Russia General

[mistyronin 1181]

If you thought that Hitler was the only authoritarian figure that supported animal rights and wildlife, promoting laws like the one of 1933.

Well, Putin doesn't want to fall short on environment protection; which being 100% honest, at least it's a good piece of news. :clap:

(Vice) Vladimir Putin Really Loves Tigers — And It's Actually Making a Difference in the World

Here's a rare bit of good news from conservationists: Russian tigers poached nearly to extinction seem to be making a comeback.

A recent census found as many as 540 Amur tigers living in Russia's eastern forests, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). That's an improvement over the last count, in 2005, which found between 423 and 502 of the tigers. In the 1940s, their numbers were no more than 40.

[beastcat 14]

Night Wolves bikers, police and orthodox "activists" vs protesting old people

[oxmox 73]

Wonder why do these handful of bikers getting so much media attention...

[beastcat 14]

Wonder why do these handful of bikers getting so much media attention...

Because they are heavily politicized right wing "patriots" (nationalists) who are very close to Putin and happily go beat up opposition for him.

[mistyronin 1181]

Wonder why do these handful of bikers getting so much media attention...

Truth is they are just an MC like any other, so a good amount of criminals with extremist ideology that happen to be motorcycle enthusiasts BUT they are supported by the Kremlin. Putin himself supports them and even ride with them... That's why they attract all the media.

Imagine Obama supporting the Hell's Angels, riding with them, etc.

Heck, Putin himself was added into some criminal list due to his contacts with that MC.

(RT) Finland’s most wanted? Putin’s biker connections put him on secret blacklist

But again, he isn't the first authoritarian figure that surrounds himself by a criminal organization (Hitler did with the SS).

[oxmox 73]

Despite Saber Rattling & Sanctions

Despite sanctions: Trade between the US and Russia is booming (SPIEGEL google. transl)

European companies following the Russia-sanctions and suffer. By contrast, the US-Russian trade in goods has risen sharply to SPIEGEL information - despite the sanctions against the government in Moscow.

The sanctions against Russia are for European companies a major problem - on the other hand the US competitors did continue with their business: Last year, the US-Russian trade in goods has increased, according to Russian statistics by almost six percent.

Trade with the countries of the European Union (EU) did shrink in contrast to almost ten percent.

In the first two months of 2015, the EU's foreign trade with Russia in relation to the same period last year did fall by as much as one third.

"The Americans have exercised only great pressure on Europe to impose tough sanctions," said Frank Schauff, CEO of the Association of European Business in Moscow. "That they did themselves expand their trade with Russia last year is remarkable."

Examples:

Earlier this week signed the Texas firm Bell into a license agreement with a Russian helicopter manufacturer, although the company is part of the empire of the State Company Rostec which is led by Putin confidant Sergei Chemezov. Both Rostec and Chemezov stand on the US sanctions list.

Also Boeing can not be deterred by sanctions: The aircraft manufacturer operates in the Russian capital continues to be a development center with 1,200 employees.

Meanwhile Siemens lost a billion-dollar contract for modern trains and the construction of a high-speed line from Moscow to the booming provincial capital Kazan. "Before the Ukraine conflict , the Germans had won the bid, "said an industry insider. Now a Chinese state-owned enterprises came to the train.

http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/russland-sanktionen-helfen-us-firmen-europa-verliert-a-1036204.html

Russia is one of U.S largest non-OPEC source of net petroleum products

Americans would be quite surprised to know that even with all the U.S. Government sanctions and threats of war with Russia, we still import a significant amount of petroleum from the former communist country. How much petroleum does the United States import from Russia? Actually, a lot more when we focus on net imports.

As it turns out, Russia is the U.S. second largest non-OPEC source of net petroleum products in the month of January. As we can see, Canada is the largest at 2.9 million barrels per day, Russia at 389,000 bd, Columbia 264,000 bd, Chad 93,000 bd and Mexico at 44,000 bd.

If we include OPEC countries net petroleum imports, Russia ranks 4th:

Canada = 2,950,000 bd

Saudi Arabia = 816,000 bd

Venezuela = 597,000 bd

Russia = 389,000 bd

Of the 4,825,000 bd of net U.S. crude oil and petroleum product imports in January, Russia’s 389,000 bd accounted for 8% of the total.

eia.gov

Edited June 6, 2015 by oxmox

[ProfTournesol 956]

(BBC) Nemtsov daughter condemns Russian media 'propaganda'

A daughter of murdered Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov has accused pro-Kremlin media of spreading hateful propaganda, and says she has left Russia to live in exile.

Zhanna Nemtsova told the BBC that she had received threats, and this was one of the reasons behind her departure.

In a newspaper column, she said Russian propaganda echoed the era of genocide in Nazi Germany and Rwanda.

[oxmox 73]

A bit more background infos about Nemtsov which some maybe missed, which could be a motive for the murderer and threats....

Murdered Oppositionist (FAZ google transl. - March, 22nd)

Nemzov helped America - Insider Informations for US sanction list

Doubts about the version of the Russian investigators already exist, who blame Islamist Chechens for the murder of Boris Nemzow. Now there are indications on a completely different subject: the opposition politician helped the Americans with insider informations for the sanction lists.

There is evidence of a very different motive for the murder: Nemtsov connection to the Americans. Nemtsov, as the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (F.A.S.) learned from security sources, did help to write a list of sanctions for the USA against leading Russian politicians and businessmen after the annexation of Crimea. The sanctions include a travel ban and an asset lock.

The Russian opposition politician Wladimir Milow considers it likely that the murder of Nemtsov has to do with its commitment for sanctions against Russia.

Nemtsov was also involved in an earlier sanction list by the USA from the year 2012, it was the so-called Magnizkij list, according to the data.

Nemtsov had visited conservative American senators a year ago, among them the former presidential candidate John McCain and Senator Ron Johnson. He had passed them 13 names that should - be included in the Magnizkij-list among them even close followers of Putin's. McCain, Johnson and other senators have pushed through a resolution in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, requesting President Obama to include the persons named by Nemtsov in the list.

The Deputy Foreign Minister Victoria Nuland said the US Government will decide about the end of the year.

Nemtsov is to be backed financially by the American investor George Soros. Before his death he was always been described in the Russian media as a "Traitor".

FAZ Report

Edited June 9, 2015 by oxmox

[oxmox 73]

Poll finds Nato's Europeans wary of Russia confrontation (BBC - June 10th)

Public opinion in some European countries could be reluctant to support collective defence for fellow

Nato members if they were to be attacked by Russia, according to a new international survey.

This is by no means the first opinion poll on the current crisis in East-West relations. But it is a major survey of opinion which covers a range of countries.

Among Western allies, it includes Europe's six largest Nato members (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK) as well as the United States and Canada.

What is particularly striking is the reluctance among many of those surveyed in Europe to get drawn into a deeper military conflict with Russia - either in Ukraine, or elsewhere on European soil.

On average in Europe, only 48% of those polled - less than half - backed the idea of their country using force to come to the aid of another Nato country attacked by Russia.

Who's at fault?

Also noteworthy is the wide variance of views in Nato countries about whether or not it is Russia who should be blamed for the violence in eastern Ukraine.

Although the survey suggested a strong consensus across most of Europe and North America that Ukraine should be given economic aid, many of those polled said they were opposed to supplying Ukraine with arms to use against Russia.

Only in Poland was there a majority in favour of giving Ukraine arms.

more detailed infos with statistical graphics:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33072093

[mistyronin 1181]

Poll finds Nato's Europeans wary of Russia confrontation (BBC - June 10th)

Really interesting data.

[oxmox 73]

They should have added more european countries, but at the end these are just statistics :p.

There is probably a difference between eastern countries and other ones in Europe, but amongst the mentioned ones are the major players.

[mistyronin 1181]

They should have added more european countries, but at the end these are just statistics :p.

There is probably a big difference between eastern countries and other ones in Europe.

I agree, they should show all the countries, and how do they got the data, etc.

We also need to have in mind that as all statistics they have been "cooked", so it's just an instant photo.

[oxmox 73]

Well, actually such opinions were probably expected. Europeans dont follow hawkish tones that easy and are gladfully overall critical.

[mistyronin 1181]

Well, actually such opinions were probably expected. Europeans dont follow hawkish tones that easy and are gladfully overall critical.

Uhm, I wouldn't go that far. The results simply show, that most Europeans think that Russia provokated the Eastern Ukraine war, that they approve the economic help to Ukraine and that they are reluctant to go to war with an atomic power.

The saddest part IMO is that France, Germany and Italy would choose to betray their allies when most in need. That's quite worrisome. If that statistics were to be right, then those countries should abandon NATO.

Edited June 11, 2015 by MistyRonin

[sudayev 27]

Only in Poland was there a majority in favour of giving Ukraine arms.

more detailed infos with statistical graphics:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33072093

Sorry, but I have to correct you. In this poll there is a word about supporting economic aid to Ukraine, provided by Western countries - not handing them more arms.

In Poland voices of sending arms to Ukraine are in minority, but when it comes to humanitarian aid people are very positive.

[oxmox 73]

Sorry, but I have to correct you. In this poll there is a word about supporting economic aid to Ukraine, provided by Western countries - not handing them more arms.

In Poland voices of sending arms to Ukraine are in minority, but when it comes to humanitarian aid people are very positive.

You missed it probably, its the 4th line in this article below the graphic with the title "who is to blame for the violence in eastern Ukraine" :D

Although the survey suggested a strong consensus across most of Europe and North America that Ukraine should be given economic aid, many of those polled said they were opposed to supplying Ukraine with arms to use against Russia.

--> Only in Poland was there a majority in favour of giving Ukraine arms.

[oxmox 73]

Remember the outcry in the media and our discussions about the danger for civilian planes...... ?

NATO fighter jets fly also without transponders (SPIEGEL, June 12th)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had repeatedly criticized Moscow because Russian warplanes were flying without transponders close to the NATO borders and thus vulnerable to civil aviation.

Even NATO warplanes fly missions without switched transponder. This admits the Western alliance now.

NATO now says that their planes - though only in exceptional cases "training missions" and never about Eastern Europe - to do the same.

There is a consensus amongst intelligence experts in the NATO about the reasons, that Russian planes switch off their transponder. Moscow will therefore prepare its pilots with these flights for the worst, since in such a case the device would be shut off.

President Vladimir Putin wants to send a message to the West, through "strategic messaging". The presence of Russian warplanes in service mode should show that Russia is a global, serious power.

Two months ago, the Americans have acknowledged that they also dominate the muscle game of "strategic messaging".

US Admiral Bill Gortney, commander of the American forces in North America, said,

"We do the same sort of thing".

SPIEGEL google transl.

Edited June 13, 2015 by oxmox

[mistyronin 1181]

(The Telegraph) Vladimir Putin 'backs Russian fast-food rival to McDonald's'

Vladimir Putin has thrown his weight behind a plan to create a patriotic Russian restaurant chain to rival foreign fast food joints such as McDonald’s.

The Russian president ordered Arkady Dvorkovich, a deputy prime minister, to “examine and support†the proposal as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imported brands, Kommersant reported.

The newspaper said it had acquired a copy of a letter written to Mr Putin by brothers Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrei Konchalovsky, two of the country’s most famous film directors, seeking state support for the venture.

Mr Dvorkovich is due to consider the idea for a chain of restaurants called “Let’s Eat at Home!†at a government meeting on Thursday.

“The aim of the project is to promote import substitution and create alternatives to Western fast-food chains,†the brothers wrote in their proposal. They requested state backing for the launch because of its "social-political character", estimating it would cost 971.8m roubles (£12.5m).

- - -

Remember the outcry in the media and our discussions about the danger for civilian planes...... ?

It's a bit different to exceptionally train in what would happen if the planes had no transponders; than disconnect the transponders in all the aggressive flights by the other countries' air space, specially when crossing civilian ways.

[Tonci87 163]

(The Telegraph) Vladimir Putin 'backs Russian fast-food rival to McDonald's'

I actually think this is something really good. If they are able to provide healthier fast food than McDonalds does then this is a good thing that might lead McDonalds to rethink their quality. I wouldn´t mind eating at "Putins" if it´s healthy and tasty.

[mistyronin 1181]

I actually think this is something really good. If they are able to provide healthier fast food than McDonalds does then this is a good thing that might lead McDonalds to rethink their quality. I wouldn´t mind eating at "Putins" if it´s healthy and tasty.

I agree partially. It's good to have different options to choose. The more the merrier.

But, no one said that "Let’s Eat at Home!" is gonna provide healthier food than McDonalds. Tho I have to say that McDonalds has improved a lot their quality and now uses local quality meat (tho I never go there, I eat at Hesburguer or Subway).

[oxmox 73]

Uhm, I wouldn't go that far. The results simply show, that most Europeans think that Russia provokated the Eastern Ukraine war, that they approve the economic help to Ukraine and that they are reluctant to go to war with an atomic power.

The saddest part IMO is that France, Germany and Italy would choose to betray their allies when most in need. That's quite worrisome. If that statistics were to be right, then those countries should abandon NATO.

Well,....

The majority knows that no real threat scenario exist for the NATO and the EU, it should also not to be conjured.

These questions are political and aim at the current situation, its understandable that for many people a risk for a greater war for these foolish events in the Ukraine isnt worth it. World War 1 did start and did pull the empire into it - with the purpose of an intervention into Serbia by Austria - this combined with the "blank cheque", a guarantee from Germany to Austria for military loyalty no matter what.

At the end the assistance agreement with NATO and the EU exist and the people who took part in this pool wont influence this.

Actually there is no majority for this question found in the poll for any country in Europe, only the US and Canada did agree with a higher percentage.

Understandable, they would have not the risk for a worst case scenario and take only seats in the last and safe sit row.

Edited June 14, 2015 by oxmox

[vilas 473]

I actually think this is something really good. If they are able to provide healthier fast food than McDonalds does then this is a good thing that might lead McDonalds to rethink their quality. I wouldn´t mind eating at "Putins" if it´s healthy and tasty.

exactly, perogy (dumplings) and borshch would be great, fastfood is not healthy so it is good step , in many countries we have (when we travel or hurry in job) to eat fastfood either from Mc or kebab/doner or ... nothing , sometimes Vietnam food,

i would also see such Russian fastfood as welcome, especially dumplings, borshch, and bread with garlic cream :D

[sudayev 27]

You missed it probably, its the 4th line in this article below the graphic with the title "who is to blame for the violence in eastern Ukraine" :D

Not true, domestic analyses are completely different from what BBC publishes remotely from London, but this is typical for western polls and media who create Poland and as a hawk, first to fight with Russia.

No one here wants to send people to fight with Russians and not one supports sending lethal equipment - that's Ukraine's full off. People here are more focus how to re-establish trading relations with Russia what both countries benefited from. Of course we have bitter history with Russia but also many similar things in common, but it doesn't mean that everyone hates them for politics of their chauvinist leader.

Personally I feel the same way. if I had an occasion to have a guest from Russia, I'd do my best to present him my country the friendly way that is totally different than what putinist media create.

Edited June 14, 2015 by Sudayev

[oxmox 73]

This is typical for western polls and media who create Poland and as a hawk, first to fight with Russia.

That is not true, domestic analyses are completely different from what BBC publishes remotely from London.

No one here wants to send people to fight with Russians and not one supports sending lethal equipment - that's Ukraine's full off. People here are more focus how to re-establish trading relations with Russia what both countries benefited from. Of course we have bitter history with Russia but also many similar things in common, but it doesn't mean that everyone hates them for politics of their chauvinist leader.

Personally I feel the same way. if I had an occasion to have a guest from Russia, I'd do my best to present him my country the friendly way that is totally different than what putinist media create.

Actually, the politics of Poland, at least reported in the media, is one of the most "active" countries in Europe besides other eastern EU countries who believe in or/and conjure a Russian threat, quiete in accordance with US politics in general and agrees sending lethal aid to the Ukraine, at least for a while. Yes, they are described as one of the most hawkish EU countries during the Ukraine crisis (first link for example). Poland seems to be from outside rather anti-russian, its also more understandable due to the history of communism/Sovjetunion.

Poland ready to back a US move to arm Ukraine

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f7213118-b057-11e4-a2cc-00144feab7de.html

Poland Ready to Sell Weapons to Ukraine

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/03/world/europe/ap-eu-poland-russia-weapons.html

US and Poland in talks over weapons deployment in eastern Europe

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/14/us-poland-weapons-deployment-eastern-europe-russia

Poland says ready to hold talks with Ukraine on arms sales

http://news.yahoo.com/poland-says-ready-hold-talks-ukraine-arms-sales-115251301.html

In Germany its a bit more complex. The Cold War & Sovjet Regime is known and critical remembered, respect exists due to World War 2 and the immense losses of both nations, but appreciation exist because of the German Reunification. And at the end the opinions are not only controversial in reference to the Ukraine conflict like in every country, they are also divergent in east and west.

Edited June 14, 2015 by oxmox

[mistyronin 1181]

The majority knows that no real threat scenario exist for the NATO and the EU, it should also not to be conjured.

These questions are political and aim at the current situation, its understandable that for many people a risk for a greater war for these foolish events in the Ukraine isnt worth it. World War 1 did start and did pull the empire into it - with the purpose of an intervention into Serbia by Austria - this combined with the "blank cheque", a guarantee from Germany to Austria for military loyalty no matter what.

Same as with the Sudetenland and the whole Czechoslovakia and Austria in the late 30s...

And I've friends in most EU countries and all fear Russia warmongery (well Putin's craziness to be exactly).