Russia is in a vulnerable position with its economy tanking since 2014, a birth rate that has been tumbling (the population of 0-3 year olds is expected to fall to 5 million by 2026, from 7.5 million in 2016), growing disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest, and a nuclear arsenal that is deteriorating. They have been trying over the last few years to increasingly move away from a reliance on imports, have been offering financial incentives for parents to have children and have been investing heavily in cyber warfare. I think Putin has been preparing for this moment over the last decade as has seen the COVID-19 crisis as possibly his last chance to try and get leverage and restore Russia as a major power while countries are suffering their own problems.

With interest rates now doubled to 20% in Russia today and record rates of inflation projected will Putin be able to retain the trust of his loyal circle? Will China maintain its position of neutrality if it perceives that Putin threatens it's own country's development?

I'm currently writing about Russia's fashion industry for work, but I'm not allowed to discuss the situation in Ukraine for the time being. I don't really know much about the political situation, but I can say that the economic situation was bleak before COVID, got worse after COVID and looks monumentally sh*t now. It will become a lot harder for Putin to get people to toe the line when they can't afford basic essentials.

Nothing but Soviet Propaganda IMO!!

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Red and Blue pills, how Kobayashi Maru.

I didn't say I agreed. I believe in free speech, a bit like HOL on a smaller scale, the absurdity of some positions is only highlighted by the more they post.

However, I don't believe any comms access would be reciprocated, but banning RT does give an easy excuse.

Edited by Grumbles (28 Feb 2022 12.28pm)

I agree Wisbech.
At least we sort of know that China wants to run/own the world rather than blow it up!
It really is all rather worrying at the moment and the powers that be must look back to see how on earth they allowed things to get into the state that they are currently in.