tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817171247555815363.post3229514999370416058..comments2024-03-26T05:57:44.937+00:00Comments on True Economics: 2/2/15: Russian External Debt: Falling & So Far SustainableTrueEconomicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350536454228478974noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817171247555815363.post-3950010770381259072015-02-06T09:36:36.072+00:002015-02-06T09:36:36.072+00:00Understanding is the first step forward. Understan...Understanding is the first step forward. Understanding all sides involved, not one or two. <br /><br />Next step after that will have to be agreeing a road map to change to achieve common objectives. Compromise is necessary by all sides and cooperation too.<br /><br />Judgement is best reserved for history. Not to be diminished - to the contrary, to be strengthened by removing it from the hands of the trolls and ideologues on all sides of the conflict.<br /><br />Problem is: we live in a world of judgement first, solutions last. <br /><br />Well-funded by all sides, trolling of intellectual discourse is undermining Western democratic traditions of the freedom of speech and expression. But much worse is the impact of such approach to decision-making on Ukraine. The country is being torn between geopolitical objectives of five camps: Russia, DNR/LNR, Kiev, EU, US/Nato. <br /><br />Logistically, any movement forward from this requires reducing the number of parties to the conflict and starting a functional dialogue. The former is achievable. The latter is not possible given the vitriol surrounding the debate.<br /><br />Insulting Ukrainian history, society, politics, people is an ordinary occurrence in Russia today. Very sad. Insulting Russian history, society, politics, people is an ordinary occurrence in the West and Ukraine today. Very sad. Whitewashing Russian history is a regular occurrence in Russia today. Dangerous. Whitewashing Ukrainian history is a regular occurrence in Ukraine and the West today. Dangerous. Whitewashing Western history is a regular occurrence in the West today. Dangerous. <br /><br />Pasternak told us very clearly that in every conflict, it is the moderates who hold answers and solutions, and it is the moderates who get killed first. We are exactly in such a predicament. On all sides of this conflict.TrueEconomicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350536454228478974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817171247555815363.post-89738231364708489302015-02-05T22:14:01.473+00:002015-02-05T22:14:01.473+00:00Thanks Constantin,
I think you are exactly right,...Thanks Constantin,<br /><br />I think you are exactly right, it's not about deciding who is the worst but constructively working towards the best solution.<br /><br />I can understand the East Ukraine/ Russian viewpoint. A violent revolution overthrowing a democratically elected president. It's a shame that Viktor Yanukovych could not have been persuaded to step down peacefully or for the protestors to wait one more year for his term to end.<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_presidential_election,_2010#mediaviewer/File:%D0%94%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80_2010_%D0%BF%D0%BE_%D0%BE%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%85-en.png" rel="nofollow"> I guess the vote distribution says it all</a><br /><br />As an Irishman, I cannot quite comprehend the sanctions against Russia, by the same standard, I would expect we should also have sanctions against the US. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/02/politics/us-ukraine-lethal-aid/<br /><br />However, as you say, Ukraine would be better served by Russian peace brokering, rather than the current backing it gives based on ethnicity.<br /><br />Anyway, it seems to be a great time to buy the ruble but I feel uncomfortable morally about such an action. Is it war profiteering? <br /><br />Does buying the ruble validate Putin and does it matter? Is Russia no worse than the US, just with a terrible media profile. Statistically, there are more people per capita in jail in the US 707 v 470. Would Pussy Riot have gone to jail in the US? This is the nonsense that runs through my head. Have I been misled by Western media. I think if Putin wrote his version of 'Dreams of my father', we might have a better idea.<br /><br />Apologies for babbling on and thanks for your analysis.<br /><br /><br />Rgds,<br />Seanseannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817171247555815363.post-17839164118932698612015-02-03T18:09:49.667+00:002015-02-03T18:09:49.667+00:00Hi Sean - stated it both here on the blog and in t...Hi Sean - stated it both here on the blog and in the media before. <br /><br />Ukrainian conflict is tragic, unnecessary and counter-productive to all parties involved. <br /><br />Russian position is not justifiable and runs contrary to the core objective of assuring peaceful, democratic and functional Ukraine based on Ukraine's full right of self-determination. Russia should play a constructive role in the conflict, not provide a unilateral support to the separatists. Russia should exercise all of its power to compel the establishment of a binding and lasting peace process.<br /><br />Ditto for the US and EU - both should take a position of agents for reconciliation, not for confrontation. <br /><br />My view is that Ukraine needs some significant federalisation effort, but ultimately it is up to the Ukrainian people to decide - nobody's opinion from outside Ukraine can be a substitute for the democratic process. Ukraine also needs to make a huge leap on a number of institutional and policy reforms. It needs to mature socially and historically - a process being threatened by the conflict and by politicisation and polarisation of the Ukrainian society.<br /><br />I am worried by the continued trends in all positions involved in the conflict, including those of the Ukraine itself. <br /><br />My core objective defining my views is to see Ukraine emerge as a democratic, functioning state that is fully engaged, constructively and positively, with all its neighbours. Russia has a lot to think about as to how it can play similarly constructive and positive role forward. And so do the EU and US, and the Nato.<br /><br />I hope this explains.TrueEconomicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350536454228478974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8817171247555815363.post-39847345982933061362015-02-02T23:30:43.082+00:002015-02-02T23:30:43.082+00:00Hi Constantine,
Just wondering what your position...Hi Constantine,<br /><br />Just wondering what your position is on the Ukraine war?seannoreply@blogger.com