Russia; pariah state watch

[weepiper]

This is interesting

Move to grant freedom of Edinburgh to Ukrainian President Zelensky

He would be bestowed the honour in recognition of their 'leadership and heroism',

news.stv.tv

The headline is just a symbolic thing really but if you read further on you'll see that the motion also calls for quite strong practical measures:

They include the withdrawal of support and coordination with the Russian Consulate in Edinburgh, along with an intention to write to the Russian Ambassador to advise that the Russian Consul is no longer welcome in the city.

It also calls for an expulsion by the Home Office of Russian diplomatic staff from the City of Edinburgh until the troops of Russia vacate Ukraine.

Moved by the council leader and his deputy so not some crackpot thing that stands no chance of passing.

 

[frogwoman]

Russians using Serbian loophole to avoid EU flights ban

Air Serbia has doubled flights between Moscow and Belgrade as country’s planes can cross EU airspace

www.theguardian.com

The fucking state of the way this article is written. Most of the people getting on Air Serbia planes are fleeing Putin ffs not 'exploiting a back door'

 

[frogwoman]

Just complained to them

Dear Sir or Madam,

I'm writing to complain about your article referenced in the title above (Russians using Serbian loophole to avoid EU flights ban).

The tone of the article was quite prejudicial in its language. Russians aren't 'exploiting a back door', many of those coming to Europe are foreigners, including some UK citizens, and people who are fleeing Putin's regime. Many of those leaving are having to leave their entire lives behind, and it has now become illegal to take money worth more than $10,000 USD out of the country. The article should better reflect this rather than implying they are leaving for nefarious purposes.

A friend of mine is involved with a charity that has been set up to help people fleeing from Putin. You can find information on it here (in Russian) https://antiwarcommittee.info

Kind regards,

Redacted

 

[not-bono-ever]

This is interesting

Move to grant freedom of Edinburgh to Ukrainian President Zelensky

He would be bestowed the honour in recognition of their 'leadership and heroism',

news.stv.tv

The headline is just a symbolic thing really but if you read further on you'll see that the motion also calls for quite strong practical measures:



Moved by the council leader and his deputy so not some crackpot thing that stands no chance of passing.

before it all went a bit mad, the russian consulate up there was the easiest place for a brit to get a Russian visa. I have no idea why, but it they didnt seem to care massively about the supporting docs. I got a business visa from there in 2 days with less hassle i would have got for a basic tourist one in London

 

[RD2003]

What happens if Russia can’t pay its debts after western sanctions?

World Bank’s chief economist has warned Russia and Belarus are ‘mightily close’ to default

www.theguardian.com

 

[CyberRose]

All Premier League Fantasy Football teams registered to Russians have been deleted (11,000+)

 

[Pickman's model]

All Premier League Fantasy Football teams registered to Russians have been deleted (11,000+)

The unkindest cut of all

 

[frogwoman]

Incriminating Instagram The Russian authorities want to outlaw Meta as ‘extremist’. What does this mean for social media users in Russia? — Meduza The Facebook logo could soon become an extremist symbol in Russia like the swastika.

 

[Pickman's model]

Incriminating Instagram The Russian authorities want to outlaw Meta as ‘extremist’. What does this mean for social media users in Russia? — Meduza The Facebook logo could soon become an extremist symbol in Russia like the swastika.

I think meta should be outlawed as extremist anyway, the way it shuffles the unwary to dodgy news feeds

 

[frogwoman]

I think meta should be outlawed as extremist anyway, the way it shuffles the unwary to dodgy news feeds

Vkontakte is hardly any better though!

 

[Pickman's model]

Vkontakte is hardly any better though!

No. But like any fight deck the big bastard first

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Incriminating Instagram The Russian authorities want to outlaw Meta as ‘extremist’. What does this mean for social media users in Russia? — Meduza The Facebook logo could soon become an extremist symbol in Russia like the swastika.

The one sensible thing the Russian state has done I think. It'd be good if the rest of the world followed suit.

 

[The39thStep]

Just another brick in the wall I'm afraid

Pink Floyd and David Gilmour Removing Music From Digital Platforms in Russia and Belarus

Pink Floyd’s music from 1987 to the present, as well as Gilmour’s solo catalog, are being pulled in solidarity with Ukraine

pitchfork.com

 

[Pickman's model]

Just another brick in the wall I'm afraid

Pink Floyd and David Gilmour Removing Music From Digital Platforms in Russia and Belarus

Pink Floyd’s music from 1987 to the present, as well as Gilmour’s solo catalog, are being pulled in solidarity with Ukraine

pitchfork.com

the wall still there, 1979 album

 

[The39thStep]

I think meta should be outlawed as extremist anyway, the way it shuffles the unwary to dodgy news feeds

its being 'investigate' by both the UK and the EU under anti trust legislation because the present arrangement with google and facebook doesn't allow other advertising firms to shuffle the unwary to dodgy news feeds

 

[frogwoman]

Some good news for Russian audiobook enjoyers

 

[Rimbaud]

Russia faces brain drain as thousands flee abroad

Many Russians who can afford it have fled to nearby countries since Russia invaded Ukraine.

www.bbc.co.uk

The BBC estimates 200,000 Russians have fled the country since the start of the war.

I imagine this is overwhelmingly going to be educated Russians with skills they can use to find employment overseas, so the blow to Russia's economy on top of sanctions is quite considerable. According to the article, it is mostly tech workers who can work remotely who have been leaving.

 

[_Russ_]

Heartening to hear stories of Russians opposing Putin's Invasion of Ukraine, but then you see shit like:

Impossible to know which side is the majority right now

 

[Serge Forward]

From what I've read, older TV watching folk are more likely to be pro "special military operation". Younger more tech savvy people are likely to be opposed to the war. What that amounts to in percentages or millions of the population, I've no clue.

 

[Rimbaud]

Putin has grossly overplayed his hand - but Nato could be making the same mistake

The one force that could unintentionally rescue Putin and his regime is Nato itself, writes Patrick Cockburn

inews.co.uk

This is a good article warning against excessive punishment of Russia.

I agree that it should be made clear that the sanctions will end as soon as Russia withdraws from Ukraine (although this won't guarantee an end to efforts to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas, and nor should it). There is a risk of hubris and trying to use them to force regime change, which would likely have the opposite effect.

 

[Pickman's model]

Putin has grossly overplayed his hand - but Nato could be making the same mistake

The one force that could unintentionally rescue Putin and his regime is Nato itself, writes Patrick Cockburn

inews.co.uk

This is a good article warning against excessive punishment of Russia.

I agree that it should be made clear that the sanctions will end as soon as Russia withdraws from Ukraine (although this won't guarantee an end to efforts to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas, and nor should it). There is a risk of hubris and trying to use them to force regime change, which would likely have the opposite effect.

I thought we were wary of Cockburn here Left-Wing Orientalism: The Curious Case of Patrick Cockburn

 

[Raheem]

Putin has grossly overplayed his hand - but Nato could be making the same mistake

The one force that could unintentionally rescue Putin and his regime is Nato itself, writes Patrick Cockburn

inews.co.uk

This is a good article warning against excessive punishment of Russia.

I agree that it should be made clear that the sanctions will end as soon as Russia withdraws from Ukraine (although this won't guarantee an end to efforts to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas, and nor should it). There is a risk of hubris and trying to use them to force regime change, which would likely have the opposite effect.

The complicating factor is "as soon as Russia withdraws from Ukraine". When do we think this will be?

 

[Rimbaud]

I thought we were wary of Cockburn here Left-Wing Orientalism: The Curious Case of Patrick Cockburn

That is good to know, but in this case he is right I think.

 

[Rimbaud]

The complicating factor is "as soon as Russia withdraws from Ukraine". When do we think this will be?

Fair enough - it may never happen. But even so, there should probably be clearly defined steps of how to end sanctions, get back on SWIFT etc, which is surely more likely to make it happen than if it the Russian elite senses that if they back down now, the west will go for the jugular.

 

[platinumsage]

Fair enough - it may never happen. But even so, there should probably be clearly defined steps of how to end sanctions, get back on SWIFT etc, which is surely more likely to make it happen than if it the Russian elite senses that if they back down now, the west will go for the jugular.

That’s a bit like demanding a set of numerical criteria for the end of a coronavirus lockdown, when the best answer is “when it seems like a good idea”. Otherwise you tie yourself into opening up at what might actually be a very bad time.

 

[Rimbaud]

That’s a bit like demanding a set of numerical criteria for the end of a coronavirus lockdown, when the best answer is “when it seems like a good idea”. Otherwise you tie yourself into opening up at what might actually be a very bad time.

I don't know if it is the same - withdraw all Russian forces out of Ukraine (maybe except Crimea) and then sanctions are lifted seems fairly clear to me, and gives a clearly defined incentive for Russia to do so.

 

[Supine]

Red under the Beds I think the slogan was ?

Fascist in the fridge is the new one

 

[frogwoman]

This isnt related to sanctions but its just despicable Ukraine funds stolen in burglary of Russian Orthodox church in Oxford

 

[The39thStep]

 

[existentialist]

I wonder, though, if we were to weight that information in terms of, say, GDP rather than mere geographical location and size, we might see a rather different picture?