Russian expansionism in eastern Europe.

[Captain 32]

Are you Russian? I would love to know how the climate is inside Russia right now, besides the constant reports on how the Kremlin is suppressing the Western view. I am especially interested in what kind of information that circulates concerning the economy, because I believe this is major issue in this situation. Currently the world runs on European and American systems -- designed when the West was lightyears ahead industrially. Since the decline of Western industry, I see really no use for the rest of the world to just accept to be a part of this system, and I believe that major nations like Russia, China and India are taking in the long view in this conflict.

 

By that I mean that politically, it would make perfect sense for these other countries to condemn the actions taking place in Crimea. They have both - together with a long list of other up-and-coming Asian nations - major problems with secessionist movements, and it would thus be in their interest to shape the international community in such a way that current borders are to be respected. Ukraine is also militarily important for the non-US crowd, as a major actor within the military industry, and a stable Ukraine would thus seem to be beneficial to them. So, by keeping quiet, they are signalling that the events now unfolding are part of a greater process than the mere political.

 

Domestically Putin is not supported by the oligarchs. War is unpredictable, and business cherishes predictability. But what does it help Russia that billions are channelled out of the country each year and invested in English football clubs? Exactly nothing - the tax base is being eroded, access to capital from someone whose entry barriers are low disappears, and industry is being dismantled - the same process that the West has already undergone. Is that something to envy? Evidently not - in an interview in early March, Putin pointed to the massive corruption in Ukraine and the amassing of capital on oligarchs' hands as that country's primary problem - all while conceding that Russia faced the same problems (although to a lesser degree).

 

If any Russian military moves are to be made, now is the time. The NATO population is war weary after 13 years of failures in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Western governments' credibility is slowly fading. Unemployment is still sky high and there is apparently "nothing that can be done" as it is all down to the markets. It becomes grotesque when politicians out of touch with the real world are celebrating that the recession is about to disappear and the stock indicies are rising, when the voters are still not employed anywhere. By asserting itself and forging stronger alliances in Asia and Africa industry and labour supply can be controlled, and growth happen.

 

The knowledge economy that was supposed to save the West when the last steel mill powers down? Knowledge can be stolen, duplicated and transferred in the blink of an eye. The same can not be said for conveyor belts and steel beams.

Sorry for the long waiting my reply. 

- National payment system independent of Visa and MasterCard.

- Stopping the outflow of capital to other countries. Many Russian oligarchs and businessmen living in Europe and working in Russia. A huge number of immigrants also send money to the former CIS countries.

- Drastic measures against offshores.

- In view of impending crisis (or due to the risk of economic shocks in the next eighteen months and considering in tightening monetary policy of the Federal Reserve System in 2014) taxes and pensions government invests in infrastructure: Sochi and Crimea as resorts, incredible investment in railways and an internal aviation, new chinks for oil and gas production, investments in the Arctic and the new geological exploration, new roads, sports facilities by 2018, electrification, Internet and digital television in even small village, gasification villages.

 

In Russia antimilitarist mood already as the last 20 years. Many ministers were in favor of disarmament and the establishment of professional army mobile units. For example, Economy Minister German Gref was dismissed by President Medvedev for calling to invest to enterprises, but not to army. Military action in the Ukraine will destroy Russian economy. Putin will never bring the matter to the war. For example, in the Crimea peace was possible scenario - it's done. But never more!

 

As for corruption - the problem is not the state, it is population as a whole. Due to the pro-Western reforms in 90s of the last century resulted in for Russian criminal thinking. People did not accept the idea of ​​Washington and knowingly violated the economic laws for their survival.

 

We have a habit to present little box of chocolates to your doctor or thank teachers for the successful acquisition of knowledge in the institute by a bottle of cognac. You understand that all this leads to corrupting all levels of the population. But there is also serious corruption schemes that fortunately quickly revealed. But they are also entails serious consequences - pollution, higher prices, lower quality products and services. Destruction of corruption requires a comprehensive solution. From each house, each family.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Let us know when the Russian government starts talking about five year plans.  My Polish friends say that if there was a five year plan on the Gobi there would soon be a shortage of sand.

[Captain 32]

Maybe I don't understood you correctly. All the above applies to official plans in economics to 2018-2030 period. Sports facilities and a number of transport facilities - by 2018 (FIFA World Cup). Military infrastructure and housing — 2020. Railways and major infrastructure facilities by 2030. In the next year economics conjuncture requires to shed the cash into assets for preserve capital and reduce risk..

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I was sort of tickling you in the ribs, my friend.  Planning has never been a Russian forte despite the success of the Sochi games.  It was even worse in the soviet period.  No matter what the Keynesians say, you can't have guns and butter at the same time.

[Captain 32]

Soviet period is divided into several stages. Until 1960 all the plans was ok unless consider period of the Russian Patriotic War. At other time I can agree with you on certain points. In particular, the main problem lies in the orientation of the Russian economy on oil and gas. When the market price of oil was lower than planned - the Cold War was ended. My optimism is not enough to say that Russia is capable of supporting defense spending and eat the butter at the same time without oil. Right you are! But until now, Putin and the government fulfilled the plan. Russia is developing, and it's obvious. Especially compared to the first five-year period of the 2000s.

 

While there is nothing ideal, and there is always something to strive for. Most importantly, the Russian now realized that without teamwork, we will not be able to achieve great goals. Even organize a children's sports program, we previously could not, because with the introduction of a market economy in the country in the 90s became every man for himself. Earned for living by speculation and fraud evaded taxes. Remember Mavrodi? In your country talked about this? That's how we lived. 

 

Now plans are implemented at all levels. Even a small shop without a business plan you will not run. Of course, this is all the formalities. But this household reality. I do not understand your bewilderment. Yes, I understood your joke. But to me it is unclear sources. With all due respect.

[Fatherted 129]

Stalin died in 1957 if I remember correctly and the Gulag was wound down and shut in 1960. Are you saying the removal of the Gulag and Stalin's death HARMED Russia?

[Captain 32]

U.S. intelligence all these data resulted in its official archives (1982-10-01a Soviet and Eastern Europe Economic Problems). Ie this data is not even the Soviet Union. There is much talk about the failures of the Soviet Union in the period after Stalin. For example: "...Soviet economic problems are worsening to such an extent that the system is less and less able to support the Brezhnev-era goals of an expanding empire most Of abroad, constant improvements in military strength, and economic gains..."

 

Here generalized picture, where the reigns are highlighted, if you're interested, of course. I smiled watching how the West demonizing Stalin and when any of its achievements Democrats perceive as a personal insult. 

 

GDP per capita in Russia in % to the United States, 1885-2006

 

Years of management Khrushchev and Brezhnev — after a brief development of inertia, about the beginning of the 60s , the ratio of per capita GDP in Russia and the United States remained almost unchanged until 1985 - before Gorbachev came to power .

 

The graph gives a clear definition of what was aptly called stagnation . After a brief period of inertial development when projects were implemented last Stalinist era, such as mass housing, human space flight , the development stopped. The country has ceased to overtake the United States after its 1978-1979 there has been lagging. Reflected in the chart as a small spike and the "oil boom" of the '70s. During these years, the country has achieved the best ratio in per capita GDP from 43% in the U.S. , surpassing even the record in 1887 . However, in general , for 20 rally " building communism " from 1964 to 1985, the country 's per capita GDP of the country remained an average of approximately 40 % of U.S. GDP . What is - stagnation : Country has evolved , but the U.S. has not caught up .

 

This was the " golden stagnation" as the country was in this period, the best ratio in the U.S. But it was wasted time and era . In the Stalin years, the country has built "tank and the dugout ." This was due to the requirements of the era. After creating a nuclear-missile shield , the country has , at least for quite a long time strategic security and guaranteed peaceful time in its history that almost never was. It was time to do the construction of "home and tractor " for living in a dugout on a tank plow - uncomfortable. But this did not happen . Beginning with Khrushchev , the country continued to exploit the "tank and dug " in conditions for which they categorically unsuitable.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

With all due respect there is no point in talking about 'pravda' and the U.S. in the same breath.  As records become declassified the picture becomes less murky but I think there is still much 'maskarovka' in all this.  Remember that history is a story we have all agreed on and each chapter is written by the winners.  In the end, I believe the 20th century will fade into 'nacht und nebel'. 

 

We are nearly a century from the terrible events in the Ukraine during the Stalin regime, and the massacre of WW II.  Yet, what rumblings are we hearing from the Crimea and eastern Ukraine?  Does Tsar Vladimir think memory is so short?

 

The last two or three generations in the west are full of bafflegab and spin.  It is a dizzying time.

[AkemiAzula 280]

Yes this chart etc is why i dont dislike Stalin. He was intelligent and knew what he was doing. He was no customer. Putin seems intelligent too. Obama meanwhile is a cracked puppet of his party.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Update from BBC.

And CBC

 

Sanctioning Putin's circle of cronies and the related companies.  Love taps?

[Captain 32]

Most terrible happened. Ukrainian military began anti-terrorist operation against protesters in the south-east of Ukraine. The war started...

 

The Ukrainian army has begun a special operation against pro-autonomy activists in the eastern town of Slavyansk. The city is now blockaded by the Ukrainian military, with 20 helicopters reportedly deployed to crack down on self-defense forces. Follow live updates on the special operation in Slavyansk Two more helicopters have been shot down by self-defense forces, according to reports. Earlier, two helicopters were reportedly shot down, with one pilot dead and another one captured, RIA Novosti news agency reported. This information was confirmed by Ukraine's coup-appointed Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

http://rt.com/news/156292-slavyansk-army-special-operation/

[Harry's Place 918]

As i live in Romania, in the region of Dobrudgea - a region that has direct borders with Ukraine and seaborders with Russia i'm following al the events that take place here. In my opinion Ukraine is second Yougoslavia and what we see here is the ending of Stalin's plan to destructurate Eastern Europe in case of the falling of the USSR. The next move that Russia will make is to take Transnistria  and they will stop here. It maybe turn into a second cold war/iron courtain but nothing more than that. Russian will not take the chances to invade other EE countries like Romania for exemple because it would mean a direct attak on a EU / NATO country. Also here in Dobrudgea the US militrary presence is very high with a very big permanent military base at Constanta International Airport and also a lot of US navy vessels keep coming to the port. 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Territorial grabbing is a standard prelude to a major war in the past.  How long can we hope for "peace in our time"?  We know from history that (German model) taking over adjacent territory on the basis of language is known to work for a time.  The major difference today is the rapid communication network.

 

Maybe money is the solution.  What if the rest of the world could stop this nonsense by closing all extremal monetary channels?  One needs to remember what happened when the Americans stopped supplying materiel to Japan in the late 1930s.

[Captain 32]

You continue to believe in this delirium about "Tsar's" wish to gobble up Europe just like Hitler in the last century?

Don't forget that in the Crimea were military bases and ~ 25,000 military people and their families, who have over 20 years settled in these territories. And before them were brought here hundreds of thousands of people from Russian cities - this is was USSR territory. There is even the Crimean Tatars half mingled with Russians, exception of extremists. I just wonder how all it's easy in your fantasies! 

 

>>> Maybe money is the solution.  What if the rest of the world could stop this nonsense by closing all extremal monetary channels?  One needs to remember what happened when the Americans stopped supplying materiel to Japan in the late 1930s.

 

Geopolitically is the wrong course in times of an unstable economy. Russia is too important for Europe, which at any moment can break into small independent pieces.

 

 

Pri vsem uvazhenii.

[47ply 1,100]

Welcome to the Global energy market!!!!!!!!! where the business deal is a killer. Like I said before this is all about natural gas. every thing else is just a side show every war or up rising in the last 30 yrs is or was about oil and energy look at the maps...

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Your darned right, Captain.  Putin is using Mein Kampf as his playbook.  Violation of international borders cannot be justified by a bunch of thugs (or soldiers in disguise) without thinking of the German deception at the Polish border.  I lived through that war, whereas you, perhaps, have not.

[Captain 32]

Keep in mind that fear has big eyes! You are all greatly exaggerate. Although I have nothing against the fact that you have your reasons to consider restoring Russia threat to the entire world.

PS: By the way, Mein Kampf in Russia outlawed.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

<snip>

PS: By the way, Mein Kampf in Russia outlawed.

Doesn't mean it is not circulating.  Many things in Russia are outlawed, including homosexuality.  Can't change facts, though.

[KonstantinII 1,106]

You are laughing while people in ukriane are dying!

Today in Odessa many people were killed on the streets by west ukriane nationalists. People fled into the building, and it was set on fire! More than 30 people died from burn wounds! Those who tried to escape the building jumped to their death...horrible!

[Captain 32]

Yes. All Good when the war far away. Even if I stand up and encourage those who kill civilians, then easily be able to change your own opinion. In the meantime, I'll throw you a few jokes about the "Tsar" and gays crap.

 

Ukrainian military fired over the heads of protesters. Dozens wounded. There are victims.

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuMxYuGdrw4 - just over 18 years. Do not look faint of heart.

Ukrainian young men with symbols of the right sector (the party of the new authorities Yarosh) torched building with those who hid in the premises from aggressive people. Exits are locked - killed several dozen people.

 

Putin read Mein Kampf? How does ugly necessary to be to kill people? The main thing — for what? To conclude agreements with Europe and to hold elections in that at all costs? Return already your own brains!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Nobody is joking.  Sarcastic remarks about the Tsar are meant to highlight what is going on.  There is no doubt that Vladimir Putin is a megalomaniac and probably as paranoid as Stalin.  He isn't listening to anyone except his "voices".

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-at-least-42-killed-in-odesa-violence-1.2630813

 

Monsters need blood to feel powerful, eh?

[Captain 32]

The rebels there aim to hold a referendum on May 11 on secession from Ukraine, similar to one staged in March in Ukraine's Crimea region, which was seized and annexed by Russia in a move that overturned the post-Cold War diplomatic order.

 

That's not true. Blatant lie. Referendum is held for federalization! They want to get the powers of federal subject (Germany, Austria, Canada etc) and disobey new Kiev's government. Russian flags are hung out as a choice of direction - to focus on Russia, not Europe. Politics separatism - an attempt of the Western media dehumanize those protests in the south-east of Ukraine. A Nonny Moose, As you know Hitler's war, this method was used by the Nazis for the dehumanization of Jews! So tell me why they are called the protesters "Colorado beetles" (for orange andblack St. George ribbons) and are happy when burning their "hive" with people - directly to death? 

[Fatherted 129]

Separatism in a country where you are free to leave is ridiculous. A four-hour drive and you need never see Ukrainian land again.

It's pretty obvious the Russian and American propaganda has distorted the truth, which is simple: Russia provoked a weak Ukraine and exposed it to terrorism, and by logic counterterrorism too. There is a simple solution here which Putin has obviously taken from Herr Adolf: Drag the country into panic and civil war from afar then come in on the grounds of protecting natives of his own country.

I wonder how long it will be until Putin goes across and opens up the first gas chambers with big scissors and red tape?

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Nobody knows what's really going on.  Between the propaganda coming out of Russia and the spin in the western press it is impossible to see though all the fog.  Obama is making jokes about Putin at press association dinners and Putin is justifiably ignoring him.  The world press seems to be fomenting a new cold war.

 

"I don't know what weapons will be used in World War III, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

Albert Einstein.

[Captain 32]

Thank you for the truth. My friend, who helps repair my car, today was eager to go to Lugansk (Eastern Ukraine). There resides his father and mother - on their fence someone had written of red paint: "Muscovites get the hell out to Raschka (dismissive of 'Russia')". Just because they have relatives in Russia. And now they expected attack on their city. His parents pensioners, they oppose all this mess. But they can't to leave this town - they have own house, chickens, pigs and two cars. If they leave it all, then there will be nobody to feed the animals. And their house can be to plunder. But I persuaded him not to go. Otherwise he would have jeopardized their own family - he has a Russian passport, since 20 years ago immigrated to work in Moscow (after the collapse of the USSR). With these documents the Ukrainian authorities will take him as a Russian mercenary, fascist and interventionist.

[Sleeping Politician 32]

Stalin died in 1957 if I remember correctly and the Gulag was wound down and shut in 1960. Are you saying the removal of the Gulag and Stalin's death HARMED Russia?

He died in 1953 after his murderous brain started hemmoraging. He also died on March 5, exactly sixty years before the release of SC13.

 

Really, Russia is already too big to manage and it would be best if the country was split up into three independent nations.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

@Captain.  A wise advice.  There is no point in jeopardizing a young family in this case.  The old folks are tied to the land, and have to decide for themselves whether to abandon everything and become refugees or ride out the troubles.  I realize there are strong family ties operating here, but one must be practical.

 

The whole thing is some sort of volkerwandrung.  Does Russia really need more territory?  I sincerely doubt it.  Do Russians living in the Ukraine really want to be Russian citizens?  Or are they just trying to form an independent state?  Why now? 

 

Annexing Crimea was a huge mistake, I believe.  The Turks will not be happy.  It is always good to have happy neighbours.

[AkemiAzula 280]

Me and Putin are both intj from mbtli classification so hopefully noone is suggesting i listen to ghosts lol. I think he is acting very rationally indeed. Stalin may have been paranoid but that is to be expected when u are very prominent no different to miley cyrus or the beatles. All popular men go mad.

[KonstantinII 1,106]

.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Turkey is next door.  It is also a member of NATO.