Sanctions on Russia

goldenpuma84 said:A few weeks back, the Solomon Islands expressed interest in forming a strategic partnership with China.

Not only did Australia lose its mind over it, but when a reporter asked, a high-ranking U.S. official didn't rule out military intervention if the Chinese decided to set up a base there.

That isn't whataboutism.

I can easily imagine (or point out) what would happen if China even thought about making a military alliance with the United States or Mexico.

And honestly, I can also picture exactly how you'd react if that actually happened.

Anyway, we haven't seen anything play out yet...

Have Americans actually attacked the Solomon Islands? Until they do, there is nothing to discuss.

If they do attack, 90% of ordinary people will condemn it. 🤷

Zachary Booth36 said:Have Americans actually attacked the Solomon Islands? Until they do, there is nothing to discuss.

If they do attack, 90% of ordinary people will condemn it. 🤷

Nah, they won't.

Because at the end of the day, it's all about fighting for democracy and human rights.

goldenpuma84 said:Alright, here’s your straight answer.

Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine, committing atrocities there.

The Ukrainian identity was finally solidified by Putin himself, which is clearly why he can't stomach it...

Look at Chechnya—that was a breakaway republic, and the response was a bloody war.

In Georgia, the Russians back two rebel regions populated by Russian speakers.

Finally, some actual substance here.

Chechnya was a breakaway republic, and the response was a bloody war.

In Georgia, the Russians back two rebellious regions populated by Russian speakers.

Are you suggesting that the only appropriate response to a breakaway republic is a bloody war?

Then again, one could argue they might have even "supported" such dissent by provoking it in the first place; but then, they wouldn't.

OPEC+ is bumping up production by 648,000 barrels a day through July and August – Wall Street Journal

goldenpuma84 said:Alright, here’s your straight answer.

Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine, committing atrocities there.

The Ukrainian identity was finally solidified by Putin himself, which is clearly why he can't stomach it...

Look at Chechnya—that was a breakaway republic, and the response was a bloody war.

In Georgia, the Russians back two rebel regions populated by Russian speakers.

It wasn't that difficult.
Just information... if Australians ever try to equate themselves to the Solomon Islands, I will call them out just as I am calling out the Russians on this topic.

Sanctions have failed. Russia isn't collapsing, but instead, some nations are facing a triple threat.

During the first four months of 2022, Russia recorded a surplus of $96 billion—that’s more than three times what they saw during the same period last year.

"When the European Union partially banned imports of Russian oil, crude prices spiked on global markets, which actually allowed the Kremlin to pull in unexpected extra revenue. In fact, back in April, Russia exported 50 percent more oil and gas to China than they did in April 2021," writes Elliott.
....

"The situation is pretty straightforward—if developing nations aren't energy exporters themselves, they’re going to get hit with a triple blow. Essentially, fuel and food crises are going to trigger a massive financial crisis. If these countries have to choose between feeding their people and paying back their debts, they’ll pick feeding people every single time. Sri Lanka became the first country to default on its debts since the invasion of Ukraine began. They certainly won't be the last. We might be looking at a global debt crisis unlike anything we've seen since the 1990s," Elliott argued in The New York Times.
...

"From the very start of the invasion, the Russian president has been playing the long game, waiting for the ad hoc international coalition opposing him to fall apart. The Kremlin believes Russia can weather more economic hardship than the West, and they’re likely right," said Elliott.

Elliott suggests that President Joe Biden's decision to send advanced American missile systems to Ukraine is proof that sanctions simply aren't working.

Mark Carter14 As specified by:
The sanctions have failed. Russia hasn't collapsed, but instead, certain nations are now facing a triple blow.

It would honestly be better if those sanctions remained in place for as long as possible. 🙂
I simply cannot fathom why Russia would even bother pushing for the lifting of sanctions when things seem to be going well enough for them. It defies logic.

Russia hasn't collapsed after three months of war. So what happens ten years down the road? You can't even finish driving school in three months.

OPEC plus agreed on Thursday to a larger increase in supply Than planned for July and August, representing a staggering 50% surge in production levels.

Specifically, we are looking at an additional 648,000 barrels per day being pumped into the market.

OPEC plus agreed on Thursday to a larger increase in supply Than planned for July and August.

While the White House attempted to frame this sudden spike in output as a monumental diplomatic victory—following months of relentless lobbying directed at the oil giants of the Middle East to alleviate price volatility—is anyone truly naive enough to believe this will lower the cost at the pump? Certainly not. In reality, rather than providing relief to the consumer, the price of oil actually climbed following the summit.

Following their recent videoconference, the coalition announced they would ramp up production by 648,000 barrels a day in July and then again in August, which constitutes an increase of roughly 50 percent compared to the incremental monthly rises established under last year's program. Effectively, what OPEC plus is doing is compressing three months of scheduled increases into a mere two-month window.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/b...smid=url-share

Anthony Hill5 said:OPEC plus agreed on Thursday to a larger increase in supply Than planned for July and August, representing a staggering 50% surge in production levels.

Specifically, we are looking at an additional 648,000 barrels per day being pumped into the market.

OPEC plus agreed on Thursday to a larger increase in supply Than planned for July and August.

While the White House attempted to frame this sudden spike in output as a monumental diplomatic victory—following months of relentless lobbying directed at the oil giants of the Middle East to alleviate price volatility—is anyone truly naive enough to believe this will lower the cost at the pump? Certainly not. In reality, rather than providing relief to the consumer, the price of oil actually climbed following the summit.

Following their recent videoconference, the coalition announced they would ramp up production by 648,000 barrels a day in July and then again in August, which constitutes an increase of roughly 50 percent compared to the incremental monthly rises established under last year's program. Effectively, what OPEC plus is doing is compressing three months of scheduled increases into a mere two-month window.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/b...smid=url-share

Maybe now we can actually hope that gas prices don't jump up another 30 cents this Tuesday like everyone is predicting—though when they asked Marić about it just now, he couldn't give a straight answer...

brightheron64 said:Maybe now we can actually hope that gas prices don't jump up another 30 cents this Tuesday like everyone is predicting—though when they asked Marić about it just now, he couldn't give a straight answer...

The price hike specifically targets July and then again in August.

Regardless of the specifics, it is positive news; once again, American soft power has asserted itself, further cementing the isolation of Russia.

Look at the state of public opinion within Russia. Which nations do they actually consider allies? The answers serve as a brutal testament to the reality of Putin's policies.

Anthony Hill5 said:The price hike specifically targets July and then again in August.

Regardless of the specifics, it is positive news; once again, American soft power has asserted itself, further cementing the isolation of Russia.

Look at the state of public opinion within Russia. Which nations do they actually consider allies? The answers serve as a brutal testament to the reality of Putin's policies.

Well, I certainly got my hopes up until I took a closer look at what the media was actually reporting...

Here is the latest from the Financial Times:

Financial Times
1 h ·
Even with Saudi Arabia preparing to open the spigots, the import ban on Russian oil announced by Europe means that prices are set to continue their rise.
Riyadh aware it must not 'lose control' of oil prices as energy sanctions hit Moscow ... Don't expect fuel prices to come down anytime soon. 🙂

brightheron64 said:Maybe now we can actually hope that gas prices don't jump up another 30 cents this Tuesday like everyone is predicting—though when they asked Marić about it just now, he couldn't give a straight answer...

Just the announcement of the decision itself should be enough to cap oil prices on Wall Street at around $110.

slyfox43 said:Finally, some actual substance here.

Chechnya was a breakaway republic, and the response was a bloody war.

In Georgia, the Russians back two rebellious regions populated by Russian speakers.

Are you suggesting that the only appropriate response to a breakaway republic is a bloody war?

Then again, one could argue they might have even "supported" such dissent by provoking it in the first place; but then, they wouldn't.

Actually, this is all getting pretty off-topic.

And that’s just my take on the question.

Bottom line: I try to keep a level playing field for everyone.

Something most people here clearly can't do.

Anyway, we're looking at inflation, recession, layoffs, social unrest, and general misery ahead—the perfect breeding ground for anyone selling cheap fixes.

Once that becomes the new normal, denying reality won't matter anymore.

Go ahead and keep doing what you're doing.

Since that's what you asked for.

Of course, it’s also an opportunity for a comeback. Nothing fertilizes growth quite like a pile of broken illusions...

goldenpuma84 said:Actually, this is all getting pretty off-topic.

And that’s just my take on the question.

Bottom line: I try to keep a level playing field for everyone.

Something most people here clearly can't do.

Anyway, we're looking at inflation, recession, layoffs, social unrest, and general misery ahead—the perfect breeding ground for anyone selling cheap fixes.

Once that becomes the new normal, denying reality won't matter anymore.

Go ahead and keep doing what you're doing.

Since that's what you asked for.

Of course, it’s also an opportunity for a comeback. Nothing fertilizes growth quite like a pile of broken illusions...

Extremely likely. I just have one question: is that worth it to you personally, given the cost to the survival of the Ukrainian people and their nation?

And just so we're clear, my answer to that same question is yes.

Christian Torres3 said:Extremely likely. I just have one question: is that worth it to you personally, given the cost to the survival of the Ukrainian people and their nation?

And just so we're clear, my answer to that same question is yes.

Just some information. These daily price hikes on all goods, commodities, and services—not just oil and gas—actually started two years ago when the pandemic hit. First, they used the pandemic as an excuse, now it is the war in Ukraine. I wonder what the third excuse will be.

Anthony Hill5 said:OPEC plus agreed on Thursday to a larger increase in supply Than planned for July and August, representing a staggering 50% surge in production levels.

Specifically, we are looking at an additional 648,000 barrels per day being pumped into the market.

OPEC plus agreed on Thursday to a larger increase in supply Than planned for July and August.

While the White House attempted to frame this sudden spike in output as a monumental diplomatic victory—following months of relentless lobbying directed at the oil giants of the Middle East to alleviate price volatility—is anyone truly naive enough to believe this will lower the cost at the pump? Certainly not. In reality, rather than providing relief to the consumer, the price of oil actually climbed following the summit.

Following their recent videoconference, the coalition announced they would ramp up production by 648,000 barrels a day in July and then again in August, which constitutes an increase of roughly 50 percent compared to the incremental monthly rises established under last year's program. Effectively, what OPEC plus is doing is compressing three months of scheduled increases into a mere two-month window.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/b...smid=url-share

To be more precise—it’s a 50% bump over what was already planned, not 50% of total production. We're talking a difference of about 250,000 barrels a day.

Back in 2021, we were pulling 2.2 million barrels a day from Russia.
So, this little boost barely covers 11% of those pre-war needs for Russian oil in the EU—or maybe 17% if you're just looking at the two-thirds that actually showed up on tankers.

Then there's the question of how much the US plans to drain its strategic reserves—they've been burning through them at record speeds lately just to try and fight high oil prices.

Here's a decent read on how Russia stays one step ahead of those "European" sanctions on oil:
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-G...Sanctions.html

Gerald Torres84 said:Just some information. These daily price hikes on all goods, commodities, and services—not just oil and gas—actually started two years ago when the pandemic hit. First, they used the pandemic as an excuse, now it is the war in Ukraine. I wonder what the third excuse will be.

Taiwan.
Honestly, whenever I look at what I'm paying for fuel and gas, I have to wonder who is actually imposing sanctions on whom. 😁

goldenpuma84 said:Actually, this is all getting pretty off-topic.

And that’s just my take on the question.

Bottom line: I try to keep a level playing field for everyone.

Something most people here clearly can't do.

Anyway, we're looking at inflation, recession, layoffs, social unrest, and general misery ahead—the perfect breeding ground for anyone selling cheap fixes.

Once that becomes the new normal, denying reality won't matter anymore.

Go ahead and keep doing what you're doing.

Since that's what you asked for.

Of course, it’s also an opportunity for a comeback. Nothing fertilizes growth quite like a pile of broken illusions...

I get the distinct impression that some people are living with their heads in the clouds, while others are very much exploiting that detachment. Ultimately, it’s the dreamers and the fools who end up footing the bill.

Following the announcement from the European Union and the United States regarding the ban on Russian oil imports as part of the sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, traders have been ramping up their purchases of Russian crude and blending it with other sources to mask its origin, according to the Wall Street Journal.

urbanotter said:I get the distinct impression that some people are living with their heads in the clouds, while others are very much exploiting that detachment. Ultimately, it’s the dreamers and the fools who end up footing the bill.

Following the announcement from the European Union and the United States regarding the ban on Russian oil imports as part of the sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, traders have been ramping up their purchases of Russian crude and blending it with other sources to mask its origin, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Your little "text correction" didn't really save you anything.