Countdown to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Evening Standard

PM: ‘All of Europe’ threatened by Putin’s shelling of nuclear power station​

Alana Calvert 41 mins ago
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Evening Standard

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russia’s shelling of a nuclear power station in the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia could “directly threaten the safety of all of Europe”.
Boris Johnson visit to Poland and Estonia
© PA Wire Boris Johnson visit to Poland and Estonia
One of the power station’s – the largest in Europe – six reactors caught fire after it was attacked by Russia. While the reactor is under renovation, according to the power plant’s spokesman, it still contains nuclear fuel.
In an early morning phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Mr Johnson vowed to seek an emergency UN Security Council meeting in a bid for a ceasefire.
Downing Street called the situation in Zaporizhzhia “gravely concerning”.
In a statement sent to PA News Agency, a spokeswoman for the PM’s office said: “Both leaders agreed that Russia must immediately cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant.
“The Prime Minister said the reckless actions of President Putin could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe. He said the UK would do everything it could to ensure the situation did not deteriorate further.
“The Prime Minister said he would be seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting in the coming hours, and that the UK would raise this issue immediately with Russia and close partners.
“Both leaders agreed a ceasefire was crucial
 

Zelensky on Telegram
We are fighting against a powerful enemy that outnumbers us. Which surpasses us in the amount of equipment. But which is thousands of light years away from normal people who have dignity.

We experienced a night that could have stopped the history of Ukraine and Europe. Russian troops attacked the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant
 

China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank freezes Russia lending

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) said on Thursday it has put all activities relating to Russia and Belarus on hold and under review in the wake of the current conflict in Ukraine.

The Beijing headquarted AIIB said in a statement that its management would do its utmost to safeguard the financial integrity of AIIB, against the backdrop of the evolving economic and financial situation.

"Under these circumstances, and in the best interests of the Bank, Management has decided that all activities relating to Russia and Belarus are on hold and under review."

https://www.reuters.com/world/china...tment-bank-freezes-russia-lending-2022-03-03/
 
Jackie23 said:
China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank freezes Russia lending

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) said on Thursday it has put all activities relating to Russia and Belarus on hold and under review in the wake of the current conflict in Ukraine.

The Beijing headquarted AIIB said in a statement that its management would do its utmost to safeguard the financial integrity of AIIB, against the backdrop of the evolving economic and financial situation.

"Under these circumstances, and in the best interests of the Bank, Management has decided that all activities relating to Russia and Belarus are on hold and under review."

https://www.reuters.com/world/china...tment-bank-freezes-russia-lending-2022-03-03/
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Huh. I wonder if that's a lie. I figured Putin was counting on China to be his back door to financial sanctions, and that Xi agreed to move and secure his money.
 
ElCastor said:
our purchase of Russian oil -- a purchase in which it seems fair to assume that our billions are aiding Putin in the destruction of Ukraine.
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It would appear that Russian Oil (Urals) is now at a very steep discount, as traders/shippers etc, worry about sanctions and getting caught with quantities of Russian oil, that no one wants. This is also driving up Brent and WTI.

There also seems to be a worry, that Russia will start slowing Natural Gas, as EU and UK futures prices have shot through last fall's highs. One year ago those prices (converted to USD and MBTU energy) was about $5 for EU and UK. Currently sitting in the $65 range after staying mostly in the $25~$30 range after falling back from previous high of last fall. For reference the US Natural Gas futures price has doubled since last year to $5. Note: futures are generally referred to nearby or following month, which currently indicate traders anticipating a possible cut-off or restricting flow... and are trying to get their share before something happens.

There are a myriad of potential worries, imo.
 
Harry Le Hermit said:
It would appear that Russian Oil (Urals) is now at a very steep discount, as traders/shippers etc, worry about sanctions and getting caught with quantities of Russian oil, that no one wants. This is also driving up Brent and WTI.

There also seems to be a worry, that Russia will start slowing Natural Gas, as EU and UK futures prices have shot through last fall's highs. One year ago those prices (converted to USD and MBTU energy) was about $5 for EU and UK. Currently sitting in the $65 range after staying mostly in the $25~$30 range after falling back from previous high of last fall. For reference the US Natural Gas futures price has doubled since last year to $5. Note: futures are generally referred to nearby or following month, which currently indicate traders anticipating a possible cut-off or restricting flow... and are trying to get their share before something happens.

There are a myriad of potential worries, imo.
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Perhaps its time to reconsider recent restrictions on the domestic production of oil, natural gas, and fracking. We've been talking about replacing our ancient gas furnace. Maybe it's time to go electric -- ehh, probably not.
 
ElCastor said:
Perhaps its time to reconsider recent restrictions on the domestic production of oil, natural gas, and fracking. We've been talking about replacing our ancient gas furnace. Maybe it's time to go electric -- ehh, probably not.
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You can drive a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. A lot of the restrictions are at the state level and is widely approved in those states... especially in the Northeast. I suppose the federal government could step in and force them to lift those restrictions. :ROFLMAO:

There are much more efficient gas furnaces on the market, but the upfront expense can only be recovered over a period of time. So it would depend on how much time is available... if you know what I mean. I gave solar a lot of thought and even did some pricing, but the time for recovering costs, exceeding my anticipated timeline.:(
 
@InnaSovsun
Twins were born in #Kharkiv yesterday under fire. Today these boy and girl are orphans. Their parents died in the shelling of the #Russian occupiers. Parents stayed with their children for less than a day...

Photo from the bomb shelter in the Kharkiv maternity hospital
5F95ACE7-07E2-473D-A512-FDE29116A583.jpeg
 
LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Western sanctions on Russia were akin to a declaration of war and warned that any attempt to impose a no-fly zone in Ukraine would lead to catastrophic consequences for the world.

so there we have it...I firmly believe he has to be taken out.
I never thought I would live to see WW3.
Now I fear I might....
 
Pragmatic solution continues to be as suggested to all but NATO militarists, warmongers, and their resistant politicians and media. Declare at least for a near period Ukraine NEUTRAL, free of NATO and weapons. Each day the two stubborn sides continue their positions, the more horrible destruction, utterly sad loss of life, and misery results along with the threat of a war monger with 6000 nukes destroying the rest of the world. The fact the majority of Western media continues to not mention neutrality as an option makes them complicit. One can certainly understand the larger picture by a list of credible experts web searching with at Yahoo or Google with "NATO neutrality".
 
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The Kremlin today threatened Britain with 'tough retaliatory measures' as President Vladimir Putin said devastating Western sanctions against Russia are verging on a declaration of war, and warned that any country imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be considered to have entered the on-going conflict.

The threats came as Moscow's brutal assault on Ukraine saw a mass civilian evacuation from Mariupol derailed when Russian forces ignored a promised ceasefire and continued shelling the southern city.

Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Saturday evening that Russia's proposed ceasefire was likely an attempt to regroup its forces for a new onslaught, while also an attempt to deflect international condemnation.

'By accusing Ukraine of breaking the agreement, Russia is likely seeking to shift responsibility for current and future civilian casualties in the city,' the British defence ministry said in an intelligence update.

Russia's defence ministry accused Ukrainian 'nationalists' of preventing civilians from leaving, RIA news agency reported. But Mariupol's city council said Russia was not observing the ceasefire.

A defiant Putin today called the West's economic, diplomatic and cultural boycott of the country tantamount to a declaration of war and warned that his regime would consider any third-party declaration of a no-fly zone as 'participation in the armed conflict'.

In an astonishing display of sabre-rattling, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned London: 'Russia will not forget Britain's desire to co-operate with ultra-nationalist forces in Ukraine and the supply of British weapons to the Kiev regime'.

She added: 'The sanctions hysteria in which London plays one of the leading, if not the main, roles, leaves us no choice but to take proportionately tough retaliatory measures. London has made a final choice of open confrontation with Russia.
 
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Russian forces advance towards the third nuclear power plant
By Associated Press09:25
Russian forces have now seized two Ukrainian nuclear power plants and are advancing toward a third, Ukraine's president said during a call with US senators.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the third plant currently under threat is the Yuzhnoukrainsk nuclear power plant, located 120 kilometers north of Mykolaiv, one of several cities the Russians were trying to keep encircled Saturday.

One of the plants under the Russians' control is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the southeastern city of Enerhodar the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. The other is Chernobyl, which is not active but is still staffed and maintained. Previous Russian shelling sparked a fire at the Zaporizhzhia plant that was extinguished without a release of radiation.

He wants all the power plants.
 
ElCastor said:
I don't mind paying for it, but I do mind paying Russia for it. I would like to avoid politics but it does seem that until recently we were a net oil exporter.
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Oil is a commodity. It is sold or bid on globally. Oil is used in many products so price increases will not just be for gas. Are you will to pay more for roofing, fertilizer, toilet seats and etc.?

Wheat is a commodity. It is sold or bid on globally. Ukraine accounts for 12% of the world's wheat exports . Just like Russia will soon be in control of a 3rd Ukrainian nuclear plant, at some point they will take charge of its wheat too. Wheat prices are already climbing. Are you willing to pay more for cereals, breads, crackers, Yorkshire puddings and etc.?

By the way, Russia accounts for 17% of wheat exports. So with sanctions, a total of 29% would be off the market.

Some things people are supposedly willing to do is just feel good reasoning. As prices go up, they will quickly blame a certain person in DC.
 
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the leaders of other countries to join a six-point plan to respond to the Russian invasion.
Ukrinform reports this with reference to Reuters.
Ahead of meetings with the leaders of Canada, the Netherlands and Central Europe in London next week, Johnson said that Russia in this act of aggression “must fail and must be seen to fail”.
"It is not enough to express our support for the rules-based international order - we must defend it against a sustained attempt to rewrite the rules by military force,” Johnson said.
According to him, the six-point plan includes the creation of an “international humanitarian coalition" for Ukraine; support for Ukraine "in its efforts to provide for its own self-defence”; economic pressure on Moscow; resistance to Russia's "creeping normalisation" of its actions in Ukraine; diplomatic ways on de-escalation that must be pursued, but only with the full participation of Ukraine's legitimate government; "rapid campaign to strengthen security and resilience" among NATO countries.
After meetings with the prime ministers of Canada and the Netherlands on Monday, Johnson is due to receive on Tuesday the leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, the countries facing an influx of refugees due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
 
Nosy Bee-54 said:
Oil is a commodity. It is sold or bid on globally. Oil is used in many products so price increases will not just be for gas. Are you will to pay more for roofing, fertilizer, toilet seats and etc.?

Wheat is a commodity. It is sold or bid on globally. Ukraine accounts for 12% of the world's wheat exports . Just like Russia will soon be in control of a 3rd Ukrainian nuclear plant, at some point they will take charge of its wheat too. Wheat prices are already climbing. Are you willing to pay more for cereals, breads, crackers, Yorkshire puddings and etc.?

By the way, Russia accounts for 17% of wheat exports. So with sanctions, a total of 29% would be off the market.

Some things people are supposedly willing to do is just feel good reasoning. As prices go up, they will quickly blame a certain person in DC.
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I would prefer that rather than buy that oil from Putin we produced it ourselves, which I believe we are capable of doing. I am not alone in that desire, and I would be glad to post links supporting my position, but I don't wish to breach forum rules.
 

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