Putin's Recent Shift?

[Photo Guy]

This article has given me some hope. It appears that Putin has shifted a little bit from fantasyland to a more focused reality. As always, we have to read between the lines, the words of a dictator soaked in his own propaganda. I think this article exposes an interesting shift in his thinking.
I thank its author- Stephen Sestanovich

'...Moscow used to complain that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was the innocent victim of neo-Nazi mobs in Kiev. On Thursday Mr. Putin explained his ouster differently. Ukrainians had grown “sick and tired of poverty, stealing and the impudence of the authorities, their relentless greed and corruption.” This sort of misrule always generates populist anger. It happened in Russia in the 1990s—and now, Mr. Putin said, it has happened in Ukraine...     see article here:

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/04/21/from-putin-a-new-tune-on-ukraine/

[AC]

Wow!  180 degree turn there.  I heard a rumor he wants to "work with the USA" as well.  We can only hope so.

[Photo Guy]

Yeah- but I was just remembering his 'posturing' from last June when he said he would 'respect the results of the upcoming Presidential election'. Then he went on to send artillery to the separatists, etc. So he does have these quickly passing moments of sanity. We'll see how this year goes... I am hopeful.

[Boethius]

This article has given me some hope. It appears that Putin has shifted a little bit from fantasyland to a more focused reality. As always, we have to read between the lines, the words of a dictator soaked in his own propaganda. I think this article exposes an interesting shift in his thinking.
I thank its author- Stephen Sestanovich

'...Moscow used to complain that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was the innocent victim of neo-Nazi mobs in Kiev. On Thursday Mr. Putin explained his ouster differently. Ukrainians had grown “sick and tired of poverty, stealing and the impudence of the authorities, their relentless greed and corruption.” This sort of misrule always generates populist anger. It happened in Russia in the 1990s—and now, Mr. Putin said, it has happened in Ukraine...     see article here:

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/04/21/from-putin-a-new-tune-on-ukraine/

He has $100 billion reasons to make that turn.


So far, it is not backed up with less equipment/support for the terrorists.

[ML]

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev gave the first official estimate of the cost in a speech Tuesday. He said the decision to annex Crimea had sparked a crisis that turned out to be "more difficult" than even the most pessimistic expectations.

Western sanctions imposed over Crimea and Moscow's support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine had cost Russia $26.7 billion in 2014. This year, the costs could balloon to $80 billion, he said.

"There should be no illusions. Today we are faced not only with a short term crisis," Medvedev said.

The latest trade statistics show just how bad the situation has become. The value of Russia's foreign trade slumped 30% in the first two months of this year.

Russia's trade with its biggest partner, the European Union, fell by more than a third.

Moscow retaliated against European and U.S. sanctions by banning most Western food imports.

Overall, food imports fell 40% in January and February. But the move has backfired, pushing inflation up to nearly 17% in March -- the highest rate in 13 years.

Western sanctions left Russia even more vulnerable to last year's 50% plunge in oil prices.

Russia relies on oil and gas exports for roughly half of its government revenue. The value of its energy exports dropped by 40% in the first two months of 2015, and the government has already been forced to slash spending.

"Clearly, the economic consequences of the Crimea decision would be easier if our economy had not accumulated a number of internal problems, which we were not able to resolve in time," Medvedev said.

To counter soaring inflation, Russian interest rates have shot up to painful levels. And Russia's GDP is expected to shrink by as much as 5% in 2015.

President Vladimir Putin has tried to shrug off the the impact of Western sanctions. He has promised to find trading partners elsewhere -- particularly in Asia -- and forecast earlier this month that the Russian economy will be growing again in 2017.

But that's looking like wishful thinking. The only major trading partner to do more business with Russia so far this year is Japan.


http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/cnn-sanctions-will-cost-russia-more-than-100-billion-386767.html

[southernX]

putin is good at saying what he thinks people wish to hear on  any occasion


then proceeding on with his own agenda regardless of what he may have stated to the contrary or otherwise

that is kremlin style spin , nothing new ,

as the old saying goes, ''ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS ''

lets see what his actions continue to say about him and his gov agenda

SX

[AkMike]

Keep in mind that this is an op-ed piece.

[Belvis]

Putin's shift? 
Putin is persistent in reaching of his objectives. Another question, that jornalists attribute to him their own fantasies, falling under own propaganda. To understand this it is enough to read Putin's interviews and his talks, not what jornalists are writing about him.

Putin's perfomance in coming Victory Day (all faces are political persons in Russia and Novorussia):

[Muzh]

Hey, I can photoshop too. 

[Belvis]

Hey, I can photoshop too. 

Also your works? 

[sunandsail]

Wow!  180 degree turn there.  I heard a rumor he wants to "work with the USA" as well.  We can only hope so.

Oh... Yes.   Putin has decided to stop assassinating opposition members, and restore democratic elections to the Federal Assembly.     He will end the modern Pravda like media, allowing actual strong opposition media to naturally flourish.    He feels bad about invading the Ukraine and his boys shooting down the commercial airliner.   Maybe he can give Crimea back.

That's all I have time for now.   My pig needs his flying lesson.

[AC]

Oh... Yes.   Putin has decided to stop assassinating opposition members, and restore democratic elections to the Federal Assembly.     He will end the modern Pravda like media, allowing actual strong opposition media to naturally flourish.    He feels bad about invading the Ukraine and his boys shooting down the commercial airliner.   Maybe he can give Crimea back.

That's all I have time for now.   My pig needs his flying lesson.

 

[mendeleyev]

Look for a possible escalation of fighting in Eastern Ukraine. These boys are part of the 245 member advance intelligence unit of Russia's 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade. They took off from Novosibirsk, Russia and have reportedly landed in rebel held territory outside of Luhansk.  Of course, they are not really there--it is just a figment of the imagination, otherwise one might just smell a coming spring offensive to advance deeper into Ukraine.

Other units also belonging to this group include an engineering battalion and the 386th Tank Regiment.

[Donhollio]

 Looks like a big sausage party for the vacationing boys at those Azov seaside resorts.

[jone]

Oh... Yes.   Putin has decided to stop assassinating opposition members, and restore democratic elections to the Federal Assembly.     He will end the modern Pravda like media, allowing actual strong opposition media to naturally flourish.    He feels bad about invading the Ukraine and his boys shooting down the commercial airliner.   Maybe he can give Crimea back.

That's all I have time for now.   My pig needs his flying lesson.

Great post.  Keep 'em up. 

[BillyB]

Look for a possible escalation of fighting in Eastern Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia has substantially stepped up supplies to the rebels, as well as providing them with advanced training and equipment like drones, despite a cease-fire. Does anybody think Putin plans on wasting taxpayers money or these supplies are meant for something?


http://news.yahoo.com/nato-big-military-buildup-russia-ukraine-border-172933566.html

[AkMike]

Many expect a stepped up invasion about the time of the May Victory Day celebration.

[cc3]

Punishment for the Ukrainians to dare to de-sovietize...