Only news & views related to the Ukraine conflict …
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March 30, 2022
Ukraine Open Thread 2022-38
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I’ve been wondering why Russia fails to prevent a lot of the western-donated weapons from entering Ukraine. They were most precise last week targeting and destroying a merc training base near Poland and a fuel and weapons depot. Are the Ukies “just that good” at smuggling arms and ammo to their forces?
Posted by: ERing46Z | Mar 30 2022 15:06 utc | 1
The Polish PM claiming that anti-Russian sentiment is now the order of the day in Poland, otherwise known as hate crime to you and I.
“What was once called Russophobia has now become mainstream in Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said during a press conference on Wednesday.
The PM claims that in light of the situation in Ukraine, Poland has set “some standards” when it comes to anti-Russian sentiment.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, in the context of this terrible event which is the war in Ukraine, Poland sets some standards, and what was previously called Russophobia is now mainstream, it is already accepted as a reality,” Morawiecki said.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:06 utc | 2
UK PM Boris Johnson wants more fire power deliver to the Nazi’s, to “take” the fight to Russia. One option is the British AS-90 self propelled guns. Anti-ship missiles and drones are also on the menu. Its patently obvious that the West doesn’t want this war to end, even moreso in an Ukrainian defeat.
“UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson allegedly told his cabinet on Tuesday that he wants to provide Ukraine with “more lethal” military aid to help the country repel the Russian attack, The Times reported on Wednesday, citing a government source.
Western countries have been urgently supplying Ukraine with weapons after Moscow launched its military campaign on February 24. Kiev, however, has repeatedly asked for more aid, arguing that the current level of support is not enough.
Admiral Tony Radakin, the chief of the Defense Staff, was said to have stated at the same meeting that the UK was moving to a “new phase” of its support for Ukraine.
According to the report, Boris Johnson did not specify what weapons he had in mind. A defense source told the outlet that Ukraine needs “longer-range deep fires,” including heavy artillery.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:11 utc | 3
The crisis in Ukraine represents a huge danger to world peace. The two biggest nuclear powers are fighting by proxy (nothing new) but this conflict risks engulfing all Europe -at first. Because it will spread, and is fatally connected to other flash points: china in particular. The dispute in Ukraine cannot be disentangled from the growing Sino-American confrontation, with the US seeking to preserve its global dominance. Such clashes have always led to major wars. In the last hundred years they have resulted in two world wars. History suggests we are about to face another. https://patternofhistory.wordpress.com/
Posted by: peter mcloughlin | Mar 30 2022 15:13 utc | 5
The Ukraine, with their ludicrous proposals, is currently being restructured into 404.
Posted by: bjd | Mar 30 2022 15:13 utc | 6
Pepe is back on Twitter dropping Ukraine tweets. Any bets on how long he will last there?
Posted by: JMW | Mar 30 2022 15:14 utc | 7
Poland is an embarrassing Western satrapy with no future,no one cares what those dogs think.
Posted by: Lolgege | Mar 30 2022 15:14 utc | 8
ERing46Z–
It’s easier to destroy weapons once they’re stockpiled in an armory rather than while in transit. Plus, Russia doesn’t want to destroy a lot of Ukrainian infrastructure since it will be needed to rebuild the nation. Plus, what’s entering can’t get to the surrounded troops and are thus tactically useless at this juncture.
Estonia’s PM thinks that the EU shouldn’t pay for Russian oil and gas, and instead the money they owe Russia should be used to rebuild Ukraine.
“Estonia has suggested that the money Europe is set to pay Russia for its energy supplies should be used to rebuild Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday.
“In order to make an immediate impact and make Russia pay for what has been done in Ukraine”, the payments for Moscow’s oil and gas should be deposited in a bank to be used to rebuild Ukraine, Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets said at a briefing on Wednesday, according to Interfax.
Liimets’ comments echoed the position voiced by the country’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas last week, who called on the EU to set up an account to temporarily deposit part of the payments for Moscow’s oil and gas. According to the EU Observer news website, this move would allow the EU to continue buying Russian fossil fuels.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:18 utc | 10
this Pentagon reporter has stated that the Pentagon plans to buy hundreds of FEWER Javelin missiles this year than it did last year, DESPITE giving away thousands of them to Ukraine. https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/status/1508517753413636096
It is now clear that the Pentagon leadership has seen the utterly dismal performance of the Javelin and now wants to phase it out from U.S. forces. Remember, out of thousands of Javelins supplied, thousands of videos published by Ukraine, not a single successful usage of the system has ever been recorded. In fact the vast majority of successful Ukrainian defeats of Russian armor happens at the ends of legacy Soviet/Russian systems and mostly artillery. Russian forces continue to find Javelin units completely unused because Ukr troops have found them to be unwieldy and impractical in combat – too long to set up and use, too heavy to carry around, and not effective even when used. For urban combat where troops have to be as light, mobile, and agile as possible, the Javelin is absolutely worthless with its large CLU interface and overly-bulky design. The Pentagon has clearly seen the failure of the over-hyped system.
-In another sudden and unexpected report, the Pentagon now wants to scrap DOZENS of F-22’s.
https://www.rt.com/news/552870-pentagon-budget-f-22-jets-boneyard/
Posted by: Manage without me | Mar 30 2022 15:22 utc | 12
So Ritter says somewhere the Russians counted on Kharkiv surrendering/changing sides without a fight but misjudged. Or the extremists were put in all the right places to maintain the ‘order’. Similarly there are stories about neonazis cutting of routes of retreat so army has to keep on fighting. This is an additional way in which you can nazify the country with limited support.
This leads me to a speculation about fighting for cities. It is very wasteful, leads to a lot of destruction, and leads to loss of popular support both in Russia and in the cities you attack. MAriupol was very separatist so that was the simplest case but even there they did not get a good deal. So what if you go for a dual strategy where either the government surrenders/agrees to a deal, or it does not. If it does not a large part of Ukraine is anti russian. That means you can negotiate with the in-betweeners: do you want to be at the mercy of those guys or do you prefer another solution? Then this negotiated nonmilitary solution could become a ‘neutralish’ novorussia while the rest of Ukraine would be partly demilitarized, maybe only temporarily so, but very unfriendly and with considerable extremist tendencies.
Posted by: Tuyzentfloot | Mar 30 2022 15:25 utc | 13
First it was the Swiss insurance company dropping the letter Z, now Samsung has followed suit, however no word of any country wanting the Z from AZOV or NaZi dropped yet, the emperor truly has no clothes on but the masses are to scared to reveal this. The Western media via cognitive warfare has brainwashed many in the West.
“South Korean tech giant Samsung has removed the letter ‘Z’ from the branding of its foldable smartphones in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are now listed as the Galaxy Fold 3 and Galaxy Flip 3 on the company’s official website in the Baltic countries.
Samsung has not commented on the move, but some media outlets have suggested that the change is meant to show solidarity with Kiev, since ‘Z’ is perceived by some as a symbol of support for Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:28 utc | 14
@ ERing46Z | Mar 30 2022 15:06 utc | 1
Perhaps Russians want to test the strength of the Western weapons, as a target practice. Or maybe also hoping to capture some of them intact for studies. Whatever the case may be I think Russia is just unfazed by whatever military hardware the NATO currently possess.
Posted by: Steve | Mar 30 2022 15:30 utc | 15
Global Times notes an event of importance: “Xi to meet EU leaders virtually at key summit, to inject positive energy to world amid Ukraine crisis”:
“President Xi will meet EU leaders by video link on Friday, including European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, announced on Wednesday.”
Given that cast of characters, I expect confrontation, not productive dialog. Here’s why:
The EU said it wants to put pressure on China “to be neutral with its stance” over Russia’s recent military operation in Ukraine, CNBC reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. The goal of the summit is “ensuring, in a way, the neutrality of China so they don’t help Russia,” an EU official was quoted in the media report.
And another official also described the summit as a defining moment for EU-China relations and if China “aligns themselves with Russia that will obviously have a very negative impact on relations with the EU,” the official said, according to CNBC.
Although trade between China and EU displaced that between China and ASEAN as #1 during the first two months of 2022, that was prior to EU incomes taking a big hit from the sanctions it levied on Russia at the behest of the Outlaw US Empire and will have far fewer euros to spend over the upcoming months. China obviously would like the current level of trade to continue, but that just isn’t going to happen. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the EU follows its master’s diktat and sanctions China.
@Republicofscotland
Isn’t Estonia the country that doesn’t automatically allow their citizens whose first language is Russian citizenship and a passport until they pass an Estonian language test?
Posted by: Manage without me | Mar 30 2022 15:32 utc | 17
Former PM and President Medvedev’s been writing quite a lot about the situation with the West, and another snippet is at RT.
@karlof1 (16)
EU will come with arrogance masking as virtual strength.
China will come with dignity and resolve.
In short: the EU (and the West in general) doesn’t call the shots anymore.
Posted by: bjd | Mar 30 2022 15:40 utc | 19
those bio-weapons labs said by Nuland to be for medical bio-research –
Nothing to it eh?
MOD banner announcement at Sputniknews this hour:
Kiev Regime Seriously Considered Using Bioweapons Against Russia, Donbass
https://sputniknews.com/20220330/russian-mod-kiev-regime-seriously-considered-using-bioweapons-against-russia-donbass-1094332753.html
The Russian military has spent weeks shedding light on research into deadly pathogens being conducted in Ukrainian laboratories under the direction of the Pentagon and with US funding. Washington initially denied the MoD’s reporting as “Russian disinformation,” but officials and media have since coroborated many of its details.
Ukrainian authorities seriously considered the possibility of using biological weapons against civilians in the Donbass and Russia, and the military will hold a special briefing on this matter based on an analysis of documents which have been obtained, Ministry of Defence spokesman Igor Konashenkov has said.
“The facts which have been unearthed demonstrate that the Kiev regime seriously considered the possibility of using biological weapons against civilians in the Donbass and in the Russian Federation,” Konashenkov said in a briefing Wednesday.
The spokesman said the Russian is continuing its analysis of documents received from employees of Ukraine-based biological laboratories, including the secret military biological activities being conducted in the country by the US.
“As a result of the analysis of new materials by experts from the Russian Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops, officials involved in the creation of components of biological weapons have been revealed. These include the heads of departments and employees at the US Defense Department, as well as its main contractor companies. As ongoing journalistic investigations in the Western press show, these campaigns were directly connected to Hunter Biden, the son of the US president,” Konashenkov said.
Illegal on US soil, these bio-weapons labs are deployed throughout other willing countries. US has violated all International treaties and Conventions because they consider themselves exceptional.
And yes, Biden calling Putin “a butcher, a war criminal” — projecting much?
…when all is revealed the Biden family will be found head and center up to their eyeballs.. Heavily invested in Ukraine especially since 2014. We now see the extreme lengths to cover-up their nefarious deeds.
Posted by: Likklemore | Mar 30 2022 15:42 utc | 20
It seems the Russians are ready to name names when it comes to the biolabs complex in Ukraine and the disgusting plans they were developing. Reports are everywhere in the Russian media. Details here. You’ll probably need a Russian VPN server and autotranslate if you don’t speak Russian.
Posted by: pasha | Mar 30 2022 15:43 utc | 21
Whoa! Surprise RT links can again be included in comments, at least for the moment as m @18 shows. Medvedev writes about the onset of the new international financial order, the following being the meat:
“‘No matter if they want it or not, they’ll have to negotiate a new financial order,’ Medvedev said. ‘And the decisive voice will then be with those countries that have a strong and advanced economy, healthy public finances and a reliable monetary system. And not with those who endlessly inflate their public debt, issuing more and more pieces of paper into circulation which aren’t backed by national wealth.'” [My Emphasis]
IMO, such a direct calling out of the emptiness of fiat currency will affect forex markets as the day for the new systems announcement creeps one day closer. In related news, the Vatican purchased its gas with rubles, although that’s being denied by Outlaw US Empire mouthpiece Oilprice.com. RT has a number of articles related to this and other Ukraine related events.
BREAKING (TASS): German Chancellor Scholz and Russian President Putin have agreed to hold talks on gas purchases for roubles.
Posted by: aquileia | Mar 30 2022 15:50 utc | 23
@ karlof1 16
Unfortunate for Western leadership they have yet to learn that Russia and China now may the rules and that unlike the western culture they do not engage in bluffing or threatening.
Taking time to saddle up, They act.
The current revert China has for the West on Russia’s operation in Ukraine is;
“He who put the bell on the tiger should take it off.”
Posted by: Likklemore | Mar 30 2022 15:51 utc | 24
On Motor Sich again, according to this article:
“in 2014, it was an extremely successful enterprise. The plant, with a highly qualified staff of 29,000 produced unique aircraft engines, engine spare parts, and provided maintenance services for more than 120 countries. It generated at least $1b in annual revenue”
Motor Sich would be crucial to the new state that emerges in eastern Ukraine. If the new state has a GDP of $75 billion then a $1 billion export enterprise employing tens of thousands is huge to the economic viability of the new country that will emerge.
Turkey reportedly is already luring away the valuable human resources of the company. China should outbid Turkey to hold the engineers and get them to return when Russia has established its administration.
Posted by: factory | Mar 30 2022 15:54 utc | 25
The “Russian gas thingy” is planned to take the blame for the debt as money accruing ever compounding interest Ponzi scheme numbers growing new digits at an ever increasing rate becoming untenable.
So, Russia will be blamed for the Banksters misdeeds.
Since the Banksters are not seen to run a Ponzi scheme, and it was all Russias fault, the same Banksters will retain their positions of privilege instead of being divested of their ill gotten wealth.
Posted by: Carl | Mar 30 2022 15:54 utc | 26
An ongoing series I am writing about the “information war” in Ukraine – I have some insider perspective on that (from the American side)
https://readingjunkie.com/2022/03/30/winning-the-information-war-in-ukraine/
Russia is NOT losing the information war
https://readingjunkie.com/2022/03/27/russia-is-not-losing-the-information-war/
Winning the information war
https://readingjunkie.com/2022/03/30/winning-the-information-war-in-ukraine/
Posted by: Ian Kummer | Mar 30 2022 15:57 utc | 27
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:18 utc | 10
Up till now I thought the choices were
(keep money AND have no energy) OR (spend money AND get energy)
This new option of (spend money AND have no energy) never even occurred to me.
Posted by: Awe | Mar 30 2022 16:03 utc | 28
ERing46Z | Mar 30 2022 15:06 utc | 1
DHL gave Ukraine six vans and evidently they have been using those. There must be more of the same style gun-running using similar means.
Posted by: Stonebird | Mar 30 2022 16:06 utc | 29
Announcement on Sputnik as breaking news:
https://sputniknews.com/20220330/lavrov-kievs-readiness-to-ensure-non-bloc-non-nuclear-status-of-ukraine-is-significant-progress-1094333487.html
Lavrov: Kiev’s Readiness to Ensure Non-Bloc, Non-Nuclear Status of Ukraine is Significant Progress
The Ukrainian side rolled out a list of proposals during its talks with Russia in Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday, that included Kiev agreeing to a non-bloc and non-nuclear status and rejecting the idea of returning Crimea and Donbass by military means, among others.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has assessed the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine talks held in Istanbul on Tuesday as a positive step ahead, even though this is not the final result.
According to Russia’s top diplomat, Kiev’s readiness to ensure a non-nuclear and non-bloc status of Ukraine is significant progress. He stressed that the Ukrainian side has also confirmed its understanding that the issues of Crimea, which rejoined Russia in 2014, and Donbass, which declared its independence from Ukraine the same year, are a done deal.
“I consider it significant progress that the Ukrainian negotiators have confirmed the need to ensure a non-nuclear, non-bloc status of Ukraine and its security outside the framework of the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as the understanding by the Ukrainian colleagues that the issues of Crimea and Donbass have been finally resolved”, Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday.
Keywords: “not the final result” but
“a done deal” !!? Who guarantees it? As with the Minks Agreements we see how that ended.
we’ll see where this ends. There is the bit of ceding Crimea as Russia and recognition of the two baby republics. That will be the deal breaker. And we know – well – Ze’s hand is being held with a long rope. USNATOUK wish a chunk of the Black Sea.
Posted by: Likklemore | Mar 30 2022 16:07 utc | 30
Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 30 2022 15:16 utc | 9
Good points. There was an additional one in an earlier comment (sorry I can’t name who gave it) that weapons are heavy and difficult to transport, so while it would be much better for the country not to have the onging attempts to resupply, it is not a hindrance to what has been accomplished so far, (and perhaps drains the abilities of the suppliers to send such arms elsewhere).
But I will bow to the expertise of you and others on this thread, just to say this is an incursion like no other so comparisons are futile (said in my closest approximation to the Borg).
As soon as it will be possible, peace and better times to all of Ukraine!
Posted by: juliania | Mar 30 2022 16:10 utc | 31
“Ladies and Gentlemen, in the context of this terrible event which is the war in Ukraine, Poland sets some standards, and what was previously called Russophobia is now mainstream, it is already accepted as a reality,” Morawiecki said.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:06 utc | 2
Well this Polish PM is JUST LIKE Zelensky
Poland appoints ex-banker with Jewish roots as prime minister
Two aunts of Mateusz Morawiecki were rescued by non-Jews during the Holocaust; one of them lives in Israel
https://www.timesofisrael.com/poland-appoints-ex-banker-with-jewish-roots-as-prime-minister/
I’m sure it is just a coincidence that this common characteristic appears all over the place when one looks closer at the Russian/Ukrainian conflict. This brilliant PM has also decided to wean the Poles from Russian hydrocarbons in solidarity with the Ukrainians. Get ready Poles, expect some interesting surprise in the near future when you get your energy bills, not to mention food.
Who said fighting Russia is cheap.
Posted by: Tom_12 | Mar 30 2022 16:10 utc | 32
No Comment needed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sZuz4dlVAo&t=46s
Posted by: jo6pac | Mar 30 2022 16:11 utc | 33
All this talk by BoJo, Joe Bribem and all the other politicians, about getting more weapons to Ukraine is in reality all about kickbacks and washing money. Foriegn aide is the legal transfer of tax payor monies to someone’s pocket. It should be outlawed. A clown with a net worth of $100k gets elected to congress at a salary of $150k. 12 years.later he’s worth $50 million. It’s a magic show. And no one says boo.
Posted by: the grand wazoo | Mar 30 2022 16:11 utc | 34
Ukrainian secret services took hostages workers of civil nuclear industry of Russian Federation.
This would probably mean impossibility to deliver nuclear fuel for Ukrainian NPPs, which those very services would blame on Russia, not on their taking hostages.
Additionally, those workers now (depite being only logistics personnel) can be coerced to make any lunatic claims about “russian nuclear agression” or anything.
http://atominfo.ru/newsz04/a0786.htm
https://aftershock.news/?q=node/1087973
Posted by: Arioch | Mar 30 2022 16:13 utc | 35
The outcomes of the Ukrainian campaign are starting to exceed my expectations with respect to US/Western harakiri:
– The attempt to crush the ruble is a complete failure, US$ fell once again against the ruble and is now at 84.5 ruble (high of 143, 75-85 before the campaign). The US$ itself now looks to be weak, and gold is rallying.
– The display of out and out thievery by Western nations is driving the majority of the world’s governments to look at alternative payment arrangements
– The reality check on Western weaponry has been a brutal one, with Russian abilities shown to be far superior. Quite incredible that the Canadian comprador loser leaders just agreed to waste money on the useless F-35. Even the vaunted F-22 is now being seen as obsolete. So much also for the vaunted Javelins and Stingers etc that never seem to kill an actual tank or plane.
– The recent snuff movies by the Ukro-nazis have galvanized the Russian population and shown the non-West that Russia really is dealing with a bunch of Nazis.
– More and more evidence coming out with respect to the US biolabs and general US/Western corruption in Ukraine which will once again show the non-West what the West is really all about.
– The “post-modern” European leaders who think that they can get gas and other commodities without paying in the currency demanded by the supplier will either embarrassingly backdown or have a major societal crisis on their hands very shortly.
– Western “leaders” have been shown to be the corrupt ignoramuses that they are.
– The sanctions and exit of so many Western companies will allow Russia to at last throw off the “liberal-intelligentsia” scum that so desperately want to be Western compradors.
The West just keeps on giving at the moment. Once the Donbass cauldron is fully cooked the Western insanity will probably reach new heights, exposing even more of its ugliness to the non-West majority of the world’s population and GDP.
On the letter “Z”, as in ‘nazi’:
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:28 utc | 14
We could call them “Nasties”. I could live with that. Keep ‘z’, as in ‘New Zealand’; but just tweak the pronunciation:
‘New stealand’ – I could live with that, too!
Very sad for my native land’s apparent eagerness to become a spy (Waihopai?)once again. I thought that went out with the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
(Sigh)
Posted by: juliania | Mar 30 2022 16:28 utc | 37
The agitprop machine constantly shouts at Russia to hurry it up, already. Meanwhile, Russia strokes her chin, considering her next move. As if she thinks time is on her side.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Mar 30 2022 16:30 utc | 38
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:11 utc | 3
Johnson is such a deluded fool. AS-90 is so inferior to what Ukraine already has like Peony and is lightly armed with a far more limited range. Ammunition is completely different too. This shows the total farce – Ukraine has more kit than Britain and it is being destroyed.
Radakin is a twerp too. Bastion could eradicate the navy. Johnson is out of control surrounded by a weak Cabinet of nonentities. When Russia reacts I suspect UK will be the object lesson as a warning to the US.
Britain has never had artillery like Russia or USSR even in WWII. Britain overrates itself and its equipment – it has an indifferent record on combat and is simply a sub scale player in the modern world unable to produce key military kit without importing components and even ammunition.
Russia has already occupied an area larger than the entire UK in Country 404 which is itself 50% bigger than Germany or 2.5 times size of UK. – it is time to recognise the scale and speed of Russian military advance and effectiveness.
The real fear in NATO is that Russia – without China – can demolish the forces of NATO and make facts on the ground.
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 30 2022 16:39 utc | 39
Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 30 2022 15:16 utc | 9
Plus the supplied weapons have not been as effective as claimed by manufacturers and suppliers.
RT is blocked here, short but dense Q&A by Lavrov in China, suggests that no nuclear, no block Ukraine is agreed as well as Donbass and Crimea gone.
https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1807276/
Posted by: Paco | Mar 30 2022 16:42 utc | 40
Lavrov’s very busy today. He’s now in China for talks prior to the Xi/EU video meet, and he had this to say in his opening remarks:
We are going through a serious stage in the history of international relations. I am convinced that the international situation will be significantly clarified as a result of it. Together with you and with other like-minded people, we will move towards a multipolar, just and democratic world order.
We are interested in ensuring that our relations with the People’s Republic of China continue to develop steadily and consistently. This was agreed by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
Today we will consider specific steps aimed at ensuring that all these agreements are implemented.
I see his remarks as very important since the EU expects China to be neutral in its relations with Russia, and that’s not happening as they’re strategic partners. Here’s the summary of their talks issued to media from which I note the following:
“The parties noted the counterproductive nature of the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and its satellites….
“The foreign ministers of the two countries stated that in the conditions of a difficult international situation, Russia and China continue to strengthen their strategic partnership and speak with common positions in world affairs. It was agreed to further increase foreign policy coordination, expand cooperation on the bilateral track and in various multilateral formats.” [My Emphasis]
The occasion for the meeting, the Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries in Tunxi, China, allowed for further interaction with other national representatives. At the presser, Lavrov wasn’t asked much, but what little he said was very important:
Question: You had talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. What are your impressions after the meetings with other colleagues?
Sergey Lavrov: The impressions were positive. In all today’s talks with representatives of the countries participating in the group of neighbors of Afghanistan, we saw, heard and confirmed the commonality of our approaches to what is happening today in the international arena.
A new reality is being formed: the unipolar world is irrevocably becoming a thing of the past, a multipolar one is taking shape. It’s an objective process. It’s unstoppable. In this reality, more than one power will “rule” – it will be necessary to negotiate between all the key states that today have a decisive influence on the world economy and politics. At the same time, realizing their special situation, these countries ensure compliance with the basic principles of the UN Charter, including the fundamental one – the sovereign equality of states. No one on this Earth should be seen as a minor player. Everyone is equal and sovereign.
Question: There is a list of countries that are unfriendly to Russia. Is there a list of friendly ones?
Sergey Lavrov: All the others who are not included in this list are friendly countries.
Question (translated from English): President Joe Biden said: “I do not evaluate this until I see what actions they will take.” At the same time, US Secretary of State E. Blinken said that there is a difference between what Russia says and what it does. What will be your response?
Sergey Lavrov: I cannot think or fantasize about US President Joe Biden, nor can I think for Us Secretary of State Ellen Blinken. If we talk about whose words diverge from deeds, then I do not even want to give a huge number of examples now when the United States said one thing, and did something completely different. [My Emphasis]
BOOM!!! This explosive announcement was given little exposure at RT, which published a short item with the title, “Russia and China to advance ‘fair world order.’” Lavrov’s quip at the end is priceless.
Posted by: Roger | Mar 30 2022 16:17 utc | 36
I am sure F-35 is a tribute price paid by genuflecting servants to the imperial master. It is certainly NOT an aircraft – it is a software platform whose capabilities are only available if you get the software download from USA which designs what can be done with system.
ALIS sovereign data is how Lockheed monitors the plane and renders it subject to US “control”
Posted by: Paul Greenwood | Mar 30 2022 16:49 utc | 42
So western corporate media now claims that Putin feels misled by his military and that the Russian operation is in chaos.
The UK Daily Telegraph quoted unnamed intelligence sources. I guess Mr Putin’s EA must be calling the CIA and telling them this? Irony. Sorry.
Once you start from a premise that western corporate media is total lies then it just becomes entertaining. Tragic that so many people still believe it though.
Posted by: Stephen | Mar 30 2022 16:51 utc | 43
In related news, the Vatican purchased its gas with rubles, although that’s being denied by Outlaw US Empire mouthpiece Oilprice.com.
Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 30 2022 15:49 utc | 22
I don’t see that as being possible as Russia does not control the gas pipelines through Italy. Only 28% of Italy’s gas is from Russia. The author of the original tweet said it was a joke.
Posted by: Opport Knocks | Mar 30 2022 16:51 utc | 44
Manage without me (17).
I had a wee look and the test thing definitely applies, another interesting fact about Estonia is that Wife Carrying is a national sport.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 16:54 utc | 45
Awe (28).
Ha ha, nice one, never underestimate the EU when it comes to stupidity.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 16:56 utc | 46
Paco @40–
Good Day to you!! I see we cross-posted. It was interesting to see who else Lavrov talked with in China–Indonesia–which of course doesn’t neighbor Afghanistan. I suspect it was there as the ASEAN representative in discussions about the new international financial framework. I expect Lavrov to talk with Xi before he moves on to his next stop.
BREAKING (TASS): German Chancellor Scholz and Russian President Putin have agreed to hold talks on gas purchases for roubles.
Posted by: aquileia | Mar 30 2022 15:50 utc | 23
This messages comes after Russia has postponed the immediate need for currency change for natural gas and replaced it by a planned transition phase…
Posted by: mk | Mar 30 2022 16:58 utc | 48
Paul Greenwood (39).
The article says that the AS-90, is an old system due to be decommissioned in 2026, the British PM appears to be selling-off the UK’s old military hardware to Ukraine.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 17:01 utc | 49
mk (48).
I think that Russia wants to sell all in goods in Rubles now, the wheat industry is already in talks with state bank in Russia to make it happen, and then there’s this. But Scholz has saved the people and businesses of Germany much heartache by agreeing to pay in Rubles.
“Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated on Wednesday that all of the nation’s energy and commodity exports could be priced in rubles. Moscow has already demanded that gas exports to hostile countries should be paid for in the Russian currency.
Peskov was asked about the comments by parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who earlier in the day called for pricing all of Russian commodity exports in domestic currency.
“This is an idea that should definitely be worked on,” the Kremlin spokesman said.
According to Peskov, the US dollar’s role as a global reserve currency had already taken a hit and a move to pricing Russia’s biggest exports in rubles would be “in our interests and the interests of our partners.””
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 17:05 utc | 50
What will happen to Germany after April first? Will Russia really close the tap if Germany doesn’t pay in Rubbles?
Posted by: Haldane | Mar 30 2022 17:11 utc | 51
Hopefully, all barflies can see the intersection of policy with ruble pricing of Russian commodities and Lavrov’s announcement in China that the Multipolar World will be based on the UN Charter, which begs the question about the status of those who refuse to obey International Law. The Outlaw US Empire is an Outlaw because it’s violated the UN Charter ever since it came into force in October 1945. I don’t expect the UN system to be rebooted this year as the extremely important global financial system needs to be overhauled first. But you can bet that what Lavrov announced as the most important aspect of the new world being the equality of all nations will become the framework for international security it ought to be, which directly relates to Russia’s security proposals that the Outlaws rejected but will now be forced to accept or be ostracized from the rest of humanity.
And a reminder–ALL sanctions not approved by the UNSC are illegal.
@Haldane: definitely not on April 1, as I said in #48
Meanwhile, some German government official has denied that Schold has agreed to ruble payments for natural gas. Nevertheless, there seems to be some kind of a background deal…
Posted by: mk | Mar 30 2022 17:21 utc | 53
Thank you, karlof1 | Mar 30 2022 16:46 utc | 41, for quoting from Lavrov’s recent press conference. I will re-present some of it here before adding my own remarks:
Question: There is a list of countries that are unfriendly to Russia. Is there a list of friendly ones?
Sergey Lavrov: All the others who are not included in this list are friendly countries.
Question (translated from English): President Joe Biden said: “I do not evaluate this until I see what actions they will take.” At the same time, US Secretary of State E. Blinken said that there is a difference between what Russia says and what it does. What will be your response?
Sergey Lavrov: I cannot think or fantasize about US President Joe Biden, nor can I think for US Secretary of State Ellen Blinken. If we talk about whose words diverge from deeds, then I do not even want to give a huge number of examples now when the United States said one thing, and did something completely different.
First, there is an adroit scriptural switch in Lavrov’s answer to the first question above — “all others — are friendly–“. Beautifully stated to enlarge the latter group, and leave a possibility for positive changes.
Secondly, the word ‘about’ with respect to Biden is that: respectful. And ‘for’ in the case of Blinken — well, I for one wish that he could think for Blinken. What a wonderful world that would be!
Unfortunately, Lavrov has no peer. But fortunately, he is part of our historical moment.
Posted by: juliania | Mar 30 2022 17:28 utc | 54
jo6pac @ 33
Great link. Patrick Lancaster keeps showing us what journalism is. And showing us what war is.
Posted by: oldhippie | Mar 30 2022 17:28 utc | 55
Ze would make a perfect figurehead for Russia’s transitional govt in Ukraine. western psyops have propped him up so many that any negotiation he signs with Russia cannot be delegitimized. sure they can do a total 180 on him but in a way they just built up a tool that Russia can now use. all Russia has to do is guarantee his safety. if I were Ze, why not switch sides?
Posted by: mastameta | Mar 30 2022 17:33 utc | 56
juliania @54–
Thanks for your reply! Yes, the juxtaposition of the few unfriendly with the many friendly lances into the West’s narrative and the quip put the reporter in his/her place.
If you haven’t, you’ll want to read what Russia’s UN ambassador, Nebenzya, had to say yesterday. This is but one issue which apparently isn’t the first instance:
Russia is seeking explanations into why a UN vehicle with diplomatic license plates was used in combat near the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, Nebenzya said.
“Good thing the UN Security Council eventually recognized such violations in Kharkov and Mariupol,” Nebenzya said. “We are expecting a response to our latest request, regarding a UN vehicle with diplomatic license plates DP210015 <…> near Kharkov, which, according to eyewitnesses, took part in combat operations of Ukrainian nationalists.”
“We have also been informed about use of OSCE vehicles by radicals,” Nebenzya added. “It is important that both organizations give a fair evaluation of similar facts.”
The eventual revamping of the UN that Lavrov hinted at today can’t happen soon enough, IMO. It’s been highly corrupted by the Outlaw US Empire which refuses to abide by its laws.
Posted by: mastameta | Mar 30 2022 17:33 utc | 56
Western today’s heroes are very today, transient actors. Do you remember the Ukrainian Jeanne D’Arc Savchenko? The campaign was loud, with the “Je suis Nadya” and all those tricks, where is she now? No, I think Ze will be the Von Paulus of the day, he’ll sign and he’ll be gone, first of all from western memory.
Posted by: Paco | Mar 30 2022 17:55 utc | 58
I find arcane the nuts and bolts of Germany paying for gas in rubles but it seems they too are figuring it out. once the tap is flowing, there’s no limit to how much they can buy and no reason they would not buy more.
what could the US do at that point? it’s not as if the US hasn’t fucked Germany already. that load has already been spent.
the tide is turning, slowly but surely. today rubles, tomorrow, nordstream 2. whither NATO?
Posted by: mastameta | Mar 30 2022 17:55 utc | 59
Prepare for EMP phase of the war.
The solution is ..dark.
Posted by: Mixxi | Mar 30 2022 17:58 utc | 60
My takeaway from the almost crash of Germany is that the Green party is full of ideologues that must be defeated. They will easily sacrifice the well being of the ppl living here for their ideologic purity (russian haters + warmongers + ecostalinists). The Green party has tons of support from MSM journalists, who dont depend on industry jobs and can write lofty pieces about how Germany doesnt need Russian gas anyway. I hope that this almost crash has led to a complete break up between the Green party on the on side and unions and industry bosses on the other, that both will work together to defeat the Green party. This party only represnts a tiny fraction of Germans, but has everybody else in a stranglehold. They must be defeated.
Posted by: Arne Hartmann | Mar 30 2022 18:09 utc | 61
@paco 58
you are probably right. but there would be a certain legalistic and procedural niceness to letting Ze serve out his term. you know, respecting democracy and all that. russia can say they respect how things are done and don’t do regime change unlike you know who. that would be a nice thing to throw back at the west. I can imagine how lavrov would present it, with subtle ironies. worth it just for that.
Posted by: mastameta | Mar 30 2022 18:10 utc | 62
Russia has a fantastic history of cinema. Perhaps the “Z” is an homage to Z by Costa Gavras by some cinema fan in the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Are we reaching the denouement?
Trailer for Z on YT
Posted by: lex talionis | Mar 30 2022 18:16 utc | 63
@Anne 61
thank you. I always like hearing from you about the situation in Germany. my impression is that the Green party is basically a US asset. but isn’t Merkel and her party responsible for shutting down nuclear power plants and putting Germany in its current bind with energy? in other words, that agenda seems to have broader support than just green party people.
Posted by: mastameta | Mar 30 2022 18:26 utc | 64
@63 lex talionis
Perhaps the “Z” is an homage to Z by Costa Gavras…
NO.
Posted by: Circe | Mar 30 2022 18:29 utc | 65
Posted by: Mixxi | Mar 30 2022 17:58 utc | 60
“Prepare for EMP phase of the war. The solution is ..dark”
Just a happenstance guess or do you have debatable reasons for this?
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 18:31 utc | 66
Posted by: Stonebird | Mar 30 2022 16:06 utc | 29
Yes,remember the big line of new Ambulance’s that were desperately needed by Ukraine and therefore supplied by Germany? if my memory is correct.
Posted by: Kim | Mar 30 2022 18:33 utc | 67
Hungarian politician claiming Ukraine is interfering in its Thursday elections.
“Ukraine has been trying to interfere with and influence the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has claimed.”
As for Viktor Orban, he might not be everybodies cup of tea, but his policy towards Russia with Ukraine in mind makes sense for him and his people.
“Unlike some other EU states, Hungary has refused to either send weapons to Kiev during its conflict with Russia or let other states move such shipments through its territory. Budapest also refused to support the new round of sanctions against Moscow, especially in the energy sector, arguing that they would do more harm to Hungary than to Russia.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 18:41 utc | 69
“Germany says Putin agreed to keep payments for gas in euros” according to DW and other news sources. I hope it’s false.
Posted by: Sundial | Mar 30 2022 18:41 utc | 70
https://finanzmarktwelt.de/scholz-putin-gazprom-euro-230325/
A few minutes ago, the German government published a short but very interesting text that shows the way gas can continue to flow to Europe. According to the text, Gazprom Bank is to accept euros for gas deliveries. And this bank will then convert into rubles. Here is the official wording of the German government on the telephone conversation between Olaf Scholz and Vladimir Putin:
In a telephone conversation this afternoon, which came about at his request, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that he would enact a law according to which gas deliveries would have to be settled in rubles as of April 1. At the same time, he emphasized in the conversation that nothing would change for the European contract partners. Payments would continue to be made exclusively in euros and transferred as usual to Gazprom Bank, which is not affected by the sanctions. The bank would then convert the money into rubles. Chancellor Scholz did NOT agree to this procedure in the conversation, but only asked for written information to understand the procedure in more detail. It remains that the G7 agreement applies: energy deliveries are paid exclusively in euros or dollars. Just as the treaties stipulate.
Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Posted by: mk | Mar 30 2022 18:46 utc | 71
As Lugansk seeks to join Russia, another breakaway region recognised by Russia, also wants to join the Russian Federation, Georgian authorities might not be pleased with this.
“South Ossetia, a partially recognized republic in the Caucasus region, will soon be taking legal steps to join the Russian Federation, the president, Anatoly Bibilov, has announced.
“I believe that unification with Russia is our strategic goal. Our path, the aspirations of our people. And we will move along this path. We will take appropriate legal steps in the near future. The Republic of South Ossetia will be part of its historical homeland – Russia,” Bibilov said.
Located in the Caucasus region, South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s and was recognized by Russia as an independent republic following the 2008 military conflict between Russia and Georgia, when Georgian forces started shelling the region, where Russian peacekeepers were stationed.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 18:50 utc | 72
News from Lavrov in China and testing if links to RTs will work.
According to Lavrov, the issues of Crimea have been permanently resolved:
Talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Turkey have produced one significant step forward: Kiev giving up on Crimea and the Donbass, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday, during a visit to China.
“I consider it significant progress that the Ukrainian negotiators confirmed the need to ensure a non-nuclear, non-aligned status of Ukraine and its security outside the framework of NATO, as well as the Ukrainian colleagues’ understanding that the issues of Crimea and the Donbass have been permanently resolved,” Lavrov told reporters in Tunxi.
Posted by: Norwegian | Mar 30 2022 18:50 utc | 73
Here’s an English version of the same story: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-says-putin-agreed-to-keep-payments-for-gas-in-euros/a-61310461
It’s a complete cop-out by Russia if that is the case. Russia is offering a way out to an openly hostile entity.
Posted by: Sundial | Mar 30 2022 18:52 utc | 74
@ 8
Poland was high on the list for conservatards in the US when Trump was in charge.
They did everything Trump wanted.
Poland is high on the list for libtards is the US with FJB and a war against Russia.
They do everything FJB wants.
It seems Poland does whatever the US wants them to do.
Poland is indeed a satrapy for nato, the west, and the atlanticists.
Posted by: Cadence Calls | Mar 30 2022 18:54 utc | 75
“It’s a complete cop-out by Russia if that is the case. Russia is offering a way out to an openly hostile entity.”
NO, it is clever face-keeping trick. Done in this way it is impossible to use sanctions against the Gazprom bank. Concerning this particular energy deals the sanctions are wet gunpowder then.
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 18:57 utc | 76
jo6pac 33
“No Comment needed”
Identifying the subject matter of a video would be appreciated.
thanks
Posted by: pogohere | Mar 30 2022 19:01 utc | 77
Estonia’s PM thinks that the EU shouldn’t pay for Russian oil and gas, and instead the money they owe Russia should be used to rebuild Ukraine.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 15:18 utc | 10
Since the Banksters are not seen to run a Ponzi scheme, and it was all Russias fault, the same Banksters will retain their positions of privilege instead of being divested of their ill gotten wealth.
Posted by: Carl | Mar 30 2022 15:54 utc | 26
German Chancellor Scholz and Russian President Putin have agreed to hold talks on gas purchases for roubles.
Posted by: aquileia | Mar 30 2022 15:50 utc | 23
There is no other option but to comply with Russia’s demand: “ you may pay with Rubles or Gold.” Take note we have put a floor under the price of gold. No money business pricing gold at Book Value – USD$42/troy ounce.
First, the USEUCANADAUK ignored IMF warning March 6, 2022
IMF Sees ‘Severe Impact’ on Global Economy From War, Sanctions
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/imf-sees-severe-impact-on-global-economy-from-war-sanctions-1.1732943
(Bloomberg) — The International Monetary Fund warned Russia’s war with Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed upon President Vladimir Putin’s country will have a “severe impact” on the global economy.
Do they care? No.
They have violated the Treaty on Sovereign diplomatic immunity under which the property of a foreign state, including bank accounts, is immune from attachment, seizure or forfeiture.
Russia did not waive its immunity from “attachment, seizure or forfeiture.”
Since Time Immemorial, Lex mercatoria applies in trade. Essentially “Monies” obtain inalienable rights and is excluded, not considered property which may be attached or seized.
And as we have observed, the USA returned Iranian funds ($1.5 billion) that were seized under 1979 sanctions, paid with interest. One pallet of $400 million – the down payment-delivered in cash, euros and swiss francs.
And under sanctions US allowed Iran to use the frozen funds to pay UN dues. So sanctions behind the curtain have slippage.
Want Russian gas or oil? 2 Conditions:
1. Restore the theft of funds. Make Russia whole.
2. Payment Terms: CBD in Rubles or Gold. Let’s spell that out for you. Cash Before Delivery.
You can’t print Rubles and you sold your Gold and China or India won’t lend or swap you any Rubles or Gold because you cannot be trusted. So sad. Go pound sand.
Posted by: Likklemore | Mar 30 2022 19:01 utc | 78
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 18:57 utc | 76
DW describes something that is very unclear. How are these euros deposited there as payment for gas will be converted to rubles according to their article? What does it mean? Done by the Russians themselves?
Posted by: Boo | Mar 30 2022 19:02 utc | 79
Sundial | Mar 30 2022 18:52 utc | 74
Plus: it prevents German economical and political suicide. The bulk of Europe most likely will follow that scheme.
We are part of a values-based world and act according our principles and priorities.
Principle 1: do the mutually important exchanges
Principle 2: follow the own interpretation of international law
We are able to obey the priority list. That is all.
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 19:04 utc | 80
From RT:
Putin and Scholz talk gas for rubles
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone on Wednesday and agreed to hold talks on Berlin paying for Russian gas with rubles. According to Germany, Putin agreed that payments would continue for the moment in either dollars or euros, with the Kremlin stating that these payments would then be converted into Russian currency.
According to a readout published by the Kremlin, Putin explained to Scholz that Moscow is now demanding payment in rubles “due to the fact that, in violation of international law, the foreign exchange reserves of the Bank of Russia were frozen by the EU member states.” However, Putin told Scholz that the switchover would not result in worse contract conditions for German importers.
Posted by: Norwegian | Mar 30 2022 19:08 utc | 81
Boo | Mar 30 2022 19:02 utc | 79
“Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 18:57 utc | 76
DW describes something that is very unclear.”
In this period it is a good idea to exploit „unclear“ in a satisfactorily way. To use a word that I normally find rather disgusting: Realpolitik.
(I am with Anre: it is upon time to bury ideology-quasireligion based approaches, in the conflict with Russia and in the BIG Cheat we call Corona)
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 19:09 utc | 82
Boo @ 30
It might have something to do with Russia having to keep dollar and Euro reserves in the west that can be stolen later. It may be a mechanism to avoid the theft that would be coming if they have to keep some sort of trade reserves in the West. A straight across trade, dollars for rubles
Do not know, just guessing.
Posted by: circumspect | Mar 30 2022 19:11 utc | 83
I am reading that Gazprom is not included in the sanctions and Putin has told the Russian Central Bank to do the conversion from Euro payments to Gazprom to Roubles….is the Russian Central Bank going to be cut off from BIS?…stay tuned
If we are looking at a new Reserve Currency in the near future then all these intermediate points are only so meaningful as stepping stones to the new financial system.
The ride getting there might be a bit rocky…
Posted by: psychohistorian | Mar 30 2022 19:12 utc | 84
mk @71–
Ria Novosti provides some confirmation in Russian of the conversation and further explanation of why the switch to rubles:
“Following this telephone conversation, the Kremlin said that the president explained to the German Chancellor the decision to switch to rubles in gas payments: it is caused by the fact that, in violation of international law, Russian foreign exchange reserves are frozen by EU countries. At the same time, the parties agreed that this issue will be further discussed by experts of the two countries.”
Unfortunately, the Kremlin website remains blocked, so I can’t confirm either media story. Something just doesn’t seem correct about this arrangement as the payment in rubles is aimed at upending the sanctions. If unfriendly nations are able to continue business as usual which appears to be the case as both media outlets report, then the entire exercise seems inane.
i see ttg making an ass of himself over at pat langs retro 50’s anti commie site..
Posted by: james | Mar 30 2022 19:13 utc | 86
To me, Russia acts in Ukraine like the mouse that eats the cheese but does not spring the trap. In particular, Russia has avoided entering Kiev with tanks – good.
Also, it might well be that USA and Russia have one thing in common: they don’t want to pay for the reconstruction of Ucraine; they want the EU to do that. What better than Ucraine joining the EU? Just imagine what Ukraine in the EU would imply:
– Ucraine in the euro zone, as all new members have to join the euro.
– Ucraine has a GDP per capita of 3500 euro per year, poorer than all existing members. Ucraine would be a member state that only receives EU money; even existing members who receive EU money now would have to contribute.
– Open borders between a poor country that has suffered war damage, and relatively rich countries. Either the EU pays the reconstruction of Ucraine, so Ucrainians feel comfortable staying where they are, or the EU gets a few million Ucrainian refugees that qualify for social security benefits.
– NATO countries have flooded Ucraine with thousands of anti-tank missiles and manpads. These arms are fine for years of guerilla warfare against an occupying army; but Russia shows no sign of wanting to occupy Ucraine. If these arms are not spent by the time Russian forces leave Ucraine, and are still there when Ucraine joins the EU, you have the combination of arms, open borders, and visa-free travel. This is a business opportunity for criminal gangs and terrorists alike.
Did I miss anything?
Posted by: Passerby | Mar 30 2022 19:13 utc | 87
@Hausmeister #76
Please explain to me. I am no economist, so my comprehension is lacking.
Would it strengthen the ruble? Before they needed to carry ruble in their accounts which would make a Petroruble. But now they have to give the money to Gazprombank bank and once the money is transferred and gas is owed, but what Gazprombank does with the money is irrelevant to the EU. IDK. It seems a waste of counter-attack.
Why would Russia care about EU saving face. Does he not see how Russia has been demonised and cancelled by the West. They actively wanting to harm the Russian economy. He isn’t doing the Europeans people a favour, just the elites.
Posted by: Sundial | Mar 30 2022 19:18 utc | 88
I do not watch TV, well I did very briefly tonight cos she had it on. They were redoing some old story of some kid, who died.
I am not suggesting the story is not true, but there are a similar number of stories, every day, and every week, and many of them are true.
However, the critical point, is that “The News” is chosen from a small selection of real events – less than one percent of what is going on..
So for example, they go on about Madeline Mc’Can for nearly 20 years, and keep recycling it, to terrify us all … I am far convince that Madeline ever existed. Personally, I think it was British Psy-Op, as was the two little girls wearing Manchester United T-Shirts – though I still think that one was probably true, but the bloke in jail innocent
That is the world we live in. 2 years ago we had Cxvid and Jabs. My family and I didn’t get jabbed, but if you want to – fine. No point in arguing
Now we have war in The Ukraine, and I think I understand it, mainly from reading lots of blogs from the other side, or in the middle like this one.
But you can only really know the truth, if you are there, with your head down, trying to stay alive, with all the bombs, and blood and guts.
So Patrick Armstrong gets my vote – Journalist of the Year
His videos are awesome. No one fakes that
HIATUS
On March 20, 2022 By Patrick ArmstrongIn EDITORIAL COMMENTS
I am going to pause this site and my other activities for a while until I see how things break out.
What was a post-retirement hobby – a continuation of my job of trying to figure out what was happening in Russia – has now led to accusations of being a Russian agent of disinformation.
Deviation from the approved narrative is to risk, at best, being accused of sowing disinformation and, at worst, of treason.
I’m too old for this.
WHAT I GOT WRONG AND WHY
On March 18, 2022 By Patrick ArmstrongIn UKRAINE
I did not expect Russia to invade Ukraine. I was quite definite about it several times: “Russia will not invade Ukraine” I said. I envisaged several possibilities but nothing like what we have seen in the last weeks. My argument was based on the assumption that Moscow did not want to take ownership of, in Åslund’s words, “the poorest country in Europe“. I still do not think that it does – I believe that Moscow wants a neutral and de-nazified Ukraine that is a buffer between it and NATO. I am also coming to believe that Novorossiya, more or less in its historical borders as formed by Katherine when recovered from the Ottomans, will be independent. The chance that it would remain part of Ukraine has probably passed. As I wrote in 2014 “In short, the West broke Ukraine, it now owns it. Or, to put it more precisely, it owns that part that Moscow doesn’t want. And what part that is is entirely up to Moscow to choose“. Moscow is choosing now.
So why was I wrong? What did I miss?
I believe I missed three things – two I didn’t know about and one that I did but did not properly weigh. These are: the nuclear weapons issue, the planned strike on LDNR and the biolabs…..”
Black Sabbath – War Pigs still get the song.
Tony
Posted by: Tony_0pmoc | Mar 30 2022 19:23 utc | 89
Passerby | Mar 30 2022 19:13 utc | 87
“Did I miss anything?”
No, you did not. Estimates are correct. Those who like to design their foreign policies „value based” will pay for it.
“Es war schon immer etwas teurer einen besonderen Geschmack zu haben” ~ enjoying distinction, Apart-heit, has a price. That cannot be paid with Rubles or Euros but with the own political survival.
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 19:23 utc | 90
Posted by: mastameta | Mar 30 2022 17:55 utc | 59
The “nuts and bolts” of Germany paying for gas in rubles is actually very simple. It has to do with the $300 billion in assets owned by the people of the Russian Federation in the form of gold, US$ and Euros now “frozen” in banks outside of the Russian Federation due to illegal sanctions. The Russians, as a direct consequence, have simply chosen to be paid in a currency no one can sanction. And if that is inconvenient for those wishing to pay in U.S.$ or Euros, that’s tough s**t.
It’s not the Russians who have defaulted upon their contractual obligations, but western nations collectively. As long as Germany (and numerous other European countries) merely pretend to pay for Russian natural gas in now worthless scrip, the Russians will pretend to deliver. No real cash = no gas.
Of course, the observation that, “once the tap is flowing, there’s no limit to how much they can buy and no reason they would not buy more” is absolutely spot-on. This means that Nord Stream 2 will presumably go into operation whether the U.S. likes it or not. This is a battle that they have completely lost for their inability to think even two steps further and on any kind of long-term basis.
Yes, as stated, the tide is turning, and I believe the U.S. government has absolutely no idea what is going on around its exceptional island. With the Ukraine adventure and its aftermath, NATO has begun its terminal decline and final ending. The clear default of the U.S. regarding its obligations with regard to Russian Central Bank holdings held there represents its ultimate act of economic seppuku and also marks the permanent end of the US$ as the global reserve currency.
Shortly, the only friends which will remain are the “5 Eyes”. And with friends like those, you don’t need enemies.
Posted by: GreyRaven | Mar 30 2022 19:24 utc | 91
get Natan Ben-Nun of the Rabbi Nachman Foundation in Uman to give us a tour of the ground level floor..
https://twitter.com/SamuelSokol/status/1509167281292595207
Posted by: james | Mar 30 2022 19:27 utc | 92
at the end of the day russia already gave up on gas payment in rubles. russia still thinks this is a beauty contest. you can still pay in toilet paper known as american dollar and we (russia) will convert it into rubles? wtf? america and the eu are not concerned what russia would like to do with dollars and euros, as far as they can tell, russia can burn them or destroy them but they get their gas anyway. russia is making joke of himself because they can’t stick to anything longer than a few days. pathetic.
Posted by: denazi | Mar 30 2022 19:27 utc | 93
The ruble payment regime isn’t to start until April 1. Perhaps it goes like this:
German gas corp takes euros to Gazprombank, exchanges them for rubles, which are then used for the purchase of gas. Thus, the gas is actually bought with rubles and still increases the demand for rubles, thus strengthening the currency. That frees the buyer from having to accumulate rubles before going to Gazprom to buy gas. Such an arrangement would also work for other purchases, oil for example. IMO, the arrangement reduces the potential chaos while working to attain the initial goal of making the ruble stronger and backed by “national resources” as Lavrov said earlier today.
From the Saker, beware Nazi’s we will get you for torturing and killing Russian prisoners, you can run but you can’t hide.
“Second, General Shamanov, the former commander of the operation in Chechnia, Hero of Russia and Duma member has announced that Russian special forces have successfully snatched away the two Ukronazi soldiers which filmed themselves torturing Russian prisoners. Yes, that is only two out of many thousands, but this still sends a chilling message to the Nazis. The Russians have also publicly shown the photos and name of the Ukronazi who stuck a bayonet into a Russian POW eye to kill him. ”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Mar 30 2022 19:31 utc | 95
Sundial | Mar 30 2022 19:18 utc | 88
“Does he not see how Russia has been demonised and cancelled by the West. They actively wanting to harm the Russian economy. He isn’t doing the Europeans people a favour, just the elites.”
Assuming that selling gas is favourable for Russia as well it is not that “It seems a waste of counter-attack”. It seems to show the stinky finger to the attacking side. As the attacking side cannot control what Gazprom does with this money. If they sanction Gazprom too to avoid that they would get no longer this gas and doing so they would openly attack at least 60% of their populace.
All the other measures taken against the unipolar world are going on. We are at the turning point of NATO.
Posted by: Hausmeister | Mar 30 2022 19:36 utc | 96
@karlof1 | Mar 30 2022 19:12 utc | 85
Try http://en.kremlin.ru , it seems the certificates have been revoked. It is terribly slow, but works.
Posted by: aquadraht | Mar 30 2022 19:37 utc | 97
@ denazi | Mar 30 2022 19:27 utc | 93
polly want a cracker?
in other relevant news –
RICK STERLING: RAND REPORT PRESCRIBED US PROVOCATIONS AGAINST RUSSIA AND PREDICTED RUSSIA MIGHT RETALIATE IN UKRAINE
Posted by: james | Mar 30 2022 19:38 utc | 98
The Financial War
EU Officials Reportedly Raid Gazprom Offices in Germany
https://sputniknews.com/20220330/eu-officials-reportedly-raid-gazprom-offices-in-germany-1094333913.html
In January, the EU’s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said that she was waiting for Gazprom to answer some questions from EU lawmakers about whether the Russian energy giant was abusing its power by deliberately reducing supplies to raise prices thereby putting pressure on policymakers to greenlight the Nord Stream 2 project.[.]
Gazprom has repeatedly denied any allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, stressing that it was supplying gas in accordance with its contracts. Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the country’s energy officials in saying that EU policies, including a halt in the certification of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, should be blamed for the crisis.
“anti-competitive behaviour”
Dumb-witted politicos getting cheap gas and complaining.
Anything goes to dial up the war. Without thinking Winter may be ending but has not been cancelled.
Posted by: Likklemore | Mar 30 2022 19:39 utc | 99
“According to the text, Gazprom Bank is to accept euros for gas deliveries. ”
I think request to pay in rubles was a manoeuvre! The whole point is to “press” Germans to clear gas and oil payments in euros bypassing US dollars. Obviously Germans are more than happy to do that. It breaks the US sanctions and undermines dollar hegemony. This will be the formula applied to all other trade in the future.
Posted by: Milos | Mar 30 2022 19:46 utc | 100