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Index » Regional/Local » Europe » Ukraine Page: Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 78, 79, 80 ... 103, 104, 105  Next
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islander

islander Avatar

Location: Seattle
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 9:38pm

 kurtster wrote:

Yeah, ok.

Russia for First Time Holds More Gold Than U.S. Dollars in $583 Billion Reserves

(Bloomberg) — A multi-year drive to reduce exposure to U.S. assets has pushed the share of gold in Russia’s $583 billion international reserves above dollars for the first time on record. Gold made up 23% of the central bank’s stockpile as of the end of June 2020, the latest date for which data on the breakdown is available, according to a report published late Monday. The share of dollar assets dropped to 22%, down from more than 40% in 2018.

The shift is part of a broader strategy outlined by President Vladimir Putin to “de-dollarize” the Russian economy and lower its vulnerability to U.S. sanctions amid deteriorating relations with Washington. Gold is now the second-biggest component of the central bank’s reserves after the euro, which makes up about of a third of total assets. About 12% of the stash is in yuan.

 OBTW ... Gold has gone up about $100 / ounce the past week.  Floating at around $1900 / oz. USD.  Figure out the gain for the 2400 tons of gold that Putin has.



But most of that is held outside of the country. And with the current temperament on sanctions it's unlikely they will be able to use all of it. And while that seems like a lot of money, when it comes to running a country at war while trying to shore up your currency, it is probably a few weeks worth.  
kurtster

kurtster Avatar

Location: where fear is not a virtue
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 8:03pm

 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote: 
 kurtster wrote:
 Hope he isn't one of those if I can't have it then I'll make sure that nobody has anything kinda guy and thinks about pushing the button ...

 
I said Hope.  Reality paints a different picture.  Especially with now adding Sweden and Finland into this.

This really is for all the marbles.  Just ain't no one willing to admit it yet.
NoEnzLefttoSplit

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Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 7:45pm

Vladimir Sorokin - Putin's endgame isn't Ukraine but western civilisation
kurtster

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Location: where fear is not a virtue
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 7:44pm



Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service is active in Ukraine with more terminals on the way


kurtster

kurtster Avatar

Location: where fear is not a virtue
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 5:53pm

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
Yeah, ok.

Russia for First Time Holds More Gold Than U.S. Dollars in $583 Billion Reserves

(Bloomberg) — A multi-year drive to reduce exposure to U.S. assets has pushed the share of gold in Russia’s $583 billion international reserves above dollars for the first time on record. Gold made up 23% of the central bank’s stockpile as of the end of June 2020, the latest date for which data on the breakdown is available, according to a report published late Monday. The share of dollar assets dropped to 22%, down from more than 40% in 2018.

The shift is part of a broader strategy outlined by President Vladimir Putin to “de-dollarize” the Russian economy and lower its vulnerability to U.S. sanctions amid deteriorating relations with Washington. Gold is now the second-biggest component of the central bank’s reserves after the euro, which makes up about of a third of total assets. About 12% of the stash is in yuan.

 OBTW ... Gold has gone up about $100 / ounce the past week.  Floating at around $1900 / oz. USD.  Figure out the gain for the 2400 tons of gold that Putin has.

Red_Dragon

Red_Dragon Avatar

Location: Dumbf*ckistan


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 5:45pm

Russia's economy is likely to be completely tanked in a matter of days.
kurtster

kurtster Avatar

Location: where fear is not a virtue
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 5:24pm

 kcar wrote:

But Kurt, Der Drumpf says Putin is a genius!
 
I know all about that remark and the context of it, too.

I have to agree.  But you and everyone else are trying to conflate "genius" with approval for his actions.  That is a no go.
.
It is the timing, and as some of us know timing is everything.  The same team is in the WH as when he took Crimea.  Duh.  He has Europe by the balls short hairs with their dependence on his petroleum products.  All that everyone in the West does is talk about the things that they will do, but never actually do.  Hell with Biden's energy policy, we now get something like 10% of our oil from Russia now, too.  Thanks, toe to toe Joe !  From energy independent to helping finance Putin and his evil ways.

“Vladimir Putin doesn’t want me to be president. He doesn’t want me to be our nominee,” Mr Biden said on Twitter on 21 February, 2020. “If you’re wondering why – it’s because I’m the only person in this field who’s ever gone toe-to-toe with him.”

02/21/2020

And you all bought it.  Hook, line and sinker.

We're a bunch of pussies and Putin knows it.  No one wants to do the right thing and stop importing his petroleum because it will cost us more.  I heard that the Italians wanted a carve out for allowing Russia to still buy their luxury goods when sanctions were being discussed.  Germany has been the most reluctant, for obvious reasons.

I don't pretend to know what Putin's end game is, but his timing is perfect as in now or never.  Xi has his back and Taiwan is next.

Oh, and Biden IS Xi's bitch.  We've seen the receipts.  Bye, bye, Taiwan.



R_P

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Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 4:03pm

War Propaganda About Ukraine Becoming More Militaristic, Authoritarian, and Reckless
Red_Dragon

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Location: Dumbf*ckistan


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 3:33pm

 whatshisname wrote:

Is there any chance one of Putin's own might take him out ?
There must be some around him thinking this thru.
I would have expected Putin to be fronting up to the media surrounded by lots of tough looking guys with tons of color on their chests and crazy hats by now.
Maybe camera shy ?




We can only hope.
whatshisname

whatshisname Avatar

Location: West OZ
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 3:28pm

Is there any chance one of Putin's own might take him out ?
There must be some around him thinking this thru.
I would have expected Putin to be fronting up to the media surrounded by lots of tough looking guys with tons of color on their chests and crazy hats by now.
Maybe camera shy ?


Red_Dragon

Red_Dragon Avatar

Location: Dumbf*ckistan


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 3:20pm

From what I can gather it seems as if the Russians are getting their asses kicked.
Red_Dragon

Red_Dragon Avatar

Location: Dumbf*ckistan


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 1:10pm

 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:

 



Sounds like about a brigade or regimental combat team... 4,000 to 6,000 troops.
The Russians operate two types of division, to which regiments/brigades are subordinated:





JoeBig



Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 1:07pm

In the immediate future, Russia is dangerous beyond compare.  Putin is a rabid dog.  But like all rabid dogs the danger that he represents, if it is not realized in the near future, has a relatively short shelf life.  Russia is on a course to exhaust itself in almost every way possible and, once exhausted, will not be able to sustain the danger that it threatens today.

The real danger to the world order is China.  Perhaps you have forgotten that during the Olympics, we saw pictures of the Xi Jin Ping alone, watching the ceremonies.  And juxtaposed with the view of Xi was a view of Putin alone, watching the ceremonies.  No other foreign leaders were shown.  Just Xi and Putin, symbolic of the lengths that these two leaders are willing to go to gain advantages for their respective countries.  Make no mistake.  There is no love lost between the Russians and the Chinese.  And make no mistake.  The Chinese will gain more from the Russians than the Russians will gain from the Chinese.  A lot more.

At the moment, while the world watches the fighting in Ukraine, the Chinese are quietly tightening their grip on Asia and South America and Africa.  The Russians are fielding obsolete weapons system (and already paying the price), while the Chinese are continuing to make their military the most modern, most advanced in the World.  Simply put, the more Putin commands the world's attention and resources, the stronger the Chinese become.  

When the dust settles from what is happening in the Ukraine—no matter who wins—China is going to emerge as a military power strong enough to take on the rest of the World, if it so desires.  Within a couple of years, Chinese advances in technology and science will put the Chinese military whole levels above the rest of the world.  While we divert resources and treasure to what is essentially a European crisis, China, instead of being forced to divert resources, will do just the opposite.  It will increase its expenditures, in an effort to accomplish its goal of winning its perceived war without going to war.  Sun Tzu is alive and well in the minds of Chinese strategists.  

While we run in circles, scream and shout, pontificate and exaggerate, natter on and on about this or that, China will simply confront us with a done deal.  War, even a nuclear war, simply won't be possible—Chinese technology and science will see to that.

This is Putin's real legacy: we are rapidly going past the tip-over point with China.  

Maybe we already have. 
NoEnzLefttoSplit

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Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 12:52pm

Kyiv mayor: reports capital surrounded by Russian forces are false

rgio

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Location: West Jersey
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 12:49pm

 kcar wrote:
But Kurt, Der Drumpf says Putin is a genius!

He's a genius (for Donnie) because by saying so, Donnie can suggest he A)recognizes intelligence, B) is a friend of the smart buy, C) is a better choice to handle him than others.  

R_P

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Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 12:46pm

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council that
President Putin put Russia’s nuclear forces on alert although he faces
no nuclear threat from Ukraine. “He is under no threat from NATO, a
defense alliance that will not fight in Ukraine. We urge Russia to tone
down its dangerous rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons,” she said.

Steely_D

Steely_D Avatar

Location: Biscayne Bay
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 12:11pm

 kcar wrote:

Trump defended labeling Putin as “smart” during his Saturday night speech.


I have no love for the Most Failed President Ever™ but I think it was likely a grudging admiration, like when someone outflanks you at chess and you appreciate the move. "Oh, that was smart."

That said, anyone in the position he had/lost should have kept his damned mouth shut, since he's basically going to be misinterpreted and have it used against him. That's the kind of ham-handedness you'd expect from someone like him. All dull tools, including his brain.



kcar

kcar Avatar



Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 12:06pm

 kurtster wrote:
Things are beyond pathetic.  Snopes says "unproven" so don't bother for those who want to throw that at me.  I put nothing past Putin at this point.

Russia deploys mobile crematoriums to follow its troops into battle.

I also heard last night that this excursion is costing Putin $2 billion per day and if it takes longer than 10 days, he has exhausted his allocated money for this.  He is then in a corner of his own making domestically if this goes south on him.  Hope he isn't one of those if I can't have it then I'll make sure that nobody has anything kinda guy and thinks about pushing the button ...

On the cancer thing, who knows.  About a year ago I heard he has Parkinson's.  It's all speculation.

At the very least his rant about denazifying Ukraine is pretty strange since their Prez is Jewish.  Very little is making sense except that we are dealing with crazy and crazy don't follow any rules.

Stay safe and get some cash on hand in case of a cyber attack.

My 2¢
{#Meditate}



But Kurt, Der Drumpf says Putin is a genius!



https://www.washingtonpost.com...

Trump has long spoken admiringly of Putin, and, this past week, he complimented the Russian leader during a conservative talk radio interview, saying it was “smart” to send “the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen” to the Ukraine border.

“This is genius,” Trump said in that interview. “Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine — Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful. … He used the word ‘independent’ and ‘we’re going to go out and we’re going to go in and we’re going to help keep peace.’ You’ve got to say that’s pretty savvy.”

Trump defended labeling Putin as “smart” during his Saturday night speech.


kurtster

kurtster Avatar

Location: where fear is not a virtue
Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 11:49am

Things are beyond pathetic.  Snopes says "unproven" so don't bother for those who want to throw that at me.  I put nothing past Putin at this point.

Russia deploys mobile crematoriums to follow its troops into battle.

I also heard last night that this excursion is costing Putin $2 billion per day and if it takes longer than 10 days, he has exhausted his allocated money for this.  He is then in a corner of his own making domestically if this goes south on him.  Hope he isn't one of those if I can't have it then I'll make sure that nobody has anything kinda guy and thinks about pushing the button ...

On the cancer thing, who knows.  About a year ago I heard he has Parkinson's.  It's all speculation.

At the very least his rant about denazifying Ukraine is pretty strange since their Prez is Jewish.  Very little is making sense except that we are dealing with crazy and crazy don't follow any rules.

Stay safe and get some cash on hand in case of a cyber attack.

My 2¢
{#Meditate}
NoEnzLefttoSplit

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Gender: Male


Posted: Feb 27, 2022 - 10:24am

Personally, I think it is time to get serious about supplying the Ukraine military, just as the allies supplied Russia in WWII. 

Unbelievable that this is happening all over again.

Though it is very hard to know what to do.

The most favourable interpretation of Putin's strategy is that he didn't think he would meet such resistance from the west because they need his oil and assumed that once he had reoccupied Ukraine the dust would  slowly settle and sooner or later trade would  be restored. Russian sphere of influence and all that.

Unfortunately, I think this interpretation is increasingly unlikely. 

It appears to me more likely that Putin is in fact trying to engineer a crisis where he can take on NATO head-to-head or at least try out his fancy new Zircon supersonic missiles. Maybe this was the little technological edge that has given him the confidence to take the gamble.

The stated aim of simply bringing Ukraine back into the fold is no longer credible. He obviously gives a shit about the Ukrainian people. Moreover, reabsorbing Ukraine into his definition of Russia brings him hard up against a NATO border anyway. On top of that he has just sold out his entire foreign trade business with the west for the sake of what? national pride? Staying in power domestically? Securing the Crimea? Very, very high stakes game if he's only pursuing those objectives.  And even if he manages to take some semblance of control in Ukraine he is going to be facing a protracted guerilla war that will make Afghanistan look like a picnic.

If this second pessimistic interpretation is the case, what are the alternative responses?  
1. sit back, sacrifice our ideals, watch the Ukrainians go to the wall and wait months/years for the sanctions to bite and Putin finally falls due to domestic dissatisfaction?
2. Or do we arm Ukraine now and give them a chance to overcome the superior numbers of the Russian army to save their homeland?

What scares me most is that he has already created a scenario for Russia that will lead to local/domestic catastrophe, whatever way this plays out. And he obviously doesn't care a shit about his own people.  

Or he seriously thinks he can win this and take over everything  - or kill all of us trying. It certainly feels like here is a man playing for broke.
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