For those interested in Putin

[StevieWonders]

For those interested in Putin, his gang of fellow kleptocrats and the Magnitsky Act, a useful introduction can be found here, but there’s plenty of information a simple Google search will discover.

https://news.uchicago.edu/big-brains-podcast-vladimir-putins-no-1-enemy-bill-browder

[Moses]

For those interested in Putin, his gang of fellow kleptocrats and the Magnitsky Act, a useful introduction can be found here, but there’s plenty of information a simple Google search will discover.

https://news.uchicago.edu/big-brains-podcast-vladimir-putins-no-1-enemy-bill-browder

Oh dear. Bill Browder??? One of the most known tax sharpers in World? Are you serious?
People who trust to Browder's words are even more idiots than people who trusts to Putin's words...

[Khor tose]

Okay, I'll be an idiot, and take Browder's words and book on Putin. If he wasn't right Putin would not be trying so hard to discredit him.

[StevieWonders]

Oh dear. Bill Browder??? One of the most known tax sharpers in World? Are you serious? People who trust to Browder's words are even more idiots than people who trusts to Putin's words...Typical disinformation tactic- attack the messenger in the hope that will discourage people from checking out the message.

[Moses]

Everyone here knows how it was. Browder used shady schemes and siphoned money out of the Russian economy through fake VAT returns. During this "business" he met with competitors and wanted to crush them. But the competitors were people under the protection of the FSB. Browder smugly decided he had the strength to deal with them. Did not work out. And he fled abroad, leaving his employee to rot in prison.

Magnitsky is the only person in this story who really suffered for nothing. Browder is just a bastard. And he gives out all these interviews and tells how bad Pitin is, just because he needs to restore his reputation, which has suffered greatly due to the fact that this story showed what he was doing in Russia, so he needs a smoke screen of scandal and a shift in attention from him to someone else - in this case, Putin

[StevieWonders]

“Everyone HERE”? Where, Russia?

[Moses]

“Everyone HERE”? Where, Russia?

Yes. By the way: at time of this story Medvedev was president in Russia.

Check Browder's book "Red notice...", there he wrote how profitable was his business here: 1500% yearly. Even drug-dealers has less.

[StevieWonders]

Even drug-dealers has less.I’ll take your word as an expert witness.

[Moses]

I’ll take your word as an expert witness.

Sure. Fair business with 1500%? No way.


Capital fears a lack of profit or too little profit, as nature fears emptiness. But once there is sufficient profit, capital becomes bold. Provide 10 percent, and capital agrees to any use, at 20 percent it becomes animated, at 50 percent it is positively ready to break its head, at 100 percent it tramples on all human laws, at 300 percent there is no crime that it would not risk, even on pain of the gallows. If noise and abuse are profitable, capital will do both.
Marx

[cdnmatt]

I always liked this one about Putin. Straight, to the point, accurate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxMWSmKieuc

[Moses]

I always liked this one about Putin. Straight, to the point, accurate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxMWSmKieuc

Check picture on 1:15. Left - Alexander Lebedev, KGB officer and Russian oligarch, now citizen of UK, his son Eugeniy just became baron and lord in UK by decree of Liz II

[cdnmatt]

Check picture on 1:15. Left - Alexander Lebedev, KGB officer and Russian oligarch, now citizen of UK, his son Eugeniy just became baron and lord in UK by decree of Liz II

Cool. That's why I like this video.

There's the view point of folks in the West, whic is, "Putin is a horrible monster and is the devil's borther!"

Then on the opposing side there's folks like you, "Putin is the best leader in the world ever!"

In reality, the truth is somewhere in the middle. That's why I like that video. Seems pretty unbiased, and simply lays out the facts regarding Putin's rise to power.

[Moses]

About some facts from this film on Youtube.

Chechnia. Diversions weren't faked. Rebels were destroyed. These who weren't killed fled to Europe. Now France, Germany and Austria begs Russian to take them back (for example check last visit of French foreign af. minister to Moscow)к

Now Chechnia looks like this:

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It is reason why every election Putin has there over 90% votes.


2008 Georgia, Medvedev was president at that time in Russia. About intervention to Georgia - 100% propaganda. Parliament of EU send commission to Georgia in 2008 after this short military clash. Conclusion: it was Georgia who started clash, Russian answer was overreacted.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140905195343/http://www.ceiig.ch/Report.html

[cdnmatt]

Or maybe there's another reason or two Putin gets over 90% every election.

Kinda helps when your political opponents always seem to either end up dead or in jail.

[Moses]

Then on the opposing side there's folks like you, "Putin is the best leader in the world ever!"


No, he isn't best. But if you need compare, then best compare is Putin - Lee Kuan Yew. Dictator from Singapore and dictator from Russia. Here is not too much democracy, but economic raised almost 5 times in 20 years, personal income raised over 10 times. That why Putin still has support - refrigerators votes for him at each Russian kitchen.

[Moses]

Or maybe there's another reason or two Putin gets over 90% every election.

Kinda helps when your political opponents always seem to either end up dead or in jail.

Oh, do you know who is leader in Chechnia now? Ramazan Kadyrov. Son of one of strongest Putin's opponents Akhmat Kadyrov and also his formerly opponent.

[goji]

No, he isn't best. But if you need compare, then best compare is Putin - Lee Kuan Yew. Dictator from Singapore and dictator from Russia. Here is not too much democracy, but economic raised almost 5 times in 20 years, personal income raised over 10 times. That why Putin still has support - refrigerators votes for him at each Russian kitchen.

I'm sure you are correct regarding the increase in incomes in Russia. However, Russia was starting from a very low level, with the combination of a well educated population and plenty of oil and gas to help things along. So any competent leader should have seen exceptional growth.

However, I'm not at all sure about the comparison with Lee Kuan Yew.
For a start, Lee Kuan Yew set up Singapore with among the lowest corruption levels in Asia, whereas Mr Putin does not have much success with that topic.
Secondly, although the PAP wins every election, they seem to do it because they have done an exceptional job, rather than by arranging nasty "accidents" every time a creditable opposition leader emerges. Singapore seems to be much closer to a proper democracy. Besides, if we had an option like the PAP in the UK, I would vote for them every time.

[Moses]

I'm sure you are correct regarding the increase in incomes in Russia. However, Russia was starting from a very low level, with the combination of a well educated population and plenty of oil and gas to help things along. So any competent leader should have seen exceptional growth.


Oh, it is one of typical propaganda. Low level start will not help to change country from world #1 importer of grain to world #1 grain exporter, you know? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wheat_exports

"Any competent leader" will meet with biggest territory almost without any infrastructure. Can you imagine:
at 2000 there were no one road in Russia to connect west and east? No one. Now exists 2.
There were only 3 TV channels what cover whole country, now over 60 nationalwide and most of them are private.
70% of country had no phone line coverage. Now per law fiber optic with phone and internet must be in each place with population over 500 people at any place in Russia. They spend over $100 mln for to lay underwater cable 2000 km long for to reach Kamchatka region (300k population, territory half of million sq.km).
Median salary was about $30 now about $500
29% lived below poverty line, now 12%
4 cars per 1000 population changed to 390

at the same time army 2+ mln changed to 900k, mandatory army service 2 years changed to 1 year of training and trainee can't be involved to any military conflicts by law, army has 60% of professionals who is serving by contract
jobless fell form 15% to 5%

Russia is now in World TOP-5 countries with highest net migration to country (it was in TOP-3, but after Syrian crisis start Germany took row from Russia. Now: US 50.6 mln, Germany 13.1 mln, Saudi 13.1 mln, Russia 11.6 mln. UK 9.6 mln
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories _by_immigrant_population

[StevieWonders]

No, he isn't best. But if you need compare, then best compare is Putin - Lee Kuan Yew. Dictator from Singapore and dictator from Russia. Here is not too much democracy, but economic raised almost 5 times in 20 years, personal income raised over 10 times. That why Putin still has support - refrigerators votes for him at each Russian kitchen.I’m not sure why you focus on a tin-pot city state like Singapore when Thailand is the country proudly following most closely in Russia’s footsteps with all the recent political “disappearances” and murders.

[Moses]

I’m not sure why you focus on a tin-pot city state like Singapore when Thailand is the country proudly following most closely in Russia’s footsteps with all the recent political “disappearances” and murders.

Well, take South Korea then. Dictatorship Park Chung-hee, chaeboles and corruption. And rising from agricultural country to country with high level of life.

By the way: Russia eliminated Russian tsar 103 years ago. UK and many European countries still have this rudiment (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchies_in_Europe) and every one citizen still pays for ruler's pleasure to live in palace and use servants... you call it democracy, right? people who were elected by whole nation must bow in front of people who was elected by nobody and is even younger...

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[StevieWonders]

Shakespeare said it all four hundred years ago “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”.

[Moses]

Shakespeare said it all four hundred years ago “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”.

sure... please remind me, how many diplomas in economic science, politic science or management he has for to use this words in dispute about economic and politic as a proof

[cdnmatt]

No, he isn't best. But if you need compare, then best compare is Putin - Lee Kuan Yew. Dictator from Singapore and dictator from Russia. Here is not too much democracy, but economic raised almost 5 times in 20 years, personal income raised over 10 times. That why Putin still has support - refrigerators votes for him at each Russian kitchen.

Difference between us is, you will simply never mutter a single bad word about Putin. Myself on the other hand for example, I quite like Justin Trudeau as Canada's PM, agree with many liberal policies, and think he's done a great job in handling the pandemic while keeping the country calm and focused. This pandemic would have been hard for any world leader, and I think he's done as good as could be expected.

However, I also have no problem saying he's a corrupt piece of shit who constantly lies while stealing tax payer money. Scandal after scandal, and the guy still has yet to pay any consequences for his actions, which is bullshit.

See, I can speak both good and bad about Canada's leaders. You are seemingly simply unable to say anything bad about Putin, and it's not exactly all unicorns and rainboys on his end. He's done some pretty horrible shit.

[Moses]

Difference between us is, you will simply never mutter a single bad word about Putin. Myself on the other hand for example, I quite like Justin Trudeau as Canada's PM, agree with many liberal policies, and think he's done a great job in handling the pandemic while keeping the country calm and focused. This pandemic would have been hard for any world leader, and I think he's done as good as could be expected.

However, I also have no problem saying he's a corrupt piece of shit who constantly lies while stealing tax payer money. Scandal after scandal, and the guy still has yet to pay any consequences for his actions, which is bullshit.


You are talking too much. This or this or this and also this. I already told: Putin for sure isn't best leader, but other here are even more worse. Point. What to discuss else? You want to know why Russia still supports him? Just read few post above.



See, I can speak both good and bad about Canada's leaders.
And your ability matters? Spoken you or not - Canada still has the same leader. Do I really need to made more vibration of air, some of which you will hear as "Putin this" and some as "Putin that" and to multiplicate entropy in Universe by this action?

[StevieWonders]

By the way: Russia eliminated Russian tsar 103 years ago. UK and many European countries still have this rudiment and every one citizen still pays for ruler's pleasure to live in palace and use servants... you call it democracy, right? people who were elected by whole nation must bow in front of people who was elected by nobody and is even younger...Some here would agree with you.

[StevieWonders]

Moses, have you ever considered offering your services to the Trump team seeking to invalidate the US presidential election? From your approach to polemics you’d be a shoo-in.

[Moses]

Moses, have you ever considered offering your services to the Trump team seeking to invalidate the US presidential election? From your approach to polemics you’d be a shoo-in.

To this ginger clown? Well, he doesn't worth my efforts, also I think he can't afford my service.

I already 5th year think: how mad should be "average american" for to elect him. The only excuse is: alter candidate - grandma Clinton - is bright proof of the crash of democracy even when she represent party of democracy. How ironical it sounds. How much families rules America last 100 years? 5? 7? Bushes, Clintons, Kennedys... who else?

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[StevieWonders]

To this ginger clown? Well, he doesn't worth my efforts, also I think he can't afford my service. I already 5th year think: how mad should be "average american" for to elect him. The only excuse is: alter candidate - grandma Clinton - is bright proof of the crash of democracy even when she represent party of democracy. How ironical it sounds. How much families rules America last 100 years? 5? 7? Bushes, Clintons, Kennedys... who else?A sad decision for many but I imagine Rudy Giuliani will heave a sigh of relief. His best days are behind him so wouldn’t want a maestro like you showing him up.

[Moses]

A sad decision for many but I imagine Rudy Giuliani will heave a sigh of relief.

I don't think so. He already knows what aristocracy of US made decision to take power back to their hands at this decade. Bourgeoisie will wait till 2032. So Trump may leave his dreams to take chair in oval room back.

And I think Liz II supports this decision: aristocracy makes curtsey much better than bourgeoisie Trumps

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[StevieWonders]

And I think Liz II supports this decision: aristocracy makes curtsey much better than bourgeoisie TrumpsAh, we’re back to discussing the perfidy of the monarchical system. Very wise.

[Moses]

Ah, we’re back to discussing the perfidy of the monarchical system. Very wise.

Do you want discuss something else about Putin? Ok. Let's do it. Let's discuss double standards.

When Russia kills own citizens who betrayed country - we hear choir of propaganda about how bad it is, even when this person was just a spy. When Israel kills one more not own but foreign citizen, scientist, on the territory of foreign country, nobody opens mouth to say "it is bad action". Anybody here doubts what murdering of Iranian scientist few days ago is "hello" from Israel?

[StevieWonders]

Do you want discuss something else about Putin?I guess it must be difficult to decide if he’s Tsar Vladimir III, IV or V. What’s your preference?

[Moses]

I guess it must be difficult to decide if he’s Tsar Vladimir III, IV or V. What’s your preference?

Numbers are boring. Let's call him by title... For example Vladimir Perfect or Vladimir Beautiful. Or, maybe Vladimir Strongest. M?

Russia already has in history Vladimir le Soleil rouge (by the way: rouge (red) is wrong translation from old Russian where were 2 meanings for this world red and beautiful, and beautiful was main meaning at past.)

[dinagam]

I can see that General Kutuzov is holding his front line tight and ready for another incursion by his belligerent opponents.

[StevieWonders]

Numbers are boring. Let's call him by title... For example Vladimir Perfect or Vladimir Beautiful. Or, maybe Vladimir Strongest. M?

Russia already has in history Vladimir le Soleil rouge (by the way: rouge (red) is wrong translation from old Russian where were 2 meanings for this world red and beautiful, and beautiful was main meaning at past.)I feel you’re not taking this seriously.

[Moses]

I feel you’re not taking this seriously.

Do I?

[StevieWonders]

Do I?I’m surprised that in your campaign against hypocrisy you haven’t posted that graphic produced and posted on Twitter yesterday of the Australian soldier in Afghanistan. It’s been endorsed by the Russian foreign ministry.

[Moses]

I’m surprised that in your campaign against hypocrisy you haven’t posted that graphic produced and posted on Twitter yesterday of the Australian soldier in Afghanistan. It’s been endorsed by the Russian foreign ministry.

ah, yes. Speaking about Australia: what do you think - everyone in Australian govt is totally stupid or only PM Morrison?
At March 2020 he says what COVID should be investigated and weapon inspectors should be sended to China which is quilty for decease, while China is trade partner of AU #1. And now their choir complains what China stopped to buy Australian products.

I may understand why American ginger clown does such stupid things: US-CN relation are at point of freeze anyway, so any additional false claims can change nothing, but why Australia needs to shoot own leg I have no idea.

[StevieWonders]

ah, yes. Speaking about Australia: what do you think - everyone in Australian govt is totally stupid or only PM Morrison?
At March 2020 he says what COVID should be investigated and weapon inspectors should be sended to China which is quilty for decease, while China is trade partner of AU #1. And now their choir complains what China stopped to buy Australian products.

I may understand why American ginger clown does such stupid things: US-CN relation are at point of freeze anyway, so any additional false claims can change nothing, but why Australia needs to shoot own leg I have no idea.You see, Moses, that suggests to me that your value system is based entirely on self-interest and you believe that everyone else behaves in the same way. I guess that must be why you have based Sawatdee Network on servers that aren’t located in Russia or China because it’s in your self-interest to do so. Surely however the Russian or Chinese hackers would have no difficulties in poking around here. I mean, if say a person with Admin or Moderator privileges logs on from Russia or China, irrespective of where the domain is hosted, the hackers would simply follow him in? And it’s not as if the database is itself encrypted - all our personal details except passwords are there for the taking.

[Moses]

You see, Moses, that suggests to me that your value system is based entirely on self-interest.
sure, what else it should be? on your self-interests?


you believe that everyone else behaves in the same way
Wrong, you have no reason to make such conclusion unless you can read my mind


I guess that must be why you have based Sawatdee Network on servers that aren’t located in Russia or China because it’s in your self-interest to do so.

Wrong, SGT based in Canada long time before I took ownership. I have no reason to change it.


I mean, if say a person with Admin or Moderator privileges logs on from Russia or China, irrespective of where the domain is hosted, the hackers would simply follow him in?

Hahaha. Better not make your guesses on technical parts - they looks... mmm... fantastical :)


And it’s not as if the database is itself encrypted - all our personal details except passwords are there for the taking.
There are no public forum's software in world where database is encrypted. It is just forum, you know? That why in our rules is advice don't share any personal info.

Also: why DB should be encrypted when forum shows its content to anyone who open forum's page? It will looks stupid: to encrypt contend just for to decrypt it on demand and show on the page.

[StevieWonders]

Also: why DB should be encrypted when forum shows its content to anyone who open forum's page? It will looks stupid: to encrypt contend just for to decrypt it on demand and show on the page.Aren’t you forgetting all the knickers-knotting, the tears, the tantrums, the sulks from certain members every time someone suggests that PMs are not “private”? As you’ve just said, anyone with database access can read anything at all, including PMs - which notion gives the maiden aunts and lip-pursers here the vapours (it’s their self-interest don’t you know).

[Moses]

Aren’t you forgetting all the knickers-knotting, the tears, the tantrums, the sulks from certain members every time someone suggests that PMs are not “private”? As you’ve just said, anyone with database access can read anything at all, including PMs - which notion gives the maiden aunts and lip-pursers here the vapours (it’s their self-interest don’t you know).

Once again: forum software with encryption of DB does not exists. It is forum. Just forum. For to exchange news, gossips and impressions.

The one who wants to exchange sensitive info should use encrypted mail service such proton in combination with their mail-client software. Other methods doesn't works - all software, any messenger have backdoors. They are for govt's use, but hackers can use them as well.

[StevieWonders]

Once again: forum software with encryption of DB does not exists. It is forum. Just forum. For to exchange news, gossips and impressions.

The one who wants to exchange sensitive info should use encrypted mail service such proton in combination with their mail-client software. Other methods doesn't works - all software, any messenger have backdoors. They are for govt's use, but hackers can use them as well.I’m totally with you on this one, dear boy. Does that mean you’ll be changing the Forum rules about what a PM is? In my view it’s merely a sidebar conversation and up to either the sender or receiver to disclose its contents if it’s relevant. By way of example, I recently received a PM from a member who had made in a public post a wholly misleading denial of a fact I had posted. He resorted to a PM both to agree I had not been wholly incorrect and to gloat that no one would ever know as he’d only admitted it in a PM which could not be mentioned under Forum rules.

[Moses]

Does that mean you’ll be changing the Forum rules about what a PM is?

No, I will not do it.

[StevieWonders]

No, I will not do it.
Oh dear, and you were doing so well up to now.

[Brad the Impala]

Interesting article in the FT today about the current situation in Russia.




At the last parliamentary election in 2016, opposition parties made little impact. United Russia romped home with 54 per cent of the vote, winning 343 seats in the 450-seat chamber.

But much has changed since then. At the time Mr Putin and his party were riding high on a wave of popular support for the Kremlin’s invasion and annexation of Crimea two years earlier.

Today, United Russia’s support stands at just 31 per cent, according to state-run pollster VCIOM, after hitting a record low of 30.5 per cent in August.

Most disgruntled voters cite the gloomy economy. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the economy had been moribund since 2014, when western sanctions imposed over the Crimea annexation combined with a plunge in the price of crude oil — Russia’s key export — to pitch the country into a sharp recession. Real incomes have fallen for five of the past seven years.

This year, GDP is expected to fall by 6 per cent, according to the World Bank, as Moscow struggles to tackle the spread of Covid-19 with sporadic lockdowns and scattershot quarantine measures.

Even as Russian incomes dropped 8 per cent in the second quarter of this year, the largest fall for more than 20 years, the government refused to increase financial stimulus, which has been much smaller than other major European nations.

According to a survey conducted in October by the Levada Center, Russia’s sole pollster independent of the government, 43 per cent of citizens said they thought the country was heading in the wrong direction, up from 23 per cent in 2014.



I think that this link only provides access for a limited number of readers unless you are a subscriber.

https://on.ft.com/3fVFZra

[Moses]

Most disgruntled voters cite the gloomy economy. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the economy had been moribund since 2014, when western sanctions imposed over the Crimea annexation combined with a plunge in the price of crude oil — Russia’s key export — to pitch the country into a sharp recession. Real incomes have fallen for five of the past seven years.


Sanctions have around zero impact: they are against private persons mostly and against companies who supply Crimea now. Both categories play zero roles in Russian GDP.

The only real sanction was (yes, past time) restrictions on long-term loans - they came suddenly and many Russian companies were pushed to buy foreign currencies on the local market for to pay they old loans in situation where they were not able to make new loans on west market. At that moment (end of 2014) Russian ruble fell from 35 per $1 to 80 per $1 because of high demands of foreign currency. In 6 months Russian central bank normalized situation. and at the middle of 2015 ruble grew till 52 per $1. After that central bank started to buy currency for to keep ruble low - for to be more competitive on the gas/oil market. CB does it all last 5 years. They bought till now about $220 billions for to keep ruble low. (https://cbr.ru/hd_base/mrrf/mrrf_7d/?UniDbQuery.Posted=True&UniDbQuery.From=01.2016&UniDbQuery.To=11.2020) CB also almost doubled Russian reserve of gold - they bought just at last 5 years about 1000 tonnes of gold.

Chief of central bank Nabiullina been named world best national bank boss in 2015 for fast currency stabilization and ruble was named most profitable currency (stock players for sure made good money on the rally from 80 till 52).

The most impact on Russian economy had falling gas/oil prices. But since gas and oil export has only about 12% GDP it wasn't so tragic as at the Middle East and was more like impact on Norway's economy or even less because most of gas and oil Russia uses on internal market and by this reason even with falling oil/gas prices loses in yearly GDP changed to growing already in 2017 - low oil/gas prices stimulated internal production and compensated loses from exportt.

Economy grew in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Not so fast as it may be, but it was surplus anyway. But COVID made quite strong kick. And forecast for 2020 is minus 4%-4,5%.

About United Russia party. What is main for understanding: president in Russia isn't member of any party. It is main difference with Western system. It is forbidden for president to be member of any party. And United Russia is one of 5 parties which supporting Putin in parliament.

Once more time: all parties in parliament supports Putin. All! Democrats, communists, liberals, patriots (read: right wing), socialists... All. In 2016 to be elected to parliament and not to support Putin was not possible - here everywhere was euphoria from returning Crimea into Russia, Putin had over 70% approval rating at that time. So any candidate who didn't support Putin had zero chance to be elected. Elections were fair and observers from many countries checks that https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/9/c/290861.pdf

Again about United Russia - it was born as artificial party - Kremlin's project. It is still more like "state party" - half of business in Russia is state owned or controlled. And to work in such business on any management level is possible only for members of U.R. So right now Russia is more and more drifts to China's way.

About falling of personal income at past 5 years, Yes, it is true and personal income here for most people who has salary in rubles fell about 12-15% in total. But since at past it grew more than 10 times, people are quite tolerated with it: "it is because of oil", "it is because of COVID", "it is because of competitors on the West who made sanctions". So Putin's approval rating is still above of 50%, the only real reason why it fell down is unpopular pension reform when age of pension was raised from 60 to 65 for male and from 55 to 60 for female.

[StevieWonders]

“ Sanctions have around zero impact”. How odd. Perhaps you should tell the Chinese. It seems that trade sanctions are exactly what they’re using to attempt to pressure Australia.

[Moses]

“ Sanctions have around zero impact”. How odd. Perhaps you should tell the Chinese. It seems that trade sanctions are exactly what they’re using to attempt to pressure Australia.

Hahaha. There are no "trade" sanctions. Check which sanctions exists. Nobody can trade with Crimea - yes, true. But anyone may trade with Russia. The most impacted sanctions are long-term loans. Now Russia uses internal loans mostly.

At past 6 years share of Russia on European gas market grew from 36% to 43%. Did you said "European sanctions"?


Russia is currently our 26th largest goods trading partner with $28.0 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2019. Goods exports totaled $5.8 billion; goods imports totaled $22.3 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Russia was $16.5 billion in 2019.

Rised 4.8% in 2019 against 2018. Did you said "US sanctions"?
https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/europe-middle-east/russia-and-eurasia/russia


Remember: only idiots shoots own legs. Hello mr. Morrison!

[dinagam]

“ Sanctions have around zero impact”. How odd. Perhaps you should tell the Chinese. It seems that trade sanctions are exactly what they’re using to attempt to pressure Australia.

Australia is just a small country trying very hard to punch above her weight.

[Ninodf1]

Australia is just a small country trying very hard to punch above her weight.

Yes, but they have friends.

[latintopxxx]

yeah...maybe not...orange man is on the way out...and boris would sell his grandmother if it was politically expedient...as for trudeau he's trying to be so woke its embarrsssing the blm crowd...lol