Putin warning...

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Kursk

Well, that's one interpretation. Another might be that the President is not playing but acting in what he regards as the best interests of his country. I think he will have had a pretty good grasp of the likely repercussions but only a gambler would test the strength of his hand.

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

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Kursk

Well, that's one interpretation. Another might be that the President is not playing but acting in what he regards as the best interests of his country. I think he will have had a pretty good grasp of the likely repercussions but only a gambler would test the strength of his hand.

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.

[Kursk]

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?

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.....

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Hugh

It takes two to tango....

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 .

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

*to the east of the Ural Mountains.

Originally Posted by Kursk

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 .

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.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Hugh

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

*to the east of the Ural Mountains.

I wasn't referring to its geographical location .

Originally Posted by Damien

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.

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

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....

[Osem]

... 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.

[Ignitionnet]

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

[Osem]

Meantime back at the datcha...

Russia's former finance minister has warned the country is entering a "full blown economic crisis" and will enter recession next year.

"We are entering or have already entered a full-blown economic crisis, and we're going to feel it to the full next year,'' said Alexei Kudrin.

His warning came as Russia's central bank lent Trust Bank 30bn roubles (£339m) to stop it going bankrupt.

It marks Russia's first bank bailout since the rouble's sharp collapse.

The Russian currency has lost more than 45% of its value against the dollar since the start of the year, with falling oil prices and Western sanctions both weighing on the country.

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

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Hugh

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....

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.

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).

[Osem]

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