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. 🙂