And yet I am still of the belief that we need to balance between punishing Russia/Putin, and not getting overly entangled in an extremely volatile and corrupt part of the world. We need to help Ukrainian citizens today, but we also need to keep the long-term big-picture in mind, and think bringing Ukraine into the EU/NATO would be a mistake.
Especially when EU/NATO members Hungary and Poland are already in defiance of EU rules around independent judiciary and media, and are backsliding into authoritarianism.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
BP has pulled out of a $14B stake in Rosneft. Investment withdrawl like this will put Putin in a corner. The ruble is already trading below one cent USD. Putin is going to economically destroy Russia, and for what gain?
I did hear a theory that the invasion is a Russian response to US-led military presence in the region, and the animosity and agitation that has been building up for decades.
From the US military perspective, it's a slam dunk, they win either scenario:
1. Russia backs down, and the US is able to cement military presence on it's enemies doorstep.
2. Russia tries to take the territory for itself, creating such an international backlash that the world is now cheering for US military intervention, but settles on sanctions that devastate Russia, giving the US another opportunity to cement their presence with renewed approval from the world community.
https://twitter.com/user/status/14983590872
71841095
Ukraine offers Russian soliders full amnesty and $5 million rubles in compensation if they lay down their arms and surrender voluntarily.
Google translate ""We offer Russian soldiers a choice: to die in an unjust war or a full amnesty and 5 million rubles in compensation. If they lay down their arms and surrender voluntarily "
This seems really far-fetched. The median Russian salary is about 1.2M rubles per year. Even at depressed exchange rates, how is Ukraine planning to pay (what they hope will be) thousands of defecting Russian soldiers over 4x their country's median annual income?
This seems really far-fetched. The median Russian salary is about 1.2M rubles per year. Even at depressed exchange rates, how is Ukraine planning to pay (what they hope will be) thousands of defecting Russian soldiers over 4x their country's median annual income?
Devaluing the ruble makes it more affordable.
Currently 5mm rubles is about $48k US...
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This seems really far-fetched. The median Russian salary is about 1.2M rubles per year. Even at depressed exchange rates, how is Ukraine planning to pay (what they hope will be) thousands of defecting Russian soldiers over 4x their country's median annual income?
When I googled it I got 32k as the median income. 1.2M seems high.
This seems really far-fetched. The median Russian salary is about 1.2M rubles per year. Even at depressed exchange rates, how is Ukraine planning to pay (what they hope will be) thousands of defecting Russian soldiers over 4x their country's median annual income?
I would imagine we'll have a whip round and cover it for them
I did hear a theory that the invasion is a Russian response to US-led military presence in the region, and the animosity and agitation that has been building up for decades.
From the US military perspective, it's a slam dunk, they win either scenario:
1. Russia backs down, and the US is able to cement military presence on it's enemies doorstep.
2. Russia tries to take the territory for itself, creating such an international backlash that the world is now cheering for US military intervention, but settles on sanctions that devastate Russia, giving the US another opportunity to cement their presence with renewed approval from the world community.
Or the sanctions push Russia into deeper alliance with China and the fall of the US continues, with the DragonBear now a much larger player. I'm not entirely sure that the US emerges from this as a "winner" though.
And in all honesty, the US doesn't want to get into any kind of military conflict with Russia (thankfully). That's why they're not, and they really would rather Ukraine was not part of NATO for that reason.
Gemstones lighting on homes is becoming popular in my suburb and I think about 80% of them in my neighborhood have been turned into some combination of Yellow & Blue.
Including mine.
Glory to Ukraine
I don't know why I didn't think of switching them, thanks for this post, I'm going to switch them tonight.
Or the sanctions push Russia into deeper alliance with China and the fall of the US continues, with the DragonBear now a much larger player. I'm not entirely sure that the US emerges from this as a "winner" though.
China and Russia would be extremely strange bedfellows at this time. Maybe 30 years ago, but I don't see any alliance between Russia and China working. Can you explain why you see this as this being beneficial to each nation, beyond "you're not the US"?
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And in all honesty, the US doesn't want to get into any kind of military conflict with Russia (thankfully). That's why they're not, and they really would rather Ukraine was not part of NATO for that reason.
I think that is just the opposite. Russia wants no part of military conflict with the Americans and her allies. Russian technology is terrible and the soldiers are less than committed. I think the American military machine absolutely grinds the Russian numerical advantage to dust in short order. Every engagement with Russian tech versus American tech has not played out well for the country reliant on Russian weapons. The Russians talk a good game about their weapons, but when push comes to shove the results are pretty one-sided. Of the Russians can keep the American political leadership on the sidelines by rattling the nuclear sabre, they will keep the generals on the sidelines, which gives the Russians hope.
Or the sanctions push Russia into deeper alliance with China and the fall of the US continues, with the DragonBear now a much larger player. I'm not entirely sure that the US emerges from this as a "winner" though.
And in all honesty, the US doesn't want to get into any kind of military conflict with Russia (thankfully). That's why they're not, and they really would rather Ukraine was not part of NATO for that reason.
China's rhetoric has been slowly pushing away from Russia. North America and Europe are more important to the China economy than Russia. They don't want to risk that to be pals with Russia which is basically a pariah state at this point.
