Batman:

 

Putin's friend (about to be investigated by UK anti corruption agencies)

 

forgives 1.5 billion pound loans

 

sets up entity to sell Chelsea FC

 

will donate all net profits to Ukraine war victims

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/02/chelsea-swiss-billionaire-hansjorg-wyss-says-offered-chance-buy-club-roman-abramovich

 

 

 

He's only selling because his assets will get frozen soon. It's better to sell it and make a $1 rather than $0.

tdgeek:

Batman: ICC investigates Russia for war crimes

 

UN voted almost unanimously for Russia to leave Ukraine, probably a similar result

Batman: Russian currency crashes to be worth less than one US cent

Roblox Robux are now worth more than a Superpower's currency. 

I am finding the crash of the Russian economic position to be a little surprising. It will be interesting to see if/how it jumps back. A short tanking won't have any significant impact, but if enough rich people become poor, that is likely to seriously undermine Putins authority and grip on the country.

Batman: Russian currency crashes to be worth less than one US cent

Not disputing you but is that correct? 

tdgeek:

Batman: Russian currency crashes to be worth less than one US cent

 

Not disputing you but is that correct? 

neb: There's a huge difference between passing a hand-wringing resolution and singling out very specific individuals for prosecution as war criminals. If convicted they're doomed to never leave Russia again, assuming they're not just handed over directly by way of reparations like the former Yugoslavia did, and their legacy won't be "General Petrov", it'll be "Convicted war criminal Petrov". That's a big disincentive to go all out militarily. It's surprising that, unlike with Saddam's lot, the west hasn't made clear public statements that anyone caught misbehaving will be actively prosecuted as a war criminal.

I agree with you (I think)

What the UN says is meaningless. War crimes, well Im not a war crime lawyer :-) but to me that would mean Russia is beaten in this war, so the leaders are gathered up and tried?

IMO the economic sanctions are huge. Not for Zelensky and the 39 million still there, but medium term, maybe short term its huge. If you are big and strong and your oxygen is cut off? Or you are a good wage earner but no one will employ you and no benefit? That where Russia is heading. And this will be long term, as the other card is modern day USSR and China, we dont want that cold war warm war. 

President Zelensky of Russia, economic growth? Thats the ideal scenario but a lot of unnecessary blood will be spilt between now and then. 

We dont want a USSR/China vs the West

neb:  It's fluctuating around 100:1 against currencies like the USD and Euro, so yes. Also their sovereign credit rating has been dropped to junk by several of the ratings agencies. They're now in the same league as Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Uruguay.

Thanks for the update. I check the news but not every second, but thats good news. I think that shows the sentiment. Its not just another dispute, on the news for a bit them we cross to the Kardashians. Like Crimea, Grozny etc. Its a turning point.Russia wants to be the new USSR, China is playing it cool, can't wait. (My wife is Chinese) A modern USSR and China today will make the past Cold War seem like patty cakes. Cut them off at the pass, "John Wayne"

W T F

(CNN)A Western intelligence report indicated that Chinese officials in early February requested that senior Russian officials wait until after the Beijing Olympics had finished before beginning an invasion into Ukraine, US officials said Wednesday.

Like my last post USSR/China vs US/The West, not an option 

Value of Ruble, becoming Rubble.

Depends on how it effects the average Russian, how insular the internal economy is.
They won't be buying an iPhone, or brand name T Shirt, or brand name shoes.

Not sure if there is a handy place reviewing the cost of common food items etc in Russia.
There may even be a LOT of vodka available given export cancellations, alcoholism is a big thing in Russia.

Party like Yeltsin.

While we pay top $ for export primary produce due to world pricing, it may not be that way in Russia.
Children going off to war does worry, if its short its over before they know about it.

Then demographics are shifting to closer to pension age, more concerned about what basics the pension buys.
I'm not sure of the last time a revolution was led by pensioners ?
As I understand and subject to correction from those who know more of daily life in Russia.

I really hope it motivates those closest to Putin, but they need a good aim given length of table.

ezbee:

 

Value of Ruble, becoming Rubble.

 

Depends on how it effects the average Russian, how insular the internal economy is.
They won't be buying an iPhone, or brand name T Shirt, or brand name shoes.

 

Not sure if there is a handy place reviewing the cost of common food items etc in Russia.
There may even be a LOT of vodka available given export cancellations, alcoholism is a big thing in Russia.

 

Party like Yeltsin.

 

While we pay top $ for export primary produce due to world pricing, it may not be that way in Russia.
Children going off to war does worry, if its short its over before they know about it.

 

Then demographics are shifting to closer to pension age, more concerned about what basics the pension buys.
I'm not sure of the last time a revolution was led by pensioners ?
As I understand and subject to correction from those who know more of daily life in Russia.

 

I really hope it motivates those closest to Putin, but they need a good aim given length of table.

 

Ive watched a bit of this (obviously) Whats a country that has a great military? Poor? Small economy? Small GDP? Poor people?

Russia and Peoples Republic of North Korea

Some of the scenes of the real people are heart breaking (yes, Ukranians, but also the Russian soldiers who seem to have no clue what this was.)  Imagine if Canterbury invaded Auckland. Ok it may seem a stupid comment, but for Russians and Ukrainians, thats what it is

While I am on the rant, Id like the West to give an offer to the Oligarchs. Bring your business here (the West) Economically why not for us? And for Russia its another "sanction" and isolation and removal of their economy.

tdgeek:

 

While I am on the rant, Id like the West to give an offer to the Oligarchs. Bring your business here (the West) Economically why not for us? And for Russia its another "sanction" and isolation and removal of their economy.

 

Oligarchs aren't used to competition. They will want "rules" similar to the ones they have in Russia. That means corruption, mafia, etc.

freitasm:

 

Oligarchs aren't used to competition. They will want "rules" similar to the ones they have in Russia. That means corruption, mafia, etc.

 

Yes, no doubt. But better to suck them out of "Putin-ssia"  They can bring their wealth and skills to the West under West rules and leave Putin in a room by himself. Suffocation