Sanctions on Russia

The solution will likely be a hybrid approach.
We’re looking at building out new terminals, cutting down on consumption, and pivoting toward different energy sources—for instance, the Germans are already hinting at reconsidering their nuclear phase-out, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they started firing up those plants they thought they’d retired for good.
I suppose Putin has essentially forced Europe to wake up, and in a twisted sort of way, I suppose I should thank him for that clarity, though it would have been much nicer if he hadn't done it at the expense of innocent Ukrainians.
Ultimately, the EU might actually emerge from this period stronger, more self-reliant, and more stable, while Russia... well, if they're lucky, they might just find themselves teleported fifty years back into the past.

At this point, it seems Russia's only real option is to get rid of him ASAP.

The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, actually suggested that Americans might need to turn down their thermostats to help out. It's part of this 10-point plan to stop relying so much on Russian gas. According to the IEA, if every building in the US dropped the heat by just one degree Celsius, we could save about 10 billion cubic meters of gas.

The leader of the Russian trolls, Simonjan, is posting on Twitter—which is basically off-limits to everyone except the trolls themselves—suggesting that we should nationalize Ikea, seizing all their warehouses and retail locations because, according to her, this is our country, our people are losing jobs, we let them in, and they act like swine.

Nationalization as a response to sanctions? We’ll end up becoming the European version of Venezuela.

https://twitter.com/M_Simonyan/statu...wIfUVQOPA&s=19

I simply cannot fathom what the citizens are supposed to do once those warehouses and stores sit empty and abandoned.

Then there is another troll, one of Putin's personal cronies, who is facing fifteen years behind bars just for spreading what they call "fake news."

The False reporting of armed forces law was passed in direct response to the information war being waged against the Russian Federation. When asked how Russians are even supposed to express an opinion if it doesn't align perfectly with the official government line, Peskov simply replied: "Within the framework of the law."

https://theins.ru/politika/249074

Gerald Chavez7 said:Maybe those Dutchmen should just tap into the Groningen gas field already

https://twitter.com/GernotWagner/sta...91565317455872

Give this thread a read

It’s true—that field is massive and could supply a huge amount of energy, much like a giant reservoir! However, it would likely only be a medium-term solution. Most of those fields have already been shut down due to earthquake concerns, and there's no way the Dutch government will let them run at full capacity for years on end.

Maria Moore said:The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, actually suggested that Americans might need to turn down their thermostats to help out. It's part of this 10-point plan to stop relying so much on Russian gas. According to the IEA, if every building in the US dropped the heat by just one degree Celsius, we could save about 10 billion cubic meters of gas.

Well, I’ve already taken my part in this. About a week ago, we finally disconnected from the central heating system; we're currently upgrading to solar and installing electric floor heating. Fuck Putin. 😁

*For those with somewhat limited mental resources out there—no, I didn't do this because of Putin. This was simply a matter of good timing and luck.*

You guys are being way too optimistic about these sanctions, honestly. I’m not seeing it. Russians are used to this stuff; it's practically part of their routine. How long did the Cold War even last? Over 30 years, right? And they still functioned just fine.

There are over 30 million people living out in Siberia. Every single year, they deal with summer water shortages and three-month stretches of winter gas rationing when it hits -40. They know exactly what poverty feels like.

As for the middle class—whose quality of life is about to tank—they’re just going to bail. We're already hearing reports that trains heading from Russia toward Norway are packed to capacity.

Sure, the economy will take a massive hit in the long run, but IMO? Don't hold your breath for some big political breakthrough. It's a long shot.

Carl Sanders5 said:You guys are being way too optimistic about these sanctions, honestly. I’m not seeing it. Russians are used to this stuff; it's practically part of their routine. How long did the Cold War even last? Over 30 years, right? And they still functioned just fine.

There are over 30 million people living out in Siberia. Every single year, they deal with summer water shortages and three-month stretches of winter gas rationing when it hits -40. They know exactly what poverty feels like.

As for the middle class—whose quality of life is about to tank—they’re just going to bail. We're already hearing reports that trains heading from Russia toward Norway are packed to capacity.

Sure, the economy will take a massive hit in the long run, but IMO? Don't hold your breath for some big political breakthrough. It's a long shot.

The thing is, the Soviet Union went belly up when it was actually way stronger economically than Russia is today. You had the war in Afghanistan, that whole arms race with the USA, plus Chernobyl—which was basically a freak accident, not some grand strategic move.

Who cares if "Russians are used to misery." If you want to fund a war, fund an army, or fund anything at all, you need cash. And they aren't going to get it.

Carl Sanders5 said:You guys are being way too optimistic about these sanctions, honestly. I’m not seeing it. Russians are used to this stuff; it's practically part of their routine. How long did the Cold War even last? Over 30 years, right? And they still functioned just fine.

There are over 30 million people living out in Siberia. Every single year, they deal with summer water shortages and three-month stretches of winter gas rationing when it hits -40. They know exactly what poverty feels like.

As for the middle class—whose quality of life is about to tank—they’re just going to bail. We're already hearing reports that trains heading from Russia toward Norway are packed to capacity.

Sure, the economy will take a massive hit in the long run, but IMO? Don't hold your breath for some big political breakthrough. It's a long shot.

We aren't talking about 1989 here.

Russians aren't Spartans who can just survive on bread and water.

There are some, sure—just like you'd find in Japan or Canada—but for the average Russian, life is definitely going to get a lot worse.
It sucks, honestly, but hey, it puts the pressure on the regime.

Carl Sanders5 said:You guys are being way too optimistic about these sanctions, honestly. I’m not seeing it. Russians are used to this stuff; it's practically part of their routine. How long did the Cold War even last? Over 30 years, right? And they still functioned just fine.

There are over 30 million people living out in Siberia. Every single year, they deal with summer water shortages and three-month stretches of winter gas rationing when it hits -40. They know exactly what poverty feels like.

As for the middle class—whose quality of life is about to tank—they’re just going to bail. We're already hearing reports that trains heading from Russia toward Norway are packed to capacity.

Sure, the economy will take a massive hit in the long run, but IMO? Don't hold your breath for some big political breakthrough. It's a long shot.

What makes you think Russians are just "used to" this? An entire generation of Russians grew up—at least in the major cities—with decent living standards. They haven't had to deal with the hardships of the Soviet Union era or the chaos of the nineties. We're talking about the most influential segment of the population right now, people who are deeply integrated into the globalized Western world. What's coming next is going to be a bitter pill for them to swallow...

Carl Sanders5 said:You guys are being way too optimistic about these sanctions, honestly. I’m not seeing it. Russians are used to this stuff; it's practically part of their routine. How long did the Cold War even last? Over 30 years, right? And they still functioned just fine.

There are over 30 million people living out in Siberia. Every single year, they deal with summer water shortages and three-month stretches of winter gas rationing when it hits -40. They know exactly what poverty feels like.

As for the middle class—whose quality of life is about to tank—they’re just going to bail. We're already hearing reports that trains heading from Russia toward Norway are packed to capacity.

Sure, the economy will take a massive hit in the long run, but IMO? Don't hold your breath for some big political breakthrough. It's a long shot.

I think you might have completely missed the point here.
The USSR collapsed precisely because of the Cold War, and the USSR was a far more formidable entity than present-day Russia.
If much lighter sanctions back then were enough to dismantle a much stronger Soviet Union, why on earth would you think a weaker Russia would fare any better?

And I have to disagree with the idea that "Russians know poverty." Two entire generations have been born since those times—people who grew up with modern technology and a contemporary lifestyle. They haven't lived through the hardships you're describing.

Carl Sanders5 said:You guys are being way too optimistic about these sanctions, honestly. I’m not seeing it. Russians are used to this stuff; it's practically part of their routine. How long did the Cold War even last? Over 30 years, right? And they still functioned just fine.

There are over 30 million people living out in Siberia. Every single year, they deal with summer water shortages and three-month stretches of winter gas rationing when it hits -40. They know exactly what poverty feels like.

As for the middle class—whose quality of life is about to tank—they’re just going to bail. We're already hearing reports that trains heading from Russia toward Norway are packed to capacity.

Sure, the economy will take a massive hit in the long run, but IMO? Don't hold your breath for some big political breakthrough. It's a long shot.

The only fundamental difference this time is that back then, the population had no concept of a better way of life.

Modern Russians have become accustomed to buying furniture from Ikea, purchasing Samsung devices and iPhones, traveling abroad, shopping online, and sharing their lives on Instagram and TikTok. All of that is about to vanish.

I do not expect to see any meaningful change in leadership either, but such is the reality of the situation. A nation ultimately gets the government it deserves.

Anthony Hill5 said:The only fundamental difference this time is that back then, the population had no concept of a better way of life.

Modern Russians have become accustomed to buying furniture from Ikea, purchasing Samsung devices and iPhones, traveling abroad, shopping online, and sharing their lives on Instagram and TikTok. All of that is about to vanish.

I do not expect to see any meaningful change in leadership either, but such is the reality of the situation. A nation ultimately gets the government it deserves.

There is way too much at stake for Russia to just stay the course. It’s really just a matter of how long it takes to snap Putin's grip on power.

Christian Torres3 said:There is way too much at stake for Russia to just stay the course. It’s really just a matter of how long it takes to snap Putin's grip on power.

I remember reading somewhere that his entire cabinet—all fifteen of them—are over 65 years old.

Basically, you’ve got a crew that’s more focused on the Cold War than anything happening in the modern world.

The Haas F1 team has officially severed all ties with Uralkali and their Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin.

https://twitter.com/ntvru/status/150...457097224?s=19

Anthony Hill5 said:The Haas F1 team has officially severed all ties with Uralkali and their Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin.

https://twitter.com/ntvru/status/150...457097224?s=19

Mazepin was a total hazard on the track anyway. Nobody in F1 is going to miss him.

Christian Torres3 said:Mazepin was a total hazard on the track anyway. Nobody in F1 is going to miss him.

Yeah, I suppose so. Other drivers had been voicing their frustrations about him for quite some time now.

I was just about to say, he should have flown without any aggression since there's danger on the path

Anthony Hill5 said:The only fundamental difference this time is that back then, the population had no concept of a better way of life.

Modern Russians have become accustomed to buying furniture from Ikea, purchasing Samsung devices and iPhones, traveling abroad, shopping online, and sharing their lives on Instagram and TikTok. All of that is about to vanish.

I do not expect to see any meaningful change in leadership either, but such is the reality of the situation. A nation ultimately gets the government it deserves.

Personally, I’m holding out hope for change, though I realize nothing of substance happens overnight.

Since the vast majority of the population lives west of the Ural Mountains, you have two or three generations who have grown accustomed to a Westernized lifestyle; they aren't going to take these sanctions lightly, and perhaps that realization—that there actually *is* a better way to live—might play a role. Unlike in the past, they actually know what they're missing, they travel, and they have the internet, which makes living in total ignorance nearly impossible.

I follow a few illustrators on Instagram, hailing from Moscow and Pittsburgh respectively, and since they still have access, every single one of them has posted something against the war in Ukraine. One even pointed out that her grandfather didn't fight in WWII against the Nazis just so they could end up being the aggressors against another country today; so, at the very least, a segment of the younger, urban population isn't swallowing Putin's fairy tales.

The Cold War? Think Russia is used to sanctions?
It’s like we aren’t even talking about the same thing. For the first time ever, the Ruble has tanked 45%. You claim they’re "used to it"? They aren't. 😵

Sanctions on Russia have always existed, sure, but we’ve never actually kicked them out of civilization like this before.
Half of their economy relied entirely on whether the US or EU would buy their gas. Now that the West is pulling out of that octopus's grip and basically declaring their currency worthless—where you'll soon need 300 units of their money just to grab a single dollar—they're "used to it"... hahaha.

They honestly didn't see the SWIFT ban coming. They thought cutting them off from the global banking system was an impossible mission. Now, Russian oligarchs aren't allowed to be wealthy anymore—well, they can be rich inside Russia, but not outside. Banks? Forget it. Tourism? Gone. They can try to hold onto their exports, but with censorship worse than what we see in China, their only move against the West is to delete themselves from Facebook, Twitter, and everything else.

Russia’s next move will likely follow the Chinese model: heavy-handed state censorship designed to hide the truth from their own people—like the fact that in other places, people actually work 40 hours a week, have labor rights, access to courts, and a functioning bureaucracy.

Delta, along with its subsidiaries like Spirit and JetBlue, is pulling the plug on all international flights starting March 8th—though they’ll still be flying into Minsk.
It honestly feels like they're just terrified someone is going to seize their entire fleet.

Quincy:

Delta is suspending its international routes.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/w...mid=tw-nytimes