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U.S. strikes harder at Putin, banning all Russian oil imports

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By ZEKE MILLER, MIKE BALSAMO and JOSH BOAK

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144 Comments

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Meanwhile the people in US paying high gas prices for the stupidity of this goverment in getting involved creating a war for their own convenience..

Congratulations Joe, you are doing your best to lose reelection and in three years Donnnnie returns to the white house..

And meanwhile China.... In silent waiting, organizing its new monetary system to deal the final blow to the hegemony of the pirate dollar, and creating military and energy alliances with Russia, while growing its commercial ties with the rest of the world..

Whether you like it or not, China will be the great beneficiary of this war.

First Afghanistan, then Ukraine, what's next??, Lol..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNWiyXXWUAYgwQj?format=jpg&name=small

-27 ( +27 / -54 )

energy exports have kept a steady stream of cash flowing to Russia

That sentence was left unfinished, it should have read "..to keep a steady stream of cash flowing to Russian oligarchs and their master Putin, after all it takes a lot of roubles to maintain palaces and buy fuel for luxury yachts."

But propping up a dictator inVenezuela is little better than propping up a murderous dictator like Putin.

Venezuela, Russia and Russia's partner Iran are states rich in oil and gas where the money from selling off their state's resources has been skimmed off and into the hands of a handful of brutal thugs. Most oil/gas states are run by brutal authoritarian regimes with most of the people scrambling to feed themselves.

Yet some US American politicians and their media continue to praise Putin as he sends his military to invade a sovereign nation, and allows his troops to murder civilians. And threatens to use nukes. But to some of those US politicians and their media puppets what Putin is doing is 'smart', 'savvy' and shows he's a 'genius',

0 ( +17 / -17 )

Whether you like it or not, China will be the great beneficiary of this war.

Maybe, but this will come mainly at Russia’s expense, not that of the US.

17 ( +30 / -13 )

So the US bans the import of something it hardly imports any of in the first place.

This time in two year,s sanctions will be gone, Europe is too dependent on Russian gas. A lot of Russians and Ukrainians will be buried and forgotten except by their friends and family, and the entire south and east of the Ukraine will be under Russian control.

-17 ( +14 / -31 )

We have 715 million barrel in reserves already ready to flow

2 ( +12 / -10 )

Whether you like it or not, China will be the great beneficiary of this war.

I don't think that is the case. China is wary of being seen as too close to Russia and being accused of complicity. If you notice their banks have been avoiding offering loans to buy Russian commodities and two Chinese development banks have stated they not involving themselves in project in either Russia or Belarus. I think the Chinese are concerned about being subject to sanctions from the west if they are viewed as supporting Russia.

9 ( +21 / -12 )

Europe will be buying expensive American oil. Good deal for the US.

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

If paying more at the pumps means sticking it to the Russians, then I’m all for it.

In the meantime, ramp up production in other not so popular ways, some of which would be with enemies, but less so than Russia.

5 ( +19 / -14 )

Let's see if Europe is going to ban Russian gas now.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

First Afghanistan, then Ukraine, what's next??, Lol..

Next??.. Well, the most pathetic thing is that now the US is thinking of begging Venezuela for oil..

Double standards and international humor in just one country !!..

-16 ( +17 / -33 )

It is hoped this will give further stimulus to renewable energy.

15 ( +21 / -6 )

Double standards and international humor in just one country !!..

At least US Americans are allowed to criticize their government without fear of a being sent to a gulag in Siberia for the next few years. Once again pro-Russians haver no criticism of what Putin is allowing (perhaps encouraging) to be done to Ukraine. I'm starting to think Russian people continue to fully support their master, but it could be genetic, after all most of their ancestors were serfs. They have probably never known what 'freedom' is. They just obey their master's orders. No wonder so many intelligent Russians have left for the West.

6 ( +21 / -15 )

Correction: Once again pro-Russians have no criticism of what Putin is allowing (perhaps encouraging) to be done to Ukraine. What former SSR is next. Will Russia go into the Scandinavian countries to take away their freedoms, too. Putin a his thugs seem to want to drag the world down to Russian level.

3 ( +16 / -13 )

The US produces over 14 MILLION barrels of oil daily and is the 4th largest exporter of oil worldwide.

Time to stop selling overseas and use domestically!

16 ( +21 / -5 )

A lot of Russians and Ukrainians will be buried and forgotten 

The above seems to be OK to those not affected, same with the attitude of some who thought the deaths from Covid are OK because I'm OK and so are my friends. The extreme me-centrism of the extreme right is like a virus.No wonder they follow 'leaders' like Putin and the Florida grifter.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

It is hoped this will give further stimulus to renewable energy.

I agree. And if it doesn't we can expect a continuation of wars for oil, and for environmental problems to worsen. Break the reliance on burning huge amounts of fossil fuels and of allowing the fossils to control the planet. No one controls the sun, yet.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

No wonder so many intelligent Russians have left for the West.

That is exactly the point!

If Russia is so nice, why are soooo many Russians living in other countries and not in Russia?

Why did they run away from Russia, if it is so nice there?

Also many supporters of Putin are not living in Russia.

They live overseas, sitting on their comfortable sofa and cheer up this mass murderer Putin on their 72zoll Flat Screen TV.

And the same counts for China!

4 ( +12 / -8 )

If paying more at the pumps means sticking it to the Russians, then I’m all for it.

But the ordinary, everyday voter votes out of what is best for their budget and well-being. Gas prices are a huge deal. My parents are seeing up to $6 or $7 a gallon in Los Angeles at the moment and this isn't even summer yet.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

So that you can sell your US oil to Europe with a very high price.

Dont you?

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Time to stop selling overseas and use domestically!

Most of what the US sells is refined products, not crude oil, to countries that do not have sufficient domestic refining capacity. It has become a profitable line of business to certain refineries mainly on the US Gulf Coast. What you say sounds nice but the reality is that corporations will sell to whomever offers the most money for their product. I saw this many years ago living in Australia during Desert Storm when oil prices skyrocketed. There were calls from the Australian Parliament to cap the price of oil in Australia. The several oil companies drilling in Australian waters told the Australian government their oil would all be sold abroad and never reach an Australian refinery to be subject to price controls. That pretty much ended the discussion.

The US is also a major exporter of CNG to the world market, second only to Russia in that regard. The US produces a third more natural gas than Russia does but domestic use is much greater so there is a bit less available for export. Still US gas exports dwarf those of Canada and Persian Gulf nations.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Biden frantically calling dictators around the world begging for oil. Anywhere but using his own oil in Texas seems fine.

-7 ( +13 / -20 )

Key U.S. senators are warning the Biden administration from seeking any oil import deal from the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela.

Add Iran to that list. The US cannot turn to Iran with its tail between its legs and negotiate a nuclear deal for oil.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Meanwhile the people in US paying high gas prices for the stupidity of this goverment in getting involved creating a war for their own convenience..

No. Putin started this war. He invaded Ukraine, remember?

>

4 ( +15 / -11 )

> Congratulations Joe, you are doing your best to lose reelection and in three years Donnnnie returns to the white house..

Not going to happen.

And meanwhile China.... In silent waiting, organizing its new monetary system to deal the final blow to the hegemony of the pirate dollar, and creating military and energy alliances with Russia, while growing its commercial ties with the rest of the world..

China has just sanctioned Russian Banks. What are you talking about??

Whether you like it or not, China will be the great beneficiary of this war.

Not at all. The west is united under this conflict. China could lose a lot, especially if Russia collapses.

First Afghanistan, then Ukraine, what's next??, Lol..

Good question. Why don't you go ask Lord Putin? Russia is the only country that has invaded the two countries mentioned above.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

Things are getting interesting!

Biden has proven to be a stronger president at fighting against the tyranny of insurrection, authoritarian, fascist and communist regimes than his predecessor. The former president capitulated to all dictators because he admired them and wanted to be just like them.

4 ( +15 / -11 )

Time to stop selling overseas and use domestically!

Time to stop using so much in the country and develop alternatives to burning huge quantities that pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Burning fossil fuels is also a waste of a non-renewable resource.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Here is an article written before the invasion of Ukraine describing the inability of OPEC + nations to increase their monthly output of oil to the degree they have been claiming they could.

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Will-OPEC-Actually-Deliver-The-Extra-Barrels-It-Promised.html

Here is another article explaining the US has precious few policy choices that can rapidly increase oil output. Increasing prices are what will motivate drillers, not government policy. Even with rapidly rising prices there is only so fast output can be increased for physical / technical reasons.

https://www.eenews.net/articles/just-how-much-oil-can-the-u-s-pump/

Consider the banks who loan these companies the money they need to increase output are leery of losing money on oil industry investments again as they have in the recent past. Due to a tight labor market there are not a lot of unemployed people with the necessary skills waiting to go back to work.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

But propping up a dictator inVenezuela is little better than propping up a murderous dictator like Putin. 

It’s all bad, all of it.

Venezuela, Russia and Russia's partner Iran are states rich in oil and gas where the money from selling off their state's resources has been skimmed off and into the hands of a handful of brutal thugs. Most oil/gas states are run by brutal authoritarian regimes with most of the people scrambling to feed themselves.

All the more reason to increase oil production as well as natural gas production

Yet some US American politicians and their media continue to praise Putin

No one is praising this madman.

as he sends his military to invade a sovereign nation, and allows his troops to murder civilians. And threatens to use nukes. But to some of those US politicians and their media puppets what Putin is doing is 'smart', 'savvy' and shows he's a 'genius',

From a military strategic point very savvy. That’s true, don’t have to love the guy to admit that critical fact.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

My parents are seeing up to $6 or $7 a gallon in Los Angeles at the moment and this isn't even summer yet.

Nope. I live close enough to be in LA regularly. Regular was under $5 a gallon this weekend. Premium is $5.39 or thereabouts, sometimes a bit less.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Whether you like it or not, China will be the great beneficiary of this war.

Xi met online with Macron and Scholz and basically told them to sort it out among themselves: NATO, EU, Russian and the US. Sounds like what a parent would say.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Now the Biden administration will blame gas prices on the Russian import ban, even though gas prices increased every month since his reversal of Trump’s energy policies back in Jan-Feb of last year.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Time to stop selling overseas and use domestically!

We have a free market in the US. There isn't a national oil company.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Now the Biden administration will blame gas prices on the Russian import ban, even though gas prices increased every month since his reversal of Trump’s energy policies back in Jan-Feb of last year.

People aren’t even thinking about Trump, they see Joe Biden and here he wants to get oil from one rogue nation and change it for another.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Yesterday it was a good idea but Biden wouldn’t do it.

There is no law in place it states that we have to take Russian oil. We shouldn’t and that this President would allow that makes it even clearer as to to why Putin thinks this guy is full of hot air.

Today Biden did it and it’s a bad plan.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Today Biden did it and it’s a bad plan.

Because Biden did it?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

If only the country right next door to the US had more pipelines to transport its ethical oil to the US.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

There is no law in place it states that we have to take Russian oil. We shouldn’t and that this President would allow that makes it even clearer as to to why Putin thinks this guy is full of hot air.

Where to begin? First off until today there was no law prohibiting a US based refiner from buying its feed stock from Russia. There still isn't to be precise, It is only an executive order at this point. Congress has not yet passed a bill to formally make it illegal to buy oil from Russia. Oil companies and their stock holders don't care what country their oil comes from unless it is illegal to buy oil from that country. Until today only two such countries existed, Iran and Venezuela. The refineries on the Gulf Coast that once refined Venezuelan oil, which is "sour", high in tar and sulfur, had to find a similar oil to use as feed stock for their refineries. They could not put sweet crude in their distillation towers unless they completely reconstructed their refineries. Instead they bought sour oil from Russia and refined that. In the past year they have reduced their intake of Russian feed stocks and replace it with oil from other sources. The US was only using 90,000 bbls a year, down from over 240,000 a year ago.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

All the people saying, "why won't Biden ban Russian oil!?" for days now saying "wait this will make my gas more expensive!? Boo!".

Shocking.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

@proxy

Canadian oil is better than oil from Russia, Venezuela, or the Middle East. Biden knows this and that America will need oil and gas for many years.

Yet, he reversed America's energy independence, killed Keystone pipeline, and severely limited amount of lands available for oil production and increased the costs.

He put America and the world in a perilous situation.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

these sanctions are not stopping Putin from invading...not an inch. As a matter of fact it is now on day 13 and it is intensifying.

Now who is suffering? the rest of the world. Okay embargo the oil but before you do that have another source but all we have is "plans"

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

All the people saying, "why won't Biden ban Russian oil!?" for days now saying "wait this will make my gas more expensive!? Boo!".

Most Americans know this and they are mostly mad that this President even under the worst circumstances will not allow us to drill in our own backyard and increase oil production, but wants to replace Russian oil with oil from our adversaries, which the average American doesn't understand. The hatred that continues to grow for this admin just continues to grow.

Yet, he reversed America's energy independence, killed Keystone pipeline, and severely limited amount of lands available for oil production and increased the costs.

He put America and the world in a perilous situation.

Exactly, and he continues to bury his party, they will never recover from this by November and beyond. They are finished.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

From a military strategic point very savvy. That’s true, don’t have to love the guy to admit that critical fact.

Well Mr. Putin isn't very savvy at all, nor apparently is the Russian military. That traffic jam heading into Kyiv is a classic. How many days have vehicles been stuck there? Nobody can turn around because he ground on either side of the road is mush. There are videos of the equipment sitting there abandoned by Russian soldiers. In many cases the Russian soldiers poked holes in the fuel tanks so they couldn't drive them into a meat grinder that awaits them in Kyiv. There is a funny video of a Ukrainian who got into one of the abandoned Russian tanks and took it on a joyride. There are perfectly good artillery pieces sitting there abandoned. Reading other open sources of defense news it seems Russia's vaunted new digital encrypted communications system that is supposed to work everywhere doesn't work over the border from Russia in Ukraine. The Russians just admitted to losing their second General from their 41st Army. Mr. Putin failed to anticipate western unity, western anger or the willingness of the west to impose harsh sanctions on Russia. He didn't anticipate the degree to which the west would provide weapons and other forms of military support for the Ukraine. He also did not anticipate how well the Ukrainian forces would fight. The Russians have lost hundreds of armored vehicles and probably over a thousand troops along with those two dead Generals. One of those Generals led forces in the second Chechen war, the 2008 Georgia war, the 2014 Donbass invasion, later in Syria but he met his end in the Ukraine. Good riddance! Mr. Putin thought this would be over in days but instead he is looking at a decade of war and very little likelihood of winning. He will probably never control Kyiv or Odessa. And now he Poles have decided to give the US their MiG-29s to transfer to Ukraine.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

let me say that all of this "sanctioned oil" will be sold in China and India instead.

stupidity comes at cost,Joe.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Nope. I live close enough to be in LA regularly. Regular was under $5 a gallon this weekend. Premium is $5.39 or thereabouts, sometimes a bit less.

Nope, my dad just told me he got gas downtown at around $6.50 a gallon for premium. He was running low and generally prefers cheaper gas in the burbs but had no choice.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Well Mr. Putin isn't very savvy at all,

I disagree, he is winning this war, slowly and even with setbacks, but the inevitable is going to happen and even with all the sanctions imposed, it is not slowing him down. So from a tactical position, he is savvy.

nor apparently is the Russian military. That traffic jam heading into Kyiv is a classic. How many days have vehicles been stuck there? Nobody can turn around because he ground on either side of the road is mush. There are videos of the equipment sitting there abandoned by Russian soldiers. In many cases the Russian soldiers poked holes in the fuel tanks so they couldn't drive them into a meat grinder that awaits them in Kyiv. There is a funny video of a Ukrainian who got into one of the abandoned Russian tanks and took it on a joyride. There are perfectly good artillery pieces sitting there abandoned. Reading other open sources of defense news it seems Russia's vaunted new digital encrypted communications system that is supposed to work everywhere doesn't work over the border from Russia in Ukraine. The Russians just admitted to losing their second General from their 41st Army. Mr. Putin failed to anticipate western unity, western anger or the willingness of the west to impose harsh sanctions on Russia. He didn't anticipate the degree to which the west would provide weapons and other forms of military support for the Ukraine. He also did not anticipate how well the Ukrainian forces would fight. The Russians have lost hundreds of armored vehicles and probably over a thousand troops along with those two dead Generals. One of those Generals led forces in the second Chechen war, the 2008 Georgia war, the 2014 Donbass invasion, later in Syria but he met his end in the Ukraine. Good riddance! Mr. Putin thought this would be over in days but instead he is looking at a decade of war and very little likelihood of winning. He will probably never control Kyiv or Odessa. And now he Poles have decided to give the US their MiG-29s to transfer to Ukraine.

I wouldn't disagree with you on most points here, but Putin didn't even unleash his elite Special Ops unite or his aerial assaults, and once these are underway it will be a huge game-changer.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Well Done, and thank you SIR. You can't be a super power while depending on your rival supplies, Europe must find ways to become a super power and totally independent.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The middle-class Americans are being pummeled. Has nothing to do with Russia, as it won't do anything to Putin's war machine. Biden is the worst President in U.S. history as they lie directly to your face.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

That traffic jam heading into Kyiv is a classic. How many days have vehicles been stuck there?

Don't believe 'analysis' by journalists. This is pretty much what USA does when it is moving troops around, it stops, setup forward bases, hospital, supply stations etc. this can take days into weeks even. Yes, there are issues that says the commanders have miscalculated but generally it looks to be consistent with US operations.

As for oil ban, there is no point helping China with cheap oil. If there's a ban on US import, there has to be an embargo on the Chinese. The CCP is a bigger threat to USA and indo pacific than Russia. Biden can not afford to strenghen them.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

So damned if he does, damned if he doesn't?

our allies wont stop buying it. So yes.

We cant keep buying Russian oil if even McDonald is closing in Russia, All the virtue signaling of corporations has limited foreign policy options severely. All its doing is hurting the Russian people who did nothing wrong and arent even a part of what Putin has done.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

our allies wont stop buying it. So yes.

Yes, I too hope our allies stop buying it, but that is a choice for each nation to make individually.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

We are so screwed. Guess we are heading back to nuclear power plants then. Otherwise our economy might no survive.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It's only American symbolism as it won't change a thing.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I disagree, he is winning this war, slowly and even with setbacks, but the inevitable is going to happen and even with all the sanctions imposed, it is not slowing him down. So from a tactical position, he is savvy.

I don't see this happening. Russia has now committed all the ground forces it had available to Ukraine and despite that its offensive seems to have ground to a halt with only one mid-sized city (Kherson) captured and the Ukrainian army, and even its air force, still intact and putting up capable resistance and continuing to hold most of the country. And even a lot of the parts the Russians have over-run don't seem to be secure for them. While the Russians have more firepower, they are actually significantly outnumbered on the ground and they just don't have the manpower to actually storm and capture Ukraine's bigger cities, which is why they seem to be settling in to just bombard them from afar without any real objective other than inflicting random damage on them. The fact that they are now reported to be even trying to recruit fighters in Syria is a sign of how bad it is going for them. And bear in mind, the things they have captured so far represented the easy part of the invasion for the Russians - open territory that is difficult to defend and also areas in the east and south where the locals are a bit less hostile to them. If they've done this badly in taking that, they don't have a chance when it comes to the actual difficult part (taking the major cities which are by now well prepared for them).

The way it looks to me neither side is going to be able to win an outright victory on the battle field in this. This is actually really bad for Ukraine since it means this war could drag on for years and resulting in horrendous destruction there, though I hope that at some point they'll reach some sort of agreement to end the war. That too will be difficult since the sides are so far apart in their demands and are stubbornly intransigent, though that might wear down as the costs to both sides of this stupid war take their toll. I suspect that at some point Ukraine will have to take a peace treaty that contains things they don't want (giving up Crimea, etc) but allows them to preserve their independence and sell it as a "win", while Russia is able to also present it as a "win". The US will likely go along with this if it figures that the war has inflicted enough harm on Russia that it won't try it again, and if the only other option is escalation which it wants to avoid. How devastating this war will be will depend on how long it takes the sides to reach something like that.

I wouldn't disagree with you on most points here, but Putin didn't even unleash his elite Special Ops unite or his aerial assaults, and once these are underway it will be a huge game-changer.

Actually he did, the first Russian assaults were by airborne and Spetznatz units and they were the first to be defeated.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

All its doing is hurting the Russian people who did nothing wrong and arent even a part of what Putin has done.

Would you have the US escalate support for the Ukrainian forces? I would like to see more done than just sanctions and aid, but there are definitely costs to that as well. What do you think he should do?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Yes, I too hope our allies stop buying it, but that is a choice for each nation to make individually

Agreed, this is a very accurate sentiment that I think stakeholders are trying to elucidate, and the global liberal elite narrative of 'you must do' as I say because I'm 'leet' and you're a deplorable is not helping.

That is not to say that nations can go on profiting off of the sufferings of others, commerce with ethics must prevail over the mighty $, rubles, rmb ... AND so nations must make decisions that reflects the will of its citizens rather than corporate l;obby.

Just look at USA, there is overwhelming support for both involvement and harsher sanctions, but the POTUS seems to have ears only for his corporate backers. Worse in Germany, downright hypocritical even.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to steal oil from Syria and hijack Iranian tankers on the high seas to steal their oil too.

All the while selling their ill-gotten gains to Prince John of Prince John. Tragic.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It the US behind this misery spreading from Ukraine to the rest of the world.

The Russian army is defending the very existence of the Russian people in Ukraine, where biological & nuclear weapons were being developed with direct US cooperation & financing.

Check this out:

Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland admits Ukraine has "biological research facilities"

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

My apologies for previously misunderstanding your intentions here @UChosePoorly. - Best Wishes moving forward.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Russian gas pumps are now stalling, posted with ‘special messages’ to Russian consumers.

“Anonymous” has declared in recent days that Russia is now ‘fair game’ for their cyber attacks.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

We cant keep buying Russian oil if even McDonald is closing in Russia

We're... we're not. That's the point of the article. It's in the headline.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

yesterday you posted Biden should ban Russian oil. So now you have it.

Yes, thank God! Better late than never.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The middle-class Americans are being pummeled. Has nothing to do with Russia, as it won't do anything to Putin's war machine. Biden is the worst President in U.S. history as they lie directly to your face.

Can’t argue with that.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

you miss my point. Biden wanted to continue buying the Russia oil, because he doesnt want the politics of $5+ gasoline with elections going on.

The actions of all the woke corporations against Russia made the Dems look bad- so they cant buy it.

So now just blame Russia for the cost of gas that was already near record highs before the invasion even started.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

So now just blame Russia for the cost of gas that was already near record highs before the invasion even started.

Sneaky! Do you think that is going to work for him?!?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

We are so screwed. Guess we are heading back to nuclear power plants then. Otherwise our economy might no survive.

We've been screwed for decades, the fossil clan is a very powerful clan, and certainly didn't help when both Russian AND USA became members. Nuclear power is the solution, but it threatens fossil, so nuclear will always have an up hill battle. This invasion in itself is helped substantially because Europe decided to decommission its nuclear plants and instead rely on Russian fossil. Screwed!!!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Sneaky! Do you think that is going to work for him?!?

No it wont. its very obvious this was happening pre-Russia.

as evidenced by the as low as 34% approval ratings before any of this started.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

And now what? They grab the Ukraine, peaceful or barbaric doesn’t play a role for Putin, and then everyone crouches like a begging dog for then Russian wheat, rare earth etc. And guess when you get that for your economy….right, only after you buy the oil at highest prices beforehand , the one that is now boycotted. In other words, you are still very too much underestimating the other side. Laughing about a slow invasion with old tanks is one thing, but that’s just only the next trick, as part of the longer time strategy.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@hellokitty

Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to steal oil from Syria and hijack Iranian tankers on the high seas to steal their oil too.

LOL the only thief in this tragedy is China, specifically Xi Jinping. He is stealing the peace that the world worked hard for. He is stealing Ukrainian lives by standing up for and with the murderous Putin, he is stealing the potentials of ex-Warsaw Pact countries in their quest for developing freely, he is stealing Chinese citizen's human rights.

Are you his get away driver?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

No it wont. its very obvious this was happening pre-Russia.

So then as a presumed anti-Biden person, this should be welcome news to you as it damages his reputation and hurts his party's chances, no?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

you miss my point. Biden wanted to continue buying the Russia oil, because he doesnt want the politics of $5+ gasoline with elections going on.

The actions of all the woke corporations against Russia made the Dems look bad- so they cant buy it.

So now just blame Russia for the cost of gas that was already near record highs before the invasion even started.

This is some incredible clairvoyance. How come your mind-reading powers were on the fritz when you said Russia would never invade Ukraine?

2 ( +7 / -5 )

This is some incredible clairvoyance. How come your mind-reading powers were on the fritz when you said Russia would never invade Ukraine?

Hey now, nobody gets all of their predictions correct, otherwise sports betting wouldn't be a thing, lol

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It all looks like a modern equivalent of WW2. Coca Cola never stopped selling in Germany during the war they just created Fanta. I am sure they will find a loop-hole to do the same in Russia.

As for the gas it is easy for the US as always far away from the war and not suffering much compared to others. Germany however is stuffed because without those imports it will collapse. The US is once again so far removed from the realities it will sit back and watch as it did twice before and wait to profit at the end like it did before.

The US should understand that Germany has held the EU together and if Germany falls then they all do. They will all default the IMF and a default of the IMF shuts down the world-economy which is based purely on a promise. This may be a long term thing but there is a tipping point very close to happening.

Politicians clapping themselves does not stop this from happening and if it all goes tits-up I hope the peole rise in every country and remove these fat-bloated-sychophants because they have failed us and even yesterday zelenski did his 1984-esque speach in the UK parliament but said nothing new and they all stood and clapped him and said he's a very good fellow. He hardly said thankyou either.

I hope the peace talks now have top priority because all our future depend on a quick ending to this mess. I also hope someone gives the US admins a history lesson so they can understand the mistakes they made in WW1 and WW2 because it appears they have forgotten.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Hey now, nobody gets all of their predictions correct, otherwise sports betting wouldn't be a thing, lol

Usually people get at least one right, though.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

China are all smiles.

They'll get cheap oil and gas from Russia not to mention commodities like wheat and rare earth like palladium.

Remember that it was China that got us into the biggest health crisis since the Spanish Flu, not Russia.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

“Because as we all know, elections matter. And when folks vote, they order what they want, and in this case they got what they asked for."

got what they asked for.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

It sounds like he is against energy companies earning a profit

An anticapitalist, then? Sounds good to me.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

“Because as we all know, elections matter. And when folks vote, they order what they want, and in this case they got what they asked for."

I'm ok with paying a bit more for gas and other goods in the meantime. My sacrifice is pretty trifling compared to what the Ukrainians are going through. We have been pretty spoiled as Americans, I feel.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I hope the peace talks now have top priority because all our future depend on a quick ending to this mess. I also hope someone gives the US admins a history lesson so they can understand the mistakes they made in WW1 and WW2 because it appears they have forgotten.

@Nator

What sort of outcome are you envisioning in your preferred 'quicky'? The fact you think Germany has been holding the EU together speaks volumes about your perspectives. If you ask the Greeks, Italian, French, Czech, they'd say Germany has been thwarting the sovereignty of most Euro nations for decades. The Nord 2 trojan is but a small but recent example.

Realistically, without foreign intervention, this is going to get ALOT worse, just look at recent examples, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria....Do you seriously hope that Putin will defeat Ukraine and that's it? Are you not even thinking Putin may go further?

or

That Ukrainian commanders are not putting in place insurgency plans.

or That nervous Warsaw Pact countries are going to standby and let Scholz/Biden dictate their destiny (one that can resemble Ukraine)?

Seriously, the global elite is weaving a very wishful narrative to protect their profit centres. It has nothing to do with the reality of war in Ukraine/Eastern Europe/Europe.

If you insist on wishful quicky, then start lobbying for NATO, involvement, this is the premise of the existence of NATO 'deterrence' without equal and opposite power, Putin will carry on, and resistance will carry on.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

An anticapitalist, then? Sounds good to me.

In the States, we have only private energy companies, and we can't expect them to perform work for less profit margin than they can get elsewhere.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Increased prices in USA and Europe? So be it! Enjoy and don't complain.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

“Venezuela releases American prisoners after talks with US: report”

Yep USA will be buying Venezuela dictator oil soon.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Yep USA will be buying Venezuela dictator oil soon.

Hopefully they don't invade their neighbors!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

 From now on, Putin will be responsible for Biden’s dumpster fire of a presidency.

Well, at least you won't be fooled.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Yep USA will be buying Venezuela dictator oil soon.

a dictator they can keep a check on

Where should America buy high sulfur oil from because of the Jones Act?

why do you think Amercian oil is more expansive to process compared to other countries

0 ( +1 / -1 )

To clarify Germany in league with the IMF. Most EU countries are in debt and theirfore just do what they are told.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I'm fine suffering to stop Russia. If I could I would fight in Ukraine, too. It's hard to see children dying and I'm still living comfortably in my house.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

McDonald's, Starbucks, Coke and Pepsi halt sales in Russia

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/McDonald-s-Starbucks-Coke-and-Pepsi-halt-sales-in-Russia

Dictators who needs them?

Russian people certainly don't.

Time for the people to rise up and knock Putin and his regime off there perch

Time to take back your country.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I can't believe China is not stepping up during this mess. It's time to forge alliance and replace Russia in all aspects of dealing with the west and the entire world.

Time for China to be friendly to everybody.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If American gas (petrol) prices are higher it's only because of the American oil companies and nothing else. How did their production prices increase so much?

no it isnt oil prices are controlled by global demand and market speculation, Does anybody think American producers will sell at a discount to Americans even if China will pay the full market price lol

here are some facts that might hurt some feelings, Americas oil production is near record highs

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MCRFPUS2&f=M

there are currently about 700 oil drilling permits that have been approved and still havent been used, 90% of all drilling in the US is on private land. Canadian oil is still being exported to the US by ship, even though the pipe line hasnt even been built yet

2 ( +2 / -0 )

13 days after Putin's invasion is super fast by any government.

I wasn’t talking about that.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

there are currently about 700 oil drilling permits that have been approved and still havent been used,

Of Course not, if you have a permit to drill in areas that are dry and there is no oil, why would you? It would make more sense to drill in areas where there are oil patches and for some reason we can’t get permits for that.

90% of all drilling in the US is on private land. Canadian oil is still being exported to the US by ship, even though the pipe line hasnt even been built yet

Then Biden needs to ramp up oil production and fast.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

unpacking-joe-bidens-lies-about-the-trump-job-creation-miracle/

and yet the statistics from the .gov website proves otherwise.

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

also of note US oil production will be at its highest level this year and 2023

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=51318

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Then Biden needs to ramp up oil production and fast.

That's up to the energy companies, not Biden.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

and yet the statistics from the .gov website proves otherwise.

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Who is the Federal government? Ahh yes, Democrats. Lol

also of note US oil production will be at its highest level this year and 2023

Good, not cut the ties with all these rogue nations and increase and give incentives to Canada and Mexico.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Europe will be buying expensive American oil. Good deal for the US.

And weapons.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

November is going to change a lot of that.

You do know that (assuming the Reps win the House and even the Senate, which hasn't been decided yet), if it's junk legislation that the Dems can just filibuster and even if they don't, that Biden can just veto, right?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Gas is already up to $9/gallon in some parts of California. Which is ironic because Cal is the 3rd largest oil-producing state.

Elon is laughing all the way to his Tesla production lines as he prepares to be the first trillionare.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Elon is laughing all the way to his Tesla production lines as he prepares to be the first trillionare.

Good for him. In America, anyone can become a trillionaire through a lot of hard work and living frugally.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

We have a free market in the US. There isn't a national oil company.

Excuses! The government purchases for the strategic oil reserves and can purchase all it needs for domestic use.

The US doesnt "need" a national oil company, it needs to use it's head!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

U.S. strikes harder at Putin, banning all Russian oil imports :

US can go on banning all Russian oil imports, China will absorb all imports that benefit or boost its energy supply.

The harder US strikes, the more resilient Russia becomes..

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The US doesnt "need" a national oil company, it needs to use it's head!

What are you suggesting the US government should do? "Use its head" is open to interpretation. Strategic Oil Reserves are for emergency use only, and I don't think we are there yet.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The harder US strikes, the more resilient Russia becomes..

What are you suggesting the US should do, just look the other way while Putin destroys Ukraine? What would be more helpful in your mind to get the bloodshed to stop, short of escalating with force?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Good for him. In America, anyone can become a trillionaire through a lot of hard work and living frugally.

Then why aren’t there any trillionares? Is it because they bought the brand name soda rather than the off-brand one?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This collective punishment on the innocent people of Russia will, and is already backfiring. This plus COVID-19 which will boom in the EU with so far around 2 million mostly maskless refugees overwhelming cities.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Then why aren’t there any trillionares? Is it because they bought the brand name soda rather than the off-brand one?

lol, I am hearing Elon may be on his way.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This collective punishment on the innocent people of Russia will, and is already backfiring. This plus COVID-19 which will boom in the EU with so far around 2 million mostly maskless refugees overwhelming cities.

War is hell. Hopefully this one is over soon. I think we can all agree on that.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

All the people saying, "why won't Biden ban Russian oil!?" for days now saying "wait this will make my gas more expensive!? Boo!".

Shocking.

If it's shocking then you don't know the US well enough. Parties attack each other and don't get much done.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If it's shocking then you don't know the US well enough. Parties attack each other and don't get much done.

Agreed, US govt has a long way to go, and a lot of work remains to be done to be more responsive, efficient, and accountable to our citizens. We are working on it!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If it's shocking then you don't know the US well enough. Parties attack each other and don't get much done.

I was being facetious.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Not only has Biden been strategic in dealing with Putin, but China is also unsettled by all of Russia's setbacks. China was hoping to use this as a rallying call to get the people behind an invasion of Taiwan.

The Quad and Putin loosing the media campaign abroad and within his own country will be a deterrent for any immediate ideas that China has for emulating Russia in Ukraine.

Biden's predecessor wish he was as successful.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Good for him. In America, anyone can become a trillionaire through a lot of hard work and living frugally.

This is just nonsense.

How long would it take for a frugally living janitor to become a trillionaire?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

So two things learnt from today (source Al Jazeera). Poland has offered to send its planes to germany for nato to then send on to ukraine. Obviously the US that was very happy to put poland directly in danger decided that was a bad idea. Well done Poland.

Also those people who want to fight/help in Ukraine it is worth noting that the contract is open ended and some people who were willing to go into the battle field have not wanted to do so without a chance of leave. Makes sense most armies have tours of duty. Hopefully the Ukraine recruitment centres take that into account. Although unless people are trained I can not help thinking they would just be in the way.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Wheee did you get that? China didn’t do anything. What happened is apparently several Chinese public banks are limiting financing to purchase raw materials from Russia.

NO....

China-backed bank halts lending to Russia, Belarus - Japan Today

The China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it will suspend business related to Russia and Belarus, which have been hit with massive international sanctions over the Ukraine war.

In a statement issued Thursday, the AIIB said that "in the best interests of the bank, management has decided that all activities relating to Russia and Belarus are on hold and under review".

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@quercetum

UK parliament is much the same. They can get stuff done in one day but only when they truly want to. Normally they like at least two years and that after five years plus of discussion of if civil-servant level paper-pushing.

The only way to by-pass guff-n-bluster is a phone call to the queen. She maybe quite reluctant to accept a rise is fuel prices considering that Buck-House, Windsor and Balmoral are all buggers to heat. She may have to start employing more log-boys.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

So two things learnt from today (source Al Jazeera). Poland has offered to send its planes to germany for nato to then send on to ukraine. Obviously the US that was very happy to put poland directly in danger decided that was a bad idea. Well done Poland.

Poland is a NATO member. If they take military action then the rest of NATO will be drawn into it. Which could trigger World War Three.

For the record, World War Three is something to be avoided.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

 In America, anyone can become a trillionaire through a lot of hard work and living frugally.

There is not a single trillionaire in the US. The richest person, Elon Musk, is estimated to have some 263 billion dollars.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

U.S. strikes harder at Putin

Laughable headline......

>

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Hope you are all ready for a massive hike in energy/gas/electricity prices. Heck even electricity bills in Japan have been through the roof.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This collective punishment on the innocent people of Russia will, and is already backfiring

 

The main problem – this is the end of diplomacy. The crisis will grow up and nobody can stop it or do something about it.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

At mz16.

My gas and electric bill in Japan has not changed much YET. My mums gas and electric bill in the UK has also not changed much YET. We don't have cars so petrol price is not of a concern until it hits the price of food in the supermarket.

Many talk about price hikes but I would suggest those that do, actually give us an indication of the price compared to their own life because I personally have YET to feel any change.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It all looks like a modern equivalent of WW2. Coca Cola never stopped selling in Germany during the war they just created Fanta

 

Russia is not a Germany. Not a part of Western culture.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And meanwhile we Western Europeans are forced to buy American gas which is the triple price for us.

Russia is bad but the US is as bad.

This war is a great profit for them.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it will suspend business related to Russia and Belarus,

It works in Russia? Surprised…  I hear about this organization for the first time in my life (I’m from Russia).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It works in Russia? Surprised… 

From the article above..

Russia is among the AIIB's founding members and holds around a six percent vote in its operations. It also has a seat on the bank's board of directors.

It is the third-biggest stakeholder behind China -- which holds almost 27 percent of voting power -- and India.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Russia is among the AIIB's founding members and holds around a six percent vote in its operations.

 

There a lot of organization. But little part of them really work.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Russia? I don’t know.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Russia? I don’t know.

Not anymore

2 ( +2 / -0 )

America has poor public transportation and people drive too much. Hopefully high prices can motivate Americans to get more innovative with transportation.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ukraine has given up their plans for joining NATO. A better person would say nothing but I'm going to say "I told you so."

The joke going around is that Ukraine doesn't need to join NATO, NATO needs to join Ukraine

3 ( +3 / -0 )

NATO already is drawn in. What is happening now is that NATO members are squabbling about who takes the first Russian bomb before they get stuck in.

Now read my sentence again, but don't ignore the words, "military action".

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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