"The Crisis in Ukraine Is Not About Ukraine. It's About Germany" by Mike Whitney at the Ron Paul Institute

[Tom Nolan + 2,443]

Of course, there will be those who don't like liberty and freedom and thus disparage places like the Ron Paul Institute.  As for me, I enjoy my freedoms and I won't dictate your life like The Authoritarians who wish to rule you.

.http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2022/february/15/the-crisis-in-ukraine-is-not-about-ukraine-its-about-germany/

The Crisis in Ukraine Is Not About Ukraine. It's About Germany

Written by Mike Whitney

Tuesday February 15, 2022http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/images/icons/printer.png

http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/media/124133/nordstream2map-mw-600x401.png?width=457px&height=305px  IMAGE
 

“The primordial interest of the United States, over which for centuries we have fought wars– the First, the Second and Cold Wars– has been the relationship between Germany and Russia, because united there, they’re the only force that could threaten us. And to make sure that that doesn’t happen.”

-George Friedman, STRATFOR CEO at The Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs

The Ukrainian crisis has nothing to do with Ukraine. It’s about Germany and, in particular, a pipeline that connects Germany to Russia called Nord Stream 2. Washington sees the pipeline as a threat to its primacy in Europe and has tried to sabotage the project at every turn. Even so, Nord Stream has pushed ahead and is now fully-operational and ready-to-go. Once German regulators provide the final certification, the gas deliveries will begin. German homeowners and businesses will have a reliable source of clean and inexpensive energy while Russia will see a significant boost to their gas revenues. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.

The US Foreign Policy establishment is not happy about these developments. They don’t want Germany to become more dependent on Russian gas because commerce builds trust and trust leads to the expansion of trade. As relations grow warmer, more trade barriers are lifted, regulations are eased, travel and tourism increase, and a new security architecture evolves. In a world where Germany and Russia are friends and trading partners, there is no need for US military bases, no need for expensive US-made weapons and missile systems, and no need for NATO. There’s also no need to transact energy deals in US Dollars or to stockpile US Treasuries to balance accounts. Transactions between business partners can be conducted in their own currencies which is bound to precipitate a sharp decline in the value of the dollar and a dramatic shift in economic power.

This is why the Biden administration opposes Nord Stream. It’s not just a pipeline, it’s a window into the future; a future in which Europe and Asia are drawn closer together into a massive free trade zone that increases their mutual power and prosperity while leaving the US on the outside looking in. Warmer relations between Germany and Russia signal an end to the “unipolar” world order the US has overseen for the last 75 years. A German-Russo alliance threatens to hasten the decline of the Superpower that is presently inching closer to the abyss. This is why Washington is determined to do everything it can to sabotage Nord Stream and keep Germany within its orbit. It’s a matter of survival.

That’s where Ukraine comes into the picture. Ukraine is Washington’s ‘weapon of choice’ for torpedoing Nord Stream and putting a wedge between Germany and Russia. The strategy is taken from page one of the US Foreign Policy Handbook under the rubric: Divide and Rule. Washington needs to create the perception that Russia poses a security threat to Europe. That’s the goal. They need to show that Putin is a bloodthirsty aggressor with a hair-trigger temper who cannot be trusted. To that end, the media has been given the assignment of reiterating over and over again, “Russia is planning to invade Ukraine.” What’s left unsaid is that Russia has not invaded any country since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and that the US has invaded or toppled regimes in more than 50 countries in the same period of time, and that the US maintains over 800 military bases in countries around the world. None of this is reported by the media, instead the focus is on “evil Putin” who has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border threatening to plunge all of Europe into another bloody war.

All of the hysterical war propaganda is created with the intention of manufacturing a crisis that can be used to isolate, demonize and, ultimately, splinter Russia into smaller units. The real target, however, is not Russia, but Germany. Check out this excerpt from an article by Michael Hudson at The Unz Review:

The only way left for US diplomats to block European purchases is to goad Russia into a military response and then claim that avenging this response outweighs any purely national economic interest. As hawkish Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, explained in a State Department press briefing on January 27: 'If Russia invades Ukraine one way or another Nord Stream 2 will not move forward.' (America’s Real Adversaries Are Its European and Other Allies, The Unz Review)

There it is in black and white. The Biden team wants to “goad Russia into a military response” in order to sabotage NordStream. That implies there will be some kind of provocation designed to induce Putin to send his troops across the border to defend the ethnic Russians in the eastern part of the country. If Putin takes the bait, the response would be swift and harsh. The media will excoriate the action as a threat to all of Europe while leaders around the world will denounce Putin as the “new Hitler”. This is Washington’s strategy in a nutshell, and the whole production is being orchestrated with one goal in mind; to make it politically impossible for the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to wave NordStream through the final approval process.

Given what we know about Washington’s opposition to Nord Stream, readers may wonder why earlier in the year the Biden administration lobbied Congress NOT to impose more sanctions on the project. The answer to that question is simple: Domestic politics. Germany is currently decommissioning its nuclear power plants and needs natural gas to make up for the energy shortfall. Also, the threat of economic sanctions is a “turn-off” for Germans who see them as a sign of foreign meddling. “Why is the United States interfering in our energy decisions,” asks the average German. “Washington should mind its own business and stay out of ours.” This is precisely the response one would expect from any reasonable person.

Then, there’s this from Al Jazeera:

Germans in the majority support the project, it is only parts of the elite and media who are against the pipeline…

'The more the US talks about sanctioning or criticizes the project, the more it becomes popular in German society,' said Stefan Meister, a Russia and eastern Europe expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations. (“Nord Stream 2: Why Russia’s pipeline to Europe divides the West, AlJazeera)

So, public opinion is solidly behind Nord Stream which helps to explain why Washington settled on a new approach. Sanctions are not going to work, so Uncle Sam has flipped to Plan B: Create a big enough external threat that Germany will be forced to block the opening of the pipeline. Frankly, the strategy smacks of desperation, but you have to be impressed by Washington’s perseverance. They might be down by 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but they haven’t thrown in the towel just yet. They’re going to give it one last shot and see if they can make some headway.

On Monday, President Biden held his first joint-press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House. The ballyhoo surrounding the event was simply unprecedented. Everything was orchestrated to manufacture a “crisis atmosphere” that Biden used to pressure the chancellor in the direction of US policy. Earlier in the week, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki repeatedly said that a “Russian invasion was imminent.” Her comments were followed by State Department flak Nick Price opining that the Intel agencies had provided him with details of an alleged Russian-backed “false flag” operation they expected to take place in the near future in east Ukraine. Price’s warning was followed on Sunday morning by national security advisor Jake Sullivan claiming that a Russian invasion could happen at any time maybe “even tomorrow.” This was just days after Bloomberg News agency had published its sensational and utterly-false headline that “Russia Invades Ukraine”.

Can you see the pattern here? Can you see how these baseless claims were all used to apply pressure to the unsuspecting German chancellor who seemed oblivious to the campaign that was aimed at him?

As one might expect, the final blow was delivered by the American president himself. During the press conference Biden stated emphatically that,

If Russia invades … there will no longer [be] a Nord Stream 2.. We will bring an end to it.

So, now Washington sets policy for Germany???

What insufferable arrogance!

The German chancellor was taken aback by Biden’s comments which clearly were not part of the original script. Even so, Scholz never agreed to cancel Nord Stream and refused to even mention the pipeline by name. If Biden thought he could sandbag the leader of the world’s third biggest economy by cornering him in a public forum, he guessed wrong. Germany remains committed to launching Nord Stream regardless of potential flare-ups in far-flung Ukraine. But that could change at any time. After all, who knows what incitements Washington might be planning in the near future? Who knows how many lives they are prepared to sacrifice in order to put a wedge between Germany and Russia? Who knows what risks Biden is willing to take to slow America’s decline and prevent a new “polycentric” world order from emerging? Anything could happen in the weeks ahead. Anything.

For now, Germany is in the catbird seat. It’s up to Scholz to decide how the matter will be settled. Will he implement the policy that best serves the interests of the German people or will he cave in to Biden’s relentless arm twisting? Will he chart a new course that strengthens new alliances in the bustling Eurasian corridor or will he throw his support behind Washington’s crazed geopolitical ambitions? Will he accept Germany’s pivotal role in a new world order— in which many emerging centers of power share equally in global governance and where the leadership remains unflinchingly committed to multilateralism, peaceful development and security for all– or will he try to prop up the tattered post-War system that has clearly outlived its shelf-life?

One thing is certain; whatever Germany decides is bound to affect us all.

Reprinted with permission from Unz Review.

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by Tom Nolan

[Tom Nolan + 2,443]

https://www.corbettreport.com/nwnw20220217/

Interview 1700 – New World Next Week with James Evan Pilato

Story #3: The Crisis in Ukraine Is Not About Ukraine, It's About Germany.

http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2022/february/15/the-crisis-in-ukraine-is-not-about-ukraine-its-about-germany/

US Expert Warns France And Germany Will "Throw The Americans Under The Bus"

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-expert-warns-france-and-germany-will-throw-americans-under-bus

Ukraine Holds Military Drills With U.S. Forces, NATO Allies

https://archive.is/j6i4M

US Battles Russia for Heart of the EU

https://www.corbettreport.com/us-battles-russia-for-heart-of-the-eu/

Foreign Intervention and the Ukraine Crisis

https://www.corbettreport.com/foreign-intervention-and-the-ukraine-crisis/

Ukraine Banks & Defense Ministry Websites Down Amid Cyberattack Fears

https://www.activistpost.com/2022/02/ukraine-banks-defense-ministry-websites-down-amid-cyberattack-fears.html

U.S. Def Sec Selects Michael Bloomberg to Chair Pentagram’s Defense Innovation Board

https://www.rt.com/news/548871-bloomberg-pentagon-advisory-board/

[ronwagn + 6,290]

America has not surrounded Ukraine with armed forces and is not posing with 150,000 troops and full armament to take it over. Russia IS. Anything else said is bullshit of the highest stench. If Europe and especially Germany is willing to let that happen without doing what they can to stop it, then they will get what they deserve. What they will deserve is continuing conflict with Germany over more countries. The Baltic's are already NATO members and are next in line as meals for the Russian Bear. All of this could lead to the next World War. Helping Ukraine hold the line is the best solution. 

Europe can add new energy sources in many ways. Only Germany has not used the LNG option. It can be purchased from worldwide sources. Japan, China, and South Korea all buy it. The price will lower gradually as the demand is met and worldwide finds are actually tapped. The gas is there, flared gas is a good example of how omnipresent natural gas is. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/breakaway-regions-in-ukraine-issue-call-up-orders-as-russia-tests-missiles-11645277438?mod=hp_lead_pos1

Russian Proxies in Eastern Ukraine Mobilize Troops, Kill Two Ukrainian Soldiers

Amid intensified shelling, Kyiv dismisses call-up and moves to evacuate residents of Russian-held Donetsk and Luhansk areas as provocation

[ronwagn + 6,290]

 

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/09/most-europeans-want-to-stand-with-kyiv-against-moscow-poll-suggests

Most Europeans want to stand with Kyiv against Moscow, poll suggests

More than 60% of people surveyed believe Nato should come to Ukraine’s defence if Russia invades

 

Respondents felt that an attack on Ukraine would represent an attack on the European security order. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

 

Jon Henley

@jonhenley

Wed 9 Feb 2022 00.00 EST

 

•  
•  
•  

 

 

Majorities across Europe think Russia will invade Ukraine in 2022 and believe both Nato and the EU should stand by Kyiv, according to a study whose authors suggest the crisis could end up dramatically changing the way Europeans view their security.

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/european-favor-defense-ukraine-diplomacy-poll/

Europeans overwhelmingly in favor of defending Ukraine: Poll

Survey shows Portuguese respondents are most supportive of an EU-coordinated defense of Ukraine while Greece has the largest percentage who oppose backing Kyiv.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Starschy + 211]

Those polls are not relevant. If you ask to go to Ukraine the answer is 180 degrees around.

There are only 2 Optons

- a small war against Ukraine

- and a big one with Nato Nuclear weapons againstnRussia

Th Russian answer is for sure to No 1

Edited February 20, 2022 by Starschy

[specinho + 467]

On 2/19/2022 at 3:11 PM, Tom Nolan said:

 In a world where Germany and Russia are friends and trading partners, there is no need for US military bases, no need for expensive US-made weapons and missile systems, and no need for NATO. There’s also no need to transact energy deals in US Dollars or to stockpile US Treasuries to balance accounts.

 

Are these statements from US government advisory?

It is rather obvious Biden and his team are failing another test .........

Standard operating procedure says........... one must check left and right on immediate impact on everyone, possible mediation, cheerleading to fight etc.........

When a cult group discussed about how good followers of standard operating procedure are failing the systems and making tumultuous world out of hands........ But......... without following the basic sop, they seem much worse off than dysfunctioning...........

 

 

[Tomasz + 1,608]

Centers conducive to the war with Russia:

- England, which wants to weaken Germany by torpedoing Nord Stream 2;

- the Republican party in the US, which wants to discredit Biden;

- Poles who  set fire to Europe since the 19th century;

- neo-Nazis in Ukraine who want to weaken and then remove Zelensky-Kolomoyskyi from the presidency;

- Churches: Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox of the Kiev Patriarchate, waging their games against the Russian Orthodox Church.

Centers reluctant to war with Russia:

- China, which wants to continue to strengthen its strategic partnership with Russia and, at the same time, develop trade with the EU, so the conflict between these two centers would be clearly against them;

- Germany, which invested too much in rapprochement with Russia so that they would not be acutely hurt in breaking with it in the event of a war;

- Russia, which would not win anything in such a war and whose ambition is to be admitted to the Western club and respected there, which, however - if it is really pushed to the wall (Ukraine in NATO) - will most likely decide to go to war to at least limit its size. geopolitical defeat in Ukraine;

- the Russian Orthodox Church, for which the problem would be the war between its followers from Russia and Ukraine;

- probably Zelensky, who won the elections under the banner of peace and would like to emancipate himself from Kolomoyskyi.

 

There will be probably no war in the end because several times already from Zelenskiy himself, there were signals that the current heating of the atmosphere (by England, the USA, NATO) was going too far: to a certain level it was beneficial for Ukraine, because it brought the West closer to it and started a stream Western weapons and financial aid, However, the war hysteria seems to weigh heavily on Kiev now.

 

 

[Tomasz + 1,608]

The case of the Ukrainian-Russian war looks like this: if Russia today, with the threat of war, does not block Ukraine's accession to NATO, then in 10 years there will be American bases near Kharkov and a few years from now later the Americans will attack to "democratize" Russia and "privatize" its raw materials.

In this situation, Putin simply has to stop NATO's pressure to the east. It is a matter of be or not to be Russia.

For Russia, and both Ukraine and Poland, the best option is Kiev's permanent neutrality in the form of an international treaty between Washington and Russia on this matter.

[Tomasz + 1,608]

"We need a war." Washington went to extreme measures because of Nord Stream 2

MOSCOW, February 20 - PRIME, Andrey Karabyants. Deliveries of US LNG to Europe rose to a record level . The EC wants the US to become the main supplier of energy to the European market. Washington is using the conflict in Ukraine to force Germany to refuse Russian gas supplies via Nord Stream 2, while Russian President Vladimir Putin calls on the chancellor to develop cooperation between Russia and Germany. "Gazprom" has reduced exports by a third, but fully fulfills contractual obligations to European partners.

Europe has found a replacement for expensive gas, but China is against

EC WANTS MORE US LNG

LNG supplies from the US to the EU in 2021 reached a record volume, exceeding 22 billion cubic meters. m, according to the report of the European Commission (EC) "LNG trade between the EU and the US." This year, the growth of US LNG supplies to the EU continued and reached 4.4 billion cubic meters in January. m. The EC leadership declares the EU's desire to increase purchases of American LNG and see the US as the main supplier of natural gas to the European market.

The EC report appeared at a time of aggravation of political relations between Russia and Western countries due to the alleged invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine. US President Joe Biden has repeatedly informed the world community about the timing of the start of the war between Ukraine and Russia. He states that in the event of a military conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia will face " hellish sanctions " - primarily the EU's refusal to import Russian gas. Washington is interested in fomenting a war in Ukraine, as this will force European countries to curtail economic cooperation with Russia, contrary to their own interests.

Putin spoke about the supply of energy resources to Europe at a meeting with Scholz

During the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Stolz to Washington, Biden openly stated that the United States would not allow the commissioning of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.". The German Chancellor bashfully kept silent and did not give an answer to the brazen US interference in the economic relations of Germany with other countries. Washington initially sought to politicize the Nord Stream 2 project in order to prevent the commissioning of this gas pipeline. Refusal of Russian gas supplies through this the pipe will cause serious economic damage to Germany and other European countries: cheap Russian gas is being replaced by expensive LNG, mainly from the United States, this undermines the competitiveness of EU products. remain high.

PUTIN CALLS TO DEVELOP COOPERATION

After visiting Washington, the German chancellor went to Moscow, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the talks , cooperation between Germany and Russia in the energy sector was discussed, including the commissioning of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

During a press conference after the talks, Putin said: "Germany is one of Russia's key partners. We have always strived for interaction between our states. Germany ranks second after China among Russia's foreign trade partners."

Cooperation between the two countries is developing despite objective difficulties.

"Despite the difficult situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and volatility in global markets, by the end of 2021, mutual trade grew by 36% and reached almost 57 billion," Putin said.

The Russian President recalled that energy plays a special role in bilateral economic cooperation. Russia supplies 35.4% of Germany's gas and 34% oil needs.

Europe saw a chance to get rid of Russian gas: what awaits Gazprom

Putin referred to the historical experience of fruitful cooperation between the two countries despite pressure from the United States.

"Back in the 70s of the last century, our countries successfully implemented a landmark project. It was called "Gas in exchange for pipes". And since then, German and other European consumers have been reliably and without interruptions supplied with Russian gas. Currently, Russia provides more than a third needs of Germany in energy carriers," the Russian president said.

The Gas for Pipes project was implemented despite US opposition and the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union. Washington in every possible way prevented the construction of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gas pipeline and tried to prevent the participation of German companies in this project. Despite all the obstacles created by the Americans, German companies supplied the Soviet Union with the necessary number of large-diameter pipes that were used to build the gas pipeline. In the 1970s, the Soviet Union did not have the capacity to produce such pipes. After the successful completion of the project, large-scale deliveries to Germany and other European countries of gas from the giant Urengoyskoye field began. As a result, Soviet gas replaced American coal in the European market, and the FRG received a powerful impetus for economic development.

In response, Chancellor Stolz called the negotiations intense and trustworthy and called on Russia to prevent the conflict in Ukraine from escalating .

The commissioning of Nord Stream 2 will significantly increase the supply of Russian gas, which will lead to an improvement in the situation on the European market - gas prices will fall, the energy crisis will be overcome.

The construction of the gas pipeline was completed in September 2021. After testing and commissioning, it was filled with gas and prepared for operation. To start the supply of raw materials, it is necessary to carry out certification by German regulators and approval by the EC. However, Washington and its puppets in the EU are putting pressure on Germany to prevent the launch of Nord Stream 2. Using the conflict in Ukraine, the Biden administration is seeking to force Berlin to impose sanctions against Russia and refuse supplies through this gas pipeline. Biden is supported by the head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen. However, in Germany and other European countries they realize that this could aggravate the energy crisis and slow down the economic development of all of Europe.

GAZPROM READY TO INCREASE SUPPLY

Russian Gazprom has the resources and is ready to increase supplies immediately after the launch of Nord Stream 2. Europe remains the main sales market for Russian gas.

Come what may. Europe loses last "summer" gas

In 2021, Gazprom's production increased by 62.2 billion cubic meters. m compared to a year earlier, reaching 514.8 billion cubic meters. m - a record figure for the last 13 years. From January 1 to February 15, 2022, the company produced 70.1 bcm. m - by 0.1 billion cubic meters. m more than in the same period last year.

However, exports to non-CIS countries for a month and a half of 2022 amounted to 17.9 billion cubic meters. m - 35.5% less compared to the same period last year. Despite the decline in total exports, Russian gas supplies to Turkey and the countries of Southern Europe, where the Turkish Stream and Balkan Stream gas pipelines are laid, have increased. Deliveries to Bulgaria increased by 24.2%, to Bosnia and Herzegovina - by 13.9%, to Turkey by 2.7%. Thanks to the conclusion of long-term contracts with Gazprom, Turkey has become the second largest importer of Russian gas after Germany.

At the same time, Gazprom continues to supply gas to consumers in full compliance with  contractual obligations . Moreover, the transit of Russian gas to Europe through the territory of Ukraine continues, despite the aggravation of the situation in the Donbass, where the evacuation of the civilian population has begun.

Large importers of Russian gas in Europe want to prevent a further reduction in supplies from Russia due to the aggravation of the situation in Ukraine. Bloomberg reported that Italy has applied to EU structures with an initiative not to apply sanctions to the Russian energy sector. Italy's initiative is supported by business circles in Germany, primarily German banks.

Earlier, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, threatened to extend EU sanctions against Russia to the energy sector in the event of a war in Ukraine.

https://1prime.ru/exclusive/20220220/836108179.html

[Boat + 1,323]

Just like Taiwan and China, the Ukraine and Russia will go through the mental process that the powerful doesn't necessarily mean you can land grab. Since WWII winners and losers gave up their Colonies. The Portuguese got really small. Seems the Russians and Chinese who begged for help and benefited would give up their antiquated theatrical endeavors. The Koreans have better drama on Netflix. Perhaps our world leaders to to watch a couple new movies and catch up. 

[Starschy + 211]

Today you can view History. President Putin and their Security Council discuss live, first time to my knowledge rt.com if they should recognize Donetsk and Luhansk region. The Russian Duma voted for it. It‘s luve that everyone in the West and Ukraine grab the concept of unique opinion of that highest Council in the Security Aera.

Update: President Putin sent letters to Macron and Scholz for the announcement of those new Republics.

Edited February 21, 2022 by Starschy

[Boat + 1,323]

Or no trade with the US, Europe, India, Japan etc…’…..forever. You can’t reward idiots.

[surrept33 + 609]

Putin making rambling speech about Soviet history (I think?). It's almost like a filibuster. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJl6u13LqeQ

It seems like Putin is tryna say the USSR is back. 

Edited February 21, 2022 by surrept33

[Tomasz + 1,608]

A few facts relating to present situation:

1. Gorbachev was promised by Ronald Reagan that NATO would not move "one inch eastward" in return for Gorbachev's removal of some 300,000 Soviet troops from East Germany that allowed German reunification without a single shot fired.

See: http://nsarchive.gwu.edu

2. Reagan and Thatcher conspired to strategically weaken Russia further so it could no longer represent a formidable threat to US-led global dominance. So much so that Russian people voted in Vladimir Putin, despite any reservations they might have of Putin as a former colonel in the KGB and its modus operandi during the height of USSR. (Back to present)

So, to me, Putin's military maneuver near its border with Ukraine should be seen as a strategic and tactical attempt to demonstrate Russia's concerns for its national security and to bolster its demands for Ukraine's neutrality. A demand would not be met with serious considerstion by just empty words.

In short, it is hardly different to JFK's US security concerns that he demanded the removal of missiles in Cuba (1963).

In the end, USSR removed the missiles. And the US, as a QUID PRO QUO, also removed its missiles in Turkey afterwards. To think that Putin's military action is purely aggressive and adventurous is to miss the big picture completely.

I'd suggest that NATO should address its intentions regarding Russia's security concerns. Animals can not spell co-existence. And it's why humans survive better.

[frankfurter + 562]

On 2/20/2022 at 3:21 AM, ronwagn said:

America has not surrounded Ukraine with armed forces and is not posing with 150,000 troops and full armament to take it over. Russia IS. Anything else said is bullshit of the highest stench. If Europe and especially Germany is willing to let that happen without doing what they can to stop it, then they will get what they deserve. What they will deserve is continuing conflict with Germany over more countries. The Baltic's are already NATO members and are next in line as meals for the Russian Bear. All of this could lead to the next World War. Helping Ukraine hold the line is the best solution. 

Europe can add new energy sources in many ways. Only Germany has not used the LNG option. It can be purchased from worldwide sources. Japan, China, and South Korea all buy it. The price will lower gradually as the demand is met and worldwide finds are actually tapped. The gas is there, flared gas is a good example of how omnipresent natural gas is. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/breakaway-regions-in-ukraine-issue-call-up-orders-as-russia-tests-missiles-11645277438?mod=hp_lead_pos1

Russian Proxies in Eastern Ukraine Mobilize Troops, Kill Two Ukrainian Soldiers

Amid intensified shelling, Kyiv dismisses call-up and moves to evacuate residents of Russian-held Donetsk and Luhansk areas as provocation

over dosing your meds today?  uh, Why would USA military surround Ukraine when it is already inside Ukraine? 

[Rob Plant + 2,756]

On 2/20/2022 at 11:50 PM, Tomasz said:

England, which wants to weaken Germany by torpedoing Nord Stream 2;

Sorry but why do you state this?

England and Germany are key trading partners, why would the Uk want a weak Germany? A weak Germany means a weak EU which is a huge market for UK goods and services.

The UK gets its oil & gas predominantly from Norway and the US so wouldnt want to compete for it with Germany as well.

Your comment makes no sense!

You're babbling nonsense!

[SUZNV + 1,197]

14 hours ago, Tomasz said:

A few facts relating to present situation:

1. Gorbachev was promised by Ronald Reagan that NATO would not move "one inch eastward" in return for Gorbachev's removal of some 300,000 Soviet troops from East Germany that allowed German reunification without a single shot fired.

See: http://nsarchive.gwu.edu

2. Reagan and Thatcher conspired to strategically weaken Russia further so it could no longer represent a formidable threat to US-led global dominance. So much so that Russian people voted in Vladimir Putin, despite any reservations they might have of Putin as a former colonel in the KGB and its modus operandi during the height of USSR. (Back to present)

So, to me, Putin's military maneuver near its border with Ukraine should be seen as a strategic and tactical attempt to demonstrate Russia's concerns for its national security and to bolster its demands for Ukraine's neutrality. A demand would not be met with serious considerstion by just empty words.

In short, it is hardly different to JFK's US security concerns that he demanded the removal of missiles in Cuba (1963).

In the end, USSR removed the missiles. And the US, as a QUID PRO QUO, also removed its missiles in Turkey afterwards. To think that Putin's military action is purely aggressive and adventurous is to miss the big picture completely.

I'd suggest that NATO should address its intentions regarding Russia's security concerns. Animals can not spell co-existence. And it's why humans survive better.

What world are you living in when hold on the promise of any current elected President/Prime Minister. They are simply CEO at that time and new CEO, new geopolitics situation, new elected congress, new policies. And it is the same for Gorbachev. He wouldn't want to have Ukraine and Belarus  splited out of  Russia anyway so what is the point of any agreement.  Use Hongkong as a case study.

How about US pulled out of NATO, let the EU forms a new United States of Europe increase tax on EU people to build their own army to form another polar as trading partner with Russia. This will solve multiple problems:

- US need to spend less  future tax. It is US people bare the consequences  of US as  world reserve currency by having foreign elites corporations' shareholders sucks their people blood then buy US assets and then using future taxes to bail these corporations out, with less general jobs, cheaper healthcare and less the gap between the rich and poor and we can shrink our public spending and with that, the government and careered politicians favored by US allies. I bet it will lesser the gap between the rich and poor in the US and less foreign intervention in US financial and politics.

-US won't be blamed for whatever mess EU created among themselves. 

-EU countries won't have the problem of ECB conflicts with individual fiscal policy. Can decide their own policy with Russia. Shrink a bunch of bureaucracy politicians out of efficiency.

-Next step would be spending more to  contribute to the trading routes and USE will have their own embargo power. A increase percentage in the SDR would be appreciate. Euro or USD are FIAT so improve the EU credit first and then compete fairly with USD.

-Less chance for another world war , Russia is the only risk  but France State and Germany State are in love with Russia, love will conquer all. 

-Russia can get Ukraine and Belarus back. Putin would be happy.

- Do what ever EU people wish  to do and love each other, feeling inclusive. Put more time to learn English to connect to other and drop the tribal discriminations. Want capitalism? Fine. Want Socialism? Go with it.

-The world have another polar where every FIAT currency  will compete with USD in credit and industrial/tech powers. For the Greater Good and a peaceful world. Hope I can see it one day.

 If everyone think the trust is high enough among themselves, feel free to vote US out of Europe. NATO only exists because Europe Countries don't trust each other and  if US used this NATO leverage, Nord Stream 2 would not be built in the first place.

What US would do? Invade EU and get the hegemony back? US will stay neutral and selling  goods for gold to both sides if conflicts occurs, caused by non-US politicians. Good business. Go ahead, make a movement of love and trust in Europe and kick US out. Someday if US economy or internal conflict was bad enough or the debt is over the tipping point, this would be US natural choice to stabilize domestic  problems. In the mean time stop taking things for granted and blame others.  I don't even know how many votes Biden would lost if Putin gets Ukraine and he do nothing so don't project it on US election. Most US people don't really care about Russia or Europe. 

Edited February 22, 2022 by SUZNV

[JoMack + 549]

On 2/19/2022 at 1:11 AM, Tom Nolan said:

Of course, there will be those who don't like liberty and freedom and thus disparage places like the Ron Paul Institute.  As for me, I enjoy my freedoms and I won't dictate your life like The Authoritarians who wish to rule you.

.http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2022/february/15/the-crisis-in-ukraine-is-not-about-ukraine-its-about-germany/

The Crisis in Ukraine Is Not About Ukraine. It's About Germany

Written by Mike Whitney

Tuesday February 15, 2022http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/images/icons/printer.png

http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/media/124133/nordstream2map-mw-600x401.png?width=457px&height=305px  IMAGE
 

“The primordial interest of the United States, over which for centuries we have fought wars– the First, the Second and Cold Wars– has been the relationship between Germany and Russia, because united there, they’re the only force that could threaten us. And to make sure that that doesn’t happen.”

-George Friedman, STRATFOR CEO at The Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs

The Ukrainian crisis has nothing to do with Ukraine. It’s about Germany and, in particular, a pipeline that connects Germany to Russia called Nord Stream 2. Washington sees the pipeline as a threat to its primacy in Europe and has tried to sabotage the project at every turn. Even so, Nord Stream has pushed ahead and is now fully-operational and ready-to-go. Once German regulators provide the final certification, the gas deliveries will begin. German homeowners and businesses will have a reliable source of clean and inexpensive energy while Russia will see a significant boost to their gas revenues. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.

The US Foreign Policy establishment is not happy about these developments. They don’t want Germany to become more dependent on Russian gas because commerce builds trust and trust leads to the expansion of trade. As relations grow warmer, more trade barriers are lifted, regulations are eased, travel and tourism increase, and a new security architecture evolves. In a world where Germany and Russia are friends and trading partners, there is no need for US military bases, no need for expensive US-made weapons and missile systems, and no need for NATO. There’s also no need to transact energy deals in US Dollars or to stockpile US Treasuries to balance accounts. Transactions between business partners can be conducted in their own currencies which is bound to precipitate a sharp decline in the value of the dollar and a dramatic shift in economic power.

This is why the Biden administration opposes Nord Stream. It’s not just a pipeline, it’s a window into the future; a future in which Europe and Asia are drawn closer together into a massive free trade zone that increases their mutual power and prosperity while leaving the US on the outside looking in. Warmer relations between Germany and Russia signal an end to the “unipolar” world order the US has overseen for the last 75 years. A German-Russo alliance threatens to hasten the decline of the Superpower that is presently inching closer to the abyss. This is why Washington is determined to do everything it can to sabotage Nord Stream and keep Germany within its orbit. It’s a matter of survival.

That’s where Ukraine comes into the picture. Ukraine is Washington’s ‘weapon of choice’ for torpedoing Nord Stream and putting a wedge between Germany and Russia. The strategy is taken from page one of the US Foreign Policy Handbook under the rubric: Divide and Rule. Washington needs to create the perception that Russia poses a security threat to Europe. That’s the goal. They need to show that Putin is a bloodthirsty aggressor with a hair-trigger temper who cannot be trusted. To that end, the media has been given the assignment of reiterating over and over again, “Russia is planning to invade Ukraine.” What’s left unsaid is that Russia has not invaded any country since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and that the US has invaded or toppled regimes in more than 50 countries in the same period of time, and that the US maintains over 800 military bases in countries around the world. None of this is reported by the media, instead the focus is on “evil Putin” who has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border threatening to plunge all of Europe into another bloody war.

All of the hysterical war propaganda is created with the intention of manufacturing a crisis that can be used to isolate, demonize and, ultimately, splinter Russia into smaller units. The real target, however, is not Russia, but Germany. Check out this excerpt from an article by Michael Hudson at The Unz Review:

The only way left for US diplomats to block European purchases is to goad Russia into a military response and then claim that avenging this response outweighs any purely national economic interest. As hawkish Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, explained in a State Department press briefing on January 27: 'If Russia invades Ukraine one way or another Nord Stream 2 will not move forward.' (America’s Real Adversaries Are Its European and Other Allies, The Unz Review)

There it is in black and white. The Biden team wants to “goad Russia into a military response” in order to sabotage NordStream. That implies there will be some kind of provocation designed to induce Putin to send his troops across the border to defend the ethnic Russians in the eastern part of the country. If Putin takes the bait, the response would be swift and harsh. The media will excoriate the action as a threat to all of Europe while leaders around the world will denounce Putin as the “new Hitler”. This is Washington’s strategy in a nutshell, and the whole production is being orchestrated with one goal in mind; to make it politically impossible for the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to wave NordStream through the final approval process.

Given what we know about Washington’s opposition to Nord Stream, readers may wonder why earlier in the year the Biden administration lobbied Congress NOT to impose more sanctions on the project. The answer to that question is simple: Domestic politics. Germany is currently decommissioning its nuclear power plants and needs natural gas to make up for the energy shortfall. Also, the threat of economic sanctions is a “turn-off” for Germans who see them as a sign of foreign meddling. “Why is the United States interfering in our energy decisions,” asks the average German. “Washington should mind its own business and stay out of ours.” This is precisely the response one would expect from any reasonable person.

Then, there’s this from Al Jazeera:

Germans in the majority support the project, it is only parts of the elite and media who are against the pipeline…

'The more the US talks about sanctioning or criticizes the project, the more it becomes popular in German society,' said Stefan Meister, a Russia and eastern Europe expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations. (“Nord Stream 2: Why Russia’s pipeline to Europe divides the West, AlJazeera)

So, public opinion is solidly behind Nord Stream which helps to explain why Washington settled on a new approach. Sanctions are not going to work, so Uncle Sam has flipped to Plan B: Create a big enough external threat that Germany will be forced to block the opening of the pipeline. Frankly, the strategy smacks of desperation, but you have to be impressed by Washington’s perseverance. They might be down by 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but they haven’t thrown in the towel just yet. They’re going to give it one last shot and see if they can make some headway.

On Monday, President Biden held his first joint-press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House. The ballyhoo surrounding the event was simply unprecedented. Everything was orchestrated to manufacture a “crisis atmosphere” that Biden used to pressure the chancellor in the direction of US policy. Earlier in the week, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki repeatedly said that a “Russian invasion was imminent.” Her comments were followed by State Department flak Nick Price opining that the Intel agencies had provided him with details of an alleged Russian-backed “false flag” operation they expected to take place in the near future in east Ukraine. Price’s warning was followed on Sunday morning by national security advisor Jake Sullivan claiming that a Russian invasion could happen at any time maybe “even tomorrow.” This was just days after Bloomberg News agency had published its sensational and utterly-false headline that “Russia Invades Ukraine”.

Can you see the pattern here? Can you see how these baseless claims were all used to apply pressure to the unsuspecting German chancellor who seemed oblivious to the campaign that was aimed at him?

As one might expect, the final blow was delivered by the American president himself. During the press conference Biden stated emphatically that,

If Russia invades … there will no longer [be] a Nord Stream 2.. We will bring an end to it.

So, now Washington sets policy for Germany???

What insufferable arrogance!

The German chancellor was taken aback by Biden’s comments which clearly were not part of the original script. Even so, Scholz never agreed to cancel Nord Stream and refused to even mention the pipeline by name. If Biden thought he could sandbag the leader of the world’s third biggest economy by cornering him in a public forum, he guessed wrong. Germany remains committed to launching Nord Stream regardless of potential flare-ups in far-flung Ukraine. But that could change at any time. After all, who knows what incitements Washington might be planning in the near future? Who knows how many lives they are prepared to sacrifice in order to put a wedge between Germany and Russia? Who knows what risks Biden is willing to take to slow America’s decline and prevent a new “polycentric” world order from emerging? Anything could happen in the weeks ahead. Anything.

For now, Germany is in the catbird seat. It’s up to Scholz to decide how the matter will be settled. Will he implement the policy that best serves the interests of the German people or will he cave in to Biden’s relentless arm twisting? Will he chart a new course that strengthens new alliances in the bustling Eurasian corridor or will he throw his support behind Washington’s crazed geopolitical ambitions? Will he accept Germany’s pivotal role in a new world order— in which many emerging centers of power share equally in global governance and where the leadership remains unflinchingly committed to multilateralism, peaceful development and security for all– or will he try to prop up the tattered post-War system that has clearly outlived its shelf-life?

One thing is certain; whatever Germany decides is bound to affect us all.

Reprinted with permission from Unz Review.

 

Germany closed one half of its nuclear power plants and the Green Party, and Socialists are screaming bloody murder that the EU is greenwashing natural gas and nuclear as sustainable energy.  Meanwhile the U.S. could supply Germany with LNG to supply enough natural gas to meet its demand, but unfortunately Germany has no LNG ports.  So, catbird seat might be a stretch since it seems its only solution to keep its lights on is Russia's Nord Stream II.

[El Gato + 254]

17 hours ago, frankfurter said:

over dosing your meds today?  uh, Why would USA military surround Ukraine when it is already inside Ukraine? 

Au contriare  putz! The US has no forces in Ukraine. Just Romania, Lithuania,Albania.Latvia and Poland! Suck on those apples!

[frankfurter + 562]

14 hours ago, Rob Plant said:

Sorry but why do you state this?

England and Germany are key trading partners, why would the Uk want a weak Germany? A weak Germany means a weak EU which is a huge market for UK goods and services.

The UK gets its oil & gas predominantly from Norway and the US so wouldnt want to compete for it with Germany as well.

Your comment makes no sense!

You're babbling nonsense!

Yet another ignorant, dumbed-down amurcun who has learned nothing about history.  In 1939, Britain and Germany were 'key' trading partners. Yet Britain declared war against Germany. The reasons then are the same today.

Amurcuns are ignorant because they want to be, and because they can afford to be.  Soon you will be unable to afford.

Your power is no longer. The ethnic Russian people of Ukraine have decided to secede and align with Russia. This is their basic human right to so choose, and they so choose with the intent to avoid a civil war. The mighty Amurcun army and people have done nothing, because you can do nothing. In the face of a real opponent, you are cowards: just barking dogs behind a fence.

You have no morals. You slaughter children at will. Your Albright stated the murder of 500,000 Iraqi children was worth the price to save Israel. This week, your Columbia University issued a report stating your govt has pushed over 4 million amurcun children into poverty, at a time when your 1% have increased their $bns by 2x. Vile, simply vile.

 

[Tomasz + 1,608]

The Germans made a decision. As a result, Russian gas will fuel the Chinese economy. I only hope that in that case Germany will not blame that their economy powered by very expensive gas is not competitive to Chinese products.

[Michael Sanches + 187]

On 2/19/2022 at 1:11 AM, Tom Nolan said:

The Ukrainian crisis has nothing to do with Ukraine. It’s about Germany and, in particular, a pipeline that connects Germany to Russia called Nord Stream 2. Washington sees the pipeline as a threat to its primacy in Europe and has tried to sabotage the project at every turn. Even so, Nord Stream has pushed ahead and is now fully-operational and ready-to-go. Once German regulators provide the final certification, the gas deliveries will begin. German homeowners and businesses will have a reliable source of clean and inexpensive energy while Russia will see a significant boost to their gas revenues. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.

The US Foreign Policy establishment is not happy about these developments. They don’t want Germany to become more dependent on Russian gas because commerce builds trust and trust leads to the expansion of trade. As relations grow warmer, more trade barriers are lifted, regulations are eased, travel and tourism increase, and a new security architecture evolves. In a world where Germany and Russia are friends and trading partners, there is no need for US military bases, no need for expensive US-made weapons and missile systems, and no need for NATO. There’s also no need to transact energy deals in US Dollars or to stockpile US Treasuries to balance accounts. Transactions between business partners can be conducted in their own currencies which is bound to precipitate a sharp decline in the value of the dollar and a dramatic shift in economic power.
 

 

Actually, this makes a whole lot of sense. I know I will get clobbered for being religious, but this was written millennia ago in the Bible.

Gog and Magog (Russia and Germany), in the end times, will send joint peacekeepers to the Middle East to take over Israel. The Young Lions of Tarshish will ask, "Are you going to conquer Israel?" Gog and Magog will respond, "Absolutely not! We are just sending a few hundred thousand Peacekeepers."

Tarshish is England and the Iberian Peninsula. Their young Lions are the countries birthed from them, the Western Hemisphere, ANZAC, India, Phillipines, etc. By and large, most of these countries are pro Israel.

I never thought I would see Russia and Germany united. If they do unite, it will be very chilling.

O.K., flame away. But, it IS amazing this was written thousands of years ago.

[Piotr Berman + 82]

On 2/20/2022 at 6:50 PM, Tomasz said:

Centers conducive to the war with Russia:

- England, which wants to weaken Germany by torpedoing Nord Stream 2;

- the Republican party in the US, which wants to discredit Biden;

- Poles who  set fire to Europe since the 19th century;

--------------------------

In the poll, Poles are 52% for diplomatic support, 25% to "support militarily or defend", but Poland has border with Russia (Kaliningrad), Belarus and Ukraine, and I think most people meant "keep troops at those borders".  From comments in WP, fighting for "Banderastan" has very, very few proponents.  Portuguese are most willing to support, Spanish less etc., it helps if someone else does it.

 

 

[bloodman33 + 22]

Wack job article by Wack job institute.

[Boat + 1,323]

I heard Russia has over 600 billion in cash off their FF. I heard the banks have at least 40% of that money frozen. If this is true the Ukraine could use that money for a couple of squadrons of F-35’s. That would still leave a couple hundred billion for other various defensive operations.