[this analysis was written for the Unz review]
The big news of the day is that Biden decided to call Putin. Here is how the Russians reported this:
At the initiative of the American side, a telephone conversation took place between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the United States of America Joseph Biden. The current state of Russian-American relations and some relevant aspects of the international agenda were discussed in detail. Joseph Biden confirmed his earlier invitation to the Russian President to take part in the Climate Summit, which will be held via videoconference on April 22-23. Both sides expressed their readiness to continue the dialogue on the most important areas of ensuring global security, which would meet the interests of not only Russia and the United States, but also the entire world community. Moreover, Joseph Biden expressed interest in normalizing the state of affairs on the bilateral track and establishing stable and predictable cooperation on such pressing issues as ensuring strategic stability and arms control, the Iranian nuclear program, the situation in Afghanistan, and global climate change. In this context, the US President proposed to consider the possibility of holding a personal summit meeting in the foreseeable future. During the exchange of views on the internal Ukrainian crisis, Vladimir Putin outlined approaches to a political settlement based on the Minsk Package of Measures. It was agreed to give instructions to the relevant departments to work out the issues raised during the telephone conversation.
This is the US version:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. They discussed a number of regional and global issues, including the intent of the United States and Russia to pursue a strategic stability dialogue on a range of arms control and emerging security issues, building on the extension of the New START Treaty. President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia’s actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference. President Biden emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions. President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with U.S. interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia.
Why the difference in tone? Because the Russians don’t believe in loud statements before a negotiation and, unlike “Biden”, they are not insecure in their legitimacy (both the legitimacy of their policies and the legitimacy of their government). As for Biden, he just produces the exact same type of hot air which the Trump administration became so infamous for. I can tell you what most Russians think when they hear this. They think: “sure looks to me like the old man is desperately trying to encourage himself!”. I totally concur.
This being said, there is also some very premature triumphalism in Russia. A lot of “hurray patriots” are saying “Biden caved in first”. Their arguments go something like this:
According to Defense Minister Shoigu, the US/NATO have about 40’000 soldiers along the Russian border (ostensibly as an exercise) and about 15’000 weapons systems. In response to that threat, Russia deployed 2 Armies and 3 Airborne Divisions along her western border. That is something of the size of 200’000 soldiers. The US Americans saw this and understood that the Russian “fist” could smash them. This is why Biden caved in.
Well, I am not at all so sure that “Biden” caved in or “blinked first”. Why?
- “In the coming months” is too late to defuse the current risks of war. They might meet in the upcoming climate conference on April 22-23. But that is the wrong format.
- The first rule of military analysis is “don’t look at intentions, but look at capabilities”. This is even more true for “declared intentions”. And what are we reading into “Biden’s” supposed intentions? “Pursue a strategic security dialog” is the best I can find, and I am really not impressed.
- Let’s assume that they meet before a full-scale war breaks out, and so what? Did Trump not meet with Kim Jong-un – did that do any good?
Last Sunday, Margarita Simonian, the head of Russia Today, said something very interesting on a Russian TV show (I paraphrase and summarize here):
We will never be able to reach a real agreement (to coexist) with the USA. Why? This is a country built on violence from Day 1. This is a country stuck with several ideological doctrines, including the Doctrine of Discovery to the Doctrine of Manifest Destiny. All these doctrines say the same thing: “we have the right to do whatever we want and we have the right to rule over everybody else. This land was ours, but those Indian SOBs had the arrogance to live there. So we will massacre them all and then create a beautiful feast when we will celebrate that they taught us what to eat (Thanksgiving Day). This was true not only in the 17th century. I remind you of the year 1831 when we already had the Decembrist revolt while the USA was engaged in a massive ethnic cleansing operation (the Trail of Tears) under the personal supervision of
President Andrew Jackson (a Democrat, by the way!) who deported 5 Indian tribes which were settled, had their own schools and many were Christianized. He deported them to Oklahoma using methods which resulted in thousands of deaths (one tribe lost ¼ of her people. My family was deported by Stalin (we were Armenians) and I can tell you that the methods used by Stalin during his deportations were a “gentle ballet” compared to what the “democratic United States” did.
We will never reach an agreement with them because we cannot agree to collapse. We will never reach an agreement with them because we cannot agree to become paupers. We will never reach an agreement with them because we cannot agree to give up our nuclear weapons. We will never reach an agreement with them because we cannot agree to forsake all our national interests and we cannot agree to only do that which they tell us to do (including to the detriment of our own interests). We will never reach an agreement with them because we will never agree to forget our history and we won’t agree to have our next generations consider themselves as a totally different nation. We will never reach an agreement with them because we will never agree to any of that, and they will never accept anything less! (emphasis added).
Frankly, I can only agree. From the First Crusade on, the core value and even identity of the political West (in its various manifestations) has always been imperialism. This is true of the Latin Papacy as much as it is true about Hitler’s National Socialism, and it is still true for today’s main ideology of the United States. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. We can call these various manifestations of the united messianic West by many names (today I call it “Zone A”), but this changes nothing to its essence, nature and behavior: the pretexts (ideologies) change, the policies stay the same.
This is why I have been saying that Russia and the AngloZionist Empire are locked in an existential war from which only one party will walk away and the other one will be either destroyed (Russia by the USA) or profoundly change (due to the internal dialectical contradictions of capitalism and the unsustainable nature of the US society today).
And don’t assume that it is “only” Simonian who is “seeing the light”. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Riabkov, made the following statement about the USA:
“They talk about a high price, but they never mention it. What they have done so far, we have, firstly, studied well, and secondly, we have adapted. We do not believe that such terminology is generally applicable: price, payment, and so on. We simply defend our interests and the interests of our citizens, the Russian-speaking population, and we will continue to protect them”. “The question is what conclusions are drawn from this situation in Kiev and from Kiev’s patrons. These conclusions do not set up a positive mood, these threats only strengthen us in the belief that we are on the right course: the United States is our enemy, doing everything to undermine Russia’s position in the international arena, we do not see other elements in their approach to us. These are our conclusions”.
Pretty clear, no?
Years, even decades, of non-stop US threats against Russia have (finally!) achieved their full effect: the illusions which many Russians had for centuries about their western neighbors have almost completely disappeared from the Russian society and the Russian consciousness. What is left is a firm determination to survive, to live, to do whatever it takes to prevent the Empire from “assimilating” Russia.
Russians now also clearly see another truism of western policies. I would express it as so: it really does not matter whom Russia fights – it maybe even be Satan in person (and in many ways it is, let those with ears…), the West will always, always side with our enemy, even if it is Satan in person (again, let those with ears…). Let me just give you one example which says it all:
The USA claims that it was al-Qaeda which did 9/11. Fine. A high-school physics can prove the opposite, but fine. Yet that self-same USA totally backed “al-Qaeda” (all the various denominations and aliases included) in both Chechnia and Syria (and in Serbia too, I would add). And they are still at it.
Another example? Sure.
The West always supported the worst, most violent, rulers in Russia. Conversely, the very best rulers in Russian history are vilified, slandered and despised in the West, and they are, of course, described as obscurantist tyrants, even when compared to the western leaders of the same time period they look like saints (which some of them literally are!).
Want to try one more? Okay.
Let’s look at religion. In the history of relations between Russia and the West, we see something interesting: it does not matter which branch of western Christianity (Latin or Reformed) is in power, the rulers of the West will always side against their putative “Christian brothers”, even if that means siding with non-Christians! Not much has changed between the 15th century, the Crimean War and today: the West always created an ad-hoc “ecumenical coalition” to try to finally conquer Russia.
The bottom line is this: Simonian is 100% correct. The West’s “program for Russia” has not changed and it remains the same: Russia must vanish. Nothing else is acceptable for our western neighbors.
So where do we go from here?
Frankly, I don’t know. I don’t think anybody does. But I can express my hopes.
I hope that the current Russian stance (we are willing to take on the combined might of the USA+NATO+EU and “why would we want a world without Russia?”) to overcome the West’s delusional narcissism (We are almighty! Nobody can stop us! We will crush you!) and get enough folks back in touch with the “real reality” (as many were during the Cold War). Next, I really hope that the Empire will not unleash the Ukronazis in the Donbass (yes, hope dies last, and I have to admit that I currently don’t see how the Ukies could deescalate). I hope that the people of the EU will liberate themselves from their current colonial status, and that they will regain at least a modicum of real sovereignty. Lastly, I hope that the US society will defeat the Woke-freaks currently in power and that the USA will become a powerful, but normal, country (like so many empires have done it before). The slogan “we want our country back” has my total sympathy. But that is a lot of hope, I know.
Now for a pessimistic shot of realism.
First, Biden, the man, not the collective “Biden”, is in no shape to negotiate with anybody. Neither is his Harris. At best, he can do what microbrains like John Kerry or Josep Borrell did: meet with their counterparts, declare A, then fly back home and immediately proclaim non-A.
Tell me – why would the Russian be interested in this kind of silly circus?
What about the collective “Biden” then? Well, Blinken is definitely smarter that this arrogant imbecile Pompeo, but he sure hates Russia no less. Is that an improvement? Maybe.
I am afraid that this proposed meeting will never happen, I think that the White House sees this as a subtle ruse to try to lower the Russian defenses (both military and political). Won’t happen. It is too late for that.
Could it be that “Biden” is throwing in the towel and seeking some kind of arrangement with Russia. Never say never, but I find this exceedingly unlikely. Why? Because of the centuries long ideological messianic narcissism and sense of impunity of the US rulers: they simply cannot fathom that their “city upon the hill” has been placed in a kind of a “mate in three” situation by a horde of vodka guzzling asian barbarians (just like they can’t fathom how those evil “Commie Chinks” have built an economy vastly superior to theirs).
A famous leader of the “united West” also had a hard time accepting that he, and his putatively “invincible armies”, had been comprehensively defeated by Russian subhumans. Even while he could hear the sound of Soviet cannons in his underground bunker.
Truly, some things never change.
The Saker
During the Cold War, it was said that the Soviet Union blinked in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Now in the New Cold War, it is the United States of America that BLINKED in the Ukrainian Military Crisis.
As for this supposed USA summit, Russia can send the equivalent of a Moscow dog catcher to meet and talk with the Americans. He can troll Antony Blink-en for blinking in this Ukrainian crisis. ;-)
Ultimately, the most important thing that Russia can do is this: Continue to build up Eurasia in general as an America-Free Zone B in the world.
well yes..the US blinked. the cowards were scared to death..
https://sputniknews.com/military/202104151082634838-pentagon-refuses-to-discuss-reported-cancellation-of-two-us-warships-passage-to-black-sea/
The Convention of Montreux authorizes Turkey to close the Straits to all foreign warships in wartime or when it was threatened by aggression.
Now, what if Turkey was the one to have the change of heart? Especially after Putin reminded Erdogan of ‘the importance of preservation of the 1936 Montreux Convention in order to ensure the regional stability and safety of the regional Black Sea straits regime’.
Putin should said:
“I am sorry but there is no sense in meeting until the United States reforms its foreign policy and becomes a law abiding member of the international community.”
Human beings are a life entity that show various characteristics that mark them out from other forms of life.
We need to consider two things: individual human behaviour and collective human behaviour. [Consider the chemistry of small molecules and that of macromolecules.]
Both individual and collective behaviours, while staying within the envelope of ‘human life’, are influenced by circumstance, by experience, by opportunity, and by volition.
The Saker highlights differences between some large groupings of humans and seems to suggest fundamental, unalterable characteristics that verge on two different (incompatible?) species. Are American oligarchs fundamentally different to Russian oligarchs, or Chinese oligarchs for that matter? I think not. I believe the struggling poor in many countries across the world share more in common with their likes, than they do with the oligarchs that share their nationality. In recent decades, powerful groups of Westerners have also controlled the narrative in large parts of the world. This narrative is NOT believed by many thoughtful Westerners, but it appears to have been shared by similarly powerful groups of Russians who likewise appear to wish to be accepted by their Western analogs (i.e. oligarchs, or people addicted to greed) as part of “the group”. Collectively, we get carried along with the tide, or are otherwise drowned; individually, some of us try to maintain basic human feelings of sympathy and solidarity (fellow-feeling) with others having similar niches in life to oneself no matter their nationality.
The Russian poor/powerless suffered terribly in Yeltin’s time (I observed it!) while Russian oligarchs were stealing whatever they could and transferring it abroad (as oligarchs do). One or two centuries ago, British poor suffered horribly while its oligarchs were reaping the rewards of empire and amassing fortunes NOT shared with the poor. Almost a century ago, I was one of Britain’s starving poor. Only a war (in 1939) changed all that – food, work, clothes, and shelter became available, nay, were forced upon us as we were obliged to fight ‘the enemy’, the deluded poor of some other countries.
The differences between countries is determined by the powerful using their control of the narrative to exert pressure on our behaviour. The poor do not want war. The poor share so much in common with their parallels across the world and want only to see the alleviation of poverty and suffering which is their life.
Honestly, I think we’re all fighting the wrong people here. The US government is NOT the US government. Biden and Harris are clearly just a stand in for whoever is running the show. We’re all in trouble here. I’m deadly serious. The war should be with the central bankers of the world – they cause havoc, death and destruction wherever they decide to go and the only result is that they pick the bones everywhere and anywhere there are natural resources to plunder and power to be had. They could care less who gets in the way, the peoples of every country they target, and even the US citizens who are just as much a casualty as anyone else. They are desperately close.
Actually, I don’t know what it’s like to live in Russia or China because I have not visited there and don’t speak the language– I only know the viewpoint of a totally unreliable mainstream news. But, other avenues I have for observing the people and the culture, they are just like us in the important ways and I like what I see. I’ll say it again – GET RID OF THE CENTRAL BANKERS! They are in the process of centralizing wealth, transferring wealth to themselves, and have such a narrow ability to think outside of their narcissistic and obsessive desire to control and own everything that anything or anyone that is not “them” is just trash under their feet to be sweep away as soon as they are able.
If you don’t understand how much the central bankers lie, cheat and steal then please do some research. They have to go! The best way to defeat them is not support their agendas – get out of the system, bank with community banks, use cash, have reserve food and water filtering capabilities because these psychopaths will not stop until they have us all in a digital slavery system and control every aspect of our lives. This is not conspiracy … starting reaching the central bank’s own published papers. Read what the World Economic Forums website is saying. Look in depth at the International Monetary Fund website. There are journalist who are writing about this, but everyone just dismisses because of the “our government wouldn’t do anything to harm us” naïve mentality. The sweet, soft PR-style propaganda in the US is intense and censorship in the land of the free democracy with free speech is out of control and getting worse. Think not? Try posting anything contrary to the approve narrative about Covid and see how quickly you get deleted?
All banks are under the control of the CBS, even the community banks. In the 90,s Clinton did away with the Glass-Steagle Act signed by FDR which took the community banks from the bolshevick banking mafia. Clinton gave them all back. Only way to fight the FED for the time being is cryptos and physicals.
There is mild hope. The United States establishment is splintered. The full throat-ed orders of the Neocons are now only partially heeded. Military officers, below the level of political hacks and MIC prostitutes, know the reality on the ground, the state of readiness, and the quality of supposed cutting-edge hardware like the F-35. It is not enough to change course, but resistant enough to move slowly and disrupt the goals of every armchair five star anglo-zionist general or admiral. Unfortunately, both these groups believe that in a decade or two the US can recharge to once again be the top dog, which means they are clueless. The Chinese and Russian buses sped by in the middle of the night, when the talking heads were listening to themselves. The US as it is currently configured can never technologically catch those buses no matter how many foreign brains they import. Therefore the US Establishment has three options. Agree to a shared planet of benefit to everyone (Nope never going to happen). Sow confusion, intrigue and chicanery in the form of color revolutions with the goal of causing the two powers to stumble/implode (always plan A but total control of the narrative is not what it used to be). Employ the madman strategy with the enthusiastic support of the hard-core messianic neo-con crazies, who would be happy to take down the planet if it meant they could secure their one world government. The madman strategy call for immediate use of nuclear weapons because it is understood that the conventional weapons will not deliver the desired results. My guess is the never ending replay of color revolutions.
“…Not much has changed between the 15th century, the Crimean War and today: the West always created an ad-hoc “ecumenical coalition” to try to finally conquer Russia….”
Really true, some things never change in the behaviour of the collective West toward Russia. Historically, however, in the Crimean War of 1855 the USA was largely sympathetic for Russia and hostile to Britain and France, both in the public opinion and in the government.
But who is really running the show in US?
In the times of Bush junior, it was known who they were (Rumsfeld, Wolfovic etc).
But today, who is really running the show in US?
Jewish bankers would be my guess.
Patrick
“A famous leader of the “united West” also had a hard time accepting that he, and his putatively “invincible armies”, had been comprehensively defeated by Russian sub humans. Even while he could hear the sound of Soviet cannons in his underground bunker.”
Think about this for a while…. Think and ponder….
From today’s Gospel (John 3:16-21):
“. . . but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.”
I have never understood why people prefer darkness to light, but we are seeing it played out before our very eyes.
US, blinked?
https://sputniknews.com/world/202104141082632016-us-notifies-turkey-of-cancellation-of-passage-of-2-warships-through-bosphorus-turkish-source-says/
Maybe, but the 9/11 completion date for Afghanistan evacuation of US and NATO troops does tend to point to a massive doubling down in that with no Western troops left in Afghanistan the West might then strike with nuclear weapons. And of course they can then press the go but in the Ukraine and the Baltics.
Would I recommend Putin meet in person with the president of the united states? No. The US is now a disease laden and maybe deliberately infectious menace.
And who cares at this stage what Biden thinks or says.
It’s a waste of time for Russia to talk to the US, the UK, or Israel. Obviously, these countries cannot be dealt with diplomatically.
Biden and the Pentagon blinked:
https://sputniknews.com/world/202104141082632016-us-notifies-turkey-of-cancellation-of-passage-of-2-warships-through-bosphorus-turkish-source-says/
They decided not to sail into the Black Sea with two warships.
Putin (Russia) should accept the US invitation for a summit meeting.
However, they should set such a meeting for fall (say, September).
“Busy schedule”, they should argue.
Will the US miss the spring-summer “war season”? Will they wait for Nord Stream 2 tp be complete?
That’s the point.
Either the US want to (re)build the bilateral relations, or all this summit meeting talk is just a trap. It’s bullshit.
May I suggest Germany for the host country of the summit meeting?
Totally “neutral”…
Even involved in the NS 2, Germany might be unreliable…
… so, I propose two other options:
– Egypt
– Argentina
As Oscar said : “They know the price of everything and the value of nothing”.
If Biden doesn’t follow instructions they will just put him to sleep sooner than planned.
Don’t worry ya pretty head on that score little buddy because AI Biden is almost up and running. He has what one might call a head injury. Now with a new AI generated head the whole world can wonder at the all wise and knowing Biden who is coming all our ways.
Head injury?
AI generated head….?
Like this?:
https://youtu.be/eoqMSr1H1ek
Fresh from the Wokeland swamp:
https://sputniknews.com/world/202104151082634495-us-to-impose-sanctions-on-12-russians-20-organizations-expel-10-russian-diplomats—report/
US to Impose Sanctions on 12 Russians, 20 Organizations, Expel 10 Russian Diplomats – Report
—–
I am eager to know what Putin will do. What the Saker has detailed in this article tells me there is no mood for giving the other cheek among the people of Russia. I think a line has been crossed and the proposed summit will be a somewhat pointless farce.
Like many here I’m not Russian, but we look up to RF’s leadership for pushback against the bully.
The surest way to provoke a world war is to have Biden/Putin assassinated (let’s be real, Biden or any American presidents are expendable), alongside their important senior staffs/ministers. Since security will be tight on the ground and air, that leaves space. There are only a few countries in the world who are capable of monitoring their own space, even then some lack the capability to counter an attack from space.
Hypothetically speaking, say a kinetic impact coming from space could collapse a whole building. Even a hidden tech directed energy/molecular weapon isn’t too far fetched today. A micro nuclear strike would be too obvious (but not out of the question), the signature for false flags is ambiguity – plausible deniability as per CIA motto.
They will definitely attempt another 9/11, chances are almost certain. This is necessary for the shock and awe effect to work up the affected population into fervour. Emotion win over reason.
Imo, at this point in time, having Putin attend anything physically outside of Russia would be higher risk than normal. All this talk from America et al is purely a ruse. They are never sincere (and never will be). Period. A universal trait of a hegemon, it will never concede anything that it can take/bully/steal with other means. America’s past and recent public record proves this point beyond an reasonable doubt.
Unfortunately this sounds all too accurate. While Biden and Harris are completely unqualified to hold their positions, they do make great puppets for the globalists pulling their strings, be they Soros, Xi, Klaus, Gates or whoever. As the article observes and tactfully points out, we are being destroyed from within. And the public is powerless to stop it, the elections are stolen, and most politicians on both sides of the aisle are compromised, from state Governors all the way up to Congress, and the Supreme Court. We had a great dream but we didn’t live up to it.
Any agreements America makes today will only be broken tomorrow.
Period. Full Stop.
For examples, see America’s withdrawal from:
-The Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA)
-The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
-The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
-Its promises not to expand NATO eastward after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
In fact, one could look at the trail of broken treaties that America strong-armed the Native Indians into agreeing with in order to steal their lands and spawn the American Empire itself.
A handy rule of thumb is this: Whatever America says, the opposite is what they actually intend.
To truly understand the nature of the USA, one only has to recount the parable of the Scorpion and the Frog.
The Scorpion and the Frog
https://thescorpionandthefrog.com/about/
The United Scorpions of America is simply Non-Agreement Capable (i.e. treacherous and deceitful). That is in its nature.
As usual, Saker is spot on, and has correctly explained the disastrous Foreign Policy of the Biden Clown Show. However, the pull back of the Ukronazis has been predicted by Alexander Mercouris and Alex Christoforu at The Duran video channels. Alexander has been saying for 2 weeks or more that the War has been called off and won’t happen and he has been vindicated while numerous Antiwar/Left websites have been writing hysterical stories and also Libertarian and Conservative websites websites like Anti-War.com and the American Conservative. Then, suddenly, Biden calls ‘The Killer’, torturer of the precious Navalny, and talks Peace and “predictable friendly relations with Russia along with a laundry list of other issues.
This is after a Shocking appearance of two Armies with Paratroopers, an Air Wing, 2 Field Hospitals and a terrifying inventory of fearsome Weapons Systems that could completely wipe out the Ukronazis in 48 hours or less and be in Kiev in 2 or 3 days to lance this Festering Abscess. Meanwhile, the Population of Ukraine East, West and Middle are totally against any War.
So, what happened? Somebody in the White House, most likely Defense Secretary Austin, egged on by the Neocons and the Pentagon, called Z and put him up to this and told Biden to send two Destroyers into the Black Sea. Russia countered this with its formidable Black Sea Fleet and Electronic Warfare capabilities and Cruise Missiles. Then the Neoliberals who tell Biden what to say and do, suddenly realized WWIII was about to start and cancelled the Black Sea plan, and the EU Clown Show who had been frantically telling Z to pull back finally got through.
Meanwhile President Putin had maneuvered Erdogan who was to meet with Z, to talk big but remind Z that Minsk was the only option, and then he dutifully explained to Z it’s Minsk or nothing.
Z now has to go back to Kiev with his tail between his legs and face the Nazis. He may lose his Office, be arrested and jailed for Life or even lose his life. He is caught between the Nazis in Kiev and the Neocons in Washington and took his Marching Orders from them instead of the Neoliberals. I hope for his sake, his Bags are packed so he can flee on a moments notice.
So what have we got? A Power Struggle between the Neocon Never Trumpers and the Neoliberal Russiagaters over Foreign Policy with 3 years and 8 months of this to go.
Things don’t look very well at this time.
1. Cancellation of ships going into the Black Sea.
2. Withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Those things look good on the surface, but are they in reality preparations for battle? Seems suspicious to me. When has the US ever canceled freedom of navigation missions? Never! They’ve been in Afghanistan for 20 years. Why withdraw now? They would not have let Trump do this. Why let Biden?
3. And now, there are sanctions being brought against Russia.
That part sounds normal for the US.
4. On the other hand, the US is proposing that there be a summit of sorts.
That doesn’t sound normal. Is it a diversionary tactic for Russia to let down their guard right before everything flies apart? Or, a way to get physically close to Putin for evil reasons? It just doesn’t add up correctly to me.
Were I V.V.Putin I wouldn’t be going anywhere outside Russia in the foreseeable future. Claim Covid rights and tell the Hologram that a video-conference will be quite adequate, thank you……
The US is talking about new sanctions. The Kremlin refused to meed biden
@ hermes on April 15, 2021 at 12:41 am EST/EDT
No they just use other cowardly methods of sanctions and at the same time stop a meeting between President Putin and “Biden”:
https://tass.com/economy/1278203
“The US’ new anti-Russian sanctions will include restrictions linked with Russia’s sovereign debt, Reuters said on Thursday citing its sources.
According to Reuters, the new batch of sanctions is expected to be announced on Thursday. The New York Times said that President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order extending restrictions linked with Russia’s debt securities with US banks.
Thus, US institutions will be banned to buy debt securities of the Russian Central Bank, the Russian finance ministry, and its sovereign fund. The sanctions, according to the newspaper, will come into effect from June 14.
Both the White House, the US Department of State and Department of Justice were unavailable for comment……”
and Peskov’s media reply:
https://tass.com/politics/1278319
“Hypothetical US sanctions against Russia by no means promote preparations for a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Thursday.
“It goes without saying that possible sanctions being discussed would by no means promote such a meeting,” Peskov said in reply to a question…….”
As I have stated several times now, this is all informational/narrative/PR by the US – what they say and do are very different. Its like an addiction – if all else fails sanctions, sanctions, sanctions (all illegal to boot). Russia needs to keep its guard fully up.
“I hope that the people of the EU will liberate themselves from their current colonial status, and that they will regain at least a modicum of real sovereignty.”
The problem in doing so is that they have to relinquish the modus vivendi they enjoyed after WW2, which it is slowly degrading after the Reaganomics/Thatcherism. That is, a prosper, inclusive, compsumtion-based society based on a national, state-oriented economic strategy with huge need of labor.
Unlike in previous centuries, now they lack their own resources, they face industrial and technological competition from abroad, their local population is stagnating and their societies are culturally changing by immigrants. No way they could enjoy the privileged position from the previous 4 or 5 centuries, nor to become new empires that export their cultural acumen (language, traditions, etc).
As the backwagon of the US, they keep a filmsy hope that they could be the “beta males” of the World pack if the US prevails. That hope will be crushed by the continuous financial and social degradation of their societies, so I do not expect a “take of conciousness” before any traumatic event arrives (a financial collapse in London or Wall Street, for instance).
The historical parallel is the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Louis Napoleon whipped the French people into a war frenzy against Prussia and amazingly attacked Prussia. Prussian troops were marching through Paris shortly thereafter, and Louis Napoleon was hiding in London. Note that there are no questions of right or wrong in this scenario. I think Louis Napoleon was worried about something the Prussians were doing in Spain. He wasn’t trying to spread Democracy throughout the world, far from it. He just didn’t realize what he was doing. In other words, as right as the United States may be, as holy as its cause may be, it doesn’t matter if the military equation is wrong, a riff on how many divisions has the Pope. And also, without question, the Louis Napoleon of the current theater could be Vladimir. And could not.
We can imagine parallels between “biblical” history and the present. Putin would be Moses, the Russian people, the chosen people, and Crimea their attempt to flee from Egypt (America). Now Pharoah and his forces will come after the Israelites (Russians, particularly in Crimea and Donbas), but they will be utterly defeated, and the Red Sea will close in and drown them.From this viewpoint we can see that Russia’s absorption of Crimea is what the West hates most, but one can also contrast the two ideologies and their unmixable character (Russian thinking is an abomination to the West).