Ukraine - invasion underway

billsykes said:
Personal question.
I would expect the west to ramp up sanctions, as time goes by how safe will you be out there.
Click to expand...

I can’t see fighting spreading here for a number of reasons. I’ll watch where I go in town to avoid getting caught up in any protests, like around Pushkin square. I’ve never experienced any hint of violence here, it’s safer than back home, but I’ll be wary around any vodka soaked alphas, as I would be anyway. It’s nothing to celebrate obviously but we’re actually a bit better off financially today due to ruble/pound rate, but a swiftban or similar could cause problems - overall I think Moscow will be largely insulated from the worst of any sanctions. I just have to remember my VPN when posting stuff on here!

I’ll be leaving in the summer anyway so I’m not here for the long term. If things escalated in Moscow, I’d get my family out quickly, I still have friends in Kazakhstan if couldn’t go west for any reason. I’ve said it before but the Russian people are victims of Putin too, they’re a diverse and fantastic nation who deserve so much more than a authoritarian gangster who hasn’t evolved since the Soviet Union - the messages from some lads in my football group are sad and they are dismayed at what their government are doing.
 
What happens to Chelsea?
They might freeze Abramovic's assets making them unable to operate?
Hope so.
 
What I'm afraid of now, is that if Russia gets away with this without facing any particularly dire consequences, China is going to try something similar with Taiwan.

Chinese state media are already making some pretty disquieting statements about things.

As reported in the Grauniad, they stated as follows:

"When the US drove five waves of Nato expansion eastward all the way to Russia’s doorstep and deployed advanced offensive strategic weapons in breach of its assurances to Russia, did it ever think about the consequences of pushing a big country to the wall?"
Click to expand...

The article goes on to say that:
Among China watchers, several have suggested this reasoning could one day be used in the event Beijing decides to move on Taiwan - an increasingly EU-friendly government that makes big weapons purchases from the US.
Click to expand...

Worrying times.
 
Smoggle said:
I’ve said it before but the Russian people are victims of Putin too, they’re a diverse and fantastic nation who deserve so much more than a authoritarian gangster who hasn’t evolved since the Soviet Union - the messages from some lads in my football group are sad and they are dismayed at what their government are doing.
Click to expand...
It is one big Mafia. The oligarchs put up with him while they're making hay but once it starts hitting them in the pocket watch them turn.
The US will be pulling strings in the background.
Hopefully he'll be bumped off soon.
 
Expat Smoggie said:
This is all a political charade which will inevitably end with Putin reinstalling the original government when Ukraine broke away from the USSR. Anyone who keeps up with Ukraine politics will know that Obama's government forcibly installed their own man back in 2019-- a comedian at that. Not too mention Biden's hands are covered with blood if Russia does start to bomb and kill Ukrainians for it is with the Obama-Biden regime that this mess got out of hand. Ok, I'm not in favour of anything Putin but this mess will not get a moments rest until Ukraine follows the political line with the Kremlin. Obama and Biden did the same with Libya-- that place [sadly] is in ruins
Click to expand...
Obama wasn't in power in 2019
 
zzzzz said:
It is one big Mafia. The oligarchs put up with him while they're making hay but once it starts hitting them in the pocket watch them turn.
The US will be pulling strings in the background.
Hopefully he'll be bumped off soon.
Click to expand...

Yes, if his support wavers underneath then anything can happen. My hunch is he’ll be around for a good while yet, but the thing is when an authoritarian leader is deposed, it’s usually unexpected and fast.

Things can change here very quickly, it’s a pity Navalny is locked up as he’s a rallying figure and I don’t see anyone else. I’ve seen locals saying he’s lost support of the Russian people and even some elites, and calling for regime change, how wide spread this sentiment is I don’t know, but it won’t be a fringe view, the question is can it lead to any thing significant - I have my doubts for a number of reasons.
 
Expat Smoggie said:
This is all a political charade which will inevitably end with Putin reinstalling the original government when Ukraine broke away from the USSR. Anyone who keeps up with Ukraine politics will know that Obama's government forcibly installed their own man back in 2019-- a comedian at that. Not too mention Biden's hands are covered with blood if Russia does start to bomb and kill Ukrainians for it is with the Obama-Biden regime that this mess got out of hand. Ok, I'm not in favour of anything Putin but this mess will not get a moments rest until Ukraine follows the political line with the Kremlin. Obama and Biden did the same with Libya-- that place [sadly] is in ruins
Click to expand...
Obama left office in 2016
 
Look at what has happened to any official opposition they are either dead or in jail it takes bravery to speak out.

Once putin took out his biggest rival with in eye sight of the Kremlin on that bridge showed that he truly was ruthless.

I agree by the Russia I’d an amazing country filled with amazing people I was lucky to visit st Petersburg and it was breath taking as for how they see putin well this was on sale in Russia…

ACD939F7-C15C-46CF-9F01-8F61126A458F.jpeg
 
Have to batten down the hatches for the next few months. Life's luxuries put on hold as our cost of living will continue to soar. Bleak times indeed.
 
zorro_mfc said:
Look at what has happened to any official opposition they are either dead or in jail it takes bravery to speak out.

Once putin took out his biggest rival with in eye sight of the Kremlin on that bridge showed that he truly was ruthless.

I agree by the Russia I’d an amazing country filled with amazing people I was lucky to visit st Petersburg and it was breath taking as for how they see putin well this was on sale in Russia…

View attachment 34433
Click to expand...

Ha! I wouldn’t read too much into the Putin tat, it’s everywhere and more for tourists than anyone else. Even I have a Putin riding a bear fridge magnet!

You’re right about Nemtsov, several countries have renamed squares and streets around Russian embassies after him, including the US I think.

I’ve still not made it to STP, covid twice has lead to cancellations but I’m hoping to get there in May provided Europe isn’t a smoking ruin by then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top