Quote Originally Posted by BrentWilliams View Post
The strategy on Ukraine is pretty clear. Economic isolation of Russia in partnership with the EU. Rather you agree with that is another issue. However, what we are doing is clear.
BW---about as clear as muddy water these days after a rain in the eastern part of the Ukraine.

If you read the statement today Putin gave on the Ukraine where he called for the creation of the Ukrainian statehood of "New Russia"----a number of times.

Then within the hours after his statements his press manager attempted "to walk back that term New Russia".

That is a red flag for the Ukrainians and Europe.

But BW---here is the issue--Putin never has a "slip" or "Freudian slip"--he simply speaks what he thinks and does not hide that.

Sanctions will not even cause him to blink must less pull his troops out of the Ukraine and or Crimea.

This was taken from an article that the INYTs wrote about that speech.

Notice how many times his press manager uses the same term that Putin allegedly "slipped up on"---New Russian.

Putin's use of the word "statehood" was interpreted in Western media as implying backing for the rebel demand of independence, something Moscow has so far stopped short of publicly endorsing.

However, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no new endorsement from Moscow for rebel independence. Asked if "New Russia", a term pro-Moscow rebels use for their territory, should still be part of Ukraine, Peskov said: "Of course."

"Only Ukraine can reach an agreement with New Russia, taking into account the interests of New Russia, and this is the only way to reach a political settlement."

Rebels have rallied behind the term "New Russia" since Putin first used it in a public appearance in April. Putin called it a tsarist-era term for land that now forms southern and eastern Ukraine. Ukrainians consider the term deeply offensive and say it reveals Moscow's imperial designs on their territory.

BW---the only sanctions that will get Putin's immediate and swift attention are;

1. cut off of Russian companies and individuals from SWIFT
2. cut of all US/EU/Swiss 90 day lines of credit to all Russian companies
3. cut off all selling of Russian sovereign debt by US/EU/Swiss banks
4. cut off of all Russian companies to all EU/US/Swiss capital markets