What did NATO, the US, EU et al do when he annexed The Crimea?
Russia's at it again
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Imposed sanctions which did a lot of harm to the Russian economy. But did not necessarily harm the regime due to their control of the media and consequent ability to give an “enemy at the gates” spin to the situation.
It all depends on who is running the show in Washington. Obama was weak and feckless in terms of smashing people in the face when it was necessary. Unfortunately, Trump isn't much better with his Putin love.
My point is that why are people expecting the UK to do anything significant here. It is classic Putin, he pushes things to the limit without transgressing enough to provoke a meaningful response.
What exactly are people hoping for that would constitute a 'strong' response to Russia?
Bite the bullet and boot them out of London.
Seize Russian assets. Stop the dirty money laundering.
There'll be an economic hit but so what.
Concentrated sanctions, perhaps expelling powerful Russian oligarchs over here connected to Putin.
Its a bluff and Russia called it almost immediately. They decided they would ignore it because they know its all bark and no bite. The government is so weak that they decided to give Russia an out by including "lost control of its nerve agent reserves" and Russia completely disregarded it.
Look around this table and tell me who can stand up to Putin and his cronies. Weak and inept government all round trying to look strong and failing yet again.
Unless she declares war the ultimatum is pointless because our response will be a fart in the wind in comparison.
Don't get me wrong I don't think we should declare war but the ultimatum and the very public manner of its delivery will make us a laughing stock when Russia receives a slap on the wrist, if that.
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Perhaps best to wait and see before complaining.Its a bluff and Russia called it almost immediately. They decided they would ignore it because they know its all bark and no bite. The government is so weak that they decided to give Russia an out by including "lost control of its nerve agent reserves" and Russia completely disregarded it.
Look around this table and tell me who can stand up to Putin and his cronies. Weak and inept government all round trying to look strong and failing yet again.
Unless she declares war the ultimatum is pointless because our response will be a fart in the wind in comparison.
Don't get me wrong I don't think we should declare war but the ultimatum and the very public manner of its delivery will make us a laughing stock when Russia receives a slap on the wrist, if that.
We should be seizing assets and kicking people out at a minimum.
There's no other option.
There's no other option.
They have already annexed Crimea.
And don’t forget that WW1 essentially started from the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.
Boot them all? You mean all Russian citizens?
Obviously not but a good start would be the oligarchs known to have close ties to Putin and who have invested their stolen money in London. Magnitsky style list of people who are banned from travelling here. Kick out every last diplomat we feasibly can.
They're murdering people on our streets and looking increasingly guilty of interfering in our democratic processes.
It was never Strong and Stable!!!!
The Russians of course did this before with for example Litvinenko in 2006. But you have to wonder, is the Kremlin just taking the piss now and doing this specifically in England to create even more division? USA under Trump is not going to be a proper ally in these situations. And the EU, well I don't know honestly, it could be because there's a hell of a lot of anti Russian sentiments at the moment, but with Brexit looming in the background... Just another move from Vladimir's divide and conquer playbook?
It's an odd one though. If anything its more likely to swell anti-Brexit feeling, because feeling threatened by a large hostile power is more likely to make you want to cling to allies, and America aren't worth shit to us at the moment. I really don't understand the purpose of this from Russia's perspective, it seems nonsensical.
I agree in principle and if the UK hadn't fecked itself in the arse by voting for Brexit then I would agree completely. However the last thing we need as a country now is anymore economic hits. Recent reports show since Brexit that demand for houses in London is at its lowest in over 30 years and that prices on average have dropped by over 15%
The last thing London needs at the moment is more turmoil. Saying that though a strong response is needed and I don't think sanctions are tough enough.
Well I'm no economist but I'd say that falling house prices in London should be a good thing?
Depends which way you look at it but most economists don't agree about it being a plus.More worrying is the decrease in demand for the area. However this is off topic.
Back on topic I still don't know what the best response to Russia would be. More to the point though, I have no faith in Theresa May being able to deliver it either. I don't imagine Putin has lost a seconds sleep worrying what she could or will do.
Look at it this way. If the assets of oligarchs are seized by the state then Chelsea , and a percentage of Arsenal, would then in theory belong to all of us 
Look at it this way. If the assets of oligarchs are seized by the state then Chelsea , and a percentage of Arsenal, would then in theory belong to all of us
Look at it this way. If the assets of oligarchs are seized by the state then Chelsea , and a percentage of Arsenal, would then in theory belong to all of us
You’re all secret Chelsea fans at heart anyway.
Its a bluff and Russia called it almost immediately. They decided they would ignore it because they know its all bark and no bite. The government is so weak that they decided to give Russia an out by including "lost control of its nerve agent reserves" and Russia completely disregarded it.
Look around this table and tell me who can stand up to Putin and his cronies. Weak and inept government all round trying to look strong and failing yet again.
Unless she declares war the ultimatum is pointless because our response will be a fart in the wind in comparison.
Don't get me wrong I don't think we should declare war but the ultimatum and the very public manner of its delivery will make us a laughing stock when Russia receives a slap on the wrist, if that.
It doesn't have to be war, you impose the Magnitsky act, start seizing assets and all the cronies will fall in line.
Good points and I agree. Declaring war on Russia? Fml
It's not funny really, It's downright insane and also a truly scary thought not only that it was even mentioned but that people are actually even considering it.Because that worked well after Litvinenko or even more recently Ukraine. Its an act of aggression and it needs to be resolved in the diplomatic back channels.
The government wanted to look strong and they publicly announced ultimatum on Russia, and now they are considering what action to take. So the ultimatum was simply useless after all as predicted and they have just become a laughing stock.
They wanted to bluff knowing they have a weak hand and there is nothing they can do and the Russians called it. They have just undermined this country even more on the international stage.
Worst. Government. EVER!
Its a long game imposing sanctions but its the best route to make it hurt where the oligarchs keep their assets. Anyone needing a game plan on Russia needs only to look at Bill Browder's senate testimony for the Magnitsky act to see why something so simple works so effectively.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politic...ony-to-the-senate-judiciary-committee/534864/
Really interesting read thanks. Makes the talk of Trump being in Putins pocket all the more scary as it seems like they are the only ones capable of keeping him in check at this present moment.
Very interesting read. Seems like Russian government is no different than it has been for the last 50+ years. (My lifetime doesn’t allow me to go back much further).
Russian “Thank You” bots out in full force this morning.
Hugely embarrassing, immature and bullying rhetoric from a Russian spokesman just been shown on Sky.
Hugely embarrassing, immature and bullying rhetoric from a Russian spokesman just been shown on Sky.
Yeah I considered that and I agree, but from the outside looking in I would guess that maybe realistically, this will probably only very marginally increase the anti-Brexit sentiments. So maybe the Russians figured that if there ever was a right time and place for to get rid off an old enemy, it would probably be Britain in this current time. It actually just creates more chaos in which they can thrive, bit of a display of power and a big middle finger to the whole of Europe on top of that. But then again who knows what other motives have been playing in the background.
Surprised to not read anything here related to Corbyn's statement.
Aren't Labour Corbyn supporters in agreement in establishing a robust dialogue?
Aren't Labour Corbyn supporters in agreement in establishing a robust dialogue?
Not only is it nonsensical but also short sighted. He is putting his own country at risk for the sake of his ego and outdated idealogies.
To be honest it does feel like the government have tried to get good PR out of this and cocked the process up.
If there is convention that the accused have 10 days after a formal complaint and are to be provided with a sample then thats exactly what should have been done. The ultimatum was fecking daft and childish.
If there is convention that the accused have 10 days after a formal complaint and are to be provided with a sample then thats exactly what should have been done. The ultimatum was fecking daft and childish.
Kind of stupid move.
Shows just how out of touch people, when it comes to int affairs. First of all, the majority of these "oligarchs" in UK are those that are either anti-Putin and are there in essentially exile, or those who are sort of have an agreement with russian government like you don't touch us, we don't mess in affairs back home. Like Abramovich, who was close to Putin at some points, like 10 years ago, but currently holds very little assets in Russia. That's around 80% of these wealthy people. Now the last 20% are loyal to Putin but because of the various things they still prefer to hold their assets abroad. You can target those. But to what end exactly? Clearly you have not thought this through. Okay, you might seize like 10% of that stuff, like a couple of billions worth. Then what? You cannot use them, that will destroy investment climate, even iranian, N korea's money are frozen. But more importantly what about other 90% percent. They will be shifted back to Russia. And that is exactly what Putin wants.
So these kind of stupid actions will be playing right intro Putin's hands. Russia has been trying to re-nationalize foreign assets for the last 5-6 years, they had different programs, like a tax amnesty thing, that USA had. None of them were particularly successful, right now there is actually a second amnesty going. The biggest problem of Russia's economy is capital outflow. And these sanctions you suggest would actually help with that.
Corbyn seemingly getting slaughtered for suggesting that any response should be guided by evidence and follow international law.
Corbyn seemingly getting slaughtered for suggesting that any response should be guided by evidence and follow international law.
Et tu Pee Pee?
More likely because he’s known to be Russia fanboy.Corbyn seemingly getting slaughtered for suggesting that any response should be guided by evidence and follow international law.