Posts by steelfox98

darkdriver said:Honestly, you can only make things worse

From what I gather—and please, feel free to set me straight if there’s some food scientist or whatever out there who knows better—natural gas is one of the biggest, maybe even *the* most critical components when it comes to making fertilizer.
Just a quick side note here...
Malaria is basically a disease that we could pretty much entirely prevent or at least treat, but despite all our crazy tech and medical breakthroughs, something like 400,000 kids still die from it every single year.
Does anyone sitting on their high horse about morality actually give a damn?
Is there even a thread about this on the forums?
Or is it just considered irrelevant because they're mostly just little Black kids who aren't being shoved down our throats daily by CNN, BBC, and the rest of the mainstream media?
I guess it's just that old saying—out of sight, out of mind.

Amanda Flores88 said:You guys aren't exactly in any position to lecture anyone on morality or consistency. Anyone actually hyped up about waging war should've been in Ukraine a long time ago.
Just being loud and opinionated on social media or over drinks at a bar shows you actually care—you're supporting the fight only as much as your comfort zone allows.

With current active wars, Turkey also launched a "police action" in northern Syria just a few days ago. Screaming, whining, sanctions? NOTHING. Zero points.
The best part? They’re attacking Kurds, who are American allies and favorites of the EU. But they aren't important enough.
Out of all the fake moralists on this topic, how many have stepped up? Zero.

We already discussed Yemen. Incomparably more dead, millions starving, and the West is still arming Al-Qaeda types from Saudi Arabia. Apparently, they're dear allies to us all.
That’s a recap of the forum commenters for you.

Brenda Murphy3 said:And I’m telling you right now, you’re either lying through your teeth or you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about.

People talk about the drop in living standards and all these other issues caused by Russian fascists—especially in the West—all the damn time. Nobody is hiding it, so the fact that you keep insisting otherwise is a blatant lie... which, honestly, is pretty much your brand at this point.

And don't lecture me about "illusions"—I am perfectly aware of the hypocrisy coming from both the USA and the West, but I’d still choose them in a heartbeat if it means staying away from Russia and that entire way of thinking... just like any sane person would.

Stop lying to yourself, and maybe you'll finally find your way out of whatever cloud of nonsense you're floating in.

The drop in standards in the EU is happening because the EU itself started the sanctions, so in typical fashion, you're lying.

hollowdriver13 said:So, how do you even deal with someone who has zero intention of being straight with you during negotiations? It’s like trying to play chess with someone who just wants to flip the table. Look at what happened with the Russian negotiations—they basically agreed to whatever we asked for at first. But then, once Ukraine rejected those absolutely insane demands of theirs, they just went full "might makes right" and tried to settle the score with military force. At that point, what choice do you really have left other than just hunkering down and defending yourself?

1. Neutrality—basically, staying out of NATO.
2. Resolving the conflict in the rebel Donbas. Just as a reminder, Zelenskyy wasn't exactly eager to play ball either; back in early February, when things were already heating up, he refused to even talk to his own fellow citizens from that region. And all while trying to pull them back into Ukraine.

Everything else was just standard high-stakes bargaining. The Ukrainians wouldn't budge, and now they're stuck in a much worse position that isn't going away anytime soon.

hollowdriver13 said:Hey, feel free to dive deeper into that thought.
What else could they have possibly offered? The US actually offered them military neutrality, and they even rolled back that legislation in Congress regarding Crimea and Donbas. Seriously, what was left to negotiate that wouldn't have basically turned them into a Russian colony, which is exactly what Russia was pushing for?

Maybe you can explain to me how "military neutrality" works for a NATO member? And please, provide a link to back that up.

Adria Company remains operational, ensuring energy flows to Germany and Poland.
It’s worth noting that the Swabians were actually the first ones to quietly accept those Russian payment terms.
The Americans in Poland, who usually make the most noise about standing up to Russia, are now hypocritically bragging about cutting off Russian gas, when in reality they're just using what they call "German" gas. It doesn't exist—it's just Germans rerouting Russian supply.

The real question is what happens when certain EU countries realize they're paying a massive premium compared to those still playing ball with Russia.

William Cooper11 said:Obviously, Poland or Finland can't take the same stance on Russia that a country like Brazil can.
The Western sanctions against Russia are enough to cripple them, at least partially. If I had to choose between living in poverty until Ukraine is free from the Russian threat and the Russians stop spreading death in Ukraine, or keeping the lifestyle I'm used to, I'd pick the former. To me, that's the humane choice—the minimum sacrifice required to see the occupiers defeated.

It's your right to choose poverty. But since the topic was about sanctions on all countries outside the Western circle, does that mean you support sanctioning everyone else too? Essentially, should they all live in poverty as well?

nina kent said:And what's the problem there?
If I understand you correctly, "advocating for freedom and democracy" means I have to agree with your views and not criticize or object to your stance.🕺

No, you don't understand me at all, even though the sentence was quite simple.

Quora:

By the way, yes, you are called Putinophiles and Russophiles because that's what you are. Why is that an insult? If your stance is "Okay, Putin attacked, buuuuuuut... he was provoked," then you are justifying him and therefore you are a Putinophile.🤷 Calling someone "stupid and narrow-minded" is actually rare. In reality, Russophiles are much worse at judging or being vulgar when they realize their usual fake arguments aren't working anymore.

Except, unlike the quoted post, you couldn't provide even a couple of examples! That's the whole basis of a real debate on a forum.

Quora:

"Mercenaries"? No. Not many people think you're mercenaries; more like "useful idiots." That isn't an insult—it's a political term for people who think they're doing good while actually acting against their own interests, out of naivety or even good intentions.

I see from your other posts that you find insulting others perfectly acceptable, so drawing conclusions from what I just wrote is easy.

Lisa Jackson7 said:There are different ways to define "world variety"... some people think it includes "a little bit of warfare that won't cause too much damage" just to keep the military-industrial complexes of different blocs fueled up.

I'm not a fan of that kind of variety, and whether Russia comes back or if Ukraine even returns to the fold doesn't depend solely on them.
Look at the example: until now, Russian oligarchs were allowed to "sit on two chairs"—they played nice with Putin so they could do business in Russia, and then used offshore accounts and Western investments to make up for the lack of property rights, which the West was totally cool with.

The whole point of sanctions should be to force guys like Abramovich or Deripaska to finally pick a side and push back against Putin's inner circle, which just isn't easy anymore. This would have been so much simpler 20-30 years ago, before some young, ambitious KGB agent could even dream of getting into power.

As for the European Union, they really need to start moving toward building their own security system and military independence, working alongside Americans instead of being completely dependent on them.

By doing this, you’re essentially calling for direct interference in Russia's domestic affairs. It’s the exact same thing the Russians have been throwing in our faces since 2012, back when Western nations were openly backing and funding opposition movements. I remember seeing those protests on the news; it felt just as messy then as it does now.
Of course, a handful of people shouldn't be able to pull the strings in any election. It leads to one simple conclusion: state-sponsored theft of private property. I remember reading about how they practiced this exact same thing in Germany eighty years ago. Pure robbery.
That cash injection helps for now, sure. But long-term? Any serious investor is going to take a hard look at this. After that whole circus with Abramovich and Chelsea, Newcastle announced they aren't even looking to spend anything this transfer window. It’s all just noise. They've become the wealthiest club on the planet, yet I doubt the Saudi sheikhs intended to keep them sitting in the middle of the pack.
Then there’s the fact that after the sanctions hit Russia, Saudi Arabia started talking to China about settling oil trades in yuan. We all know exactly where that leads long-term. It’s easy to play games while the printing presses are still running to bail us out, but what happens when they finally run dry?

Here’s a prime example of how the "world reacts," though we just looked the other way.

Western sanctions basically target anyone trading with Russia except—you guessed it—the West. Of course, nobody on this planet actually supports them, aside from the West itself.
And now they expect us to ask those same countries for help? Please.

That old "my way or the highway" approach just doesn't cut it anymore.

casualtiger2 said:We really ought to lean on OPEC to bump up production—maybe even strike some temporary deals with Venezuela and Iran.

The West treated Iran and Venezuela exactly the same way they treated Russia. You actually think they’re going to come running to save the West? Please.
Does Iran really think they can just brush off the last forty years—including the assassination of Sulaymaniyah—just to do us a favor? Please. I've seen enough geopolitical nonsense to know better.

Nancy Gomez26 said:Blinken visited Venezuela right at the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, but looking back, that trip seems to have yielded nothing. It’s difficult to predict the outcome here; restoring production levels in Venezuela isn't an overnight fix. They've let their infrastructure rot. Meanwhile, Russia has already done quite a job coaching the local leadership to dig their heels in against the Americans, all while they continue to trade energy and cooperate heavily with the West behind closed doors.

Maduro kicked the American delegation to the curb. He ended things by asking the Russians if they could actually be of any help. Typical.
He hasn't forgotten how the West tried to take him out—between the sanctions, the violent coups in Venezuela and its neighbors, and all that domestic terrorism. Not to mention the theft of gold reserves or the usual way Americans collaborated with Colombian drug cartels just to get rid of him. Typical.
There’s plenty to talk about regarding Venezuela. It's getting old.

It’s honestly laughable. People actually believe that after messes like this, other nations are just lining up to throw us a lifeline. They aren't.

Our delusions of grandeur are finally catching up to us. It’s tragic, really. No one seems willing to actually get their hands dirty and build real, functional relationships; instead, everyone just expects to be treated like a vassal state. The hypocrisy alone isn't even worth the breath it takes to mention it.
This exact kind of behavior is what triggered the war in Ukraine. It’s not like Russia hasn't been sounding the alarm for the last fifteen years. No one in Moscow just suddenly lost their minds; they simply snapped. We've been discussing this on the forums for the past two years—how Russians completely lost faith in the possibility of any normal relationship with the West. Everyone knew it was coming, but nobody gave a damn about what the Russians were thinking, as long as everyone else played the "good little doggy" for the West.
This war is just the fallout. Ukrainians are footing the bill because of that classic "who cares what Russia thinks, as long as we matter" attitude. I've seen this pattern before. It's exhausting.
We said this all along. It was obvious that the only other option was full-scale war. So now we’re left wondering why on earth we kept pushing Ukrainians to fight someone who is clearly outmatching them.
Back to the original premise: how exactly are we planning to "fight to the last Ukrainian" against the Russians?

Nathan Evans78 said:The reasoning is actually pretty straightforward: if the Chinese see the American boot polishing itself on Taiwan, they’re going to go full throttle. Honestly, these people are capable of locking down hundreds of millions of citizens, wrecking their own annual GDP, and crushing any hint of unrest—now they're supposed to just bow down to some sleepy, senile geriatric leader making threats over Taiwan?

Of course, nobody actually wants a war, but if the Americans make the first move, that's it—it's game over for a Telefunken 2.5 euro unit. ☕

Thirty years ago, a VCR cost 1,000 Deutsche Marks. Now, you pick up a Chinese TV box for 30 bucks.
Ask the Japanese how their sales looked back then versus now. It doesn't matter how good their tech is.

Lisa Grant5 said:It’s not mindless—just look at the inflation rates. At the end of the day, the European Union is going to take the biggest hit from these sanctions, followed by Russia, while the UK and the USA walk away with all the profit.
It’s pretty interesting to see how these sanctions actually impact the RUB exchange rate against the EUR
https://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?f...to=EUR&view=5Y

Please. On this thread, people seem to think hurling insults is a substitute for actually having an argument due to their lack of verbal skills.🤔
The same crowd preaching about "freedom and democracy" while labeling anyone with a different opinion as a brainless Putinophile, a mercenary, or whatever else.
It says everything you need to know about them.

Lisa Grant5 said:The European Union is only just starting to feel the real economic fallout from sanctions. Honestly, the current inflation isn't even tied to the war in Ukraine—that trend was already kicking in before things escalated. As for Russia, they took a short-term hit and reacted by hiking interest rates (they used to be around 10%). A lot of manufacturers panicked and stockpiled raw materials at higher prices because of the falling Ruble, which forced them to bump up their own prices. So yeah, some stuff for everyday Americans—well, for people there—jumped 10-20% (some even more), but we're looking at a return to old price levels within two or three months. Since I occasionally chat with some folks from Russia, I asked them how things were actually going—everyone gives me basically the same answer: "Sure, some things are 10-20% pricier, and the big headaches are buying new cars (there aren't any available) and traveling abroad for vacation (between the flight routes and having to transit through a third country first, it's a massive hassle and extra expense). Other than that, everything is pretty much business as usual."

The Baltic states already have inflation rates matching Russia's, and now the European Union has nothing left to sanction except oil. Opening that Pandora's box is a mistake.
We won't feel the real blow for a few months, once the harvest finishes—especially since it started with those insane prices for synthetic fertilizers.
And don't get me started on energy. They're currently relying on government interventions and the US releasing strategic reserves. They've been pumping a million barrels a day into the market just to keep these sky-high prices afloat. What happens when that six-month plan expires and the Americans decide to refill their reserves for winter instead of releasing more?

The real culprits here are the journalists and politicians who have lost their moral compass; their statements are practically propaganda.
"We solved our Russian energy problem by cutting deals with the Qataris." Well, the Qatari energy minister has no idea what they're talking about.
"We imposed sanctions on Russia, but it's unfair when they do the same to us." Russia was supposed to "collapse" due to sanctions by mid-May, yet reality shows they have record revenues. Ukrainians are winning military engagements every single day, they just haven't taken Vladivostok yet, and on the ground, the Russians have encircled the last part of the Donbas still under Ukrainian control.

Sure, they've got their issues, but we're nowhere near a breaking point.

Kenneth Cruz67 said:It seems like everyone is currently scrambling to burn through their rubles just to grab whatever scraps of Western goods are left sitting on the store shelves. I guess you see prices for things like Apple laptops dropping almost every single day now, though I suppose there's really no guarantee or warranty to speak of anymore.

Once those remaining stocks finally run dry, I imagine we’ll see the ruble take a massive tumble.

The ruble already tanked down to 57; honestly, it’s holding up much better than it did back in February.
There was all this noise about how Russia would go bankrupt by mid-April, but the reality is their revenues this year are higher than ever. Sure, sanctions hurt, but you have to ask: who actually got hit harder?
Meanwhile, over here, anyone not living off their parents' dime can see the reality—flour jumped from $6 to $3.00, oil went from $12 to $18, and gas prices are all over the place. That’s even with government intervention; without it, things would be much worse. My apologies if my math is slightly off. Inflation in the Baltic states is hitting nearly 20%.

Those of us who have been watching this long know we saw a similar pattern eight years ago. The initial shock rattled the Russians, but long-term, it actually served them. They bolstered their financial sector, stimulated domestic industry, and flipped from being net importers to one of the biggest agricultural exporters out there.

The bottom line is that in a crisis, two things matter: food and energy. We only have food, and even that depends on energy. Right now, Americans and Russians are just sitting back eating popcorn because they have both.
A textbook example: we banned fertilizer imports, yet the US specifically carved out exemptions for them in the sanctions.
It brings me back to 2014 when the US was pulling our strings (Joe Biden boasted about how he forced us to implement sanctions), while simultaneously sanctioning things that didn't even affect them. The result? Trade between the US and Russia actually increased that year. Talk about a spectacle.

Grace Phillips25 said:But isn't that just a massive catch-22? 🤔
I mean, aren't we basically funding the aggressor just so we can use that money later to fund the victim? It's a loop... a total loop.
We buy oil from Russia, then take the tax revenue from that oil to pay for rebuilding Ukraine, and then—surprise!—we do it all over again. It just keeps spinning.

Customs duties? Please. The European Union will slap them on, while the rest of the world stays out of it. Who is Russia going to sell to then? It reminds me of that recent Borrell quote where he basically called people crazy for thinking "Canadians are being economic instead of political."
Just a reminder: not a single country outside the Western circle has even implemented sanctions. That's about 160 out of 200 nations.

Linda Collins3 said:I’m watching the news here in the States, and everyone is tearing into Canada because they’re blocking those oil sanctions. They keep saying it's "destroying European Union unity."

Fine then, why don't they just slap sanctions on Russian gas too?

Oh wait... they can't do that, because it would absolutely wreck the German economy. But ruining Canada? That’s totally on the table.
And honestly, if Viktor Orbán plays along, he might even lose the next election once the Canadian economy tanks—killing two birds with one stone. Great plan!

If only Viktor Orbán were actually that stupid...

Here’s how the other side sees it, unlike Orbán:
Our glorious leader Borrell stated that the Canadians are being practical, explaining things from an economic standpoint rather than a political one.
Basically, they're thinking about their own wallets. What weirdos. 🤣

Yet Borrell sounded optimistic that the main obstacle is practical and not political. “Canada has not explained their position on political terms, but in economic terms,” he said.

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...-oil-industry/

Brenda Murphy3 said:Of course there is, 🙂

Look, people can spin this however they want, but honestly? It would be infinitely better if nuclear weapons—assuming they even exist—were held exclusively by Western democracies and nobody else...

I am being dead serious here. In my book, the threat level of a French nuke is basically zero, whereas the danger from Russia, Iran, North Korea, and the rest is massive in comparison. We're talking about a completely different psychological makeup and set of values.

We can go back and forth until we're blue in the face about whether this view is "pro-Western," "racist," or whatever label someone wants to slap on it, but the bottom line is simple: the world is way safer with those nukes in the hands of the regimes I mentioned than with them in the hands of any Western nation. Period. End of story.

Let's look at some actual examples:
The Koreans have had theirs for a while now, and nothing happened.
And did the Iranians enable Saddam's chemical program, only to have him turn it back on them?
My mistake. That was the WESTERN DEMOCRACIES, the USA and Germany! They were just trying to help their best buddy Saddam out with good intentions.

George Robinson43 said:And?
They’re ramping up to full capacity precisely when they need the gas most.
They have already filled their storage facilities, linked up with the connection toward Klaipėda, and possess a regasification terminal capable of handling over 7 billion cubic meters—all while they'll be receiving gas from Norway just as the heating season hits its peak.

Given all that, which "German gas" are you even referring to?

https://english.alarabiya.net/busine...-pipeline-jump

This has been dragging on for months, yet the Poles are acting like they won the lottery. What part of this isn't clicking?

Poland's GIP capacity sits at a mere 2.4 bcm, while Russia is pumping out 10 bcm.
It's still just a pilot phase, really. Full-scale operations aren't even slated until November.

Nathan Evans78 said:Is that what they call a total embargo—when Shell suddenly stops taking 49% of their Ural supply just to slap a "Made in the US" sticker on it instead? 🤣

Pretty much. It’s just like when the Americans bragged about switching from Russian supplies to German gas. We all know German gas is a myth.

hollowdriver13 said:https://twitter.com/karlnehammer/sta...36100375601152

The Austrian Chancellor actually chimed in to say that's not true—apparently, it’s just fake news meant to stir up trouble.
But man, you guys sure were eager to jump on any "win" for that big-time chess player and his Asterix crew.

So, how's that business selling oil for rubles in Asia going?

https://www.euractiv.com/section/pol...n-oil-imports/

And how's the oil sales over to ExxonMobil looking?

Is Reuters just spreading Russian propaganda now? 🤣
Or is Nehammer just playing damage control after this morning's press conference? While some were busy giving advice, the Bulgarians and Poles kept doing what they always do—ignoring it. Meanwhile, it looks like the Germans and Austrians already struck a deal behind the scenes.
Here's the statement:

Russian Energy giant Gazprom on Wednesday halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland for failing to pay for gas in roubles. Nehammer said they had declined to use the payment system through Gazprombank that Austria, Germany and others have adopted.

https://www.reuters.com/business/ene...es-2022-04-27/

The Austrians folded almost immediately after yesterday's gas cutoff to Poland and Bulgaria. It looks like the Germans already made their peace with the terms.

Russian Energy giant Gazprom on Wednesday halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland for failing to pay for gas in roubles. Nehammer Said They Had declined to Use The Payment system through Gazprombank that Austria, Germany and others have adopted.

https://www.reuters.com/business/ene...es-2022-04-27/

https://apa.az/en/europe/austria-agr...-rubles-374600

rustynomad12 said:They work, don't you worry... it just takes a little while...
I mean, let's be real, nobody is more of a bully than the USA...
If we're being totally honest, once this all settles how it's supposed to, we should just tell them all where to shove it and focus on getting stronger within the Union...
The Russians and the Americans are both terrible choices...
It's just a matter of which set of evils you're forced to pick from...
The USA is the main one to blame for all this mess, period! No debate!
Just listen to that Nulandicu-fuck EU. That's enough smarts for one day.

Melissa Bailey5 said:I don't think I've ever seen a case since the Vietnam War where the US deliberately and methodically targeted civilian spots and slaughtered non-combatants like that. Now, sure, there were crimes—that happens in every war, obviously. And yeah, Guantanamo is an absolute disgrace for the US, no doubt about it.

Hundreds of thousands dead in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya. Millions more displaced. Just another day in this broken world.
There isn't much left to say. Just an endless cycle that refuses to stop.

Maria Moore said:I agree there’s probably a catch somewhere. But if the Ruble has actually stabilized this much, it might not be the massive scam people think it is.
To me, this whole setup looks like a way to make sure everyone gets a little slice of the pie. Basically, buyers from "unfriendly nations" pay in Euros, while the Russians get their hands on the cash in Rubles. It keeps both sides happy on paper.
That’s why I find the European Union's refusal to accept this model so baffling. If they cut off the gas, they aren't just looking at massive inflation—they're staring down a recession. We're talking full-blown stagflation.

Germany is going to take the biggest hit here. But let's not forget that Germany is the engine driving the entire European Union since they're the top importers and exporters. If the German economy tanks, the whole European Union goes down with it.

Honestly, I get the feeling the European Union is currently stuck in that "I don't care if my house burns down as long as the neighbor's does too" mindset. And they're doing it all under pressure from the USA, who will obviously be just fine no matter what happens to everyone else's "house."

👍
This really highlights the root cause. This isn't a problem that started last month; it started twenty years ago. The scheme hasn't changed much, except now they say "The Russians can't say that, only we can."

Dana Robinson4 said:So, what's your point?

Even without sanctions, Porsche is shutting down factories anyway.

This hasn't even truly begun. If Russia shuts off the gas, a huge chunk of industry stands still. Honestly, I'm not sure what would even be left standing, given how interconnected everything is. They say 95% of chemical production depends directly on energy.
Agriculture—the European Union is a top global producer, but they consume 90% of what they grow, leaving little surplus. What happens without fertilizers—which the Americans declared a strategic interest and pulled out of sanctions—combined with skyrocketing fuel prices?

Russia has food and energy; Germans have Ford and Chevrolet. Who is actually more practical in a crisis, and who is used to hardship?

hollowdriver13 said:It's not Bolsonaro's lapdog barking because of your precious Putin; they're barking to protect themselves and their own regime. Tough times ahead for those wannabe dictators.

You completely missed the point that 160 other nations are acting and thinking the exact same way. But sure, let's pretend we're incredibly special and that nobody else's opinion matters. The fact that no one outside our little chosen club wants to join us? Pure coincidence, clearly. 🤣

The Brazilian Foreign Minister just dropped this statement on their Senate website:
Quincey:

Brazil doesn't buy into these unilateral, selective sanctions. Beyond being illegal under international law, they specifically serve the immediate interests of certain nations, like ensuring the European Union stays fueled up with oil and gas. Meanwhile, they target goods essential for survival for much of the global population. There's a massive risk here; the way these sanctions are being rolled out means the mid-term fallout will crush developing nations far harder than it hits Russia, essentially shielding the West from the worst of its own mess.

In short, he sees them as illegal and rigged—designed to minimize damage to the EU and the USA while bullying everyone else.
When you consider that only about 35 out of over 200 countries have actually implemented or backed these sanctions, it’s pretty obvious how the rest of the world feels. We're talking about 80% of the planet here.

https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias...sabastecimento