Are the Russians really trying to sell this ‘de-escalation’ around Kiev as some sort of goodwill gesture ? Only a fool would believe this is anything other than a tactical withdrawal
if this is true, i’m surprised that so many Ukrainians go to Russia looking for work
there are also large numbers of Ukrainians working in Poland
Maybe fake maybe real, hilarious 
Or, they could have a pair of Levis.
Anyone know what they’re like with chandeliers?
What does this human factor even mean, vodka and cigarettes???
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Yes, this is what is happening now. Negotiations already underway with the Emirates. Lots of deals that I won’t like will have to be made because it is a situation in extremis.
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Agree.
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This is true. I can only agree and I think I know now without reading the rest of the bullet points where this is going.
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I think gas is the main issue far more than oil, but fair enough. I note that India imports currently 2 percent of oil from Russia. There is more than enough oil though. We won’t see significant oil shortages yet, and if we do, OPEC can increase supplies.
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The sanctions on Iran are lifted not only because of this situation with Russia and Ukraine but because of the Nuclear negotiations. The sanctions on Iran were and are, also completely different. Iran is not waging agressive imperial war against a neighbour, at all. I don’t see this as a valid comparison. What Russia is doing is unique and it is territorial conquest. It is the most basic of the Do Nots in International Law.
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See Germany 1930’s. Countries were willing to go far to prevent break down in relations and trade, as well as to keep the peace and avert the outbreak of destructive war. It is the same issue, no one in Western Europe nor the United States listened to eastern european countries, no one thought Russia would launch a full scale invasion. You are wrong though, sanctions were imposed on the Russian Federation after Crimea. Just not very forceful ones, because sanctions are as you know damaging to everyone and as stated, no one thought Russia would go further than Crimea and establishing a frozen conflict in Donbas to prevent Ukrainian recovery and integration with the West. I remember well, because I followed events in Ukraine and also, personally here in Norway, the Norwegian krone dropped and the global oil price dropped due to those sanctions back in 2014. Those sanctions are still in effect by the way. However, these sanctions are obviously another ball game, this is a serious attempt to dramatically change Russia’s calculus for the future and act as a very strong deterrent to further imperial adventures in that it shows the will to sacrifice which have surprise Russia to say the least.
I still blame India for not condemning Russia. Nothing you said above will alter that. Russia needs India, India could go much further and stop protecting Russia. Russia today is desperate for partners. I believe there is no room for neutrality in this conflict, it is far too significant. If one is neutral, one accepts what Russia is doing by default and so should be criticised.
Well, they are at war, so if it’s a worthy target and Ukraine has Tocha in reach, they are free to bomb it.
If tocha, Russia will not admit that anyway. Ukraine is not supposed to be able to penetrate their air space this late into the war.
I wondered about this aspect with regard to the video allegedly showing Ukrainians abusing Russian POWs. Would Russian state media be in two minds about broadcasting it? Sure, it (allegedly) shows Ukrainians in a bad light but equally it would be admitting that Russian soldiers are getting captured by Ukrainian forces.