War

printer

printer

Well-Known Member
Drip, drip, drip...

Russian Railways calls Finland's train seizure unlawful
Russian Railways on Friday said Finland's state-owned railway company VR had acted unlawfully in seizing four trains co-owned through a joint venture. "The transfer of trains ... was not agreed," Russian Railways said in a statement.

VR said on Thursday it had seized the Allegro trains that used to travel between the two countries after more than 18 months of negotiations without any result. Passenger trains between Finland and Russia were suspended in March 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

VR said the Russian government had neglected its financial obligations towards the Karelian Trains joint venture and redeemed Karelian Trains' loans to Finnish banks when the venture faced bankruptcy in June 2023, obtaining rights that allowed it to seize the trains.

"Repeated proposals from Russian Railways to resume operation of Allegro trains within the framework of existing agreements were not accepted by the Finnish side," Russian Railways said. Russian Railways said VR's failure to accept its proposals had resulted in lost income and an inability to fulfil obligations. "Thus, the unlawful actions of VR and the Finnish management of Karelian Trains led to the insolvency of the latter," Russian Railways said.

The Allegro trains, tilting high-speed trains also known as Sm6, each consist of seven carriages, according to VR. The trains are expected to be put into service in domestic long-distance travel in Finland from 2025.
 
printer

printer

Well-Known Member
Long overdue.
EU strives to make Orbán realise ‘full costs’ of isolation after Ukraine veto
Leaders of EU countries have been left brainstorming ways to stop Viktor Orbán from blunting Brussels’ support for Kyiv, officials and diplomats said, after the Hungarian leader’s intransigence over Ukraine aid marked a new low in his relations with the bloc. At the summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday Orbán unexpectedly relented on accession negotiations after being persuaded by German chancellor Olaf Scholz to leave the room for a coffee, in effect abstaining after having signalled for weeks that he would resist any move to start talks. But a few hours later he ruined Kyiv’s moment of celebration — and delighted the Kremlin — by vetoing the €50bn, four-year financial aid package.

Even by Orbán’s standards it was a whipsawing performance that wrongfooted his partners. His refusal to seek a compromise on a core EU security issue dismayed even those who have sparred with him for years. Daniel Hegedüs, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund think-tank, said: “It was a low point for the EU and a new high point of escalation.” For much of his 13 years in power Orbán has used an antagonistic relationship with the EU to galvanise voters and extract financial concessions from Brussels. His current beef with Brussels is its suspension of €20bn of funding over concerns relating to the rule of law and fundamental rights, but EU officials are moving to limit his ability to thwart the bloc’s agenda. “He is adopting a behaviour and we are all learning it. We all see what it takes to trigger him, and that’s money,” said a senior EU diplomat.

“He is always transactional, never ideological,” said a European diplomat. “And we shouldn’t underestimate that he likes being at the centre of attention.”

But in the run-up to last week’s summit, EU leaders struggled to fathom what exactly the wily leader wanted. Was he doing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bidding or was he trying to push Brussels to release frozen funds? The day before EU leaders gathered in Brussels, the commission agreed to release €10bn of the frozen funds to Hungary, arguing it had enacted reforms strengthening judicial independence. EU officials said the concession was merit-based but the timing was helpful. Orbán and his allies had repeatedly said his opposition to helping Ukraine was not linked to Hungary’s EU funding. But as the summit drew to a close on Friday, he finally named his price: payment of the remaining €20bn in funds. “This is a great opportunity for Hungary to make it clear that it should get what it deserves,” Orbán told Hungarian public radio. “Not half or a quarter, but the whole thing. We demand fair treatment, and now we have a good chance to achieve this.” The Hungarian leader also pointed out that he still has 75 opportunities to block Ukraine’s accession process, since every stage requires the unanimous approval of EU members.

Further complicating matters, Hungary assumes the bloc’s six-month rotating presidency in July, another potential source of leverage. However, any further release of funds is likely to face stiff opposition. MEPs rounded on the commission for last week’s €10bn payment. “It’s extortion. Nothing less,” said Daniel Freund, a German green MEP, on X. The remaining €20bn due to Hungary is being withheld under a separate, procedure — a new “conditionality” mechanism that gives Brussels the leverage it needs to reverse rule of law and democratic breaches. Giving in to Budapest would badly damage its credibility, officials said. “If we move in this direction too far we must recognise where that will take us,” said the senior EU diplomat. “We must protect the integrity of the process.” Some officials have considered reactivating the so-called Article 7 punishment procedure for rule of law breaches, which can result in the suspension of voting rights. It can be blocked by another member state, but a change of government in Poland means Hungary no longer has a guaranteed protector. Still, multiple countries are nervous about using what is essentially the EU’s biggest weapon against a member state.

Instead, officials said, the priority is to persuade Orbán to back down on funding by making clear what one described as the “full costs” of his isolation. If that fails, the EU’s 26 other members could strike a deal on their own, although it would take time and only offer a short-term fix. “Maybe Hungary can create more trouble,” said a third EU senior official present at the summit. “Maybe Hungary can force us to use a few different tools. But ultimately Hungary cannot stop us providing money to Ukraine.” “He’s not Putin’s puppet, as some may think,” the official added. “And many do.”
www.ft.com

EU strives to make Orbán realise ‘full costs’ of isolation after Ukraine veto

Setback on funding for Kyiv was ‘high point of escalation’ by antagonistic Hungarian premier
www.ft.com www.ft.com
 
printer

printer

Well-Known Member
G7 moves closer to seizing Russian assets for Ukraine
The Group of Seven (G7) is moving closer to the possible confiscation of Russian assets for transfer to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported.

The United States, which had not previously publicly supported the idea of confiscation, told its G7 allies that it had found the funds to seize assets "in accordance with international law.”

"G7 members may take action to confiscate Russia's sovereign assets as a retaliatory measure to end Russia's aggression," said the U.S. document, which was distributed to G7 committees.

The document suggests that Russia's invasion of Ukraine opens a "legitimate opportunity" to use asset forfeiture as a "legitimate response to states that have been seriously affected by Russia's violation of international law."

Washington expects the issue of confiscating Russian assets to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of G7 leaders scheduled for Feb. 24.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has previously suggested that there is a "legal mechanism" for confiscating Russian assets and offered to work with the United States on the issue if other allies are unwilling to take this step.
https://news.yahoo.com/g7-moves-closer-seizing-russian-092800538.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMP5LHvCH2eDbJOXMK2L3Fq9b06yiD3PUwVJV3PRFaTQmrlPfsEZVddH3E5i_3IoiYhXF6DiGZ07UrL155buElHEgI6wnBKSbFskQCErT8f-DnZtmp-tBw786TgF8c2aJAtuErmd9swxCLyR_0aJ6BWAJeJ8vypG01GDtrcsDOYh
 
C

CCGNZ

Well-Known Member
printer said:
G7 moves closer to seizing Russian assets for Ukraine
The Group of Seven (G7) is moving closer to the possible confiscation of Russian assets for transfer to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported.

The United States, which had not previously publicly supported the idea of confiscation, told its G7 allies that it had found the funds to seize assets "in accordance with international law.”

"G7 members may take action to confiscate Russia's sovereign assets as a retaliatory measure to end Russia's aggression," said the U.S. document, which was distributed to G7 committees.

The document suggests that Russia's invasion of Ukraine opens a "legitimate opportunity" to use asset forfeiture as a "legitimate response to states that have been seriously affected by Russia's violation of international law."

Washington expects the issue of confiscating Russian assets to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of G7 leaders scheduled for Feb. 24.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has previously suggested that there is a "legal mechanism" for confiscating Russian assets and offered to work with the United States on the issue if other allies are unwilling to take this step.
https://news.yahoo.com/g7-moves-closer-seizing-russian-092800538.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMP5LHvCH2eDbJOXMK2L3Fq9b06yiD3PUwVJV3PRFaTQmrlPfsEZVddH3E5i_3IoiYhXF6DiGZ07UrL155buElHEgI6wnBKSbFskQCErT8f-DnZtmp-tBw786TgF8c2aJAtuErmd9swxCLyR_0aJ6BWAJeJ8vypG01GDtrcsDOYh
Click to expand...
Desperate times = Desperate measures, think initially there was worry about precedent,but what the hell let Ivan pay for some new weapon systems for Ukraine,or let that $ be used supporting the Ukranian economy and the West can strictly supply military equipment now that Russian $ can be used to keep the economy going.
 
cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
OldMedUser said:
Still decent numbers but I've yet to see any reports about what it is costing Ukraine to achieve them.

:peace:
Click to expand...
The trouble is, partisan sources are all we have. The Russian numbers are about even, but there’s no conversion factor to get likely fact from claim.

So, I don’t really believe the numbers before me. I do hope that Ukraine can find a way to evict the invaders to the pre-2014 line. But these numbers don’t give me an intuition.
 
Sativied

Sativied

Well-Known Member
www.spiegel.de

Russia: The Discontent of Soldiers' Wives Is Growing

The majority of Russians accept the war against Ukraine without complaint. But now, some of the wives of conscripted men are starting to go public with their frustration. They could become a problem for Putin.
www.spiegel.de www.spiegel.de

'Those called up so far comprise just over 1 percent of the army’s more than 25 million reservists.'

'She says his superiors told her husband: "You’re not human, you’re meat.” The draftees are at the very bottom of the army hierarchy, she says, adding that they even have to buy their own food. "He is physically and emotionally depleted, completely defenseless and without hope.”'

'It’s her belief that Ukraine belongs to Russia and not to the West.' <--false dilemma, Ukraine belongs to Ukrainians. She's like an anti-vax idiot dying on ICU, still claiming it's all a hoax, no sympathy here.

www.bbc.com

Ukraine war: Kyiv forced to cut military operations as foreign aid dries up

A top general says diminishing foreign military aid is already having an impact on the battlefield.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com

Ukraine is already using ammunition faster than partners can produce it. A report by the Estonian defence ministry said Kyiv needed a minimum of 200,000 artillery shells a month to retain an edge against Russia. "Sustaining this rate will empty European and US stockpiles over 2024 and will require significant foreign purchases of ammunition," it said.


www.euronews.com

EU countries failing to meet ammunition production target for Ukraine

The European Union promised earlier this year to provide one million rounds of ammunition to Kyiv by next March, but, so far, only 30% of this target has been achieved. #EuropeNews
www.euronews.com www.euronews.com

The European Union promised earlier this year to provide one million rounds of ammunition to Kyiv by next March, but, so far, only 30% of this target has been achieved.
 
C

CCGNZ

Well-Known Member
Sativied said:
www.spiegel.de

Russia: The Discontent of Soldiers' Wives Is Growing

The majority of Russians accept the war against Ukraine without complaint. But now, some of the wives of conscripted men are starting to go public with their frustration. They could become a problem for Putin.
www.spiegel.de www.spiegel.de

'Those called up so far comprise just over 1 percent of the army’s more than 25 million reservists.'

'She says his superiors told her husband: "You’re not human, you’re meat.” The draftees are at the very bottom of the army hierarchy, she says, adding that they even have to buy their own food. "He is physically and emotionally depleted, completely defenseless and without hope.”'

'It’s her belief that Ukraine belongs to Russia and not to the West.' <--false dilemma, Ukraine belongs to Ukrainians. She's like an anti-vax idiot dying on ICU, still claiming it's all a hoax, no sympathy here.

www.bbc.com

Ukraine war: Kyiv forced to cut military operations as foreign aid dries up

A top general says diminishing foreign military aid is already having an impact on the battlefield.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com

Ukraine is already using ammunition faster than partners can produce it. A report by the Estonian defence ministry said Kyiv needed a minimum of 200,000 artillery shells a month to retain an edge against Russia. "Sustaining this rate will empty European and US stockpiles over 2024 and will require significant foreign purchases of ammunition," it said.


www.euronews.com

EU countries failing to meet ammunition production target for Ukraine

The European Union promised earlier this year to provide one million rounds of ammunition to Kyiv by next March, but, so far, only 30% of this target has been achieved. #EuropeNews
www.euronews.com www.euronews.com

The European Union promised earlier this year to provide one million rounds of ammunition to Kyiv by next March, but, so far, only 30% of this target has been achieved.
Click to expand...
I've seen reports of forced conscription in Ukraine and Ukrainian marines saying the crossing of the Dnipro is a suicide mission in an attempt to placate the West w/some "good news",unfortunately cracks are appearing and the Ukrainian govt. has always been opaque in providing info. I don't see Russia as ever gaining the initiative to threaten Kyiv,but I also am beginning to see a pre- 2014 rollback of Russian positions as unattainable. The survival of the sovereign state of Ukraine is a victory in itself but a complete restoration of 2014 Ukraine borders increasingly looks doubtful,notwithstanding a possible Russian nuclear response in the unlikely event it were to come to fruition.
 
C

CCGNZ

Well-Known Member
printer said:
Click to expand...
That's good,but I read a NY times article about how Putin has absolutely pantsed foreign companies that have left Russia,most foreign co's were forced to sell at 50 cents on the dollar at best,had deals revoked,were taxed up the Kazoo to pull money out of Russia,a complete reaming in other words. Not to mention all the mfg. infrastructure Russia inherits while hoodwinking these co's. Toyota,Nissan,Karlsburg,Heineken,McDonalds are just a few of many who took huge losses pulling out of Russia all the while enriching Putin's cronies and filling Russian coffers to support the war,can't say I'm surprised NE Patriot owner once showed Putin a Super Bowl ring that Putin promptly put in his pocket,fleecing in Russia is a artform.
 
Offmymeds

Offmymeds

Well-Known Member
CCGNZ said:
That's good,but I read a NY times article about how Putin has absolutely pantsed foreign companies that have left Russia,most foreign co's were forced to sell at 50 cents on the dollar at best,had deals revoked,were taxed up the Kazoo to pull money out of Russia,a complete reaming in other words. Not to mention all the mfg. infrastructure Russia inherits while hoodwinking these co's. Toyota,Nissan,Karlsburg,Heineken,McDonalds are just a few of many who took huge losses pulling out of Russia all the while enriching Putin's cronies and filling Russian coffers to support the war,can't say I'm surprised NE Patriot owner once showed Putin a Super Bowl ring that Putin promptly put in his pocket,fleecing in Russia is a artform.
Click to expand...
I wonder what the risk/reward ratio is for companies investing in operations in Russia or China. Seriously how do they not know that Putin would treat them worse than he does any successful Russian company? Success in Russia often means being hit with a government lawsuit and forfeiting the operation. Whatever Putin wants, Putin takes.

Different in China but with a similar result. They just steal the technology.
 
C

CCGNZ

Well-Known Member
Offmymeds said:
I wonder what the risk/reward ratio is for companies investing in operations in Russia or China. Seriously how do they not know that Putin would treat them worse than he does any successful Russian company? Success in Russia often means being hit with a government lawsuit and forfeiting the operation. Whatever Putin wants, Putin takes.

Different in China but with a similar result. They just steal the technology.
Click to expand...
Agree,operating in China = loss of intellectual property,and virtually guarantees a Chinese co. will be offering knock offs ASAP guaranteed,many of the foreign cos. in Russia set up shop in the optimistic 90's,remember Peace,Hope, and Goodwill were in abundance. Optimism prevailed then,so much so that Ukraine agreed to devolve itself of nukes,think they wished they'd held on to a few now. Doing business in Russia is like a fat,dorky white kid w/3 gold ropes around his neck, a rolex on each wrist,and the latest,greatest IPhone in his hand,with the trendiest sneakers money can buy taking a stroll in the seediest neighborhood at midnight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top