“Survive this transition, and Putin can drag the war into another grinding year. Fail, and the entire system implodes under its own contradictions. The mathematics are stark: only sustained Western pressure can guarantee Russia's economic collapse.”
Well said Shankar!
My fear is Trump is dragging Europe into a recession which could change the equation immensely; which may be the point of Trump’s tariffs.
Not to mention, we may be headed towards stagflation, which could also send markets crashing. Trump is the wildcard, and he’s like Kratos; the destroyer of worlds, or in our case, the Destroyer of Democracy and our economy;‘and his Putin’s best weapon against the West! IMHO…:)
So, trump will give Russia two weeks to decide if he needs to act, and then; he’ll give them just two weeks for bad things to happen, and then, he’ll make a decision in two weeks…, etc.
The facts, and implications of those facts, described in this piece are surely known by the Administration. But response of our quixotic President is unlikely be any action that would be adverse to Putin.
Of course they know & like everything else this administration is doing, it is deeply disturbing & destructive! Quixotic is the wrong word to use for trump -- more like evil.
But Europe needs to find a stronger spine to enforce sanctions. Will it do so? The US is now abandoning sanctions de facto which helps offset what Europe does. In some ways, let Putin drive his economy further into the ditch. He is already doing a fine job of that and then unleash a flock of flamingos 🦩 to do what oil sanctions have not done.
So Ukraine is doing its part by bombing oil/gas infrastructure which should have some meaningful impact on domestic and military supply chains. I’m curious how impactful this is to the economic calculus?
Thank you for the latest economic picture. Here we are—Another waiting game. Trump has been behaving strangely even for Trump in the last few days. Again, wait and see.
Could Putin bankrupt a few more oligarchs for some spare change?
Do you think the EU has significantly can’t sway with Trump.
I would disagree that Putin and Russia aren’t doomed. I think they are and the internal pressures are rising as they did when Russian mothers demanded that their remaining sons come home. And only 20,000 or so Russian soldiers died in Afghanistan.
There are also so many oligarchs to threaten and extort as many have already removed their money out of the country. Although Putin’s long arm can reach anywhere as we have seen. But the men who loyally follow his commands to help people out of eighth story windows may reach a point of feeling capable of helping into a long term “dictator’s retirement.”
Just as Russia’s history as the force behind the USSR collapsed as the world moved faster and became more integrated, so too will Putin’s attempt to recreate Czarist Russia.
“Survive this transition, and Putin can drag the war into another grinding year. Fail, and the entire system implodes under its own contradictions. The mathematics are stark: only sustained Western pressure can guarantee Russia's economic collapse.”
Well said Shankar!
My fear is Trump is dragging Europe into a recession which could change the equation immensely; which may be the point of Trump’s tariffs.
Not to mention, we may be headed towards stagflation, which could also send markets crashing. Trump is the wildcard, and he’s like Kratos; the destroyer of worlds, or in our case, the Destroyer of Democracy and our economy;‘and his Putin’s best weapon against the West! IMHO…:)
So, trump will give Russia two weeks to decide if he needs to act, and then; he’ll give them just two weeks for bad things to happen, and then, he’ll make a decision in two weeks…, etc.
And that decision will be to extend more time for Putin to agree to a ceasefire for which he already said no! It’s an exercise in futility.
Trump is Putin’s most cherished marionette!…:)
Two week Donnie!🥵
Also pronounced; “Too weak, Donnie”.
Which, of course, rhymes with; “Poo speak, Donnie”.
And; “Who reeks?…, Donnie ! “
How about Donnie Dotard; it has a nice ring to it…:)
I think Kim Jong Un came up with that one first!
TACO
The facts, and implications of those facts, described in this piece are surely known by the Administration. But response of our quixotic President is unlikely be any action that would be adverse to Putin.
Of course they know & like everything else this administration is doing, it is deeply disturbing & destructive! Quixotic is the wrong word to use for trump -- more like evil.
But Europe needs to find a stronger spine to enforce sanctions. Will it do so? The US is now abandoning sanctions de facto which helps offset what Europe does. In some ways, let Putin drive his economy further into the ditch. He is already doing a fine job of that and then unleash a flock of flamingos 🦩 to do what oil sanctions have not done.
Thank you Shankar. "Let's Protect Democracies Together", We Must!
Proud of PM Carney demonstrating Canada’s commitment again.
Shankar tellin’ it like it is!
So Ukraine is doing its part by bombing oil/gas infrastructure which should have some meaningful impact on domestic and military supply chains. I’m curious how impactful this is to the economic calculus?
Time to throw everything at them Zelenskyy.
Not yet.
TACO
Thank you for the latest economic picture. Here we are—Another waiting game. Trump has been behaving strangely even for Trump in the last few days. Again, wait and see.
Could Putin bankrupt a few more oligarchs for some spare change?
Do you think the EU has significantly can’t sway with Trump.
Nice job, Ukraine! Keep up the good work!
I would disagree that Putin and Russia aren’t doomed. I think they are and the internal pressures are rising as they did when Russian mothers demanded that their remaining sons come home. And only 20,000 or so Russian soldiers died in Afghanistan.
There are also so many oligarchs to threaten and extort as many have already removed their money out of the country. Although Putin’s long arm can reach anywhere as we have seen. But the men who loyally follow his commands to help people out of eighth story windows may reach a point of feeling capable of helping into a long term “dictator’s retirement.”
Just as Russia’s history as the force behind the USSR collapsed as the world moved faster and became more integrated, so too will Putin’s attempt to recreate Czarist Russia.