Europe is the weak link. Germany is frozen by its history. I like the solutions proposed as if Biden were acting as Putin would act. Perhaps today's announcements are the first step. If Europe loses Ukraine to Russia, Putin will "be on the English Channel" before too long. Stalin came close but Hitler pulled the trigger first in 1941.
US Financial analysts are recommending Russian financial instruments because the sanctions can be "worked around" easily and Biden's demand for "de-escalation" was met with Russian ships blockading Ukrainian military from ports in Ukraine today.
Could you possibly share Victor Rud's entire quote or the source where you found it? I am really interested but was just able to find this on Twitter:
“We have a business mindset & assume agreements solve a problem. Russia sees agreements as a vehicle, with the intention to divert attention, placate, confuse, or buy time. With other tools such as compromise, disinformation, provocation that underpin Putin’s ultimate competitive advantage.”
Ukraine must forget about NATO. Criminal Putin and his plutucratic regime will never permit joining it. Further, Putin did offer Ukraine $17billion and a low price for natural gas but Ukraine said no and Putin then annexed Crimea. Maybe, just maybe, Putin would become less aggressive and threatening if Ukraine would take NATO off the table.
Easy for you to say that Felix. Try living in a small country in Europe, Romania comes to mind. So, does the West just washes their hands again and let the Russian dictators do whatever they want?
Correction: Joe Biden did not withdraw troops from Afghanistan, he reneged on the deal with the Taliban to remove troops by May 1st, 2021 and unilaterally delayed it until Sept 11th, 2021. He wants a provocation that will allow him to justify NOT withdrawing American Soldiers from Afghanistan
This is, as I said, trying to fight cancer with aspirin -- you have to fight dirty as he does, as sneaky as he does, as cunning as he does.
Biden's attempt is beyond disappointing given seven years of predation by this thug in Ukraine alone, never mind elsewhere
Well written and thoughtful.....My only comment is. Be wary of Erdogan. Be very wary of Erdogan. He is a scorpion and we all know what scorpion do.
Europe is the weak link. Germany is frozen by its history. I like the solutions proposed as if Biden were acting as Putin would act. Perhaps today's announcements are the first step. If Europe loses Ukraine to Russia, Putin will "be on the English Channel" before too long. Stalin came close but Hitler pulled the trigger first in 1941.
Allen Hingston, I totally agree! “ Putin will be on the English Channel.”
I don t think many realize this! God help Ukraine! We are peaceful people
Irena, forget about help from God. It's either NATO, or you are on your own.
Given the Biden announcement of harsh measures and expulsions of Russian mobsters today, perhaps youd re-consider "Biden blinked"
US Financial analysts are recommending Russian financial instruments because the sanctions can be "worked around" easily and Biden's demand for "de-escalation" was met with Russian ships blockading Ukrainian military from ports in Ukraine today.
no Biden's sanctions were so soft the ruble increased in value
What do you suggest? Nukes? Trump was a puppet, Biden is not but has European gas etc to consider.
no just don't be naive and fight fire with fire -- get the Euros to put boots on the ground in Ukraine and pay Ukraine's entire defense bill
Hello Ms Francis,
Could you possibly share Victor Rud's entire quote or the source where you found it? I am really interested but was just able to find this on Twitter:
“We have a business mindset & assume agreements solve a problem. Russia sees agreements as a vehicle, with the intention to divert attention, placate, confuse, or buy time. With other tools such as compromise, disinformation, provocation that underpin Putin’s ultimate competitive advantage.”
Thank you in advance.
Phenomenal writing Ms Francis please keep it up!!!
How quickly we forget chamberlain waving his white paper from Hitler
Ukraine must forget about NATO. Criminal Putin and his plutucratic regime will never permit joining it. Further, Putin did offer Ukraine $17billion and a low price for natural gas but Ukraine said no and Putin then annexed Crimea. Maybe, just maybe, Putin would become less aggressive and threatening if Ukraine would take NATO off the table.
Easy for you to say that Felix. Try living in a small country in Europe, Romania comes to mind. So, does the West just washes their hands again and let the Russian dictators do whatever they want?
Correction: Joe Biden did not withdraw troops from Afghanistan, he reneged on the deal with the Taliban to remove troops by May 1st, 2021 and unilaterally delayed it until Sept 11th, 2021. He wants a provocation that will allow him to justify NOT withdrawing American Soldiers from Afghanistan
As we are really in Obama's third term its hard to say what will happen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BdGLrb-HTY