Stupid Shit in Kyiv

[Jmsuttr]

The rouble is strong, stronger than it was when Russia began stemming the Nazis? Follow so far?

They are facts.

https://www.reuters.com/business/fin...ms-2022-04-08/

*"all is not what it seems and the exchange rate used in everyday transactions is sometimes very different to the official one".

*"anyone who tries to buy foreign currency online at a bank or, illegally, at a foreign exchange booth, or who buys goods and services online denominated in foreign currencies will find the actual rate considerably worse".

*"defending the rouble, never mind the real economy, makes sense as a propaganda strategy".

*"demand for FX was artificially suppressed. Russia banned cash purchases of dollars and euros, introduced a 12% commission on buying foreign currency online, and set the maximum amount that an individual could withdraw from their bank account at $10,000 until Sept. 9."

*"Within a short walking distance of the Kremlin, an exchange office behind an unmarked door offered to sell cash dollars for 93 roubles and euros for 103 roubles on Thursday."

Quite a difference between the official version and how things actually operate in the real world! And that's not even factoring inflation into the mix.

*"I used to buy cans of Dutch-made baby formula for 2,500 roubles before Feb. 24," said Marina, a Moscow resident, with her newborn baby. "Now the same can costs 4,500 roubles."

*"Since Feb. 24, food prices have soared, taking the year-to-date increase in prices for cabbage and carrots to 85% and 54%, respectively, according to statistics service Rosstat. Prices of imported goods jumped even higher, with prices for some foreign-made cars more than doubling."

I wonder how long it will take before the average Russian starts going under as a result of these economic conditions? I suspect it might be sooner than you think.

*"A survey by state polling agency VTsIOM from February showed that 64% of people in Russia had no savings".

As I said, the ruble is rubble and Russia is flushing itself down the toilet. Follow so far?

[Jmsuttr]

Show up, announce you want citizenship and voila -- "approved!" Just like it works everywhere else in the world. And for all other peoples.

You appear to have a very strained relationship with actual facts.

Fact #1: There are millions of people around the world who might qualify for Israeli citizenship under current Israeli law.

Fact #2: NONE (as in zero, zip, nada) of those eligible people are currently Israeli citizens. They don't have Israeli passports, they can't vote in Israeli elections, they can't exercise ANY of the rights that pertain exclusively to Israeli citizens.

Fact #3: These two groups, existing citizens and those who are prospectively eligible for citizenship, are completely separate and discrete. Non-citizens are, by definition, not citizens. That would seem to be obvious and self-evident, but apparently that truth appears to be lost on you.

BTW, there are a number of countries that allow citizenship by virtue of heritage, so that's not unique to Israel. Israel chooses to define heritage along religious lines, which is understandable in that they see themselves as a refuge and homeland for Jews. I'm not Jewish, but I have no problem with any country making their own decisions about eligibility for citizenship.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joesill...-ancestry/amp/

Also, there are plenty of countries for which you can buy your citizenship. Are those rules ok with you? No connection at all with the country is required, not birth, not heritage, not religious connection, nothing except having lots of cash.

https://www.fodors.com/news/deals/ho...ound-the-world

Are you similarly outraged at all of these programs and the people who take advantage of them? Or is Israel your sole focus? That last question is actually rhetorical as I think I already know the answer.

[Golfinho]

I have no plans on moving from my abode, so yes I will be a man of principle. Perhaps you should also convert all your liquidity to RUB and show us that you can stand for what you believe in, or are you as cowardly as Medro?

There you go. Make the Europeans suffer while in the USA (or in the land formerly known as Palestine) you can be securely domiciled. That's real courageous of you, you man of principle you.

[VinDici]

They are facts. They have nothing to do where I hold my money. I am divested of all US $ as I have no need of them.

Nor do I currently have a need of roubles or most currencies listed here. https://www.xe.com/.

So you won't put your money where your mouth is. I guess we know who the real coward is.

Yeah. Spend next winter sweatered in your apartment in the Nato States and show us what a man of principal you are, shivering for what you believe in.

I have no plans on moving from my abode, so yes I will be a man of principle. Perhaps you should also convert all your liquidity to RUB and show us that you can stand for what you believe in, or are you as cowardly as Medro?

[Golfinho]

As a factual matter, Prokhorov was NOT a citizen of Israel until he 1) Arrived; 2) Applied; 3) Had his application approved.

At any point in that process, Israel retained the right to decline approval. Although declination was unlikely, there is still a case-by-case review and certification that needs to happen. Until ALL the requirements
Those are the plain facts, whether you choose to accept them or not, that's entirely up to you.

Shows up, "applies", and "case by case review" wouldn't you know it -- approved! Just like how it works in every other country in the world, that is every other ethno-religious state that recognizes -- requires! -- citizenship by birthright.

Plain facts.

[Golfinho]

You should show us all what idiots we are. Convert all your liquidity to RUB and show all of us cowards that you are a man of principle. You believe what you are saying, so of course there is no downside to having your life savings denominated in the strong currency that is RUB.

Escape the tyranny of other currencies, convert everything to RUB and stand for what you believe in.

Yeah. Spend next winter sweatered in your apartment in the Nato States and show us what a man of principal you are, shivering for what you believe in.

[PedroMorales]

You are stupid. You are American. Do you understand. Simple - English-?

They are facts.

The rouble is strong, stronger than it was when Russia began stemming the Nazis? Follow so far?

They are facts. They have nothing to do where I hold my money. I am divested of all US $ as I have no need of them.

Nor do I currently have a need of roubles or most currencies listed here. https://www.xe.com/.

Just how stupid are you? Have you even learned basic hygiene and not to eat too many hamburgers and drink too much of that awful American beer?

There are threads here slamming American women. Maybe, in rejecting male American libtards, they have a point.

You should show us all what idiots we are. Convert all your liquidity to RUB and show all of us cowards that you are a man of principle. You believe what you are saying, so of course there is no downside to having your life savings denominated in the strong currency that is RUB.

Escape the tyranny of other currencies, convert everything to RUB and stand for what you believe in.

[WyattEarp]

Yep. A friend in Russia laughed at me when I asked if he could buy dollars at the official rate. He can't, it's all for a show. You can only get cash if you had a dollar account at a Russian bank before March 9, and there are still lots of restrictions. Buying black market can get you a rate over 130 to $ (and up to 7 years of hard labor if you get caught).

A Central Bank can do a lot of things if they want to maintain the facade that the currency is stronger than it is. Almost all hurt the economy, but artificially prop up the currency.

Per the Deutsche Welle article Jmsuttr posted below, "The bank more than doubled the country's key interest rate to 20%, restricted local firms' access to foreign currency, and set limits on withdrawals in foreign currency. It also took measures to keep dollars from fleeing abroad, including by banning foreign investors from dumping Russian stocks and bonds."

[VinDici]

The rouble is strong

You should show us all what idiots we are. Convert all your liquidity to RUB and show all of us cowards that you are a man of principle. You believe what you are saying, so of course there is no downside to having your life savings denominated in the strong currency that is RUB.

Escape the tyranny of other currencies, convert everything to RUB and stand for what you believe in.

[PedroMorales]

Once I saw you had posted, I thought: here comes a shit fest.

First off, I see NATO is pouring into Quislingstan ie Norway. The bottom line is: if NATO cross a line, we have nuclear war which would be less of a bad thing if the USA is a direct target.

Now on to the shit fest.

I saw a quote of 700,000 people from a reliable source today (Mark Feygin, a human rights activist) with some sources putting it over 1 million. In any case, this number can only be compared with the exodus after the 1917 revolution.

Ukrainians are pouring out in very large part because Ukraine is piss poor. The evidence for that is in its surrogate babies, its fake medical degree mills, its orgn a harvesting and in prior threads here. It is / was the second poorest country in Europe.

The big exodus was at the start of the 20th century when Jews poured out of the Pale in the millions.

Yep. A friend in Russia laughed at me when I asked if he could buy dollars at the official rate. He can't, it's all for a show. You can only get cash if you had a dollar account at a Russian bank before March 9, and there are still lots of restrictions. Buying black market can get you a rate over 130 to $ (and up to 7 years of hard labor if you get caught).

The rouble is tied to the price of gold. It is higher now than it was before Russia took on the Nazis. That is why the USA, the enemy of humanity, is trying to do regime changer in Pakistan and up to similar games in China. This time, it won't work and Americans wil answer for it.

I can help you with that, since I've had a displeasure of reading Golhinho's takes on Jews before. He's simply a rabid anti-Semite. Easy-peasy.

Israel and Jews both have a special role in this. That is simply a fact.

Zelensky, the Jew, is the world's richest comedian, worth over $1.3 billion. He didn't do that by royalties from his transvestite dancing shows.

[Xpartan]

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/new...ment-shortage/

https://www.securitylab.ru/news/530708.php (article is in Russian but will automatically translate if using Chrome browser).

https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/e...ve-in-a-month/

Notice that the reported numbers (170,000 estimated) come from Russian sources. And, even though those sources are trying to put a positive spin on things (it's only temporary), you can read between the lines and see the desperation.

I saw a quote of 700,000 people from a reliable source today (Mark Feygin, a human rights activist) with some sources putting it over 1 million. In any case, this number can only be compared with the exodus after the 1917 revolution.

The ruble is rubble. The exchange rate is meaningless when you consider: 1) The manipulation being practiced by the Russian Central bank, and; 2) The fact that sanctions drastically limit what Russia can buy.

Yep. A friend in Russia laughed at me when I asked if he could buy dollars at the official rate. He can't, it's all for a show. You can only get cash if you had a dollar account at a Russian bank before March 9, and there are still lots of restrictions. Buying black market can get you a rate over 130 to $ (and up to 7 years of hard labor if you get caught).

I don't know what your problems with Jews are.

I can help you with that, since I've had a displeasure of reading Golhinho's takes on Jews before. He's simply a rabid anti-Semite. Easy-peasy.

[Golfinho]

As a factual matter, Prokhorov was NOT a citizen of Israel until he 1) Arrived; 2) Applied; 3) Had his application approved.

At any point in that process, Israel retained the right to decline approval. Although declination was unlikely, there is still a case-by-case review and certification that needs to happen. Until ALL the requirements were met, and approval granted, Prokhorov was not an Israeli citi.

Show up, announce you want citizenship and voila -- "approved!" Just like it works everywhere else in the world. And for all other peoples.

[Jmsuttr]

I would put Chubais and Prokhorov in different categories. I sense Putin's tolerance for billionaire oligarchs is waning. It doesn't sound like Putin needs them anymore.

As a man who manipulated the system for his gain after the fall of the Soviet Union, I'm don't think Prokhorov deserves much of our consideration. Besides many of these oligarchs seem to have been more like globe-trotting world citizens than Russian citizens.

There are undoubtedly many differences between Chubais and Prokhorov. My main reason for discussing them is because they provide a window into what might be going on in elite circles. I agree that Putin probably needs oligarchs less than they need him, but that doesn't mean they don't (some of them, at least) still have a level of influence and power. If, for example, Putin were to be ousted, it's likely someone from elite circles would replace him.

To my mind there are roughly three types of oligarchs. First, those who are already locked into Russia by existing sanctions. That group, as least publicly, are more likely to double down in their support of Putin because their fates are linked with his. They don't have any easy exit route. Second, those who already lived abroad some or most of the time, perhaps with dual-citizenship status. One notable example is Roman Abramovich who, even though (IIRC) he's subject to some sanctions, still had a relatively easy exit route. Third, those who are in between, like Prokhorov. He had money and status enough to allow him to ride out the storm in Russia, but chose to leave and needed to create an exit strategy to do so.

It's that third group that interests me most. How many more will abandon ship and how will that affect the mindset of other elites?

Interesting times! Stay tuned.

[Jmsuttr]

Pre-existing. "Citizen" of the ethno-religious state by birthright.

I don't know what your problems with Jews are, and I frankly couldn't care less.

What I do care about is being factually accurate. If someone is a citizen (sole or dual), that's a factual statement of legal status. And that legal status entitles them to carry the passport of their country (ies) of citizenship.

As a factual matter, Prokhorov was NOT a citizen of Israel until he 1) Arrived; 2) Applied; 3) Had his application approved.

At any point in that process, Israel retained the right to decline approval. Although declination was unlikely, there is still a case-by-case review and certification that needs to happen. Until ALL the requirements were met, and approval granted, Prokhorov was not an Israeli citizen.

Those are the plain facts, whether you choose to accept them or not, that's entirely up to you.

[Jmsuttr]

I love licking Putin's bunghole!

The ruble is rubble. The exchange rate is meaningless when you consider: 1) The manipulation being practiced by the Russian Central bank, and; 2) The fact that sanctions drastically limit what Russia can buy.

https://www.dw.com/en/putin-tactics-...ble/a-61363334

"It's effectively just artificially supporting the ruble while appearing to be forcing buyers in hostile countries into utilizing the ruble currency," Erlam said. "It's like the measures that have been imposed on Gazprombank and others already in terms of forcing them to convert 80% of their currency payments into rubles. This further supports those types of desperate measures".

"Ruble trading volumes have dried up due to sanctions and many brokers and speculators remain wary of dealing in the currency. This means that the ruble's current market price is being determined by far fewer transactions than usual".

Also, probably the most competent govt apparatchik is the Central Bank governor, Elvira Nabiullina. So what does it say about the Russian economic situation that she wants to resign but Putin won't let her? If she had the same resources as Chubais and Prokhorov, I'm guessing she'd already be gone.

https://www.businessinsider.com/russ...r-putin-2022-3

"state of hopelessness" taking root among Russian central bank employees who fear being cut off from the outside world".

About Putin's paper-tiger army, every analyst who isn't a pro-Russia shill (like you) recognizes that they suffered a humiliating defeat in their attempt to seize Kyiv. They retreated so rapidly they had to abandon any equipment that might slow them down. Any "after the fact" explanation that they weren't serious about taking Kyiv is transparent and laughable bullshit.

I have no idea how the battle for the East and South will turn out, but Putin has already lost because the Zelensky govt is still in place and, after raising expectations about conquering (and denazifying) ALL of Ukraine, he couldn't deliver. So now he's desperately trying to find something, ANYTHING, he can spin as a victory. And he'll need to figure out what how to explain to tens of thousands of Russian widows, orphans, and bereaved parents, that the deaths of their loved ones was worth it. For what, the Donbass (assuming Putin can even pull that off)? Give me a fucking break!

Oh, and about his constant WW-III threats, his conventional forces are a total joke, so all he can do is wave the nuke banner. Even assuming he's insane and suicidal, I've read a few articles about the layers of military bureaucracy that would be involved. So it's equally likely that someone in the chain would say "nyet" just like some of Russia's front-line soldiers have already terminated their own officers.

Putin has completely miscalculated and followed that miscalculation with abject failure. As a result he's united the West beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Poland, the Baltics, and soon very likely Finland and Sweden will be NATO gatekeepers on his doorstep. And Russia's future is already circling the drain. The big question now is whether anyone is able to deliver a Stalinesque retirement to Putin before the country turns into a clone of North Korea.