Ukraine, Russia & MOL

I have waited a week for someone to start a thread.  Finally someone did, and it concerns the possibility of boycotting Lukoil.  In my opinion, that is so far away from the crux of the matter, that it is effectively immaterial.

Biden has finally gotten to some sanctions, that actually carry some teeth.  But, sanctions are relatively slow to have any significant impact.  And, in a country run by a megalomaniac with lifetime powers, it may not work at all.

Ukraine applied for membership in NATO a long time ago.  The answer was something to the effect of: 'Yes, in due course'.  Thus, NATO can't stand up to the Russians, since Ukraine is not a formal member.

Ukraine is now appealing for EU membership.  If it had been done much earlier (not sure which previous Ukrainian government would have been acceptable), it might have been a deterrent to Putin, but at this point it is too little too late.

I know that the US has a strong distaste for playing the 'the Worlds policeman', but when a self-proclaimed world power goes off the deep end, there is a need for someone to step up.  If not doing it alone, at the very least build a coalition similar to what Bush I did, when Saddam Hussain invaded Kuwait.


We've been discussing it for a long time:  

https://maplewood.worldwebs.com/forums/discussion/subforum/russia-ukraine-showdown/politics-plus

 

Let me catch you up:

Most people think this is a tragedy and Russia is out of control and evil.

The usual suspect thinks it's all the fault of NATO, the US and Biden.


That thread should not have been hidden under Politics.


tomcat said:

That thread should not have been hidden under Politics.

Please let the management know.


Perhaps better in "Please help".


It seems like these unprecedented sanctions have not been slow to have an impact.  The ruble is virtually worthless.  The Russian stock market seems to be closed indefinitely.   We have effectively frozen half of Putin's 600 billion dollar rainy day reserves.  Russia has already suffered other kinds of irreversible damage.  They may yet take over the big cities with the massive munitions and numbers advantage they have but so far their military has been shown to be laughably second rate and unprepared.   They have united the west and NATO to an extent not seen in years and caused unprecedented changes in the boldness of policies by countries like Switzerland and Germany. 


Anyone recognize the little tyrant?


None of them look very happy.


tomcat said:

That thread should not have been hidden under Politics.

It is certainly political.


Jaytee said:

Anyone recognize the little tyrant?

Lower left corner in the photo?


jimmurphy said:

Jaytee said:

Anyone recognize the little tyrant?

Lower left corner in the photo?

that was my guess too


In South Bound Brook there is a large Ukrainian Orthodox Church and seminary and cemetery.  It was founded by Ukrainian immigrants who fled Ukraine.  This was during the forced starvation of millions of Ukrainians by communist Stalin Russia.  Nikita Kruschev, a Ukrainian himself, was in charge of this genocide.  Do you recall when Kruschev pounded his shoe on his desk at the United Nations when he was unhappy about UN actions?  The Ukrainian church in South Bound Brook has icons and other church relics that are 500 or more years old.   My best friends growing up were children and grandchildren of a family that immigrated to the US to get away from communism.  I went on a student trip to this church when I was a teenager.  In Maplewood, we commemorated Ukrainian Independence Day for many years.  


drummerboy said:

that was my guess too

agree 


oots said:

agree 

yes, his face never changed. 


RobertRoe said:

In South Bound Brook there is a large Ukrainian Orthodox Church and seminary and cemetery.  It was founded by Ukrainian immigrants who fled Ukraine.  This was during the forced starvation of millions of Ukrainians by communist Stalin Russia.  Nikita Kruschev, a Ukrainian himself, was in charge of this genocide.  Do you recall when Kruschev pounded his shoe on his desk at the United Nations when he was unhappy about UN actions?  The Ukrainian church in South Bound Brook has icons and other church relics that are 500 or more years old.   My best friends growing up were children and grandchildren of a family that immigrated to the US to get away from communism.  I went on a student trip to this church when I was a teenager.  In Maplewood, we commemorated Ukrainian Independence Day for many years.  

I have a brother who lives in south bound brook. You are again spot on with your history lesson.



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