clairecloutier
Well-Known Member
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Starting a general thread on Russia. To discuss Russian domestic & international policy, internal Russian news & issues, and international news involving Russia.
You are SO right!The Times is part of Murdoch empire, nothing else needs to be addd to this...
Russia will definitely sign crimea back over to ukriane to try to save itself. Its officially on the verge of destruction!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...t-style-collapse-as-rouble-defence-fails.html
It is debatable how far putin will have to go and if he will do it! Then is there a coup? Does any new russian government have to send putin to The Hague?
http://www.theguardian.com/business...s-lost-economic-war-with-west-rouble-currency
Well, not Pluschenko, apparently, becauseI am curious as to whether many Russians will turn on Putin for this economic catastrophe. The sanctions are a direct result of his policies. To a certain extent the sliding price of oil is, too - the Saudis are keeping the pipelines open to damage Iran and Russia.
The power of your imagination is really both striking and astonishing. Wow.
I have said this numerous times, I will say this again. I have never been Putin's supporter and now my attitude to him is completely at an absolute minus. I am sorry, I am not that strong in the maths, so I have to use strange expressions.
Life here at the moment is indeed quite difficult and unpredictable. I am not talking about the capitals, though, life out there has always been very different from the provinces. Let me see:
1. In the last couple of weeks the taxi fares went up considerably, and, as I use it daily, this hurts.
2. I am using mostly imported books and other teaching resources with my clients, the price since this March not just doubled, it went up 3 times. I am not buying new books any more.
3. I can't raise the price for my services for my clients - they will leave and I will go bankrupt immediately. They have got euro loans, some of them, and life is indeed tough for them at the moment.
My interpreting job will go to almost nothing in the first place - when the times are tough, most of the clients just refuse to employ interpreters/translators altogether. Or the wages aren't that high.
4. I am also buying some software for my second part time job, where I am a beta tester, and it's even more difficult for me at the moment, because the prices (as the software is from EU and US stores) are in euros and dollars and the difference now between the ruble and euro/dollar is plain shocking.
5. As a result of all this, I had to cut down my major expenses, with a very sad heart, I dare say: my pension payments were the first to be pushed away for the time being, then came my gym. I am also cancelling a visit to my parents for the New Year holidays and I am most likely cancelling any summer trips altogether, that's just beyond possible for me now.
6. Most of my clients are doing the same and I have already had one refusal so far for the financial reasons.
Let's sum it up: Russia is in a very sad and difficult state with extremely vague prospects, BUT are you serious Putin will sign Crimea back? You don't know him and you don't know Russia. Saying that Russia is on the verge of destruction is also a mistake to do, and a very bad one. I can assure you that Russia will rise again, like a phoenix, whether someone wants it or not. We had even tougher times than this.
Jesus, your imagination is worthy of Hollywood blockbuster scenario. Putin can't do much at the moment and, for God's sake, what coup you are talking about? Who will do it? What new government? Opposition has been crushed for good here. I would never like to see any coups happening in my country, but it will take at least 3-4 years for proper opposition to appear now. That's out of the question, these are your dreams and nothing more.
I am curious as to whether many Russians will turn on Putin for this economic catastrophe. The sanctions are a direct result of his policies. To a certain extent the sliding price of oil is, too - the Saudis are keeping the pipelines open to damage Iran and Russia.
But there would just have to be some people in the kremlin who turn on putin. Maybe they wouldn't. The people don't matter as much. There are officials in high places and powerful positions being hurt very badly economically. Coup plotters can be incompetent and a joke and not very good but such people removed Gorbachev for a bit in 1991.
This Little History Lesson Should Terrify Vladimir Putin:
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/12/it-may-not-be-1989-russia-it-sure-looks-close-cousin
This was shared on Twitter. Explains a bit about the end of Soviet rule and draws some parallels with the situation today.
Well, not Pluschenko, apparently, because
"I think all that Vladimir Putin does is right. He is indeed a great leader and the best politician in the world. I trust him completely, support him and will follow him. We are in a serious situation, but together we can win"
Pluschenko might be the stupidest among the skaters, but surely there are stupider Russians than him.
Thanks for this link. Fascinating article and the headline is apt!This Little History Lesson Should Terrify Vladimir Putin:
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/12/it-may-not-be-1989-russia-it-sure-looks-close-cousin
This was shared on Twitter. Explains a bit about the end of Soviet rule and draws some parallels with the situation today.
It's true the historical context was different then compared to now. But the dependence of the Russian economy on oil exports is the same. And in my opinion this continues to pose a serious threat for the future of the Russian economy. But I also agree with you that Mr. Putin remains wildly popular despite initiating domestic and foreign policies that have hurt the Russian people. His certainty of his moral superiority to the West and his indifference to criticism reminds me a lot of my former president, George W. Bush, who as you no doubt recall, claimed he had but to "look into Putin's eyes" to know what the man was thinking!I doubt it would in the foreseeable future. The crysis in the USSR was developing for almost 10 years, before changes happened. Even at the start of the crysis most of the people were dissatisfied with the level of their lives. Now it's all different. People still believe in Putin.
Most probably you don't know how many people here use Apples thenIf people have to queue for apples instead of Apples, Putin's days will be numbered.
Have you even read your own article?