‘Oleg Pulatov (Russian) - acquitted of all charges’.
I think we can safely assume this will be held up by the Russians as proof that the court proceedings were illegitimate.
i.e. He was the only one who had defence counsel.
Who really gives a fuck though anymore about what they have to say about anything.
There are arguments out there that the US and EU want the area to relocate manufacturing from China for obvious reasons. Its labelled a conspiracy theory but in reality its economic strategic decision making. Who knows. There are facts out there to support it and undermine it. Most manufacturing leaving China is going to India or Vietnam. Although there is already some development of this in Romania.
Its also ideological on the part of the EU but I think it will be the last foray East.
I know a lot of Polish migrants to the UK since their accession in 2004, they always told me they did not like Ukrainians and called them ‘criminal’; which renders the Polish state support for Ukraine a little at odds with the Polish people I have met. My suspicion is their support is more dislike and fear of the Russians and better to fight them now rather than later.
Its a complex situation but as we know money talks. There will be whole areas ripe for redevelopment in Ukraine after this $$$$$, and this is an undeniable fact.
Are your anecdotal experiences from before or after Maidan ?
After, just after, teaching in Ukr 2015, and Polish friends in UK 2016-2020, lost touch with them now.
The views passed on were views from PL people not the State.
This has been a common view so not surprised. Before Maidan, Ukraine was most commonly associated with robber baron oligarchy, cronyism and endemic corruption. Of course, after so few years, they struggle with this still, but there is no doubt that it has become much better as much of Western economic aid prior to full scale invasion was contingent on a lot of reforms.
Yes I knew of this, a close friend from Uni in the 90s was Ukrainian; when we talked of me going there he warned he would have to meet me. I must say criminality was still evident and obvious in 2015, gangs of men stood about outside shops with nothing to do. I was told they were likely Azeri, but places had a gangland feel.
Of course, that is just a year after the defeat at Ilovaisk to Russia where it’s then fragmented army got shattered and Maidan. It’s army was broken and police were getting mass fired, Ukraine was those days defended by oligarch militias and nationalist militias. It was a revolutionary time, most reforms had not been implemented nor even started. There was social anarchy during the first years. Very much has been done and changed since then.
But sure, they have still a long way to go. And much will have to get doen when peace comes.
Slava Ukraini
I do also know firsthand exploitation stories at the hands of the Russians and the entire country, has for years, been desperate to escape them.
This BBC Article on the blown gas lines gives indication that an attack on EU’s energy infrastructure would be a cause for war.
Who do we think below Nord Stream - a lot of people I have spoken to consider it was the West, to take away Putin’s bargaining?
If it was, then Putin didn’t really kick up much of a fuss about it.
I’m guessing this was to ready “blew nordstream”
I’m thinking it was the Russians. The disabling of Nordstream places a much bigger importance on the Soyuz and Brotherhood pipelines which flow through Ukraine, AND the other pipelines which flow from East to West. Leverages the ability for Russia to control the flow and who receives it.
Keeping the Germans (and the French) out of this war has been a key point for Russia, two largest economies in the EU have been largely silent in their support.
the west isn’t in the business of blowing up energy installations. That’s been Russia’s M.O.
He did if I remember, and blamed it on SBS, which might just be par for his course, but…
I always thought so too, but then shortly after, the line to Shetland went down, and was blamed on a trawler. I mean these are really testing series of events…
But then he blew the main line into Germany?
once you take a look at the methodology of how the line blew up (pig) and where it blew up (international waters) and how the pig got into the line (russia)…it’s pretty obvious conclusion.
the West isn’t going to sneak a pig into a major pipeline on the north sea, from the Russian side. that shit is nearly impossible to pull off. ever tried to break into a petroleum facility?
Oh right, thanks pal, didnt know this at all - its was blown internally then? So im with you 
Not but have recently started thinking about how to 
but will probably just go back to siphoning 
see the way the metal has been bent in the pipe here, from inside out.
but who knows what they’re actually letting us see. lots of material not being released, I think.
Yep had saw that - and could appear done by plasma cutter as well (?) - but had not ever heard about this pig theory.