previous record of 1,950 casualties, which Ukraine said Russia suffered on Nov 12.https://news.yahoo.com/news/russia-loses-over-2-000-142033806.html
In other news, some Russians are slowly waking up by refusing to fulfill their lofty destiny as cannon fodder.
Russian Army Division Hit by Desertions of 'Whole Regiment': Report
An "entire regiment" of more than 1,000 soldiers left the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Volgograd amid rising tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the Russian investigative outlet iStories.
Among those who deserted the division, also referred to as "sochniks," which translates to "those who left their unit without permission," were 26 junior officers, a major, and two lieutenant colonels. Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Defense for the Russian Federation for comment via email.https://www.newsweek.com/russian-army-division-hit-desertions-whole-regiment-report-1988712
Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician.
The process, which can today be confidently called the reunification of the Ukrainian people with Russia, began after the 2014 coup, Viktor Medvedchuk stressed.
MOSCOW, November 29. Ukrainian citizens are fleeing in large numbers from the Kiev regime to regions that have already reunited with Russia, as they see this country as a safe haven, Viktor Medvedchuk, leader of the Other Ukraine movement and former head of the Opposition Platform. For Life party banned in Ukraine, said.
Zelensky and his team are terrified. Citizens of Ukraine are rushing in large numbers to the territories that became part of Russia. Statements by government officials about the mass flight from Ukraine essentially show that Zelensky's regime fails to manage the country. Ukrainian citizens are fleeing to become citizens of Russia, Medvedchuk wrote in his article, published on the movement's website.
Zelensky's gang plundered and ruined the country, and now more and more Ukrainians are choosing Russia as a place to live, the politician said, noting that many Ukrainian citizens from Europe are also moving to Russia after facing language barriers and difficulties in finding employment.
The process, which can today be confidently called the reunification of the Ukrainian people with Russia, began after the 2014 coup, Medvedchuk stressed. In 2014, the residents of Crimea and Sevastopol, a population of 2. 5 million people, exercised their right to self-determination. In 2022, Ukrainian citizens of the Donetsk People's Republic, Lugansk People's Republic, and residents of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions exercised their right to self-determination. Today, these are 6. 1 million people. Or, to be more precise, over 7. 1 million citizens of Ukraine, if we take into account all those who worked and studied in Russia before the start of the special military operation, as well as those who moved to Russia in 2022. Thus, a total of 15.7 million Ukrainians have chosen Russia, Medvedchuk calculated.
Ukrainians have begun viewing Russia as a country where they can stay safe from the havoc that current authorities have created in Ukraine, the politician said. These are not hundreds of thousands, but millions of people who are leaving for regions that became part of Russia. This process is only accelerating, becoming a steady-state process of the Ukrainian people's reunification with Russia, Medvedchuk said.
Below is the quote from the Ukrainian POV on the events of 2004:
On November 22nd a round date passed by without much notice - 20 years since the beginning of the first ("orange") Maidan in 2004.
Meanwhile, this event played a huge role in the history of Ukraine. In particular, it became one of the steps leading to the current bloody war....Very interesting article Questner, thanks for posting it. Yanukovych was playing a delicate balancing game, trying initially to extract the benefits of EU membership and western aid at the same time he wanted cheap gas from Russia, and it backfired on him, and ultimately on Ukraine.
I would have liked to have seen Hillary Clinton mentioned in the piece, along with Joe Biden. Her interference in the Russian election in 2012 did as much as anything to create the mess we're in now. Also the writer could have developed the theme around natural gas further. Because Ukraine wasn't paying for gas and wanted to charge high pipeline tariffs for transport to Europe, Russia ended up building the Nord Stream and Turkish Stream pipelines to be able to bypass Ukraine. I suspect if that had never happened, neither would the 2022 war.
What a pointless, longwinded bunch of crap!The article starts slow but by the time you get to the end is fascinating. Definitely worth a read. And it's not, as you probably thought, necessarily pro-Russian.
Nice to see reality sinking in, just like I said it would. I wonder what the Pro Ukrainian robots in this thread are going to say now. But Zelensky is still delusional or full of shit, or both. The dumbass thinks Russia will accept anything other than NEUTRALITY for Ukraine. And he thinks Ukraine can get the 4 new territories plus Crimea back through diplomatic means. LOL. What a fucking clown.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/major-compromise-how-ukraines-zelenskyy-shifted-goals-to-end-russia-war
In an interview with Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, published on November 29, Zelenskyy said the "hot phase" of the war could end if NATO offered security guarantees for the part of Ukraine currently under Kyiv's control.
He said the return of land occupied by Russia at the moment could be diplomatically negotiated later. The Ukrainian leader reiterated this stance in an interview published by the Japanese news agency Kyodo News on Monday.There's an interesting Wall Street Journal Article out today on this subject. While the WSJ editorial page is anti-Russian and pro-Republican Party, their news reporting is next to none in the USA, if you're looking for an unbiased source. And this is a news piece. One interesting takeaway is that now a majority of Ukrainians in the unoccupied part of the country support negotiating to end the war as soon as possible according to a Gallup poll. And you can be guaran-damn-teed that most people in the occupied area want an end too, soon.
Zelensky Signals He's Open to Negotiating a Peace Deal
https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-zelensky-russia-war-comments-nato-1b40c55d?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos2
Here are some excerpts.
Zelensky is suggesting that he could accept a cease-fire that effectively would leave occupied territory in Moscow's hands if the rest of Ukraine were given protection by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Two significant hurdles stand in the way of this idea, however: Ukraine's chances of joining the military alliance in the near term remain slim, and there is little indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to negotiate.
In recent months, Russian forces have advanced more quickly in eastern Ukraine than at any point since the early days of the war. Moscow has also moved its economy onto war footing and recently approved the largest defense budget in Russia's history, giving Putin confidence that he can continue to grab more Ukrainian territory by force.
In a news conference on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine would only be willing to enter such negotiations from a position of strength, which would require further steps toward NATO and new provisions of Western long-distance and other weapons.
"If we'll have a frozen conflict without any strong position for Ukraine, so Putin will come in two, three or five years," Zelensky said. "he will come back and destroy us totally. Or try to destroy us. ".
Still, the Ukrainian leader's openness to ceding territory, even temporarily, is a significant concession. Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Zelensky said NATO membership would need to be offered to unoccupied parts of Ukraine for Kyiv to consider ending what he called the "hot phase of the war. " While Ukraine would continue to claim the whole of its territory, Zelensky suggested that Kyiv would seek to "get them back in a diplomatic way. ".
He made a similar case in an interview with Kyodo News, a Japanese outlet, that was published on Monday.
"Our army lacks the strength to do that," Zelensky said of ousting the Russians from occupied territory. "We do have to find diplomatic solutions. ".
Zelensky's rhetorical shift reflects a growing weariness among Ukrainians, who are expressing desire for an end to the conflict. Russian strikes have left much of the country without consistent electricity this winter, while manpower shortages mean that more men who don't want to fight are being forcibly conscripted.
A Gallup poll published last month found that 52% of Ukrainians in unoccupied parts of the country support negotiating an end to the war as soon as possible, up from 27% last year; 38% supported continuing to fight until Ukraine wins, down from 63% last year.
Western officials have been raising some kind of security-for-territory arrangement for more than 18 months now, as the Russian invasion of 2022 has ground into a bloody war of attrition. Trumps election has given new urgency to negotiation efforts, as Western allies arent certain whether as president he will continue sending military aid to Ukraine, or how much.
Major capitals, including Washington and Berlin, remain reluctant to move Ukraine closer to NATO.
Zelensky has been pushing for an invitation to join the alliance, though he acknowledges that accession to NATO could only come after the war ends. For now, Ukrainian and European officials say, Kyiv is pushing for a recommendation from NATO foreign ministers that alliance leaders invite Ukraine to join.
Even that looks uncertain, however. Without NATO membership, Ukraine and its closest allies say Kyiv will have no real security guarantees and will face capitulation in any negotiations with Russia. Officials in Washington, Berlin and elsewhere worry that moving Ukraine closer to the alliance could sharpen the West's confrontation with Moscow.
"I've been quite clear about this. The strongest security guarantee is NATO membership," Kaja Kallas, the EU's new foreign-policy chief said during a visit to Kyiv on Sunday. She said it was for Ukraine "to say when is this point to sit down around the negotiating table. ".
Joining her in Kyiv, Antnio Costa, the new European Council president, said that the bloc had supported Ukraine from the first day of the war and "will stand for Ukraine as long as necessary. ".
Yet behind the scenes, European officials are trying to position themselves for Trump's plans. People involved in the weekend's Kyiv talks said that while they saw some nervousness in the Zelensky team, the Ukrainians appear to be dealing with the need to adjust to the Trump team's focus on ending the war.
Based on conversations so far, and the president-elect's foreign-policy picks, there is cautious optimismif not confidencein Brussels and Kyiv that the Trump administration would push to wrestle real concessions from the Kremlin if Putin engages in talks.
Still, many Western officials remain deeply skeptical that the Kremlin will sit down for negotiations while Russia is making gains on the battlefield.
Russian officials remain confident that the tide has turned in their favor. Last month, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, told a Russian state news agency that the West should recognize that Russia is winning the war, and negotiate. Russian officials have also said that Ukraine would need to give up hopes of joining NATO as part of any peace settlement.
Some Ukrainian officials acknowledge that an alternative to relying on NATO could be to spell out to allies the military support they would need in coming years to be able to deter Russia. But Zelensky has complained publicly that the West's assistance has fallen short of the promises to equip his full army. And the costs involved might be too high for Western governments to stomach politically, especially if Trump follows through on threats to cut USA Aid to Ukraine.
One Ukrainian official said that Kyiv would need somewhere around 120 billion euros, equivalent to $126 billion, in military aid next year alone to match the war outlays of Russia's spiraling military spending.
View from Ukraine in November 2023.
From Maidan to War. How Events That Changed Ukraine and the World Began in Kyiv 10 Years Ago.
On November 21,2013, journalist Mustafa Nayem wrote his famous post on Facebook: "Let's meet at 10:30 pm under the Independence Monument. Dress warmly, bring tea, coffee, a good mood and friends. ".
The post triggered the events that would later be called Euromaidan. The reason for the protests was President Yanukovych's refusal to negotiate the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU.
The subsequent events from the end of 2013 to the present day are well known. The heavenly hundred who died on Maidan, thousands who died in the war in Donbass and tens, and perhaps even hundreds of thousands, who died after February 24,2022.
But these 10 years have changed not only Ukraine.
The world of 2013 was very different from the world of today. Conflicts were still smoldering in some places (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen), there were contradictions between Russia and the West, between the West and China, but at that time it was considered madness to even discuss the possibility that they could lead to a major war. On the contrary, economic and other ties between Russia and the EU were growing stronger, and statements about the creation of a "united Europe from Lisbon to Kamchatka" in the foreseeable future were constantly being made. And the whole world was becoming more and more global and interconnected. And it seemed that, overcoming disagreements, humanity was moving towards unity and an era of prosperity based on technological progress and respect for different cultures.
Now the topic of a new world war and a direct clash of the world's leading powers, even to the point of a nuclear apocalypse, is being discussed everywhere.
And one of the key points for the start of the process was the post of Mustafa Nayem. In this regard, in its historical significance, it stands on a par with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914 by the Serbian high school student Gavrilo Princip, which gave rise to the First World War, the collapse of European empires and the creation of a new reality into which humanity was plunged in the 20th century.
Naturally, just like Princip's shot in 1914, Nayem's post in 2013 was only a pretext, not the real cause of the subsequent turbulent events.
They were determined by much more global factors stemming from the contradictions of world powers. Specifically, in 2013, it was Russia's desire to involve Ukraine in its integration projects in the post-Soviet space (the Customs Union), which the West was trying hard to prevent by offering Kyiv an Association Agreement with the EU. This was superimposed on domestic political contradictions in Ukraine, where a broad coalition of forces emerged that wanted to remove Yanukovych from power, or at least limit his power.
And, just like Princip in 1914 (or more precisely, the organization "Mlada Bosna", of which he was a member and which organized the assassination attempt on the Archduke), Nayem, almost 100 years later, hardly wanted such radical changes in the world that followed. Obviously, more local goals were pursued.
However, it was the actions of Princip and Nayem that, by the will of fate, became a turning point for the history of the 20th and, perhaps, the 21st centuries, respectively.
At the same time, after 2013, there were many moments when it seemed that everything was about to end, make peace and stop. But each time, suddenly, some kind of "explosion" occurred, which moved the confrontation to a new level.
The November 2013 protests in Kiev were relatively few in number, and after Yanukovych refused to sign the Association Agreement in Vilnius, they had a completely understandable prospect of dying out. But for some reason, the president's entourage decided to disperse the remnants of the Maidan under the pretext of erecting a Christmas tree. The attempt led to clashes, footage of the dispersal of the protesters aroused the anger of a significant part of society, and within a day hundreds of thousands of people had already taken to the streets in Kiev.
On December 1, protesters attempted to storm the building of the Presidential Administration on Bankova. The attack was repelled by the Berkut and internal troops, and the entire Ukraine watched the footage of the carnage, radically divided in their sympathies – who was on whose side.
By mid-January 2014, the Maidan began to die down again. But then the Party of Regions adopted the so-called "dictatorial laws," which caused a new escalation. A few days later, part of the protesters, calling themselves the "Right Sector," attacked the Berkut and internal troops cordons on Grushevsky Street. A violent confrontation began, during which the first fatalities appeared on the Maidan side. This radicalized the situation, giving new impetus to the protests. As did the appearance in Kiev of the "titushki" bandits, who were called in by the authorities to help in the fight against the Maidan.
By mid-February, the standoff between the government and Maidan had reached a dead end and the first compromise agreements were reached – the protesters left the Kyiv City Administration building, and government units unblocked the streets. But already on February 18, the Maidan self-defense forces attempted to break through to the Rada building, and clashes began that escalated into a massive massacre.
By the morning of February 20, it seemed that the parties were once again close to a compromise. The authorities and the Maidan leaders agreed on a truce, and a visit to Kyiv by the foreign ministers of Poland, Germany, and France, as well as a special representative of the Russian president, was expected to conclude an agreement to end the confrontation. But early in the morning of February 20, a group of Maidan activists opened fire on law enforcement officers on the Maidan from the Conservatory building (this fact was established by the investigation during the presidency of Petro Poroshenko). A new massacre began, in which dozens of people died.
Agreements on resolving the crisis with the participation of foreign mediators were concluded on February 21 (they provided for the return of the 2004 Constitution with limited powers of the president, as well as the election of the head of state by the end of 2014), but they were of little interest to anyone. A lot of blood had been spilled. Maidan demanded not to compromise with the authorities.
On February 21, Yanukovych left Kyiv for Kharkov and by the morning of February 22, he had effectively lost power. Mezhyhirya was captured by the Maidan supporters, who were able to create their majority in the Rada, appointing Turchynov as speaker. Almost the entire Party of Regions and the elites of the southeast made it clear that they were not ready for further confrontation (as demonstrated by the congress in Kharkov on February 22, to which Yanukovych was not allowed). This opened the way to compromises and agreements on a controlled transfer of power. However, on February 22, the Rada, at the suggestion of Turchynov, suddenly decided to remove Yanukovych from power for a reason not provided for by the Constitution. With the wording "self-removal from the performance of duties. " This is what gave Russia and the opponents of the Maidan grounds to qualify the incident as a coup d'etat. And the actual support for the removal of Yanukovych by the West was assessed by Putin as a direct "rip-off" and a violation of the agreements concluded on February 21, which he subsequently spoke about on numerous occasions.
However, even this situation did not predetermine a major conflict. A significant part of the Maidan leaders, including future President Poroshenko, were not initially anti-Russian. On the contrary, they tried to negotiate with Moscow, as they saw good relations with Russia as a guarantee of their good earnings. Everyone remembers that Poroshenko closed his factory in Lipetsk only in 2017. Also well known is the recording of his sweet conversation with Putin in 2015 about "shaking hands and hugging". And all this after the war in Donbass and the annexation of Crimea. One can only imagine how deep the interaction between Poroshenko and Moscow would have been if there had been no war or annexation. The question of Ukraine joining NATO would definitely not have arisen (why would NATO be needed if several more confectionery factories could have been opened in Russia). And Poroshenko and his security forces would have been able to neutralize the radical Maidan activists and nationalists very quickly if not for the war. The fate of Sasha Bely, killed by police special forces, is known to everyone.
But then Putin made his move, giving the order to annex Crimea. Why did he do it? Putin himself later said that he was thus preventing "the deployment of a NATO base in Crimea", although there were no prerequisites for this at the time. The version is widespread that he was driven by psychological and political technological motives: he wanted to somehow respond as harshly as possible to what he considered "humiliation" on the part of Maidan and "a scam by the West", in order to show the whole world that he is a "strong ruler" and does not forgive such things. There are other explanations. But one way or another, the annexation became a turning point in relations between the two countries, marking the beginning of a direct conflict.
However, many people thought that Crimea would be the end of it. Pro-Russian protests in the southeast had almost died down by the end of March. Western sanctions were quite soft, and Moscow was sending signals that "no one would go further than Crimea. " But then, suddenly, in April, the "DPR" and "LPR" were proclaimed, and soon Girkin-Strelkov's detachment appeared in Slavyansk, which completely turned the situation upside down. The Ukrainian authorities declared the ATO, and military actions began. But the first months were quite limited. Moscow, unlike Crimea, did not openly introduce its troops. Moreover, Russian media wrote that the activity of Girkin and Borodai, who was appointed "prime minister of the DPR," was allegedly the initiative of individual "Kremlin towers" and the oligarch Malofeev's group, and not the policy of the Russian authorities, who did not want to get involved in a major war, being unprepared for it or for the Western sanctions that could follow. Putin then called on the "LDNR" not to hold a "referendum" in May. Naturally, it was hard to believe that the Kremlin was not involved in the events in Donbas. The intensity of the confrontation gradually increased. People were dying in the fighting. The tragedy in Odessa, where dozens of people were killed during the confrontation, also greatly affected the aggravation of the situation. The overwhelming majority of them were anti-Maidan supporters who died in the Trade Union House. But there was still room for negotiations. In Ukraine, meanwhile, Poroshenko became president, he met with Putin as part of the "Normandy Four", Russian Ambassador Zurabov (a good friend of Poroshenko) returned to Kiev and Poroshenko's special representative Leonid Kuchma went to Donetsk for negotiations with the "LDNR". A ceasefire was declared in Donbas. And by the end of June, it seemed to many that everything was moving towards concluding some kind of agreement on ending the war and autonomy for Donbas. Something like the later signed "Minsk agreements", which would have been much easier to implement in June 2014 than later.
But on June 30, Poroshenko gave the order to end the ceasefire and begin an offensive by Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian Armed Forces had accumulated significant reserves, the "LDNR" units were disorganized and poorly armed, and, most importantly, Bankova was confident that Russia would not directly intervene in the war. The calculation turned out to be incorrect. After the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in July, the war followed a negative scenario for Ukraine. Russia, although not officially advertising it, intervened, sending units of its regular troops to the war. As a result, the Izvarinsky and Ilovaisk cauldrons occurred. And in September 2014, the first Minsk agreements were concluded. They provided for a ceasefire and a special status within Ukraine for the territories controlled by the "LDNR" at that time. However, these agreements were not implemented. The fighting actually continued, and in January-February a new escalation began, which ended with a new ceasefire and the second Minsk agreements. After this, although the ceasefire was violated periodically, there were no more military actions on the scale of the summer of 2014 or the winter of 2015 until February 2022.
After the second Minsk agreements, there was a feeling that the situation was moving towards a settlement. The dialogue within the Normandy Four was actively continuing. Russia demonstrated its readiness to return control over the "LDNR" to Ukraine if these areas were granted a special status. The Ukrainian authorities were not eager to grant a special status. However, pressure was exerted by Europe (which was interested in normalizing relations with the Russian Federation, based on its economic interests), and the United States (President Obama needed a successful "peace" case before leaving office). But at the same time, both in Russia and in the West and, naturally, in Ukraine, there were forces that were categorically against any compromises and actively torpedoed the Minsk agreements.
The results of their work were seen by everyone very soon. On August 31,2015, during the vote for amendments to the Constitution on the special status of Donbass (one of the conditions of the Minsk agreements), nationalists threw a grenade at the National Guard in front of the Rada building, killing several people. These events were then repeatedly used as an argument not to implement the political part of the Minsk agreements, so as not to provoke radical protests. In 2016, it became clear that there were not 300 votes in the Rada for adopting amendments to the Constitution. In 2017, activists from the Ukrainian side organized a blockade of railways in Donbass, which severed Ukraine's economic ties with the uncontrolled territories. After which the "LDNR" took away their enterprises from Ukrainian owners.
Finally, Donald Trump became the US president, whom his opponents declared a "Russian spy", which is why he could not even approach any negotiations with the Russian Federation. In 2017, it became clear that the Minsk agreements would most likely not be implemented. And the conflict is moving into a frozen stage.
True, hope for a settlement arose after Volodymyr Zelensky came to power, making achieving peace in Donbas the main point of his election program. He established contact with Putin, negotiations were held in Paris, but, in the end, the Ukrainian authorities again refused to grant Donbas a special status and amend the Constitution on this matter. Relations with Moscow began to deteriorate rapidly. A confrontation between the authorities and the Opposition Platform. For Life party began within the country, the National Security and Defense Council imposed sanctions against "Medvedchuk's channels."
However, this, as many thought, did not look like a path to war. On the contrary, despite the frozen conflict, Russia's ties with Europe were gradually being restored, Nord Stream 2 was being built, and sanctions were being circumvented. The situation on foreign markets was very good for Russia, and trade with both the EU and China was growing. And the growing contradictions between the US and China increased the importance of relations with Russia for both sides, which gave Moscow the opportunity to play its own game, increasing its influence in the world.
And by the end of 2021, it seemed that Russia was in such an excellent geopolitical and economic position that if its rulers were thinking about anything, it was not about war, which, as we know, is not started when life is good. The Russian Federation could develop the economy, improve the standard and quality of life of the population. All the conditions for this were there. Why fight if no one is attacking you? Moreover, civil strife began within Ukraine, Zelensky's rating was falling, and there was no talk of the country joining NATO. As well as about the "offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbass" (the majority of Ukrainians, according to all opinion polls, were against a military solution to the issue). And Russia did not even have to do anything. Just watch the process, which was already leading to Zelensky's fall. Therefore, when, since November 2021, articles began to regularly appear in the Western press about Moscow preparing a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, few believed them. It looked so absurd and crazy from the point of view of not only the interests of the Russian Federation, but also of Putin personally (no matter what angle you look at them from).
The maximum that was expected was recognition of the "LDNR" with subsequent accession to the Russian Federation.
But then came February 24,2022, which came as a shock to many. In short, the introduction of sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council against Medvedchuk and his TV channels in early 2021 was perceived by the Kremlin as a signal from Kiev and the West that the coming to power of forces loyal to Moscow through elections was impossible. Therefore, the bet was made on the path of force. The original plan did not provide for the annexation of Ukrainian territory (at least not immediately). It consisted of establishing a pro-Russian government in Kiev and a complete change in the country's geopolitical course. Considering that Putin intended to accomplish these tasks with relatively small forces. An army of 150-180 thousand soldiers, he initially counted on the fact that Ukraine would not put up serious resistance. There is no exact answer as to why he thought so. Either he convinced himself of this, or he was given false information (according to one conspiracy theory, Putin was pushed to attack Ukraine by part of his entourage, hoping, against the backdrop of the difficult situation at the front, to organize the removal of the Russian president from power, repeating February 1917). In any case, the fact that the calculation turned out to be false became clear already in early March, when it became clear that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had no intention of surrendering, and Zelensky had not fled from Kyiv.
Apparently, Putin already understood then what a grand trap he had fallen into. And so he tried to escape from it as quickly as possible. During March, negotiations were held, as a result of which Moscow agreed to withdraw troops to the line of February 24,2022 in exchange for Ukraine's neutral status Putin was also willing to return the entire Donbas to Ukraine with a special status.
At the end of March, after the meeting in Istanbul, it seemed that everything was moving towards concluding a peace agreement. But already in April the situation changed – the Ukrainian government refused to conclude agreements, taking a course towards "war until reaching the 1991 borders". In Kyiv, they stated that the position had changed after Bucha. The media wrote that Western allies, and, first and foremost, Boris Johnson, convinced Ukraine to refuse to conclude peace on compromise terms.
Russia was forced to get involved in a long war, for which it was not initially prepared, and therefore improvised on the fly. It announced the annexation of captured territories, then, after a series of defeats, retreated some of them, carried out mobilization, miraculously avoided the collapse of statehood during the Prigozhin mutiny, increased weapons production, repelled the Ukrainian offensive of 2023, and itself went on the offensive in certain areas. That is, despite the forecasts, it was able to hold on to the captured territories and did not plunge into turmoil.
All this has already given rise to talk that the war is coming to an end, since neither side has achieved a quick and decisive victory. They talk about "Western fatigue," about the imminent "freezing of the conflict," about negotiations, a truce, a "Korean scenario," and so on, that are just around the corner.
But, as we see, this has happened repeatedly over the last 10 years. And each time something happened that shattered the hopes that "this nightmare is about to end and everything will calm down" - in February 2014, and in June 2014, and in February 2022, and in March-April 2022.
It's as if there is some invisible director who repeats over and over again: "we must continue."
Or maybe there is no director. There is simply a funnel of hatred, into which more and more people are drawn after the blood has been spilled, multiplying deaths and suffering, there is a "logic of war" for all parties involved ("in war you don't negotiate with the enemy, you destroy him" multiplied by the personal ambitions and complexes of political leaders, as well as the global struggle for influence and control over resources, one of the hottest spots of which has been Ukraine since the end of 2013.
And the main question is how to break out of the circle of war, blood and tears. But if there is even one chance, it must be used immediately. And then, having drawn conclusions from the tragic ten-year path, not allow the war to repeat itself.
Notes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Nayyem
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titushky
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigada (Sasha Bely).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Girkin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Borodai
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstantin_Malofeev
https://en.wikipedia.org/ see Opposition Platform — For Life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_and_Defense_Council_of_Ukraine
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation.
DPR – Donetsk People's Republic.
LNPR – Lugansk People's Republic.
View from Ukraine in November 2023...
At the end of March (2022), after the meeting in Istanbul, it seemed that everything was moving towards concluding a peace agreement. But already in April the situation changed the Ukrainian government refused to conclude agreements, taking a course towards "war until reaching the 1991 borders". In Kyiv, they stated that the position had changed after Bucha. The media wrote that Western allies, and, first and foremost, Boris Johnson, convinced Ukraine to refuse to conclude peace on compromise terms.
Russia was forced to get involved in a long war, for which it was not initially prepared, and therefore improvised on the fly.....
But, as we see, this has happened repeatedly over the last 10 years. And each time something happened that shattered the hopes that "this nightmare is about to end and everything will calm down" - in February 2014, and in June 2014, and in February 2022, and in March-April 2022.
It's as if there is some invisible director who repeats over and over again: "we must continue."
Or maybe there is no director. There is simply a funnel of hatred, into which more and more people are drawn after the blood has been spilled, multiplying deaths and suffering, there is a "logic of war" for all parties involved ("in war you don't negotiate with the enemy, you destroy him" multiplied by the personal ambitions and complexes of political leaders, as well as the global struggle for influence and control over resources, one of the hottest spots of which has been Ukraine since the end of 2013.
And the main question is how to break out of the circle of war, blood and tears. But if there is even one chance, it must be used immediately. And then, having drawn conclusions from the tragic ten-year path, not allow the war to repeat itself....
Another fascinating read, thanks Questner. Perhaps you could say this was a comedy of errors, but the death and destruction wrought by the war are anything but comedic. The analogy between Princip and Nayem was interesting. Yes, assassinating the Archduke Ferdinand and igniting the anti-Yanukovych demonstrations ultimately led to terrible outcomes.
Another fascinating read, thanks Questner. Perhaps you could say this was a comedy of errors, but the death and destruction wrought by the war are anything but comedic. The analogy between Princip and Nayem was interesting. Yes, assassinating the Archduke Ferdinand and igniting the anti-Yanukovych demonstrations ultimately led to terrible outcomes.The darkest tragedy it is. Of course it was the point of view. There are of course other stubborn facts. Yanukovich was extracted from Ukraine by Russian special ops as he ran for dear life. Putin is actually a godfather to Medvedchuk's daughter, and to imprison him, an elected politician was a mortal insult. The operation in Crimea was very well planned and executed and was an absolute must to avoid the looming bloodbath there and movement of NATO from Ochakov to the peninsula. And of course, the SMO was not a trap.
Like I said in another thread, hypocrites are the worst.
Propacondoms providing the murderous Putin regime with the informational fog cover are worse than traditional war criminals like their generals, politicians and frontline sadists and murderers who rape, torture and kill civilians and prisoners of war. Their feigning empathy makes them more despicable than actual killers.
There's an interesting Wall Street Journal Article out today on this subject.
Zelensky Signals He's Open to Negotiating a Peace Deal
Reality sinking in slowly but surely, just like I said it would.
https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-zelensky-russia-war-comments-nato-1b40c55d?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos2
Here are some excerpts.
Zelensky is suggesting that he could accept a cease-fire that effectively would leave occupied territory in Moscow's hands if the rest of Ukraine were given protection by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Two significant hurdles stand in the way of this idea, however: Ukraine's chances of joining the military alliance in the near term remain slim, and there is little indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to negotiate.But it looks like the dumbass is still delusional. Ukraine will NEVER EVER join NATO. Write this down. Nothing short of complete NEUTRALITY will be acceptable to Russia. Have people forgotten one of the main if not the main reason for the SMO?
In a news conference on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine would only be willing to enter such negotiations from a position of strength, which would require further steps toward NATO and new provisions of Western long-distance and other weapons.
"If we'll have a frozen conflict without any strong position for Ukraine, so Putin will come in two, three or five years," Zelensky said. "he will come back and destroy us totally. Or try to destroy us. ".
Still, the Ukrainian leader's openness to ceding territory, even temporarily, is a significant concession. Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Zelensky said NATO membership would need to be offered to unoccupied parts of Ukraine for Kyiv to consider ending what he called the "hot phase of the war. " While Ukraine would continue to claim the whole of its territory, Zelensky suggested that Kyiv would seek to "get them back in a diplomatic way. ".Get back the territory in a DIPLOMATIC way? Delusional and on drugs, or he is just saying that rubbish for domestic consumption.
John Clayton
12-06-24, 22:30
Reality sinking in slowly but surely, just like I said it would.
But it looks like the dumbass is still delusional. Ukraine will NEVER EVER join NATO. Write this down. Nothing short of complete NEUTRALITY will be acceptable to Russia. Have people forgotten one of the main if not the main reason for the SMO?
Get back the territory in a DIPLOMATIC way? Delusional and on drugs, or he is just saying that rubbish for domestic consumption.My advice: sell your rubles.
The position of the RF was well communicated on December 5, 2024 in Tucker Carlson's interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov. It has been uploaded to Tucker's channel on X. I recommend watching the full interview which was conducted in English.
MOSCOW, December 6. / TASS /. Russia does not believe that the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is in the hands of Moscow and Washington alone, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.
He noted that a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is possible only if Kiev abandons its plans to join NATO, closes Western military bases in the country and cancels exercises involving foreign troops. The West will have to take into account the realities on the ground.
The top diplomat clarified that Russia will judge Donald Trump's administration by concrete steps, but outgoing US President Joe Biden wants to leave Trump a heavy legacy.
TASS has compiled the key statements of the Russian foreign minister.
On Ukrainian conflict.
- Moscow is ready for any development of events around Ukraine, but prefers a peaceful settlement taking into account Russia's security interests.
- If Ukraine wants peace, it should give up its NATO aspirations, close Western military bases and cancel drills with foreign troops.
- Zelensky in 2022 was convinced that he would dictate terms to the West, so he signed a decree banning negotiations with Russia.
- The Russian Federation never intended to kill people in Ukraine, unlike Zelensky's regime.
- The Ukrainian conflict should be resolved on the basis of the UN Charter, but in its entirety.
On use of Oreshnik missile.
- The West is making a big mistake by believing that Russia's "red lines" are flexible.
- Russia does not want a nuclear war with the United States and is doing everything to prevent it.
- The Oreshnik missile strike showed that Russia is ready to use any means to prevent the West from achieving its goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on the country.
- Russia is ready to send additional messages if the West does not draw the necessary conclusions after the use of the Oreshnik missile.
On relations with US.
- Russia wants normal relations with the United States and sees no reason why the two countries cannot cooperate.
- There are several closed channels between Moscow and Washington, mostly on issues of prisoner exchange.
- Russia will judge the Trump administration by concrete steps, but outgoing President Joe Biden wants to leave a heavy legacy. This is similar to what President Barack Obama did with Trump.
- Trump is a strong and friendly politician, but he is not pro-Russian.
- The ball in Russia's contacts with the US president-elect is in Trump's court.
On situation in Syria.
- Stabilizing the situation in Syria is not easy, it is a complex game involving many actors.
- Russia will discuss with its partners the issue of cutting off the channels of financing and arming terrorists in Syria.
My advice: sell your rubles.You do not understand this conflict, or anything related, so I don't know why you're even in this discussion. You have nothing to contribute, you live in a fantasy world.
John Clayton
12-07-24, 16:52
...interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson...
- Stabilizing the situation in Syria is not easy, it is a complex game involving many actors...Tucker is not a journalist in any sense of the word. Your post is simply regurgitated Russian propaganda; however, I do agree with you on the last point. While I'm not exactly rooting for the rebels, I am happy that it is weakening Russia. They are desperate to maintain their military presence in Syria and have been forced to divert military forces there. I don't expect the Syrian conflict to be definitive to the war in Ukraine, but it does help. I am hopeful that they will be able to seize the Russian naval base in Latakia.
While I'm not exactly rooting for the rebels, I am happy that it is weakening Russia. They are desperate to maintain their military presence in Syria and have been forced to divert military forces there. I don't expect the Syrian conflict to be definitive to the war in Ukraine, but it does help. I am hopeful that they will be able to seize the Russian naval base in Latakia.This is why people like you are disgusting and hypocritical. When it suits you, you call them rebels, when in reality they are designated TERRORISTS by all the west. Admit it, you are rooting for them because you think it will weaken Russia.
This is why people like you are disgusting and hypocritical. When it suits you, you call them rebels, when in reality they are designated TERRORISTS by all the west. Admit it, you are rooting for them because you think it will weaken Russia.While many (but not all) of them are terrorists, they're at least not nuclear-armed terrorists like Russia. If they're capable of distracting your failed mafia state terrorist armed forces--even a little bit--that's already a big help.
People are getting fed up. Syria, Georgia, Abkhazia, Armenia. Things are starting to look up. Trump might simply not be able to save his BFF.
Like I said in another thread, hypocrites are the worst.
Propacondoms providing the murderous Putin regime with the informational fog cover are worse than traditional war criminals like their generals, politicians and frontline sadists and murderers who rape, torture and kill civilians and prisoners of war. Their feigning empathy makes them more despicable than actual killers.I'd guess there are only two participants in this thread who've actually lived or spent a lot of time in the FSU, Blood Red and Questner. The rest of us may have spent a few weeks here and there in Russia or Ukraine and read from our favorite media sources, but we really don't understand the situation like they do. We're like the French guy who's currently posting in the American Politics thread.
Here's something I posted some months back.
This is a message I got today from a western business associate who worked in the FSU for a couple of decades. It's about one of his business partners who was originally from the Donbas. I've omitted places and names so I don't "out" myself or him.
*****s extended family, Aunts and Uncles and cousins live in (Name of city and area in Donbas) under the jack-boot of the Ukrainian Army and last time I heard feed-back about six months ago, they were fearing for their lives daily. Skin-heads patrol the streets and pistol whip any dissenters. They are afraid to speak Russian as they have a mixed Russian and Cossack heritage. *****s aunt and uncles and cousins have been living in their respective basements for a few years now, one cousin died of a heart attack last year (only 30 years old). ***** was devastated, it's all very sad for Ukrainians to be thrust into a major war with one of the most effective yet brutal armies historically and the west pouring weapons in, to 'save Ukraine just increases the misery of the people who can't do much as they don't live in a democracy as we understand it.In addition to living in Russia and having the partner who's from eastern Ukraine, he lived through and fought in the struggle that may be the closest thing to the Russia / Ukraine war in the English speaking world during our lifetimes. He's not, as you say, a "useful idiot. " Neither are you. And Questner and Blood Red are not "propacondoms. " Rather, we're posters in a thread on a hooker board that's read by a handful of people.
PaulInZurich
12-07-24, 20:36
... American journalist Tucker Carlson... The word journalist is getting abused here.
This is the guy who was amazed by the futuristic shopping cart technology in a Moscow mall (You can lock them with tokens or coins! They don't slide back on a moving walkway!) and swallowed Putins lie that it was the fault of Poland that poor mass murderers Hitler and Stalin invaded Poland in September 1939.
If you believe that guy is a journalist you probably have at home a testicle tanning device.
John Clayton
12-07-24, 20:43
This is why people like you are disgusting and hypocritical. When it suits you, you call them rebels, when in reality they are designated TERRORISTS by all the west. Admit it, you are rooting for them because you think it will weaken Russia.The rebel group is comprised of many factions: reconstituted Al Qaeda, Druze, Christians, Kurds and random groups that just want to get rid of al Assad. I believe most of the coordination and intelligence for the rebellion comes from Turkey. I am in favor of a pluralistic, democratic Syria and I agree with you that Al Qaeda, regardless of what they call themselves now, are terrorists. I am also against the suffering of the Syrian people; however, I believe a brutal, totalitarian, revanchist Russia is a far greater threat to peace and should be resisted by the forces of Democracy. I don't want to see one dictatorship exchanged for another in Syria, but I do rejoice in anything that weakens an imperialistic, hegemonistic, fascist dictatorship -- Russia. To a lesser extent I feel the same way about Iran, which is a religious dictatorship that recklessly and needlessly interferes in the affairs of neighboring states. I say 'to a lesser extent' because they are not currently engaged in the invasion of another sovereign state and the murder of tens of thousands of its citizens.
I am in favor of a pluralistic, democratic Syria You don't know shit about Syria. It will never be a democracy.
I'd guess there are only two participants in this thread who've actually lived or spent a lot of time in the FSU, Blood Red and Questner. The rest of us may have spent a few weeks here and there in Russia or Ukraine and read from our favorite media sources, but we really don't understand the situation like they do. We're like the French guy who's currently posting in the American Politics thread.If only those who have spent a lot of time in Russia or Ukraine are qualified to speak on this matter, then it's a big tell that you aren't listening to the slew of Ukrainians that are saying the same things as Xpartan. No your "preferred media sources" are unattributed copy and pastes and paraphrases from Russian state media, while spending half your day cuddling your nose in Questner and Blood Red's buttholes. And, at your suggestion, in a forum that hardly anyone reads. What a life, huh? Wink.
You don't know shit about Syria. It will never be a democracy.He probably also thinks that Ukraine will get Crimea and the 4 new Russian regions back through diplomacy. He probably also believes in Zelensky's 'Victory Plan'.
John Clayton
12-08-24, 07:04
You don't know shit about Syria. It will never be a democracy.It's aspirational.
I'd guess there are only two participants in this thread who've actually lived or spent a lot of time in the FSU, Blood Red and Questner. The rest of us may have spent a few weeks here and there in Russia or Ukraine and read from our favorite media sources, but we really don't understand the situation like they do. We're like the French guy who's currently posting in the American Politics thread.1. You are obviously a Russophile. Which explains why you're looking for all possible and impossible excuses for Russia's monstrosity.
2. That pair that you revere so much are liars. I don't give a flying duck that they lived and traveled in Russia. Would you have to be a resident or frequent traveler to Germany, China or Cambodia to figure out that Hitler, Mao and Pol Pot did some monumentally shitty things?
3. How hard is it to understand the nature of Russia's aggression? How hard is it to see the unspeakable atrocities committed against civilians by their so-called armed forces? How hard is it to see the extreme level of oppression against their own population? Really, Tiny, you have to be willfully blind.
In addition to living in Russia and having the partner who's from eastern Ukraine, he lived through and fought in the struggle that may be the closest thing to the Russia / Ukraine war in the English speaking world during our lifetimes. He's not, as you say, a "useful idiot. " Neither are you. And Questner and Blood Red are not "propacondoms. " Rather, we're posters in a thread on a hooker board that's read by a handful of people.1. What is that "struggle that may be the closest thing to the Russia / Ukraine war in the English speaking world"? Unless you're talking about Northern Ireland (not even NEARLY the closest thing) I can't think of anything.
2. No one banned or is banning the Russian language even now during the war. There are soldiers WITHIN AFU who don't speak Ukrainian, and no one gives a fuck. All fairytales about suppression of Russian language in Ukraine is Russian propaganda. There is no truth in it.
3. I have 90% confidence that RedBlood is a paid Russian propacondom (and not very good one at that). Questner is (most likely) not a paid propacondom. Just a fanatic who believes in the future of the Russian empire. Russian nationals like him who're in love with Putin yet prefer living in the West they hate so much, are dime a dozen. From what I understand, RedBlood lives outside Russia too. Funny how they go out of their way to stay away from the motherland they love so much.
If only those who have spent a lot of time in Russia or Ukraine are qualified to speak on this matter, then it's a big tell that you aren't listening to the slew of Ukrainians that are saying the same things as Xpartan. No your "preferred media sources" are unattributed copy and pastes and paraphrases from Russian state media, while spending half your day cuddling your nose in Questner and Blood Red's buttholes. And, at your suggestion, in a forum that hardly anyone reads. What a life, huh? Wink.
You've been wrong about this for a long time. Many have died. A majority of Ukrainians want negotiations soon to end the war. They don’t want to continue as cannon fodder in the cause of western Neoconservatives.
You've been wrong about this for a long time. Many have died. A majority of Ukrainians want negotiations soon to end the war. They dont want to continue as cannon fodder in the cause of western Neoconservatives.Now they want to lower the conscription age to 18 years. I bet many here will support that. Those kids will go to the frontline and die for nothing.
Until the last Ukrainian, right?
Horrific.
It's aspirational.Yeah LOL. Remember how the American attempt to export democracy to Iraq turned out?
John Clayton
12-08-24, 17:32
Yeah LOL. Remember how the American attempt to export democracy to Iraq turned out?I hope for democracy in Russia as well.
...I do rejoice in anything that weakens an imperialistic, hegemonistic, fascist dictatorship -- Russia....From an article about Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took over Aleppo and Damascus:
"Jolani capitalised on the recent outreach he'd conducted with tribes, former opponents and minority groups, brokering surrenders and ordering the protection of minorities. He even directed a statement to Russia, which has helped Assad for years, suggesting HTS and Moscow could find common ground in rebuilding Syria.".
https://www.ft.com/content/574cc17a-fa3a-411b-acb0-34fc032c7fe4
The USA is offering a $10 million bounty for Jolani's (aka Jawlani's) head, figuratively speaking. This describes the reward and some of his misdeeds:
https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/muhammad-al-jawlani/
2. No one banned or is banning the Russian language even now during the war. There are soldiers WITHIN AFU who don't speak Ukrainian, and no one gives a fuck. All fairytales about suppression of Russian language in Ukraine is Russian propaganda. There is no truth in it.https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/01/19/new-language-requirement-raises-concerns-ukraine
These articles from Amnesty International and the Ukrainian National News Agency aren't directly related to your comment but may be of interest.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/04/ukraine-suspicious-deaths-need-credible-investigations/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2015/12/ukraine-communist-party-ban-decisive-blow-for-freedom-of-speech-in-the-country/
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3932810-ssu-detains-five-prorussian-agitators.html
Now they want to lower the conscription age to 18 years. I bet many here will support that. Those kids will go to the frontline and die for nothing.
Until the last Ukrainian, right?
Horrific.Bold Text: You don't see them lining up to go and fight. If you're sitting in an armchair in Des Moines, Iowa, and it's Russians and Ukrainians dying instead of Americans, it's easy to sermonize.
The word journalist is getting abused here.
This is the guy who was amazed by the futuristic shopping cart technology in a Moscow mall (You can lock them with tokens or coins! They don't slide back on a moving walkway!) and swallowed Putins lie that it was the fault of Poland that poor mass murderers Hitler and Stalin invaded Poland in September 1939.
If you believe that guy is a journalist you probably have at home a testicle tanning device.We have a proverb about a thief donning a fiery hat, meaning it's actually you have got the device under your bed.
The other expression is about 'unfinished fascist'. I actually even know the menu on the table of 1939 agreement and talked to first hand witnesses. How about yourself?
You are also clueless about what Tucker represents. Maybe you are scared we don't see Switzerland as neutral anymore? Jealous Tucker makes more than you? Can you present your journalist credentials?
Can you even post anything reasonably critical about Tucker's questions? I can.
Its very simple for myself, I'm a local with deep intimate understanding of the character of leadership, people, language, religion, business and war in my homeland, both in Ukraine and Russia.
For anyone who dares to put their hand into our cookie jar, the message is we will cut it off. Anyone who comes into our land with a sword dies of the sword.
https://youtu.be/RqvciPA5oa4?si=am9zfTZvVZZ29rxu
PaulInZurich
12-09-24, 08:11
I actually even know the menu on the table of 1939 agreement and talked to first hand witnesses.LOL. Sure buddy, everybody believes you talked to first hand witnesses of the 1939 agreement. This makes everything else you say very believable.
I would like for you to explain how two of the biggest mass murderers in history having an agreement to carve out other countries was a good thing. Funny how Putin who talks about "denazification" of Ukraine finds excuses for Hitler.
Maybe you are scared we don't see Switzerland as neutral anymore? Buddy, I couldn't care less how Russians see Switzerland. I wonder why all of Russians neighbours, Finland, Baltic countries, Poland, Romania all have the same opinion about Russia.
I live a comfortable, safe life where you can only wish they would allow you in. Maybe ask yourself why nobody from western countries moves to Russia and why all Russian politicians and millionaires send their offspring to Western universities. Remind me, how many Russians fled Russia after Russia invaded Ukraine?
Jealous Tucker makes more than you?So, if I don't agree with somebody's opinion then I am jealous. So, by the same logic, that makes you jealous of me.
Can you present your journalist credentials?You really got me there. I am not a journalist. Wait, I don't think I ever pretended to be one. But since you asked, why don't YOU present your journalist credentials?
Can you even post anything reasonably critical about Tucker's questions? I can.You missed the whole point. He let Putin lie his ass off because he is either clueless about European history or he doesn't care about the truth at all. Actually, I bet both reasons are true.
He was probably still under shock after he saw that Russian futuristic shopping cart technology that exists since the 1930's in the civilized world.
PaulInZurich
12-09-24, 08:28
Yeah LOL. Remember how the American attempt to export democracy to Iraq turned out?Yes, US made a mess in the Middle East, just like everybody else. The locals need to want democracy too.
Counterpoint, Western Germany vs Eastern Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan. Remind me, in which country did Russia bring democracy and prosperity?
For anyone who dares to put their hand into our cookie jar, the message is we will cut it off. Anyone who comes into our land with a sword dies of the sword.Really? Oi vey!
How about Putin's hand? How about his oligarch bodies? LOL.
Their greedy paws never stop wondering, even now when your pariah mafia state is in a downward death spiral.
Your cookie jar is shrinking every second of every day, yet you don't seem to mind. Tens of millions of Russians are living in slums, without heating, indoor plumbing and running water, and the best you can do is get on your knees to record pathetic pleas to your mass-murdering, thieving chieftain, who gives his subjects as much attention as a fly on a wall.
Putin brought Russians to their knees
For more than 20 years, the permanent Tsar of Russia has been bringing his people to their knees. This time - in the literal sense of the word. Russians, indoctrinated by pro-Kremlin propaganda, decided that Putin could do anything and began to post video messages to him on the Internet. A characteristic feature of such videos is that people kneel in front of the camera and ask Putin to understand their problem. This is due to the slave mentality and lack of ability of local officials to perform their duties, experts say. Desperate, people ask the "good tsar" for help, having forgotten who's really responsible that they live like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PELmv-KgZN4
Bold Text: You don't see them lining up to go and fight. If you're sitting in an armchair in Des Moines, Iowa, and it's Russians and Ukrainians dying instead of Americans, it's easy to sermonize.Exactly. Lindsey Graham openly said a long time ago that it is Ukrainians that are dying, not Americans, so it's OK. He felt no shame in saying it. Then recently he said there were a lot of minerals in Ukraine and hence America can't let Russia take all of that. I'm shocked that some people still don't see that America aka NATO does not give a shit about the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian lives are worthless to them.
John Clayton
12-09-24, 17:59
Its very simple for myself, I'm a local with deep intimate understanding of the character of leadership, people, language, religion, business and war in my homeland, both in Ukraine and Russia.
For anyone who dares to put their hand into our cookie jar, the message is we will cut it off. Anyone who comes into our land with a sword dies of the sword.
https://youtu.be/RqvciPA5oa4?si=am9zfTZvVZZ29rxuThere is the Freudian concept of decompensation -- look it up.
Question: do you have access to Russian Telegram groups? What is the general reaction to the fall of al Assad in Syria and the probable loss of the naval base in Tartus? I think this is a great humiliation for Putin.
There is the Freudian concept of decompensation -- look it up.
Question: do you have access to Russian Telegram groups? What is the general reaction to the fall of al Assad in Syria and the probable loss of the naval base in Tartus? I think this is a great humiliation for Putin.Are you happy that terrorists took over Syria?
Yes, US made a mess in the Middle East, just like everybody else. The locals need to want democracy too.
Counterpoint, Western Germany vs Eastern Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan. Remind me, in which country did Russia bring democracy and prosperity?I don't think Russia has ever claimed it is bringing democracy to any country, so your question is irrelevant.
Your cookie jar is shrinking every second of every day, yet you don't seem to mind. Tens of millions of Russians are living in slums, without heating, indoor plumbing and running water, and the best you can do is get on your knees to record pathetic pleas to your mass-murdering, thieving chieftain, who gives his subjects as much attention as a fly on a wall.
I live a comfortable, safe life where you can only wish they would allow you in. Maybe ask yourself why nobody from western countries moves to Russia and why all Russian politicians and millionaires send their offspring to Western universities. Remind me, how many Russians fled Russia after Russia invaded Ukraine?
Have you gentlemen visited Russia? Moscow's in better shape than any Latin American capitol I've been to. And IMO better than Lisbon and Athens. Look at tables of per capita income or GDP adjusted for purchasing power. They support that view. Russia's per capita GDP adjusted for purchasing power is about 2-1/2 times greater than Ukraine's.
I have a friend (Russian American) who had to move from Moscow to a city that's considered one of the most desirable places to live in the world because his company left Russia when sanctions were imposed. He'd much rather be in Moscow. And I know a few others as well, both westerners and native Russians, who prefer life in Russia. Correct though, most people would probably rather live in Switzerland, which is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. While westerners aren't rushing to move to Russia, in part because of sanctions, people from other FSU states are.
LOL. Sure buddy, everybody believes you talked to first hand witnesses of the 1939 agreement. This makes everything else you say very believable.Molotov, who signed the agreement for Russia in Moscow, didn't die until 1986. Undoubtedly younger people were present at the signing.
I would like for you to explain how two of the biggest mass murderers in history having an agreement to carve out other countries was a good thing.Not to speak for him, but Questner never said that was a good thing.
Tucker Carlson sometimes is completely full of shit, and sometimes he's spot on. Having only seen the first part of the interview with Putin, I'm not sure which applied. Agreed, he's not a journalist.
John Clayton
12-09-24, 20:58
Are you happy that terrorists took over Syria?Clearly not. I prefer a secular fascist state to a religious fascist state. I believe that history will reflect somewhat positively on the Soviet coup in Afghanistan in 1978 (and to a lesser extent on the Russian support of al Assad). The Soviet backed PDPA was non sectarian, supported women's right and land reform. In the zero sum Cold War, the US unfortunately backed the Taliban -- you know, the enemy of my enemy sort of thinking. Al-Assad, like Saddam before him, is from a minority ethnic group in a multi-cultural state and ruled accordingly. It remains to be seen whether the Druzes, Christians, atheists, democrats, Yazidis, Kurds, etc. Can resist the anti-democratic forces of the HTS. I am dubious, but hopeful.
However, I am immensely gratified to see anything that humiliates and weakens Putin. He is evil incarnate, completely self interested and is personally responsible for the death of many tens of thousands of people. I hope for his downfall, arrest and a return to democratic thought, pluralism and a free press in Russia.
Meanwhile, sell your rubles.
Really? Oi vey!
How about Putin's hand? How about his oligarch bodies? LOL.Buddies, obviously, LOL.
Have you gentlemen visited Russia? Moscow's in better shape than any Latin American capitol I've been to. And IMO better than Lisbon and Athens. How nave do you have to be if to say this with a straight face! Yes, Moscow is a world class city. But that's only because it's sucking life, blood and wealth out of the rest of Russia. Every Russian will tell you MOSCOW IS NOT RUSSIA! Every Russian unequivocally hates the city of Moscow. They were overjoyed when Ukraine hit Moscow with drones, for Christ's sake. That's all you need to know.
And yes, to answer your question I've been to Moscow, Ukraine and many other cities in Russia and FSU, but once again: having been to Russia is NOT a prerequisite to understanding what this failed fascist mafia state is doing right now.
Look at tables of per capita income or GDP adjusted for purchasing power. They support that view. Russia's per capita GDP adjusted for purchasing power is about 2-1/2 times greater than Ukraine's.What are you talking about? Their GDP is boosted by war. Up to 41% of their budget is war and security. Try to spread a bullet on a piece of bread, then come back and tells us how it worked for you.
The sanctions, though fairly toothless, are working, and if the oil prices really go down as the world economists predict, that's the lights out for your favorite failed fascist mafia state.
While westerners aren't rushing to move to Russia, in part because of sanctions, people from other FSU states are.First of all they WERE flocking to Russia for work. Second, not anymore. Fascists being fascists can't help themselves. Even with the critical shortage of labor in Russia, they're either pushing migrants to join the war or squeezing them out. Most make the right choice, and new potential migrants stay home.
Read: Russia is expelling migrants at a record pace..
https://www.trtrussian.com/novosti/rossiya-vysylaet-migrantov-rekordnymi-tempami-18222890
Molotov, who signed the agreement for Russia in Moscow, didn't die until 1986. Undoubtedly younger people were present at the signing.Sigh! They would've had to be very young people in 1939, wouldn't they, though? So young, in fact, that they most probably would've had no idea what was going on around them. And even if we presume that those "present at the signing" weren't Questner's imaginary friends, there's no way on earth they would've known the context of the "secret protocols". Those were worked on by a very narrow group of people.
Heard of the Secret Protocols? They are the essence of the The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Read: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-august-1939#text.
It's quite touching (NOT) to watch how you defend Questner and his buddy here--to and beyond the point of absurdity.
LOL. Sure buddy, everybody believes you talked to first hand witnesses of the 1939 agreement. This makes everything else you say very believable.
I would like for you to explain how two of the biggest mass murderers in history having an agreement to carve out other countries was a good thing. Funny how Putin who talks about "denazification" of Ukraine finds excuses for Hitler.
Buddy, I couldn't care less how Russians see Switzerland. I wonder why all of Russians neighbours, Finland, Baltic countries, Poland, Romania all have the same opinion about Russia..Tucker asked soft questions to make the interviewed can deliver his message to the audience. This is what good interviewer does. Remember Larry King? Now, the previous journalists from FOX and CNN failed because they were full of ego, made sure their position within a network is not in jeopardy and repeated the same stupid mantra.
There was a number of about maybe 300,000 that left in 2022. Majority is back for many reasons and the most important that there is no second wave of mobilization, it's cheaper to rely on contract soldiers, not very socially fair, but cheaper.
Life in Switzerland is much more comfortable, you always have clean latrines. However, spiritually I doubt it very much. At the end we all face the same Totendanz. You have to understand that through our history we faced not only one Till but hordes of arches all aimed at the apple above our head.
Swedes proved the dumbest to join NATO, all after surviving in two world wars and many other conflicts after the Napoleonic wars.
When in Moscow (unless you get trapped at one of the many metro staircases) buy this guy a cup of coffee and ask all the questions about 1939 pact: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyacheslav_Nikonov.
In 1939 it was obviously clear that the war inevitable. The only question was with whom and when. The pact allowed us to move the border west that helped much in summer of 1941. The pact also allowed millions of people to evacuate east. Large part of that evacuated population was Jewish.
Any grievances with the President? Ask him directly at https://moskva-putinu.ru/ and get an answer this December 19th.
Clearly not. I prefer a secular fascist state to a religious fascist state. I believe that history will reflect somewhat positively on the Soviet coup in Afghanistan in 1978 (and to a lesser extent on the Russian support of al Assad). The Soviet backed PDPA was non sectarian, supported women's right and land reform. For once I agree with you. Assad had his faults I'm sure, but he was far better than the terrorists that have taken over Syria with support from the collective west.
PaulInZurich
12-10-24, 16:34
... ask all the questions about 1939 pact: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyacheslav_Nikonov.So clearly you don't understand what first hand witness means. And sure, that guy talks to a low level troll, uh huh.
In 1939 it was obviously clear that the war inevitable. The only question was with whom and when. So let's just invade whoever happens to be nearby, just in case. Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bessarabia, who cares? This way of thinking makes your kind very popular with your neighbors.
John Clayton
12-10-24, 17:06
For once I agree with you. Assad had his faults I'm sure, but he was far better than the terrorists that have taken over Syria with support from the collective west.It remains to be seen. The Syrians seem pretty happy.
And yes, to answer your question I've been to Moscow, Ukraine and many other cities in Russia and FSU, but once again: having been to Russia is NOT a prerequisite to understanding what this failed fascist mafia state is doing right now.
Fair enough. You'd be in a better position than I am to understand the standard of living in the FSU from the viewpoint of the residents. Also, from your recent posts, you probably read and speak Russian. It's a difficult language to learn. I've tried twice and failed. BTW while we often disagree, I've always thought you're among the most intelligent political posters on the board. You're wrong about this though. There's no way Ukraine will win this war, and peace is in the best interest of both countries. Preferably before lots of blood is spilled over Pokrovsk.
What are you talking about? Their GDP is boosted by war. Up to 41% of their budget is war and security. Try to spread a bullet on a piece of bread, then come back and tells us how it worked for you.Then take a look at the Wayback Machine. In 2020 and 2021, Russian and Greek GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power were about the same. And Russia's GDP per capita was about 2.1 to 2.2 X Ukraine's.
https://web.archive.org/web/20220328091050/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29_per_capita
Russia was spending around 3.8% of GDP before the war and 5. 8% in 2023, see
https://www.statista.com/statistics/810561/ratio-of-military-expenditure-to-gross-domestic-product-gdp-russia/
The USA was spending more than that as a % of GDP the majority of the time from 1960 to 1989.
https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/usa/united-states/military-spending-defense-budget
Russia has the industrial capacity to continue this war for a long, long time. Or to end it quickly, by means of nuclear weapons or targeting civilians in large numbers. As to the later, I don't believe Russia would do that. But I also don't believe the west should push it into a corner and find out for sure.
The sanctions, though fairly toothless, are working, and if the oil prices really go down as the world economists predict, that's the lights out for your favorite failed fascist mafia state.Were they lights out for Venezuela when the price of oil went down? For Iran? Sanctions haven't worked there. Nor have they in Cuba despite having been in place since 1960. Oswaldo Paya, the Cuban activist who was nominated five times for the Nobel Prize and killed by the regime, believed sanctions were stupid.
The Russian GDP was down 1.8% in 2022, but up 4.9% in 2023 and 3.1% in 2024. Russia, admittedly boosted by big defense expenditures, is outperforming the EU.
First of all they WERE flocking to Russia for work. Second, not anymore. Fascists being fascists can't help themselves. Even with the critical shortage of labor in Russia, they're either pushing migrants to join the war or squeezing them out. Most make the right choice, and new potential migrants stay home.
Read: Russia is expelling migrants at a record pace..
https://www.trtrussian.com/novosti/rossiya-vysylaet-migrantov-rekordnymi-tempami-18222890It sounds like they're deporting people who violated immigration laws. I'd question how many of the one million migrants left between when COVID started and the start of the war with Ukraine, as opposed to after the start of the war. And I'd point out that there's been a net outflow of Mexican immigrants from the USA during certain periods as well. That doesn't mean that many Mexicans don't prefer to live or work in the USA because economic conditions are better in the USA.
Heard of the Secret Protocols? They are the essence of the The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Read: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-august-1939#text.I haven't read much about the treaty. Based on your link, yes, it looks like Russia and Germany did premeditatedly decide to screw over Poland.
It remains to be seen. The Syrians seem pretty happy.So you think Al Qaida / ISIS terrorists are a better bet than an educated, secular dictator like Assad?
The Syrian people are innocent, I love them and I want nothing but the best for them. Just like the Ukrainian people, they are innocent.
So you think Al Qaida / ISIS terrorists are a better bet than an educated, secular dictator like Assad?
The Syrian people are innocent, I love them and I want nothing but the best for them. Just like the Ukrainian people, they are innocent.The end of Assad's rule marks the end for an easy weapons route from Iran to Syria to Hezbollah and Hamas.
Overall, that's a good thing.
We are on the cusp of the end of the Sunni Israel conflict. Saudi has been trading and working to normalize relations with Israel for quite some time now. Gaza has put that on hold, but just for a little while. As soon as Saudi recognizes Israel the rest of the Gulf States will fall in line. And it will be SUNY and Israel versus Iran and the few Shia that are left. Iran's new guy is far more moderate. With Iran being more and more isolated the possibility of the Revolutionary guard and the mothers losing power increases.
Additionally with the fall of Assad we have decreased the influence of Russia in the Middle East.
We shall have to see how things work out in the new Syria. What role will the Kurds play? Will we see another balkans?
Overall I'm a bit more optimistic. But as long as we have islamists in charge of states in the middle east, peace will be impossible. And let's not forget that the majority of the Gulf States in Egypt have harsher laws against islamists than we do in the West.
PaulInZurich
12-11-24, 11:28
Tucker asked soft questions to make the interviewed can deliver his message to the audience. This is what good interviewer does. No, that is called sucking up. It's the mentality of a slave. A good interviewer challenges obvious lies.
You have to understand that through our history we faced not only one Till but hordes of arches all aimed at the apple above our head.Clearly you know nothing about the Wilhelm Tell myth.
Swedes proved the dumbest to join NATO, all after surviving in two world wars and many other conflicts after the Napoleonic wars.You can thank Putin being so aggressive with its neighbors that Sweden and Finland joined NATO. Great strategic move from Putin. Obviously Sweden and Finland did the right thing, now they have long term real security guarantees. Bullies don't stop bullying until they are being pushed back.
John Clayton
12-11-24, 16:31
So you think Al Qaida / ISIS terrorists are a better bet than an educated, secular dictator like Assad?
The Syrian people are innocent, I love them and I want nothing but the best for them. Just like the Ukrainian people, they are innocent.This is called the strawman fallacy. For sure, al Assad was pretty bad. I would hope for a rational, democratic state. I desire the same outcome for Russians. Get rid of Putin.
Exactly. Lindsey Graham openly said a long time ago that it is Ukrainians that are dying, not Americans, so it's OK. He felt no shame in saying it. Then recently he said there were a lot of minerals in Ukraine and hence America can't let Russia take all of that. I'm shocked that some people still don't see that America aka NATO does not give a shit about the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian lives are worthless to them.The allies helping Ukraine are of course doing it out of self interest, whether it be their own security, or future economic concerns. The fact that it's the morally right thing to do, to stop a violent dictatorship taking over a self sovereign nation, is gravy.
Are you happy that terrorists took over Syria?Are you happy that bloodthirsty kleptocrats are in charge of Russia?
Life in Switzerland is much more comfortable, you always have clean latrines. However, spiritually I doubt it very much. At the end we all face the same Totendanz. You have to understand that through our history we faced not only one Till but hordes of arches all aimed at the apple above our head.
Clearly you know nothing about the Wilhelm Tell myth.Yep. The dumbest reference ever.
It's telling, though, how this Putin's fanboy unwittingly but rightly identifies his country as tyranny suppressing freedom throughout its history.
No, that is called sucking up. It's the mentality of a slave. A good interviewer challenges obvious lies.
Clearly you know nothing about the Wilhelm Tell myth.
You can thank Putin being so aggressive with its neighbors that Sweden and Finland joined NATO. Great strategic move from Putin. Obviously Sweden and Finland did the right thing, now they have long term real security guarantees. Bullies don't stop bullying until they are being pushed back.You can try to deflect from the main questions as far as you can (poking on a messenger and forgetting the message, trying to connect the present leadership with the WWII era, having doubts about Russia's technological strengths, laughing at the quality of life from the level of a neat latrine etc) however the questions will remain the same:
What is the origin of the conflict? What are the positions of the parties? How to end the conflict in a way that will bring open borders, friendship and better life? How to avoid escalation of this conflict?
If you can contribute something of value you are welcome. By the way, both Sweden and Finland joined without a referendum. Will Switzerland join without a referendum?
I am pessimistic about European future. In 1940 we moved the border west near Leningrad. We are ready to move it again if needed. We have even a saying that Russian Army is used to pay a visit into Berlin and Paris once in a century. I don't think it would be wise to prompt the invitation.
Example of an opinion: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/no-ukraine-settlement-unless-washington-talks-moscow-214026.
PaulInZurich
12-12-24, 11:35
What is the origin of the conflict? Easy. Putin wants to be remembered in history as the next Peter the Great. He doesn't care if hundreds of thousands (Russians and Ukrainians, doesn't matter to him) are killed for this purpose.
What are the positions of the parties? Ukrainians want to be able to make their own decisions about their own country. Putin believes that he can invade any neighbouring country if he feels like it.
How to end the conflict in a way that will bring open borders, friendship and better life? I doubt you will have open borders and friendship between Ukraine and Russia. My family was impacted about both world wars. I can tell you that people don't forget what happened to them during a war.
Reiner Otto
12-12-24, 12:46
1) In 1940 we moved the border west near Leningrad. We are ready to move it again if needed.
2) We have even a saying that Russian Army is used to pay a visit into Berlin and Paris once in a century.1) The mighty Red Army had serious problems with the few Finnish, defending their territory. Only during second winter war, Red Army had real success.
The Finnish got only minimal official foreign support, not even from their neighbour Sweden.
Different scenario today: Putler succeeded to bring Finland and Sweden into NATO.
2) The visit to Berlin was badly supported by the USA: About 7,000 tanks, 11,000 aircraft, 400,000 Jeeps and trucks.
Different scenario today.
And, the Chinese will sooner or later liberate their ethnic relatives in Siberia, and ask the RF for historically Chinese territory.
What Putler can do, the Chinese can do, as well.
When was Russian Army in Paris, BTW? I mean, not as friendly visitors?
Anyway, you openly confirm the imperialistic, aggressive attitude of Russia.
I am pessimistic about European future. In 1940 we moved the border west near Leningrad. We are ready to move it again if needed. We have even a saying that Russian Army is used to pay a visit into Berlin and Paris once in a century. I don't think it would be wise to prompt the invitation.You moved the border alright, after dropping up to 1 million Russians dead. I don't think it was wise to remember the disastrous Winter War, the war against a tiny country that destroyed USSR's military credibility; the war that encouraged Hitler to attack quickly; the war Russia kept losing even after Russia's fortunes were reversed and the Nazis were on the run; the war Stalin had to settle because he wasn't willing to pay the price it would cost him to win decisively. Gee, if the Finnish war is the source of your national pride now, you're truly hopeless!
Easy. Putin wants to be remembered in history as the next Peter the Great. He doesn't care if hundreds of thousands (Russians and Ukrainians, doesn't matter to him) are killed for this purpose.
Ukrainians want to be able to make their own decisions about their own country. Putin believes that he can invade any neighbouring country if he feels like it.
I doubt you will have open borders and friendship between Ukraine and Russia. My family was impacted about both world wars. I can tell you that people don't forget what happened to them during a war.Thank you very much. Let me rephrase, for example:
I guess President Lyndon be. Johnson wanted to be remembered in history as the next Barry Lyndon the Great. He didn't care if hundreds of thousands Vietnamese and Americans were killed for this purpose. Vietnamese wanted to be able to make their own decisions about their own country. Johnson believed that he could invade any neighbouring country if he felt like it. I doubt you will have open borders and friendship between Vietnam and the US. My family was impacted about both world wars. I can tell you that people don't forget what happened to them during a war.
Of course, by no means I would try to change anyone's opinion here. It's futile.
Reiner Otto
12-13-24, 10:22
Thank you very much. Let me rephrase, for example:
.....
I like this argumentation: Billy the Kid robbed the banks. Thus, I am also entitled to do the same.
Fortunately, there are (still) Russians, who privately talk totally different from your official standpoint of view. Writes somebody, who lived and worked several years in the RF.
And several years in UA, too.
I even was a fan of Putin. Before he started to copy Adolf.
PaulInZurich
12-13-24, 11:27
Thank you very much. Let me rephrase, for example: Vietnam or Iraq or whatever have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine.
Thank you for making my point that there is no valid reason for Putin to invade Ukraine. He is just a blood thirsty client. He believes that Ukraine has no right to exist.
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