Ukraine

[Gaspar]

What has the US not done that it should do pertaining to Ukraine?

They invaded an ally and partner.

All foreign aid to Russia should be suspended.
Oil and metal trade should be suspended and offset by opening our reserves.
We cut off $330 million dollars we send them in economic assistance, and the $101 million we pay them for military assistance.
We coordinate with our European allies to do the same.

Bullies get suspended.

[Townsend]

All foreign aid to Russia should be suspended.
Oil and metal trade should be suspended and offset by opening our reserves.
We cut off $330 million dollars we send them in economic assistance, and the $101 million we pay them for military assistance.
We coordinate with our European allies to do the same.

What will the repercussions be once you get these things done?

[Townsend]

Sanctions On Russia: Why The Europeans May Say Nyet

http://kwgs.com/post/sanctions-russia-why-europeans-may-say-nyet

Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula brought with it threats of U.S. sanctions, but Europe, while condemning President Vladimir Putin's actions, has been more circumspect. Part of the reason: Europe's dependence on Russian money and energy.

"It is a matter of simple economics," Alex Melikishvili, senior Europe/CIS Analyst at IHS Country Risk, said in an email.

He noted that the EU is Russia's main trade partner; bilateral trade is in hundreds of billion of dollars annually, in contrast with much lower U.S.-Russia trade (see chart).

"As a result, forging a coordinated response without harming vital economic interests of EU states who are also, to a large extent, dependent on Russian gas supplies ... is a complicated and time-consuming effort," he said.

Here's the potential impact that sanctions could have on different European countries and Russia:

Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who reportedly told President Obama that Putin appears to be "in another world" on Ukraine, wants mediation to resolve the standoff, and is seen as "the crucial European player in the Ukraine-Russia conundrum."

Russia is Germany's top supplier of natural gas. Much of that gas travels to Europe via pipelines that run through Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have had disputes in the past when Ukraine has fallen behind in its gas payments. Moscow has threatened to turn off the taps but has not done so, presumably because of the impact it would have not just on Ukraine, but also on customers that pay more reliably, such as Germany and other countries in Europe.

Britain

A British document, photographed by a freelance photographer, says the U.K. should "not support, for now, trade sanctions ... or close London's financial centre to Russians."

That's probably because London is seen a safe haven by many Russian oligarchs. According to one recent study, Russians bought 8.5 percent of all London properties worth more than $4.17 million from March 2012-March 2013. That sort of buying has created a property bubble in the U.K. capital, one that could deflate if there are broad economic sanctions on Russia.

Britain, slowly recovering from the global economic crisis of 2008, needs the money. In fact, it even auctions off the right to live in the country for 1 million pounds (about $1.7 million). Since 2008, 433 Russian millionaires have come to the U.K. using that scheme.

The European Union

An EU communique released Monday condemned Russia's actions but took just one step – suspending Russia's participation in the G8 summit in Sochi in June. If Russia doesn't reverse course in Ukraine, the EU said, it could suspend talks on a visa program that would make it easier for Russians to visit European countries.

But individual states are reluctant: Austrian and French banks are heavily exposed to the Russian market. The Economist notes that a proposal for an arms embargo was scrapped because of objections from France, which has lucrative defense deals with Russia. And one Italian official told the magazine: "What sanctions can you place on a country that can cut off your gas?"

Russia

Russia is now part of the global economy.

"Modern Russia is not Soviet Union," notes Melikishvili, of IHS.

The EU is Russia's top trading partner, accounting for more than 40 percent of all trade. Much of that is energy: 84 percent of Russia's oil exports and about 76 percent of gas exports go to Western Europe.

European companies have invested heavily in the country, creating jobs and consumers. Also, Russia's elites have tens of billions of dollars stashed overseas. Any multilateral sanctions regime will have an impact. Indeed, Russian stocks crashed Monday, wiping out $60 billion of their value, amid tensions on the Crimean Peninsula, though they have since rebounded.

[Red Arrow]

You have no idea, none, nothing, zero knowledge of what is being said between leaders and their secretaries of state. You quote others and offer opinions. Kind of like a Fox news personality.

Former SS Clinton's remarks are nothing more than comments from the outside that are not only common knowledge but are likely being used so that the president isn't having to posture like Putin did. This is a team president.  She didn't speak without some prior contact with the administration I assure you.

Interesting

[Gaspar]

What will the repercussions be once you get these things done?

What are the repercussions of inaction or anemic action?

[Townsend]

What are the repercussions of inaction or anemic action?

Obviously there's been action.  Anemic or not, that's opinion.  Obviously we have no idea.

But let's try again, what are the repercussions of the actions you'd like to take?

[Gaspar]

So, we can expect you to support her in the next presidential campaign? Not likely.

I never really thought about it, but I can't really name an actual accomplishment either?  I mean she really moved into the spotlight after the Lewinsky scandal.  Before that she was an accomplished lawyer.

 

[rebound]

Heard on the radio yesterday:

"President Obama's actions regarding the Ukraine are the worst options I have heard so far,...   except for all the others."

"Nobody has the 'right' answer, because it doesn't exist."

About the best political commentary I've heard so far on the situation.

[Gaspar]

Obviously there's been action.  Anemic or not, that's opinion.  Obviously we have no idea.

But let's try again, what are the repercussions of the actions you'd like to take?

No, we have an idea.  We're going to teach the Pols to fly more better.
http://news.yahoo.com/us-bolster-military-support-poland-baltic-162411959.html
Washington (AFP) - The United States plans to expand military cooperation with Poland and Baltic states to show "support" for its allies after Russia's intervention in Ukraine, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.

"This morning the Defense Department is pursuing measures to support our allies," including expanded aviation training in Poland and increasing the US role in NATO's air policing mission over Baltic countries, Hagel told lawmakers.

NATO's top commander and head of the US European Command, General Philip Breedlove, also planned to confer with Central and Eastern European defense chiefs, Hagel said.

"This is a time for wise, steady, and firm leadership," Hagel told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"It is a time for all of us to stand with the Ukrainian people in support of their territorial integrity and sovereignty, and their right to have a government that fulfills the aspirations of its people."

What I proposed should be expected consequences.  Attack us or our allies and we stop paying you.  To expect anything else would be moronic.

What would you propose?  

[Townsend]

No, we have an idea.  

What I proposed should be expected consequences.  Attack us or our allies and we stop paying you.  To expect anything else would be moronic.

What would you propose?  

Why do you link so many stories but not something to support your analysis or your numbers?

You have opinions but have no idea.

My proposal?  I have none.  I'm not suffering from delusions that I can do anything about it.  I can barely do anything to get something done locally.

[Gaspar]

Why do you link so many stories but not something to support your analysis or your numbers?

Sorry, thought you had the google.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid

[Hoss]

Sorry, thought you had the google.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid

You're not doing it right.

[swake]

What I proposed should be expected consequences.  Attack us or our allies and we stop paying you.  To expect anything else would be moronic.

What would you propose?  

Again you misunderstand what is going on here. There is no need for a proposal here. There are rules that Russia well knows. Attack us or our allies and we stop paying you? That's not what happens.

Poland has already invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which means that they feel threatened and want "consultation of member states". This is the same article that Turkey invoked when Syria shot down a Turkish jet last year and why we placed anti-missile batteries there.  If the Baltics or Poland are attacked Article 5 is invoked and we are at war. Period. All the way. That's how NATO works. Article 5 says if any member is attacked, all of NATO is attacked and at war. The only time that has been invoked was by us after 9/11.

This is why Putin is fighting so hard for Ukraine to NOT be part of NATO or the EU.

[guido911]

A little levity never hurts...

[guido911]

Sheesh. Here's a newscaster making it all about herself. Click the video for maximum self-absorption.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2014/03/05/rt-anchor-quits-on-air.html