So Russia is a bit screwed then

[Chim]

Looks like the yanks are winning at poker with Russia, 100 Billion a year down on oil revenues due to the Americans ensuring that their back pocket buddies in the middle east keep the oil taps on full ensuring that the barrel price stays low. Add to this a further 40 billion in sanctions cost, at this rate Putin will be lucky to be able to afford a Lego submarine let alone a new fleet for the baltic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30174650

"Vladimir Putin has said that Russia could suffer "catastrophic consequences" from sanctions, the falling oil price and the sliding rouble, while claiming they would have knock-on effects for other countries."

[StangGT]

Just what the world needs... A de-stabilised, desperate Russia...

[loafer123]

If they stop nicking bits of their neighbours, it wouldn't happen.

[Octoposse]

loafer123 said:

If they stop nicking bits of their neighbours, it wouldn't happen.

You've stumbled upon the perfect recipe for world peace . . . no need for engagement, negotiation, or political solutions . . . we just rely on everyone else shutting up and doing as they're told.

Also reassuring to know that the US has so few balls in the air at the moment that picking a fight with Russia seems like a good idea.

[Derek Smith]

StangGT said:

Just what the world needs... A de-stabilised, desperate Russia...

You are spot on there I'm afraid. Sleeping dogs and all that.

[robm3]

But Russia does have it's 'EU Gas Supply' Chip in it's back pocket.

Oh and they've hit back by shutting down a handful of Subway and McDonald franchises (owned by Russians though I read).

[Gogoplata]

Time for Russia to bring out their space weapons in retaliation to the sanctions!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/is-russia-...

[Mastodon2]

Such a backwards country, with their thirst for power, they were so desperate to snatch land from Ukraine, looks like they're paying for it now. Putin's short-sightedness and urge to posture on the global stage will cost Russia dearly.

[Terminator X]

The new Cold War, economic Armageddon?

TX.

[wc98]

Mastodon2 said:

Such a backwards country, with their thirst for power, they were so desperate to snatch land from Ukraine, looks like they're paying for it now. Putin's short-sightedness and urge to posture on the global stage will cost Russia dearly.

i thought you wete talking of america until you mentioned ukraine . no different to what the yanks did to cuba when the cubans entertained the idea of hosting russian nukes.

[Stevanos]

Terminator X said:

The new Cold War, economic Armageddon?

TX.

Russia's GDP is about (was) the same as Itlay! I would not lose much sleep.

[williamp]

If putin thinks its bad now, wait until 2015 and he has to deal with ed Milliband as pm...

[MKnight702]

Can anyone tell me if Putin will make the distinction between attacking a sovereign nation economically or physically? And if he can't retaliate economically then guess which option he has left..

[grumbledoak]

MKnight702 said:

Can anyone tell me if Putin will make the distinction between attacking a sovereign nation economically or physically? And if he can't retaliate economically then guess which option he has left..

What do you think he did in the Crimea and is doing in Ukraine? We cannot be leaving him with only one option when he is already doing it by choice.

[Hoofy]

williamp said:

If putin thinks its bad now, wait until 2015 and he has to deal with ed Milliband as pm...

Maybe Putin will recruit Klass as an advisor.

[Countdown]

Mastodon2 said:

Such a backwards country, with their thirst for power,

I think you'll find that applies to all 3 of the current superpowers. It's just that we in the UK seem to be more accepting of the US PR bullst.

[turbobloke]

Countdown said:

Mastodon2 said:

Such a backwards country, with their thirst for power,

I think you'll find that applies to all 3 of the current superpowers. It's just that we in the UK seem to be more accepting of the US PR bullst.

That's hardly surprising when the US President is a saint in waiting who can do no wrong, he doesn't ride horses bare-chested for one thing.

http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?ac...

[superkartracer]

Chim said:

Looks like the yanks are winning at poker with Russia,

Nope

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/11/20/...

[skyrover]

The falling price of oil is due to a the price war between Opec and the US.

Essentially it costs more the extract oil in the US than in traditional oil producing countries, so they are driving down the price to make US production less viable.

Opec can afford less for it's oil... the US not so much and Russia, definitely not.

[Tallow]

Hoofy said:

williamp said:

If putin thinks its bad now, wait until 2015 and he has to deal with ed Milliband as pm...

Maybe Putin will recruit Klass as an advisor.

I don't think she's got any political experience really, but it's got to be worth a shot