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Ukraine severs key ties with Russia over Crimea

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@zaldaus: I'd suggest maybe taking a course in Econ 101 and you will soon realize what you're saying is completely ridiculous.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

zaldaus: Russia can, if it wants to, build its own system. It has before, and will do so again.

That sounds more like a threat that the West could make to Russia, not the other way around. There are benefits to being a part of the international community and Russia wants a seat at the table. Russia will always make more, be more stable, and have more alliances. Could they throw all of that away? Sure, but it's not what they want to do.

As for internal strife, better start preparing for mass protests in the E.U. when the skyrocketing prices of oil and LNG start sending the chickens home to roost. Economically, Russia is in no danger whatsoever.

Russia's revenues depend on energy exports. It's a card, that if they play, could cause severe harm for a long time to come. If Russia turns off the energy supply to Europe then every single nation that does business with Russia will reevaluate their positions. The repercussions will not exist in a vacuum that only affects Europeans and you'd be a fool to think it would. Again, it's not a position that Russia wants to be in. No one does, not even Europe. So walking around like you have some kind of trump card will do nothing more than get Russia in trouble in the long term.

It's people like you who go around thinking you've got nothing to lose that makes things worse for everyone in the end.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Only time will tell. If you have nobody to export your products to, and can't import products from countries then you are doomed to fail. Having a "service" economy is not ideal no matter what spin one puts on it.

For those who believe the US is ruling lands and taking over, you really have no idea what a true imperialist nation does and pray you never do.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@dcog9065

I would suggest you look very closely at the map of the world, and note which countries are in close proximity to Russia. Also note what these countries produce and which resources they import and export. Also I recommend you read up on what all riches are buried in Russian soil. After all this, look also at the population numbers of Russia.

I'm sure you'll realise that self-sufficiency in today's world IS possible - for one country only. And that country is Russia. It would be stupid indeed for Putin to NOT use that great asset to his benefit.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

If I were PM Abe I would have declared neutrality.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

RyokaiMar: Russia has always been ruled by bully-boys...

I don't think that's right. Take that Stalin guy as an example. He... oh. Maybe you have a point.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@dcog you really dont know anything about international politics or the Russian people. Russians are in full support of a president who can stand up to a country like the us who has been bullying and taking over(illegally) other countries for decades now. The fact is that EU is heavily dependent on russia for natural resources and most people would agree that the double standard set by the US government only applies on a political level to countries who "owe" something to the US. Countries like Japan. I completely agree that eastern europe will be hit the hardest by this mess and their respective governments will come under severe internal stress because they depend so deeply on Russian exports. Everyone can see the hypocrisy and double standard perpetrated by the US and I for one am proud of Russia having enough strength to finally stand up to the truly apparent political weakness and economic irrelevance of the US.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@zaldaus: The international system is the global economic and trade system. You say that Russia can survive by itself but look what happened to Iran only after 2 weeks out of the Western system; it's economy and currency became worthless and the economy was sent back 50 years. You mention it built it's own system before, as in the Soviet Union? Fair enough, but they would be doing it without virtually all it's previous satellite states, starting off with a smaller domestic industry than the Soviet Union, it's population already living in squalor, and the wealth of all it's upper tiers eliminated. Furthermore, you don't need to have studied econ to know that the Soviet Union's collapse was always coming, even with a larger economy than Russia has now.

Regarding internal strife, you don't have to look any further than Russia. There were mass protests all over Western Russia when Putin elected himself President. What do you think they'll do when they become the pariah of the world, $1 USD is worth 10,000 roubles, the only place overseas they can go to is Kazakhstan, censorship and repression increased to counter these forces? They'd be more likely to tear the Kremlin to the ground and lynch Putin in the streets than sit back and be treated as serfs.

You mention self sufficiency of Russia? No intelligent person would agree that self sufficiency exists in today's world, unless you want to have poorer living standards than North Korea. International finance by itself could take Russia's economy back to when they were wiped clean by the Mongols. Do you really think Russia is stupid enough to voluntarily turn inward and ruin their country for the next 100 years? Although considering Putin's handicaps, it's plausible I'll agree.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Zaldaus is right.

Whatever the U.S. or the U.S. controlled E.U. can do will have little effect in the long run. Eastern Europe will be the one hardest hit if Russia decides to cut off it's exports. Western Europe will not help. U.S. will definitely not help. There is no reason, no gain.

No nation can effectively force other nations to stand again'ts Russia, in fact some would actually benefit more if they would become allies. East Europe has suffered and will continue to suffer because of the West.(smaller nations)

The economy of Russia will allow it to sustain it self for years. And should it decide to create it's own union (again, not necessarily a soviet like one), it can easily stand up again'ts Europe and U.S.

And that my friends will almost certainly lead to the worst case scenario. All because of some dumb nation leaders had to try and control other nations.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

The new "government" in Kiev are cutting their own chances of survival.

It's April soon, and they destroy their own chances of a proper sowing season. It will be too late for that soon. They are running around city squares instead of securing ties with Russia and caring for their people's wellbeing, primarily food and fuel supply. Do they truly think the West will supply them with everything? Won't happen.

@ka_chan

"Russia is definitely acting like bullies and thugs. What a pity. But this may get hot."

Russia is only securing the safety of its own people, Russians living in Ukraine. If anything, it is you and people like you that are fueling the mass hysteria for no reason. Good job. If things do get out of hand, you can look yourself in the mirror and feel proud.

@presto345

"They are as dumb as they are fearless. So sad."

You can send a letter to Putin and suggest he hire you as his personal resident advisor. I'm sure your expertise in international politics speaks for itself.

@dcog9065

"If Russia invades the Eastern regions of Ukraine, that has to be the last straw before complete isolation from the international system. This would raise tensions to unbearable levels, but internal strife would tear apart the Russian government in time."

What "international system" is that? The western U.S.-controlled one? Russia can, if it wants to, build its own system. It has before, and will do so again.

As for internal strife, better start preparing for mass protests in the E.U. when the skyrocketing prices of oil and LNG start sending the chickens home to roost. Economically, Russia is in no danger whatsoever. What does the U.S. or E.U. export into Russia that Russians can't do without or cannot get elsewhere? I'd like some examples. As for Russian resources, they can be just as easily exported into China and India in increased amounts. Those two countries will be the happier for it. And it is Europe that is the loser in that scenario.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Russia has always been ruled by bully-boys and the Russian population has always been sullen and acquiescent. Putin likes posing for the macho photos so he seems to have a lot to prove.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Apparently, the Russians have no fear of the West.

They are as dumb as they are fearless. So sad.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Russia is definitely acting like bullies and thugs.

All sides are. On many issues I find it hard to know what the majority of the people want, such as if the people of Ukraine want to join the EU or stay out with closer ties to Russia. But I think its pretty obvious, despite unnecessary Russian strong arming of the vote, that the people of Crimea want to be with Russia, fools though that may make them.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If Russia invades the Eastern regions of Ukraine, that has to be the last straw before complete isolation from the international system. This would raise tensions to unbearable levels, but internal strife would tear apart the Russian government in time.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Russia is definitely acting like bullies and thugs. What a pity. But this may get hot.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Apparently, the Russians have no fear of the West.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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