Putin: what exactly is he playing at?

[Brighton TID]

Vladimir Putin has stationed four warships close to Australian waters before the G20 leaders’ meeting of the most powerful world economies in Brisbane starts today. The President’s show of naval muscle comes at a time when Russia has drawn global criticism for its intervention in Ukraine, where it is still reportedly sending tanks, artillery and troops.

What is he playing at people? All this military posturing, air space violations and the sub in Sweden. Was he bullied as a kid?

 

[Brighton TID]

It's presumably a symbolic statement that Putin's Russia won't give in to Western intimidation.

The hypocrisy of leaders at this G20 is hilarious.

"Barack Obama says Asia's security must not be based on intimidation, where big nations bully small ones."

Mr Cameron said: "What we need to see is Russia respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the right of this country to choose its own future."

Because the US and UK definitely don't bully small nations and absolutely respect the right of [Middle Eastern] countries to choose their own futures, don't they.

Point taken, but other leaders don't feel the need to pitch up in full frontal military vessels. They use cars and planes.

 

[beorhthelm]

he's showing folks back home that Russia is taken as a serious threat. a few old 1970's ships arent going to be of genuine military concern, its just for public consumption. the western press get flustered about it and the Russian press relay that back. looks good at a time when oil price falls and sanctions means Russia's economy is looking very shaky.

 

[Albion Dan]

he's showing folks back home that Russia is taken as a serious threat. a few old 1970's ships arent going to be of genuine military concern, its just for public consumption. the western press get flustered about it and the Russian press relay that back. looks good at a time when oil price falls and sanctions means Russia's economy is looking very shaky.

You think Russia doesn't have the very latest technology and naval capabilities? Okaaaay....

 

[The Birdman]

We should be working together and try for the greater good of this world and working together to explore space as one day this planet may need to be vacated as we will have no resources left whatever the greens say. Oh that includes China as well and any other country. However I'll be long gone pushing up daisy but that a selfish attitude.

 

[severnside gull]

Empire building

 

[beorhthelm]

You think Russia doesn't have the very latest technology and naval capabilities? Okaaaay....

their fleet is made of 1970's designs, built in the 1980's, with weapon systems similar. im sure they are very capable, and more than a match for Aussies', but if shooting started i'd back the US 7th fleet stepping in to help out their allies.

incidently, looking it up only 2 of the 4 ships are even offensive capabilities, the others are a tug boat and supply ship. thats because its posturing and sending 4 ships sounds better than 2.

 

[dingodan]

Transcript:

http://valdaiclub.com/valdai_club/73300.html

 

[DumLum]

We should be working together and try for the greater good of this world and working together to explore space as one day this planet may need to be vacated as we will have no resources left whatever the greens say. Oh that includes China as well and any other country. However I'll be long gone pushing up daisy but that a selfish attitude.

I'm no leftie but I cringe when I hear the Americans say they "won" the cold war. Maybe starting to reap what they sowed here?

 

[London Irish]

Vladimir Putin has stationed four warships close to Australian waters before the G20 leaders’ meeting of the most powerful world economies in Brisbane starts today. The President’s show of naval muscle comes at a time when Russia has drawn global criticism for its intervention in Ukraine, where it is still reportedly sending tanks, artillery and troops.

What is he playing at people? All this military posturing, air space violations and the sub in Sweden. Was he bullied as a kid?

You are kidding right? Who has intervened more around the world causing chaos and destruction, the west or Putin? Get real

 

[GT49er]

Putin unable to accept that Russia is not the same as the old Soviet Union - worried that parts of the old USSR might actually join the EU, so posturing aggressively (and dangerously). Definitely cause for concern.

 

[London Irish]

Putin unable to accept that Russia is not the same as the old Soviet Union - worried that parts of the old USSR might actually join the EU, so posturing aggressively (and dangerously). Definitely cause for concern.

I think it's the NATO joining that the Russian people are more worried about, which is why Putin has 80 per cent approval ratings in Russia - don't think even Farage gets that among his old work colleagues in the Surrey stockbroker belt.

Take a look at where the borders of the Nato military alliance was 15 years ago and where it is today.

 

[lawros left foot]

Im very confused about the Ukraine, originally, a democratically elected government was over thrown by a mob, and according to us and the Yanks, that was Okay, , I always thought we stood up for democracy, or is some democracy more democratic than others?

 

[GreersElbow]

It's presumably a symbolic statement that Putin's Russia won't give in to Western intimidation.

The hypocrisy of leaders at this G20 is hilarious.

"Barack Obama says Asia's security must not be based on intimidation, where big nations bully small ones."

Mr Cameron said: "What we need to see is Russia respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the right of this country to choose its own future."

Because the US and UK definitely don't bully small nations and absolutely respect the right of [Middle Eastern] countries to choose their own futures, don't they.

As deluded as ever. You're also missing the hypocrisy of Putin; but ignore him because he's standing up to the West! Despite his neo-Tsarist political aims.

Im very confused about the Ukraine, originally, a democratically elected government was over thrown by a mob, and according to us and the Yanks, that was Okay, , I always thought we stood up for democracy, or is some democracy more democratic than others?

You actually think that's the case and as simple as that? Yanukovych wasn't just lining his pockets with Russian money and allowing the Russians to determine policy directions. When the vast majority of Ukraine wanted closer economic ties to the EU, Yanukovych ignored these pleas and sided with the Russians. 'Mob' was a popular movement, that was then fired upon by alleged 'Ukrainian' police officers when they tried occupying administrative buildings.

Yes, some states are more democratic than others, surely that's obvious when you compare our democracy to Switzerland?

he's showing folks back home that Russia is taken as a serious threat. a few old 1970's ships arent going to be of genuine military concern, its just for public consumption. the western press get flustered about it and the Russian press relay that back. looks good at a time when oil price falls and sanctions means Russia's economy is looking very shaky.

Uh...they've been rapidly expanding their military capabilities... http://www.themoscowtimes.com/busin...-crowds-out-civilian-shipbuilding/510143.html http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/14/russia-spends-more-wealth-arms-us-2013

They've been gearing up and pinching technology from the West. Reformations of military divisions also, traditionally, they'd send in as many troops as possible. In 2008, the war against Georgia saw a rapid reaction force with less than 30,000 troops. Their formation was similar to how the U.S set their invasion force for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Economy will be fine, sanctions no longer doing a lot; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27503017 This deal is huge, helps line the Government's pockets for a while longer.
Russia has been very clever with how they've handled the sanctions, it must be said though. How inflation will effect Russia...

I think it's the NATO joining that the Russian people are more worried about, which is why Putin has 80 per cent approval ratings in Russia - don't think even Farage gets that among his old work colleagues in the Surrey stockbroker belt.

Take a look at where the borders of the Nato military alliance was 15 years ago and where it is today.

And why do those ex-USSR states want to join NATO.

Russia's over bearing nature and contempt for its neighbours is the reason why NATO is often necessary in the eyes of Baltic States. Hence why Georgia is desperate to join NATO; when they don't want to do what Russia wants, Russia arms South Ossettian rebels. Like they did between 2006-08 which lead to the Russo-Georgian war...

If anyone thinks Russian aggression is because of NATO, then they're really missing the point. Russia has always had an expansionist foreign policy, that was the same during the Russian Empire, USSR and Russian Federation. If you don't think that's the case then read about Aleksandr Dugin, head of Sociology and International Relations at Moscow State University. Former member of National Bolshevik Party, founder of Neo-Tsarist and expansionist group Eurasian Youth Movement, founder of the '4th Political Theory' believer in Russian supremacy and adviser to Putin. Putin, is of course, less radical than Dugin.

 

[Prince Monolulu]

 

[vegster]

I think that behind all this is the fact that Vladimir has a small penis.

 

[BadFish]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-polit...-putin-over-mh17-tragedy-20141013-115cm3.html

"You bet you are, um... you bet I am"

Don't worry Tony's got it.

 

[vegster]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-polit...-putin-over-mh17-tragedy-20141013-115cm3.html

"You bet you are, um... you bet I am"

Don't worry Tony's got it.

Abbot's point is valid, there is no way that the missiles that brought down the Malaysian Airways flight were fired by a Pro Russia paramilitary thug on his own.

 

[BadFish]

Abbot's point is valid, there is no way that the missiles that brought down the Malaysian Airways flight were fired by a Pro Russia paramilitary thug on his own.

Yes his point is valid, His decision to threaten (just about anyway) to "shirtfront" and his ability to back this up are questionable.

 

[vegster]

Yes his point is valid, His decision to threaten (just about anyway) to "shirtfront" and his ability to back this up are questionable.

I think that the threat is not to be taken seriously despite how maybe it would be lovely for Putin to take one on the nose. His point is that he would aggressively challenge on the issue and not be afraid of asking the questions that are going to get Putin squirming.