[GK3]

https://www.politico.eu/article/top-russ...osthetics/

I can’t even…

BC

BC thanks for posting that only as it allows us to see the thinking going on in Russia.  Here is a pretty current analysis of the Russian economic situation which according to this is not too bright.  
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/04/rus...get-peace/

From the above link

In fact, economic pressure remains the best leverage that Ukraine’s supporters have over the Kremlin. It remains to be seen whether Europe and the United States will choose to play the economic ace they still have up their sleeves.

The "best" leverage may be inadequate, but it is what we have to work with. We must use it, and use it well. Modi has to be given an alternative source of crude at a price that isn't too much worse than he is paying Russia. That will be a "good deal" for him when the alternative is slightly cheaper Russian oil but also an extra 25% tariff on all India's exports to the US. IMO we really need to make this happen. The longer Russia can hang around economically the more probable it is other nations will "normalize" Russian aggression and go back to buying energy from them. The article may be incorrect. Russia may be in a "good" spot to weather a new set of sanctions. However, given that is our best leverage, we MUST execute it now before it ceases to be useful.

In the face of the news of Russian strikes on Kyiv, there is this Economist article that discusses how the Ukrianian drone strikes on Russias oil industry is starting to hurt and perhaps hurt in a big way. Price of petrol has risen 54%, gasoline exports stopped, petrol rationing in some parts of the country. It makes for interesting reading.
https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/09...rol-crisis

[GK3]

https://www.politico.eu/article/top-russ...osthetics/

I can’t even…

BC

BC thanks for posting that only as it allows us to see the thinking going on in Russia.  Here is a pretty current analysis of the Russian economic situation which according to this is not too bright.  
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/04/rus...get-peace/

From the above link

In fact, economic pressure remains the best leverage that Ukraine’s supporters have over the Kremlin. It remains to be seen whether Europe and the United States will choose to play the economic ace they still have up their sleeves.

The "best" leverage may be inadequate, but it is what we have to work with. We must use it, and use it well. Modi has to be given an alternative source of crude at a price that isn't too much worse than he is paying Russia. That will be a "good deal" for him when the alternative is slightly cheaper Russian oil but also an extra 25% tariff on all India's exports to the US. IMO we really need to make this happen. The longer Russia can hang around economically the more probable it is other nations will "normalize" Russian aggression and go back to buying energy from them. The article may be incorrect. Russia may be in a "good" spot to weather a new set of sanctions. However, given that is our best leverage, we MUST execute it now before it ceases to be useful.

In the face of the news of Russian strikes on Kyiv, there is this Economist article that discusses how the Ukrianian drone strikes on Russias oil industry is starting to hurt and perhaps hurt in a big way. Price of petrol has risen 54%, gasoline exports stopped, petrol rationing in some parts of the country. It makes for interesting reading.
https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/09...rol-crisis