EU Tightens Sanctions Against Russia

[Toro]

Europe is finally coming around to dealing with Russia, as they should.

Days after the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, as the remains of some victims still lay strewn over Ukrainian farmland, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier tried to reach his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in a bid to calm the crisis. The response from Mr. Lavrov's office, according to several people familiar with the matter: The minister was on a rafting trip.

It was part of a stream of frustrating episodes that helped push European diplomats to do the once-unthinkable: endorse damaging economic sanctions against their giant neighbor to the east.

After months of exhaustive efforts by Mr. Steinmeier and others to show understanding for Kremlin concerns and bring pro-Russia separatists to the negotiating table, European diplomats decided Tuesday that they had no option but to make good on their threats to punish Russia's already fragile economy.

They agreed, for the first time, on measures to target sectors of the Russian economy rather than, as before, hitting individuals deemed to be destabilizing Ukraine or specific companies linked with them. The sanctions will target four economic sectors: finance, dual-use equipment with possible military applications, arms and oil-production equipment. ...

But what appeared to catch [German officials] by surprise was the Kremlin's response. The crash of Flight 17, rather than pulling Mr. Putin and the rebels to the negotiating table, instead appeared to spur them to dig in. Top officials in Brussels and Berlin grew furious, not simply because the plane was shot down but because Moscow didn't appear to be making a good-faith effort to help investigate the crash. ...

Images of separatists appearing to treat victims' belongings disrespectfully added political pressure, changing the mood of a public that had been skeptical of escalating Europe's confrontation with Russia. Officials looked askance at what they considered to be propaganda about the crash coming from Russia. ...

"There was a growing sense that they showed no remorse, that they kept lying and that Putin betrayed all those with whom he was in contact," another EU foreign minister said.

EU Sanctions Mark Shift From Go-Slow Approach With Moscow - WSJ

 

[Mad Scientist]

Can't read the link from WSJ without logging in.

Just remember, the EU is nothing without Germany.

JIM WILLIE BOMBSHELL: IT HAS BEGUN- GERMANY TO BREAK FROM US/UK, JOIN RUSSIA/CHINA ALLIANCE! | Max Keiser

 

[Vikrant]

Merkel and Putin are negotiating deal to end the Ukrainian crisis.

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Land for gas: Merkel and Putin discussed secret deal could end Ukraine crisis - Europe - World - The Independent

 

[Vorskla]

Sanctions against Russia do not really matter to Putin. All he is going to do is strengthen his relationship with China even more (on top of their somewhat resent military agreement). Europe is a lot more dependent on Russia than Russia is on Europe.

 

[Toro]

Russia sucks.

FIFA should pull the World Cup in 2018 and give it to the US.

 

[R.C. Christian]

What a bunch of dumb fucks.

 

[Toro]

Germans blame Russia for the hostilities in the Ukraine.

Germans Back Tougher Stance Toward Russia Over Ukraine -- Poll - WSJ

 

[R.C. Christian]

Blah, blah, blah. If you're basing your these ridiculous sanctions on the premise that Putin's buddies shot that plane down then the fact is you have no proof.

It's going to be cold winter in Europe.

 

[Alex_Gross]

Hey guys!I have watched the news this morning at channel choose.tv/france24-en The latest news: Norway, which is not part of the EU, decided to join sanctions that the European Union has imposed on Russia.

 

[B. Kidd]

Sanctions against Russia do not really matter to Putin. All he is going to do is strengthen his relationship with China even more (on top of their somewhat resent military agreement). Europe is a lot more dependent on Russia than Russia is on Europe.

You mean, like this?................

Russia-China Launch Biggest Central Asian Military Drill, Testing Surface-To-Air Missiles | Zero Hedge

 

[Camp]

You mean, like this?................

Russia-China Launch Biggest Central Asian Military Drill, Testing Surface-To-Air Missiles | Zero Hedge

Two dozen aircraft and seven thousand troops doesn't seem like such a big military drill.

 

[Camp]

Russia is being hurt by the sanctions. Putin's decision to strike back with his own sanctions against against the west have backfired. Food prices in Russia are increasing at alarming rates and angering the important Russian middle class. Add to his problems the decreasing price of oil, and the Russian treasury is facing serious problems. Germany is not only standing strong on the sanctions, but just yesterday Merkel has vowed to protect the Baltic's with German and NATO forces.

 

[B. Kidd]

Yet, Russia has very little debt, has real resources comparable to the U.S., and their people are more unified than ever. Draw your own conclusion as to who is postured better in the world right now.

 

[boedicca]

If the U.S. had rational leadership, we'd ramp up energy production in order to export to the EU...and take market share away from Russia.

 

[B. Kidd]

If the U.S. had rational leadership, we'd ramp up energy production in order to export to the EU...and take market share away from Russia.

We could still start. With a 'put a man on the moon' effort, we could affect market share significantly in 5 years.

 

[boedicca]

We could still start. With a 'put a man on the moon' effort, we could affect market share significantly in 5 years.

Yes, we could...if Obama weren't President.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Russia sucks.

FIFA should pull the World Cup in 2018 and give it to the US.

^ This!!

 

[CrusaderFrank]

We could still start. With a 'put a man on the moon' effort, we could affect market share significantly in 5 years.

You didn't build that!

 

[Toro]

Yet, Russia has very little debt, has real resources comparable to the U.S., and their people are more unified than ever. Draw your own conclusion as to who is postured better in the world right now.

lol