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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2022 11:42:53 GMT -5
Russia poised to image invade Ukraine. Democrats block sanctions on Nordstream 2 pipeline. The line will be like Nordstream 1, but with one major difference: it can send oil directly to Germany, bypassing European countries in between. Including Ukraine. This is why it's a big deal Biden lifted Trump's sanctions on it. And why Biden and Dems killed gin&'s bill in December to renew the sanctions.
So in the states, we had 4 years of "Trump collision with Russia" based on fabricated intelligence.
If ANYONE in this shell of a one-great country is aiding Russia, it is Biden and the Democratic party. By their policies to remove sanctions, they have allowed Russia to remove any chance of Ukraine collecting fees from oil passage (as was before), and have gained significant control over oil prices and distribution capabilities.
No doubt the Russians will be righteously indignant about Putin's "Russia First" policy. No? Oh yes - they don't have the same level of stupidity we have in the states. Maybe they understand that the best form of negotiation is when both countries put their own interests first. This is political game theory, which the democrats are apparently to worried about what gender they feel like today, and how to make the Taliban more inclusive to actually study.
Oh, and American energy? Cancel our Keystone pipeline.
"Dear Americans, Trump and I ah.. good friends. He help me be cruel Bond villain. Please don't vote Biden - 'e too tough and wise for me!" - Sincerely, Putin.
And some of us bought it.
Since Biden has come into office, America has become weaker, and Russia, Iran (provide weapons for terrorists to attack UAE? Sure!), NK and the Taliban have gotten significantly stronger.
At least Israel is pledging to help the UAE with support against such attacks. Geee... good thing they have an official diplomatic relationship. I wonder how that came about?
Oh yeah - Brokered by President Trump in 2020!!
And in the media, we hear, "if we don't get rid of the filibuster, it must mean we're [any guesses? You'll never guess....] RACIST!"
Republicans 2022 in both house and senate, and... (bite the bullet. After all, they'll just call names and that's all) Trump 2024.
I don't care about the personalities. I care about actual results.
[EDIT] I say TRUMP because he's the most likely outcome. I will support most other Republicans over him. In a pinch, I'd even support Hillary Clinton. She's as corrupt in not more than Trump, but she's highly competent, and extremely strong. She'd NEVER had let us get to this point. Yang in a perfect world. Most like Obama - brains and pragmatic.
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Jan 19, 2022 14:11:45 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2022 19:52:59 GMT -5
I hit a paywall with the first. Biden did put sanctions on 2 companies related to NS2 in August, but it was too little too late. www.reuters.com/world/us-issues-nord-stream-2-related-sanctions-russians-blinken-2021-08-20/Well, "related" is a lofty term, but Reuters needed something. In reality, "...The sanctions were imposed on ship Ostap Sheremeta, ship owner JSC Nobility and construction company Konstanta, the State Department said in a report to congressional committees..." "These sanctions do nothing to halt Nord Stream 2," said Daniel Vajdich, president of Yorktown Solutions, which advises the Ukrainian energy industry on the matter... But in May the U.S. State Department waived two sanctions that opponents say would have stopped the project. The measures were on Nord Stream 2 AG, the company behind the project, and its chief executive, Matthias Warning, a Putin ally. read more "The only thing that can stop NS2 from becoming operational is lifting the waivers and sanctioning ... Nord Stream AG, which they refuse to do," Vajdich said. From your second link, it is accurate. "U.S. businesses should be aware that the United States imposes sanctions on Russian persons (individuals, entities, and vessels) in response to conduct including Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, invasion of eastern Ukraine, election interference, malicious cyber activities, human rights abuses, uses of chemical weapons, weapons proliferation, illicit trade with North Korea, and support to Syria and Venezuela. Further sanctions on Russian persons, entities, and ships involved in the Nord Stream 2 projects have been imposed, and additional measures are also under consideration, although the U.S. Government waived sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, the company behind Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, and its chief executive, in May 2021"Why on earth, when we apparently sanction them for everything else, did he lift these sanctions specifically allowing Nord Stream 2 to proceed? Either incompetence, malevolence, or complete naivety. Meanwhile we're feeling it in the states. Even liberal news sources are catching on. It's been ironically amusing, to give the most optimistic view.
Biden's talking real tough at his presser today on sanctions... we'll see I suppose.
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Jan 19, 2022 20:11:15 GMT -5
www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-cannot-rule-out-nord-stream-2-means-pressure-says-foreign-policy-expert-2022-01-18/here's a bit of news on NS2. I am a bit bemused that you say that the USA are allowing NS2 to go ahead. NS2 is on European soil. The Germans will deal with it. If they do halt the use of the pipe line, Europe will need to find gas from somewhere else which is no easy task. However Russia will have to find money from somewhere else and that is an even larger task. Economic sanctions will deal Putin a decent blow. Even though the USSR no longer exists and we are talking about Russia I see little hope of light at the end of the tunnel for Russia whilst Putin is in charge. He is ex KGB and was never happy that Gorbachev kicked communism into touch. Putin is an old school totalitarian dicktator and is not about to change his spots anytime soon. Hammering him with financial blows will make it costly for him to invade Ukraine. Hopefully it works. One downside of doing this though is the rest of the world are going to be footing the bill as well in terms of increased fuel costs which will then impact inflation.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2022 21:36:06 GMT -5
www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-cannot-rule-out-nord-stream-2-means-pressure-says-foreign-policy-expert-2022-01-18/here's a bit of news on NS2. I am a bit bemused that you say that the USA are allowing NS2 to go ahead. NS2 is on European soil. The Germans will deal with it. If they do halt the use of the pipe line, Europe will need to find gas from somewhere else which is no easy task. However Russia will have to find money from somewhere else and that is an even larger task. Economic sanctions will deal Putin a decent blow. Even though the USSR no longer exists and we are talking about Russia I see little hope of light at the end of the tunnel for Russia whilst Putin is in charge. He is ex KGB and was never happy that Gorbachev kicked communism into touch. Putin is an old school totalitarian dicktator and is not about to change his spots anytime soon. Hammering him with financial blows will make it costly for him to invade Ukraine. Hopefully it works. One downside of doing this though is the rest of the world are going to be footing the bill as well in terms of increased fuel costs which will then impact inflation. I wish the US didn't have to worry about Russian expansion into Ukraine. I also saw Germany have ruled out blocking it. By "allowed" I'm referring to lifting sanctions. Half of me wishes the EU had actual military clout but they only seem capable of sending strongly worded letters. The Canadians have already deployed special forces to Ukraine. globalnews.ca/news/8517110/canada-special-forces-ukraine-russia/Overall though, agree with your assessment. The rising energy costs and subsequent inflation will hit Europe harder than the US. It's hit us hard though... we went from 100% energy independence in 2019 to canceling our own pipeline...right geniuses we've currently got. We'll, I should say Keystone pipeline is "delayed" 4 years, and not "canceled". But still...
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Jan 19, 2022 21:41:20 GMT -5
I forgot to say that several political commentators see Putin as someone who wishes to rebuild the old USSR. That makes him a dangerous man.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2022 21:44:17 GMT -5
I forgot to say that several political commentators see Putin as someone who wishes to rebuild the old USSR. That makes him a dangerous man. He's kind of like if Trump didn't speak much. Cunning and longing for the USSR to be great again.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2022 22:48:31 GMT -5
If I was Putin... (and not some ignorant American hick), I'd...
1. Start some small scale invasion of Ukraine, but only enough to panic everyone. Not enough for Germany to do anything about Nord Stream 2. Keep tensions high, prolonged. However, have humanitarian aid ready and do as little harm as possible.
This creates state of uncertain fear in Ukraine, and wastes European and North American time and money.
2. Complete Nordstream 2, and bring transport of natural gas to max capabilities immediately.
This lowers energy prices in Europe (temporarily) and prevents Europe from looking for alternate sources.
3. Break the 5 year (signed 2019) contract with Ukraine guaranteeing transit fees to Ukraine as Russian gas passes through toward Germany. Cite an outdated and leaky pipe, or any other technicality.
4% of Ukraine's GDP is accounted for by those fees paid by Russia. Russia can send gas directly to Germany and not significantly hobble Western Europe with high energy prices, while crippling Ukrainian economy simultaneously.
4. The finale - pull out of Ukraine but provide significant humanitarian aid and support. Then, offer to alleviate the financial and morale hardships of the Ukrainian people in exchange for joining the Russian federation as the democratic state "Republic of Ukraine" within Russia.
Point to the Republic of Crimea as an example, who voted 88% to join Russia in 2014, and whose people instantly reaped the benefits of stability and prosperity. There is a significant Ukrainian population in Crimea, and kinship helps.
Sweeten the pot? Tell Ukraine you'll turn the gas back on, benefiting them and the rest of Europe as well.
This is what an ignorant Kansan like me thinks Putin is up to.
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Jan 19, 2022 22:52:37 GMT -5
If I was Putin... (and not some ignorant American hick), I'd... 1. Start some small scale invasion of Ukraine, but only enough to panic everyone. Not enough for Germany to do anything about Nord Stream 2. Keep tensions high, prolonged. However, have humanitarian aid ready and do as little harm as possible. This creates state of uncertain fear in Ukraine, and wastes European and North American time and money. 2. Complete Nordstream 2, and bring transport of natural gas to max capabilities immediately. This lowers energy prices in Europe (temporarily) and prevents Europe from looking for alternate sources. 3. Break the 5 year (signed 2019) contract with Ukraine guaranteeing transit fees to Ukraine as Russian gas passes through toward Germany. Cite an outdated and leaky pipe, or any other technicality. 4% of Ukraine's GDP is accounted for by those fees paid by Russia. Russia can send gas directly to Germany and not significantly hobble Western Europe with high energy prices, while crippling Ukrainian economy simultaneously. 4. The finale - pull out of Ukraine but provide significant humanitarian aid and support. Then, offer to alleviate the financial and morale hardships of the Ukrainian people in exchange for joining the Russian federation as the democratic state "Republic of Ukraine" within Russia. Point to the Republic of Crimea as an example, who voted 88% to join Russia in 2014, and whose people instantly reaped the benefits of stability and prosperity. There is a significant Ukrainian population in Crimea, and kinship helps. Sweeten the pot? Tell Ukraine you'll turn the gas back on, benefiting them and the rest of Europe as well. This is what an ignorant Kansan like me thinks Putin is up to. The issue with that scenario is Germany is most likely going to stick a cork right up NS2 and there's not a lot Putin can do about it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2022 23:03:26 GMT -5
If I was Putin... (and not some ignorant American hick), I'd... 1. Start some small scale invasion of Ukraine, but only enough to panic everyone. Not enough for Germany to do anything about Nord Stream 2. Keep tensions high, prolonged. However, have humanitarian aid ready and do as little harm as possible. This creates state of uncertain fear in Ukraine, and wastes European and North American time and money. 2. Complete Nordstream 2, and bring transport of natural gas to max capabilities immediately. This lowers energy prices in Europe (temporarily) and prevents Europe from looking for alternate sources. 3. Break the 5 year (signed 2019) contract with Ukraine guaranteeing transit fees to Ukraine as Russian gas passes through toward Germany. Cite an outdated and leaky pipe, or any other technicality. 4% of Ukraine's GDP is accounted for by those fees paid by Russia. Russia can send gas directly to Germany and not significantly hobble Western Europe with high energy prices, while crippling Ukrainian economy simultaneously. 4. The finale - pull out of Ukraine but provide significant humanitarian aid and support. Then, offer to alleviate the financial and morale hardships of the Ukrainian people in exchange for joining the Russian federation as the democratic state "Republic of Ukraine" within Russia. Point to the Republic of Crimea as an example, who voted 88% to join Russia in 2014, and whose people instantly reaped the benefits of stability and prosperity. There is a significant Ukrainian population in Crimea, and kinship helps. Sweeten the pot? Tell Ukraine you'll turn the gas back on, benefiting them and the rest of Europe as well. This is what an ignorant Kansan like me thinks Putin is up to. The issue with that scenario is Germany is most likely going to stick a cork right up NS2 and there's not a lot Putin can do about it. That's the hope. Putin has to hope they'll keep their interests in mind, though I'm sure they can import from other countries.
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Jan 19, 2022 23:40:35 GMT -5
The issue with that scenario is Germany is most likely going to stick a cork right up NS2 and there's not a lot Putin can do about it. That's the hope. Putin has to hope they'll keep their interests in mind, though I'm sure they can import from other countries. That's what the west is banking on but Putin is going to find it more difficult to replace the earnings from the gas.
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