It's an unfortunate reality that the missery of war tends to make the most unscrupolous opportunists rich, and that it more often than not goes unpunished. For instance the richest man from Norway – widely considered to be one of the least corrupt countries in the world – build his fortune by being a war profiteer shipping oil and ignoring sanctions, during the war between Iran and Irak during the early 80s. Now he has changed his citizenship to Cyprus to avoid having to pay taxes here...
When it comes to Russia's banks both Sberbank and VTB (the two largest ones by a far margin) are both sanctioned hard, as far as I'm aware? Also the international funds of the Russian central bank are still frozen, as far as I know? And all of them are shut out of SWIFT?
Even if I fully understand that the sanctions against Russia and contributions to Ukraine might seem insufficient, they are still unprecedented in history. Switzerland sanctioning Russia is pretty insane for instance, as they've been neutral for like 300 years, and didn't even sanction the nazis during the 2nd world war. Similarly countires like Sweden and Finland, that kept a very clear neutral stance during the cold war have turned on a dime, and Norway where I'm from changed the policy it's kept since the 2nd world war regarding only giving humanitarian aid. You also have countries like Luxemburg, a state with less than 1/4th of the pre-war population of Kyiv, shipping what they got of weapons to Ukraine. Germany reverting it's post-war policies by doubling it's military spending over night is maybe most surprising, as well as being willing to abandon nordstream 2. Basically all geopolitical pieces have been shaken and thrown up in the air, which is what Putin does – he's pretty much a geopolitical gambling addict, which is extremely dangerous, not just to Ukraine, but to the whole world.
To be clear, I don't think this is purly based on alturistic goals by NATO members. I actually think NATO leaders and members are well aware that the war needs to be won in Ukraine by Ukrainians, and that it shock them to the core just how deteriorated and inefficient the Russian military has become. This is because they know further attacks into NATO territory is inevitable if Russia were to gain control of Ukraine, and that in turn would lead to NATO troops massacring the Russian army – which pretty much is like hitting a fast forward button to nuclear escalation (compared to if it was more of a fair fight).
The steps taken by countries that were previously neutral are truly impressive and respectful. The list of sanctions is also unprecedented. I agree. But the point is that Russia circumvents sanctions, and it looks like one hands takes, another gives. Actually, ordinary people show their support more than officials in some countries.
Sberbank and Gazprombank are not disconnected from SWIFT. Banks transfer foreign assets of their clients to foreign brokers. Even disconnection from Visa/MC did not have the desired effect, because Russia had previously violated their requirements, and this was known. Russia's revenues from gas and oil sales are still high. Germany is taking steps under constant pressure.
I agree my post is very emotional, but it's because I crave peace for my country. And every hour I ask myself what else I can do where I can be most useful. For two months now I have not stopped thinking about it. I read every day about new agreements and achievements, but I'm not even sure if the end of the war is near. It makes me desperate. The pain that I feel when I see my city, my country in fragments, in rubble, in anti-tank ditches and trenches, when I hear stories I can't share with anyone, is unimaginable. I sincerely do not wish anyone, anywherer to know it, ever .
Here, another detailed post how international business is arming the Russian army. You can use google translate.
https://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2022/04/22/686100/
Nick sent me a video tonight about Thales and their system on tanks and what did it do to a car with civilians in Bucha.
Thanks, I will check it out. The arms industry is a dirty, dirty business – so unfortunately I would not be surprised at all to see some trying to profit from both sides of the conflict, if they get a chance. 🙁
Nothing wrong about being emotional, especially when you're in the middle of it. Feeling pain, desperation, hate, and powerlessness doesn't mean any of those emotions defines who you are or how you need to act – even if it feels like it's going to stay that way for a very long time. You seem to be well aware of that at some deep level though.
I truly think it's extremely impressive how well you seem to handle the situation you are in. If I didn't think so, I would probably have tried to word my last comment a bit more carefully, as it's a fine balance to strike – discussing geopolitics and big picture stuff can understandably seem extremely cold, callous, and removed from reality, when you're confronted with the immediate horrors that's happening in Ukraine right now. To be honest I wouldn't have blamed you at all if you answered my last comment way more aggressively than you did.
I will have to check out how the SWIFT diconnection for Sberbank and Gazprombank have (not) been working more closely. You are completely correct that there are a lot of different interests at play – and you will always have individuals, companies, investors, politicians, and criminal networks, not just in Russia, but also in the West, that will take advantage of the war and larger scale consequences of it. The world is a messy place, and humans are even more messy... 😕
Thanks for the heads-up, and hope everything goes well with your recovery after the operation! Greet Nick when you get a chance, and wish him all the best as well! 🙂
PS. Spring flowers are blooming here in Norway as well now! 🌸
Thank you for all you've said.
The war exposed so much that I was not interested in before, I did not want to be upset once again. I said to myself - can I influence the situation? And now I just have no choice.
You are doing an amazing job and I think you have a larger impact than you might realize yet. Just through your blog posts and collaberation with hivebuzz, you are doing more than anyone could expect from you. I just hope you manage to take care of yourself as well – self-preservance is not a cirme. 🙂