"Just because we have the best hammer

[Jangle]

does not mean that every problem is a nail"...... Russia is not a country that we want to get into a war with. Hitting Russia in the pockets through sanctions can be more effective than an armed confrontation. They are not like the Arabs who are willing to lay down their lives for Allah.

Did Putin just bring Russia in from the cold?


Vladimir Putin opened a special meeting of the Kremlin's Security Council today with an odd statement: "There is no direct military threat to our country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity at present," he said.
To a Western ear, that might sound like belaboring the obvious. For a Russian audience today, it's a jarring note for their leader to strike.
Mr. Putin's statement flatly contradicts what the domestic media have been saying for months. Just days ago, Russian outlets were warning of a White House "offensive against Russia and China," with the US trying to create "instability on Russia's borders." Putin himself earlier this month claimed that Russia's annexation of Crimea was to forestall NATO from getting a foothold in Ukraine

http://news.yahoo.com/did-putin-just...202745709.html

Russian markets feel heat from Ukraine crisis, extend slide

MOSCOW, July 21 (Reuters) - Russian shares slid on Monday to a two-month closing low as Moscow came under fierce international pressure over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and European governments threatened to follow the United States in widening economic sanctions.
Monday's losses extended a near-8 percent slump last week provoked by Washington's imposition of sanctions on large Russian domestic companies, including oil major Rosneft which again fell sharply on Monday.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia...9T0xsA_pjQtDMD

[HL]

Footballically speakin'--I would not be surprised if Russia loses the 2018 World Cup venue.

I can see the Netherlands spear-heading an effort to get other European countries to boycott the next WC .

This would be another major economic hit against the Russians.

[Jangle]

EU 'to impose new sanctions against Russian officials'

The Dutch Foreign Minister has said that the European Union to impose new sanctions against officials deemed responsible for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The decision by foreign ministers from the 28-nation bloc came days after a Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people aboard.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/eu-...ls-637093.html
The Netherlands’ Frans Timmermans said the EU’s “forceful decision” imposes visa bans and asset freezes on more officials.

[HL]

I watched the sad, pains-taking way the bodies were respectfully removed from the cargo planes and placed in hearses (in the Netherlands).

The mood was very somber, as the ruling class of that country quietly observe the procedure.

[I am smiling because the anti-Obama clan, regard him as a checkers player up against a great chess master Putin.

The chess master appears to be in a major bind. A 'pawn' is about to take his queen.

What a thing!

[Don1]

Footballically speakin'--I would not be surprised if Russia loses the 2018 World Cup venue.

I can see the Netherlands spear-heading an effort to get other European countries to boycott the next WC .

This would be another major economic hit against the Russians.

LOL

[Jangle]

MOSCOW (AP) -- Having for months dismissed Western sanctions on Russia as toothless, business leaders here are now afraid that the downing of the Malaysian jetliner will bring about an international isolation that will cause serious and lasting economic damage.
Throughout the Ukrainian crisis, U.S. and European sanctions had mainly targeted a handful of individuals, sparing economic ties. Then last week the U.S. imposed penalties on some of Russia's largest corporations. And when the airliner was shot down just a day later in Ukraine, allegedly by separatists with Moscow's support, concern grew in Russia that the sanctions would only get worse as President Vladimir Putin shows little sign of cooperation.
Reinforcing those concerns, the European Union said Friday it is planning newer, tougher penalties on businesses.
http://news.yahoo.com/russian-execs-...103658481.html

[HL]

Just read that FIFA will go ahead and support Russia as the next WC venue....

[Jangle]

.....for now

[Mosiah]

Remember, FIFA tries its best to be apolitical. It would be hypocritical to change now.

But, I am hoping that somehow it would not be prudent to hold it in Russia.

[HL]

Remember, FIFA tries its best to be apolitical. It would be hypocritical to change now.

But, I am hoping that somehow it would not be prudent to hold it in Russia.

The article did make sure to stress the apoliticalness if FIFA. ~sigh~

[Jangle]

Russia Counts Cost of New Economic Sanctions
Russia blasted the West's new economic sanctions on Wednesday, accusing the U.S. of being "prosecutorial" in its drive to impose penalties on the country's key energy and finance sectors.

http://finance.yahoo.com/photos/russ...536-slideshow/

The U.S. and European Union announced a raft of new sanctions that would limit the trade of arms and technology that can be used in the oil industry and for military purposes. The EU also put its capital markets off limits for Russian state-owned banks.

[HL]

mi hear say dat them can't duh russia nutten

[Jangle]

Beyond oil and reserves, Russia running on empty

MOSCOW (Reuters) - For all the sanctions Western leaders can throw at Russia, the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putin's ability to back separatists in east Ukraine is something beyond his or their control: the price of oil.
With Russia's $2 trillion economy heavily dependent on crude exports, oil prices are always closely monitored by the Kremlin, but the government is particularly wary now as tensions with the West mount and sanctions ratchet up.
Such conflicts often push up crude prices, but as long as oil, which accounts for 40 percent of state revenues, remains above the average $104 per barrel written into the 2014 budget, Moscow has little immediate need to worry.


http://news.yahoo.com/beyond-oil-res...9--sector.html