[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)

[Eric the meek]

I just don't care whether they meet or not, it's all a charade.

Ukraine will defend themselves against Russia forever, because there's no alternative, and Putin will keep attacking until he's stopped. So what matters (IMO) is that we support Ukraine to the hilt, put the maximum possible pressure on Russia's economy, and also ostracise Russia from the world.

Yes, it's all a charade. We know that. But in cutting to the chase, you risk missing the nuances.

Trump wants to meet up, and is sweet talking Putin to get him to the table. What does Putin do? Put out the feelers for a meeting with Zelensky, immediately after he failed to turn up to the last one.

It's all a dance. But Trump wants the last dance.

 

[Bodian]

This might be interesting.

Putin had the chance to meet Zelensky and ducked out of it. So why is he now saying a meeting is possible?
To further delay, distract, obfuscate? Yes, but there may be more to this. Something has changed. He failed to turn up to his own talks. And Zelensky has capitalised on it.

That's bad optics.
It could be that he realises he made a strategic mistake, and is seeking to put it right, to keep Trump onside. Keep the charade going.

But now that Trump and Rubio are making noises of a Trump/Putin meeting, he may be seeking to delay even more, and now swerve a meeting with Trump.

And I suspect the 'certain conditions' will be things along the lines of Russia's demands about territory being given to them and so on. That is - they'll make it impossible.

 

[raymondo]

Solovyov running out of praise for all things Russian?

 

[SouthSaxon]

Yes, it's all a charade. We know that. But in cutting to the chase, you risk missing the nuances.

Trump wants to meet up, and is sweet talking Putin to get him to the table. What does Putin do? Put out the feelers for a meeting with Zelensky, immediately after he failed to turn up to the last one.

It's all a dance. But Trump wants the last dance.

And Putin will feel he needs to dance around Trump because a direct snub would be extremely damaging to his aims.

A malignant narcissist humiliated by one of those he most admires…faecal matter could be directed at the air circulation device in no uncertain terms.

 

[raymondo]

Yes, it's all a charade. We know that. But in cutting to the chase, you risk missing the nuances.

Trump wants to meet up, and is sweet talking Putin to get him to the table. What does Putin do? Put out the feelers for a meeting with Zelensky, immediately after he failed to turn up to the last one.

It's all a dance. But Trump wants the last dance.

I think it's continued time wasting from Putin, it keeps working for him and he'll keep on laughing at the West.
Trump should put his body where his mouth is by organizing a meeting with Putin, Zelenskiy and at least one rep from Europe.
But I don't think much will change. Putin won't stop unless he's forced to.

 

[raymondo]

Another example of how drone warfare has changed almost everything.

 

[Seagull58]

Blimey he never stops his bs and lies.

I'm also fairly sure it's something: can't only be a bromance; can't only be an 'aluminum' deal; can't only be promise of Trump towers across russian cities; can't only be Musk and Tesla in Russia; can't only be trillions paid to Trump and his family?
Well maybe it could be, or something else.

My guess, based on ex-KGB sources now in the public domain, is that it is 2 fold; firstly, the "golden showers" and other sex tapes with Russian hookers. This would be a huge concern to a misogynist, narcissist. Secondly, he has been laundering money for Russian oligarchs and criminals through his businesses for decades, at the behest of the KGB. Quite possibly, they could financially destroy him if they chose to, although that possibility is receding as he brazenly cuts new corrupt deals with his middle Eastern buddies.

 

[raymondo]

My guess, based on ex-KGB sources now in the public domain, is that it is 2 fold; firstly, the "golden showers" and other sex tapes with Russian hookers. This would be a huge concern to a misogynist, narcissist. Secondly, he has been laundering money for Russian oligarchs and criminals through his businesses for decades, at the behest of the KGB. Quite possibly, they could financially destroy him if they chose to, although that possibility is receding as he brazenly cuts new corrupt deals with his middle Eastern buddies.

The money laundering theory could be damaging I guess.
And remember he's likely to make gazillions from his friggin crypto coin

 

[papachris]

My guess, based on ex-KGB sources now in the public domain, is that it is 2 fold; firstly, the "golden showers" and other sex tapes with Russian hookers. This would be a huge concern to a misogynist, narcissist. Secondly, he has been laundering money for Russian oligarchs and criminals through his businesses for decades, at the behest of the KGB. Quite possibly, they could financially destroy him if they chose to, although that possibility is receding as he brazenly cuts new corrupt deals with his middle Eastern buddies.

I honestly don't think he cares about his past sexual behaviour. He will wear it as a trophy unless it is something that is degrading to him

 

[Seagull58]

I honestly don't think he cares about his past sexual behaviour. He will wear it as a trophy unless it is something that is degrading to him

I think that's his problem with the golden showers tape.

 

[fly high]

The money laundering theory could be damaging I guess.
And remember he's likely to make gazillions from his friggin crypto coin

I read somewhere it's about $2.6 billion. Another 3 years could be 10.

 

[peterward]

Damning indictment

 

[raymondo]

Damning indictment

Brave lady ...someone still having a moral compass.
Unfortunately Trump will probably replace her with another golfing budy or Musk relation or some such.

 

[raymondo]

Good interview with Browder, his view on the 'dance ' that Europe and the US are having.

 

[peterward]

Good interview with Browder, his view on the 'dance ' that Europe and the US are having.

He's so articulate. And a real hero for bravely fighting Putins corruption for years

 

[Eric the meek]

Congress will soon increase sanctions on Russia then.

Edit: Note Rubio's implicit apology to Russia for the US implementing them.

 

[raymondo]

He's so articulate. And a real hero for bravely fighting Putins corruption for years

He is Indeed . Smart and focused.

 

[raymondo]

Congress will soon increase sanctions on Russia then.

Edit: Note Rubio's implicit apology to Russia for the US implementing them.

SURELY Trump can just sign something to stop such terrible power from Congress . I wonder what will happen with Congress flexing their muscles.... let's see.

 

[raymondo]

Pope sends a personal message to Trump during his inaugural address ,(BBC article):

He also said he would seek to govern "without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat".

 

[papachris]

Russia detains oil tanker after leaving Estonian port

Russian authorities on Sunday detained an oil tanker in Russia's territorial waters after it departed the Estonian port of Sillamäe on a pre-agreed route, the Transport Administration reported. The incident comes several days after Estonia attempted to stop a Russian shadow fleet vessel.

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