Re: Putin warning...
 

if he's playing political poker he should fold before he loses his shirt .

Re: Putin warning...
 

Regrettably he hasn't acted in what are the best interests of his country but in the best interests of a corrupt few.

He has destroyed Russia's manufacturing economy and left it totally dependent on natural resources for exports, and cannot even come close to matching some of the Arab states in terms of cost of production of oil.

Russia's infrastructure is a mess as it hasn't been invested in. It's very hard to do business there. It's rank with corruption and cronyism.

If he wants to act in the best interests of Russia he could do way worse than standing aside and allowing the country's economy and politics to properly liberalise. The economy is going to be in a worse state than it was during the immediate post-USSR period soon.

Re: Putin warning...
 

Of course times are difficult for Russia. Hence my suggestion that instead of isolating her, we work toward her membership of the EU. Perhaps even, joining with Ukraine and achieving unity under the European banner. That might satisfy all political agendas.

Anyone got any better ideas? A Cold War? The Stone Age anyone?

Re: Putin warning...
 

Except Russia/Putin doesn't do conciliation, just supremacy for Mother Russia/himself.

I have seen no hard evidence that he wants meaningful dialogue, just polemic and provocations against anyone who disagrees with him.

It takes two to tango....

I remember the same conversations in the 70s and 80s, when we were told the West was being provocative by supporting democratic movements in Czechoslovakia, Poland, etc.

Strange, I don't remember the West building a Wall across Europe (and through Berlin) to keep our citizens in.....

Re: Putin warning...
 

You and I have already agreed that.

Russia is a western country. If there was a wall, she would be on the same side of it as us and US ;).

Re: Putin warning...
 

Actually, 75% of Russia* lies within Asia.....

*to the east of the Ural Mountains.

Re: Putin warning...
 

Russia doesn't want that. The West has long wanted Russia to come in from the cold but they have only made small, hesitant, steps to do so before running away again under Putin. He is only ever confrontational towards the West and never seems to seek any meaningful dialogue or cooperation.

Re: Putin warning...
 

I wasn't referring to its geographical location :).

All significant change in human history has its time. This may be one such time as economics conspires to persuade.

Re: Putin warning...
 

Well, Putin might disagree with you, as he describe the end of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century", and he does appear to be trying to revive it with the EurAsian Union....

Re: Putin warning...
 

... and Ukraine now votes to drop its neutral status en route to Nato membership.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30587924

Maybe they think Putin's got enough on his plate to worry about and won't have the will to do anything about this.

Re: Putin warning...
 

Given Russia's flagrant violation of this I am not surprised.

Re: Putin warning...
 

Meantime back at the datcha...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30577375

Re: Putin warning...
 

That doesn't look to be a natural alliance to me. And do we not all mourn the fall of the British Empire? Change takes place at its own pace. Patience, as I said before in this thread, is a virtue.

Re: Putin warning...
 

I don't mourn the fall of the British Empire....

We have patience - but does Putin (who was raised, and served, during the height of the Soviet Empire).

Re: Putin warning...
 

You can take Putin out of the KGB but you can't take the KGB out of Putin.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15047823