The Brink of War?

[Moses]

I saw an interesting newspaper article online over the weekend. It had Putin's face next to Zelensky's face, and underneath was the question: "Only one of these Presidents is a clown. Guess which"

It is because almost nobody speaks Russian. Zelensky has been known in Russia far before he got first chair in Ukraine. He is professional comedian - check Google "Quartal 95" - it is (was) his main business.

45 minutes of his show (in Russian)

[Moses]

British journalists were recorded "news" how bad are Russians, but got bullets from Ukrainian army right at time of filming

[StevieWonders]

Here is opposite: a big amount of Russian companies are working with China, a lot of Russians traveling to China (ok, before virus), RMB is reserve currency here for many people. Middle class has Union Pay in valets, and than more far you are traveling to Russian East, then more you meet UnionPay ATM.

Oh yes, we understand Russia is becoming a Chinese colony, economically

[Moses]

Oh yes, we understand Russia is becoming a Chinese colony, economically

Whatever But right now is going process about which I told here just month ago: than stronger will be pressure of West on Russia, then more tight will be links btw Russian and Chinese economies. In the final West will get Eastern union what it will have no chance to overpower. And that will be very bad news for West.

[Dodger]

A bit of hyperbole, Dodger.

No FACT.

[StevieWonders]

Whatever But right now is going process about which I told here just month ago: than stronger will be pressure of West on Russia, then more tight will be links btw Russian and Chinese economies. In the final West will get Eastern union what it will have no chance to overpower. And that will be very bad news for West.

An outcome I hope for profoundly

[Moses]

An outcome I hope for profoundly

Well, in 2012 trade btw RU and CN was the same as trade btw RU and DE, in 2020 trade with China was already 2.5 times higher than with Germany (China is #1 in Russian trade and Germany #2, together their share is more than 1/4 of whole trade).

[Dodger]

Putin's latest rant as he enters the "Panic Phase".

In Putin's latest rant he says that If Ukraine continued doing what they are doing (protecting themselves), they are calling into question the future of Ukrainian statehood. He went on to say that if this continues to happen it will be entirely on their conscience. I laughed so hard when I saw this that Jai ran in from the other room and asked me what was so hilarious.

Putin also struck out at Western sanctions that have crippled Russia's economy and sent the value of its currency tumbling. I thought that was also a strange statement considering the fact that, up till this point, his claims have been that the sanctions are only having a minimal effect on Russia's economy, and that safeguards had been put in place to mitigate these sanctions.. Well, which is it?

In any event, the temporary cease fire is either delayed or off the table...as is the humanitarian corridor which was intended to provide safe passage for women and children to designated safe-zones which is extremely unfortunate. Putin's now gone back to selling woof tickets saying that the sanctions imposed by the West are tantamount to a declaration of war. He's like a child with ADHD who's parents ran out of Ritalin.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/reports-r...070133818.html

[cdnmatt]

Putin has already lost, and there is no avenue which he comes out of this victorious in any form. Now let's just hope he doesn't act like too much of a wounded animal and start firing nukes before he's finally removed from power.

When that day comes Moses, I'll be sure to play the world's smallest violin for you.

[cdnmatt]

Putin hoped to bring Ukraine back under his control. What happened instead?

1. Fierce and very underestimated resistance from Ukraine which has inspired the world putting Putin's entire rationale for war to shit, as quite obviously Ukrainians don't feel as though they need to be saved and liberated by some neo-nazis.
2. Russians are catching on to Putin's bullshit lies, so he has trouble brewing domestically now with even rumors of martial law being thrown around.
3. Proven to the world the Russian military is nowhere near the professional, organized, well trained and equipped power they claim to be.
4. Tanked the Russian economy, and this one will last for quite a few years to come. Folks like Exxon, Shell and BP don't just reverse decisions like this in a week or two.
5. Turned Russia into an international piriah which is now universally condemned and despised. Well, except Serbia, Mynamnar, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Syria.
6. Pissed off his inner circle of oligarchs who keep him in power, as they've reportedly have lost ~$126 billion so far and are losing more each day.
7. Breathed new life into NATO which is now more unified than ever with military spending across Europe expected to increase dramatically to bolster the alliances defenses.
8. For the first time in history, majority of people in both Sweden and Finland now want their countries to join NATO with NATO responding membership would be quickly approved due to existing strong collaboration. Finland joining puts another NATO nation right at Russia's border.


Pretty sure this isn't what Putin had in mind when he made the decision to invade.