Russia & Putin

[Dubbag]

The introduction of sanctions aimed at oligarchs and the Russian state are immense but will hit the people who have little involvement in this private battle of Putin.

Most Russian struggle today to make ends meet and these sanctions are going to make life harder for them. After Yeltsin began the process of democracy, Putin took it back and instead installed his own oligarchs. He gave a select few (including Ibramavich) whole sectors of commerce to own.

But they have begun to demonstrate even if small amounts.....brave people indeed.....from news source.....There was also some dissent in Russia. Police detained more than 1,600 taking part in anti-war rallies in 53 cities and authorities threatened to block media reports carrying "false information".

[boingy]

The introduction of sanctions aimed at oligarchs and the Russian state are immense but will hit the people who have little involvement in this private battle of Putin.

Most Russian struggle today to make ends meet and these sanctions are going to make life harder for them. After Yeltsin began the process of democracy, Putin took it back and instead installed his own oligarchs. He gave a select few (including Ibramavich) whole sectors of commerce to own.

But they have begun to demonstrate even if small amounts.....brave people indeed.....from news source.....There was also some dissent in Russia. Police detained more than 1,600 taking part in anti-war rallies in 53 cities and authorities threatened to block media reports carrying "false information".

War. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztZI2aLQ9Sw

[Dubbag]

War. What is it good for. Absolutely nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztZI2aLQ9Sw

Not necessarily true boingy. It creates jobs and whole industries. It brings in lots of tax revenues. The arms industry is much larger then most others out there.

Even the poorest country in the world spends on armaments. So war had its advantages, not to mention the technology advances that come about because of an arm's race. Bombs and bullets kill lives but create jobs for people.
Oil exploration has driven our recent advances but not great for the environment. So depending on the course of evolution taken by the advanced intelligence of the planetery system.....will determine the filters we all go through at this stage......chose wisely.....❤️

[WBA1955]

The sanctions are to cause discomfort and unrest at home, and there is evidence that this is already happening without the sanctions coming into effect.
Putin's presidency is coming to an end soon so they might choose someone less of a hawk. Alternatively it could give turn Russia closer to China

[SwedishBaggie]

It was the Swedes who founded Russia wasn't it Thomas? Swedish Vikings, the Rus, travelled east down the rivers.

Yes Des, or at least settlements around Novgorod and later Kiev (the Ukraine now, and Swedes founded it, so hands off Putin!), around 700-800 AD. Rurik the Viking led them and he was ancestor of the dynasty that ruled Russia until 1598. Their special vessels/boats gave them the name ”the Rus”.

[Titchfieldbaggie]

If we are serious about regime change in Russia, then I suggest the beach destinations across the world are denied to all Russians. That will make people sit up and take note, more than half ar$ed sanctions. Kettle them in Russia and see how Putin responds to that with his own people

[mickd1961]

If we are serious about regime change in Russia, then I suggest the beach destinations across the world are denied to all Russians. That will make people sit up and take note, more than half ar$ed sanctions. Kettle them in Russia and see how Putin responds to that with his own people

This is an interesting point.

If there was a travel ban on Russians, other than those fleeing the country due to oppression you could certainly see this causing him trouble.

It’s not like it was in the 60’s and 70’s, people in Russia have got used to being able to travel with freedom.

The only downside to this is going to be a shortage of prostitutes.

[Yarmbaggie]

This is an interesting point.

If there was a travel ban on Russians, other than those fleeing the country due to oppression you could certainly see this causing him trouble.

It’s not like it was in the 60’s and 70’s, people in Russia have got used to being able to travel with freedom.

The only downside to this is going to be a shortage of prostitutes.

It will be interesting to see what impact travel does have on the Russian psyche because as you say there has been a big increase in the number of Russian tourists. The latest data still shows that the 3 most popular countries for them to travel to are Ukraine no 1. (Oops), followed by Kazakhstan and Turkey with the top European countries being Finland no.1 then Estonia and Italy.

It is also interesting that over 33% of all visitors into Russia were from Ukraine (double oops).

[WBA123]

If we are serious about regime change in Russia, then I suggest the beach destinations across the world are denied to all Russians. That will make people sit up and take note, more than half ar$ed sanctions. Kettle them in Russia and see how Putin responds to that with his own people

I would agree, but you can't see countries like Egypt who rely on tourism doing that.

But I agree Russia need to be banned from everything, as much as possible. All sporting and cultural events. I see the F1 has been removed now as well as the CL final. Ban them from the World Cup, the Olympics, holidays. Everything.

Ban all Russian money being spent internationally. Stop buying their oil and gas, stop trading with their businesses internationally. They need to be a pariah state.

We should also never forget the politicians and observers who are defending Russia right now. Far left and far right politicians like Corbyn and Farage. Their comments are disgusting and insulting to Ukrainians.

[Omegstrat6]

How long will it be before we see queues at the fuel pumps again? Those with vested interests love a crisis.

Already started! Pumps at my local filling station considerably busier than normal including late at night and early morning. Back to seeing those clogging up forecourts to top up with their couple of quite worth.....