Russia General

[batto 17]

Description translated by Google:

Exit from the PACE and the Council of Europe of the Russian Federation would entail the denunciation of certain international conventions. In particular there will be grounds for cancellation of the moratorium on the death penalty. Decree of the President of the moratorium will be suspended, and we will need only 24 hours to get out of the Council of Europe in order to execute the millions and millions of perverts, rapists and pedophiles who are in our prisons today!

Will it happen? Do you think it's good?

[spooky lynx 73]

Doubt it will happen. Although personally I am against that moratorium.

[oxmox 73]

(The Independent) President Putin is a dangerous psychopath - reason is not going to work with him

"The writer connects Putin with Stalin, Saddam Hussein and calls the country an unpredictable rogue state."

Exactly such opinions wont help in this conflict, its just an inflammatory article.

Edited February 2, 2015 by oxmox

[mistyronin 1181]

"The writer connects Putin with Stalin, Saddam Hussein and calls the country an unpredictable rogue state."

Exactly such opinions wont help in this conflict, its just an inflammatory article.

I'm just curious. To what conflict you are referring?

And AFAIK the writer doesn't have any diplomatic responsibilities.

[maturin 12]

To me the worst was to lose RIA Novosti.

But yeah, now all main Kremlin funded media is becoming clones of RT major propaganda, from TASS to Sputnik...

It's kind of sad to witness how Putin's dictator's actions are spreading accross Russia, like a virus, making it rot.

Yeah. Russia is in the grip of ecstatic self-mutilation. They are destroying their own country while hallucinating about a battle with the West. The very definition of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Putin get's a free pass because several hundred million ignoramuses think that this is the past to becoming a superpower. But it's a path to Somalia.

[Rydygier 1302]

Not, that is important for current affairs, but still fact itself and how it looks is potentially pretty educative in few ways:

A discussion over history versions between Polish and Russian MFAs continues

In Monday's statement to the RMF FM Schetyna found it "interesting project" The idea of President Bronislaw Komorowski, to the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II took place on May 8 at Westerplatte. Asked if the organization of such events will be seen as an alternative to the celebrations in Moscow, held on 9 May, said: "It is not natural that the celebration of the end of the war, where the war began. But why do we all got used to so easily it Moscow is a place where honored is the end of war, and not, for example London and Berlin, which would be more natural. "

Karasin statement that on Monday in an interview for the radio RSN, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Parliament Speaker covered disgrace not only themselves, but also the entire diplomatic service of his country and the Polish political culture,

According to Karasin this statement is "another clumsy attempt on the part of Polish politics to challenge the results of the Second World War and the role of the Soviet Union as the winner in the Great Patriotic War." Known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia referred to that part of the Second World War, in which the Soviet Union fought on the side of the anti-Hitler coalition (years 1941-1945).

"We condemn all forms of verbal aggression and manipulation of information in the relations between states, which - unfortunately - the last time we notice more and more frequently in the statements of high-ranking representatives of the Russian side," - says the Polish Foreign Ministry statement Monday on Karasín expression.

It recalls that "Poland on 1 September 1939 was the first victim of the Nazi invaders backed by 17 September 1939 by the Stalinist Soviet Union".

"We consider it unacceptable denial of the right to organize Polish celebration of the 70th anniversary of the tragic end of the war, proposed recently by President Bronislaw Komorowski. Poland led the fight against Nazi fascism from the first to the last day of the Second World War on all fronts, including the side of former USSR "- stressed the MFA.

"We take the statement of Deputy Minister Karasin as another attempt to manipulate the history of the twentieth century. By senior representatives of the Russian Federation. We call on the Russian side to separate the historical elements of the current political context, which is apparently so uncomfortable that it does not allow the restraint of emotion" - said in a statement Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It's continuation, what's began from arguing on who actually freed prisoners of Auschwitz death camp - Russians or Ukrainians (fighting as the part of the Red Army), after statement of Polish minister Schetyna, it was actually Ukrainians:

http://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1358757,Grzegorz-Schetyna-mowi-o-wyzwoleniu-Auschwitz-przez-Ukraincow-Rosyjskie-media-to-prowokacja

and today:

http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/kraj/bronislaw-komorowski-sprzedaz-broni-dla-ukrainy-mozliwa/gfg07

May 8 will be held at Westerplatte joint conference of historians and politicians on the conclusions of the situation in Europe after the Second World War - President Bronislaw Komorowski said. He stressed that the aim of this event "is not spoil Russians the holidays of military victory," which will celebrate 9 May.

more:

http://www.rp.pl/artykul/10,1176445-Tomasz-Nalecz-w-RMF-FM-o-wypowiedziach-Schetyny-dot--Rosji.html

Presidential adviser commented on RMF FM confusion around the words of Grzegorz Schetyna. Presidential adviser said that in defending Polish Parliament Speaker version of history "has the full support of all Polish historian and president is the historian."

Konrad Piasecki asked "when Parliament Speaker beats in this cage with the Russians, you applauding?" Advisor to the President said: - Polish Parliament Speaker defends national history before the imperial Russian version of history. Anyway formulated against the facts - adviser said and added that - in his opinion - Parliament Speaker defends it "as a Pole and as a man who knows the Polish history and who never agree to it, to the soldiers of Stalin see not only the soldiers driving out Nazi invaders, but also the liberators of Poland".

Edited February 3, 2015 by Rydygier

[sudayev 27]

Politically dictated gas prices. Some interesting charts.

http://www.rferl.org/contentinfographics/infographics/25441983.html

[Rydygier 1302]

http://www.tvp.info/18742921/rosja-szuka-sposobu-na-uzasadnienie-aneksji-krymu-chce-zdelegalizowac-dekret-chruszczowa

Russia is trying to justify the annexation of the Crimea by law. Russian senators want to adopt the resolution outlawing Nikita Khrushchev decided to transfer the peninsula in Ukraine. According to the newspaper "Rossiyskaya Gazeta", in this way, the Federation Council emphasize that in 1954. Soviet government broke the law.

Russian senators explain that the document is essential for future generations of Russians, as "a legal act of justice." According to the head of the Council of the Federation is not about another argument in the political battle, but to explain that during the USSR no one asked the inhabitants of Crimea, whether they want to be in the borders of Ukraine.

- By contrast, last year's unification of Crimea with Russia is a fait accompli, and requires no additional arguments - Valentina Matviyenko quotes "Rossiyskaya Gazeta".

They for sure checked that before announcement, and any law here is only a propaganda tool anyway, but I couldn't help myself and immediately started to think, what else could be "delegalized" (also in return). Alaska? Kaliningrad District?

Edited February 5, 2015 by Rydygier

[sudayev 27]

What happened to Vladimir Putin's face? Round and kinda swollen

[Rovka 14]

Heh! "Under Pressure" song from Freddy Mercury & David Bowie comes to my mind. High level politics is a dirty game..

[forklifthat 10]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/putins-way/

That's a Frontline episode (one of America's few investigative journalism sources) about how Vladimir Putin runs Russia. It's highly illuminating and presents an extremely controversial theory which actually has a lot to back it up. Frontline isn't known for presenting crackpot theories, so if they talk about something, you can be sure there's some truth to it. It's a very interesting program and I suggest any Russia-watchers check it out.

[sudayev 27]

Sorry for Russland Today, but this is really hilarious.

@forklifthat

Interesting document. Good occasion to remind a classic

The Putin System

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Rkom1RpKA

[Tonci87 163]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/putins-way/

That's a Frontline episode (one of America's few investigative journalism sources) about how Vladimir Putin runs Russia. It's highly illuminating and presents an extremely controversial theory which actually has a lot to back it up. Frontline isn't known for presenting crackpot theories, so if they talk about something, you can be sure there's some truth to it. It's a very interesting program and I suggest any Russia-watchers check it out.

Very interesting and well backed up documentary.

[ProfTournesol 956]

Sorry for Russland Today, but this is really hilarious.

Yeah, that's the kind of news on RT :rolleyes:, looks like the Sun.

[mistyronin 1181]

Sorry for Russland Today, but this is really hilarious.

That should be considered terrorism! How could they butcher it so badly?

Some sources already confirmed that Putin is gathering some radionuclide polonium-210...

[sudayev 27]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hpc5FnN7vI

Full version this time. So hilarious. The Egyptian president looks very mixed up about his expression :D Edited February 11, 2015 by Sudayev

[Sub-Human 10]

Elections 2132:

I will lift Russia from her knees!

[Rydygier 1302]

Russian students apologize Ukrainian collegues (video)

It's an answer on Ukrainian students appeal.

Separate us fairy tale about fascists, Ukrainian nationalists, for Right Sector and Banderovites. Do not believe in fakes. Do not give out to misinformation.

Still do not understand why the European Union and the United States introduced sanctions against Russia? Still believe in an international conspiracy against the great sacred Rus? We ask you for one thing: the doubt, and check

Now note last thing, that about conspiracy beliefs (that's why I posted it here, not in Ukraine general). Some time ago I watched youtube movie (2004 - 10 years old) with lecture about alcohol etc. by some Russian professor. It was quite interesting, although biased here and there, until he suddenly started to tell some heavy stories about how whole world (West mostly) aims on destroying/killing most of Russians (eg using alcohol) beginning from Hitler, through Cold War West and now. It was surprising at first.

in Russian with Polish subtitles. So, that sort of thing is, what they teach young Russians about the world, and not since last year...

But those apologizing apparently are pretty brave people considering, what Russia's gov used to do with opposition.

Edited February 14, 2015 by Rydygier

[ProfTournesol 956]

(NYPOST) Investor: Putin could be world’s richest man with stolen $200B fortune

Bill Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, estimates Putin’s net worth at $200 billion. That would make Putin more than twice as wealthy as Bill Gates, who, with a fortune of $79.2 billion, is the world’s richest person.

[Rydygier 1302]

Russia needs to attack Poland if he wants to rebuild the empire, and it is clearly stated that it wants

According to Szeremietiew Moscow seeks to restore its influence in Europe. - Russia says its empire will consist of lands from Vladivostok to Lisbon, and he sees partners to build such a geopolitical community in the West, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. In the middle of Europe is such a an ulcer the name of Poland, who does not know why sticks to the United States and sympathize with Ukraine, which does not want to give in Russia

He also expressed his doubts in NATO aid to Poland in case of danger from Russia. - In 1939 Polish elites and Polish society were convinced that we have a robust and great allies, and we know what it ended

According to him, our country should to build an efficient enough military system to discourage Russia to attack Poland, instead of spending money on "all kinds of military toys." At the same time he stressed that today's defense potential of the Polish army, is much smaller than in the days of the Second World War. Gen. Skrzypczak, a former commander of the land forces said that modern Polish army, in the event of an attack, is able to defend for three days. So inform the Polish army in 1939 attacked by the two superpowers, Germany, then Russia, defended the 30 days - Szeremetiew said.

Former Defence Minister criticized the peace agreements in Minsk. According to him, it was clear that the separatists do not comply with them. - We pretend help Ukraine, pretend so we can communicate with Putin to establish peace in the Ukraine, Ukraine pretends not to lead the war with Russia, Russia pretends he does not lead the war with Ukraine - said Szeremietew. He also reminded that the West appeasement at the beginning of the twentieth century led to the outbreak of World War II.

[ProfTournesol 956]

(Vice News) The Contest for Hungary's Allegiance Steps Up With Putin Visit

As Russia's flag flew from the Hungarian parliament in Budapest on Tuesday evening, Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed energy pacts that will pull the Eastern European country further into the Kremlin's orbit.

With the rift between Moscow and the rest of the Europe Union growing, this was Putin's first trip to a EU country since June, when he visited Austria — and since he made an early exit from the G20 summit in November after he was shunned by Western leaders over his role in the Ukraine crisis.

Here, he received a considerably warmer welcome. The EU has repeatedly warned Hungary's self-proclaimed "illiberal" prime minister over his country's democratic backslide. Orbán has reacted to the criticism with dismissive remarks that Europe is in decline and that an "eastern wind" is blowing. As Europe attempts to maintain a united front on sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Crimea, the EU will surely see Orbán's meeting with Putin as the Hungarian PM breaking rank once again.

Hungarian Democratic Coalition leader and former Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, who received Putin on his last visit to Budapest in 2006, called on Orbán to end "his peacock dance between Moscow, Brussels and Berlin … because Hungary has committed itself to its alliances within the European Union."

And funnier :

VICE News has obtained a document in which several of the experienced, sidelined former diplomats slate the Orbán government's Eastern Opening policy — a planned move to reduce trade ties with the West — as an exercise in incompetence, starting with the name itself. The document states: "The new 'Eastern winds' doctrine was soon renamed, reportedly after the Prime Minister's Office realized [that] if eastern winds are blowing, ships usually sail westward, or north or south, but definitely not to the east, i.e. against the wind."

Lol

[Sub-Human 10]

Yesterday, again, Navalny arrested for 15 days.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny given 15-day jail sentence

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 15 days in prison for handing out leaflets to publicise a forthcoming demonstration.

This is very convient, as next week a massive protest is planned in Moscow (and several other Russian cities).

[Rydygier 1302]

http://www.tvp.info/18951308/general-nato-musimy-przygotowac-sie-na-rosyjski-blitzkrieg

- NATO forces must be prepared to carried out in the style of blitzkrieg Russia's attack on members from Eastern Europe - General warns. Adrian Bradshaw, deputy commander of NATO in Europe, quoted by the "Financial Times".

According to Bradshaw Russia can use its power to "take over NATO territory." Then will use similar arguments as currently the case in eastern Ukraine - The threat of escalation can be used to prevent the restoration of territorial integrity - explains the general. "FT" adds that Russia could use its commandos and take care of such areas. Baltic states before the Alliance could in general to take action.

Words of Bradshaw was spoken the day after the declaration of the British defense minister Michael Fallon, who in an interview with "The Telegraph" said that "NATO must be ready for any aggression on the part of Russia, regardless of the form they will take." - I'm afraid of Vladimir Putin's pressure on the Baltic states, in the way in which he tests NATO - he said.

Even stronger spoke on the topic former Secretary of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. - President Vladimir Putin wants to restore Russia's former position as a superpower. There is a high probability that it will intervene in the Baltic states, chekcing the NATO's ability to the implementation of Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - said in an interview with the "Daily Telegraph".

[Rydygier 1302]

http://telewizjarepublika.pl/ponad-polowa-rosjan-boi-sie-agresji-na-swoj-kraj,17469.html

To the question: "Is there currently a threat of war to Russia from other countries?" 68 percent of respondents answered in the affirmative. For comparison, in 2013 found that 51 percent of Russians. 22 percent of respondents felt that such a threat does not exist, and 10 percent chose the answer "do not know".

At the same time 82 percent of Russians do not doubt the ability of the army to defend the country.

[Sub-Human 10]

Mikhail Khodarkovsky makes a speech in London:

Russia Under Putin and Beyond

Looking back, we can see now that for most of Putin’s time in power, he was fortunate to benefit from a favourable economic climate. Investment came to Russia. Market institutions began to work, having taken root during the previous ten years. This all contributed to the most rapid economic growth that Russia had experienced in its history.

It was this period that saw the Kremlin propose its famous yet undeclared social contract – giving up political freedoms in exchange for the good life. Step by step, democratic and market institutions were weakened, and the state began to intervene and control the economy more and more.

As a result, many Russians think that isolation and the increasing role of government in society have led to stability and prosperity. And it is this illusion that forms the basis of Putin’s political support.

Russia is often described as a petro state. Fine, let us compare it to the world’s definitive petro state, Saudi Arabia. Both countries have remarkably similar oil and gas revenues, some 340 billion dollars per year. Yet Russia’s GDP is nearly three times as large ($2 trillion as opposed to $748 billion, according to the World Bank in 2013).

The oil and gas sector makes up no more than 20% of Russian GDP, so where does that other 80% come from? Ordinary people also contribute to wealth creation. They pay taxes, and so fully take part in the economy.

The idea that Russia is completely dependent on oil is profitable only for the Russian authorities. When we are constantly being told that Gazprom and Rosneft feed the Russian population, then what kind of rights can we even talk about? This assertion fuels the belief that an individual, dependent on such natural resources, does not have the right to act or stand up for his own interests. But we are not as dependent as the government would have us believe. Imagine how much less dependent we would be if the state stopped interfering in business.