Russian diesel?

 Allowing Russia to sell its diesel on the world market and in the USA is questionable.

Does Putin have something on Trump?

This is a question many people ask. President Trump appears to be siding with Russia and this is a possible explanation. This video explores this.  

Like many, I would like a just peace as soon as possible. Personally, I would find it tragic if Ukraine had no choice but to give in.

Russia

 Allegedly, President Trump has signed an executive order than delays some additional sanctions on Russia that the US congress has approved. My reading, my view, (others may differ) is that President Trump is losing patience with Ukraine's President Zelensky. 

According to this video, Russian regions are short of cash. 

At some point Ukraine has to decide to carry on fighting or give in to those nations more powerful than Ukraine. With winter approaching, this is a hard decision.  I am sure both sides have faults (Ukraine and Russia). 

I wish both sides could end the senseless war and come out of it feeling they have won.

The first steps to peace?

According to the BBC, Ukraine and Russia have agreed an "energy ceasefire".  I really hope this is the start of the long road to peace. This is such a waste of lives and property.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6pvg4jyz1m0o

UPDATE 1615z:  This is a Trump announcement. Russia has not (yet?) agreed to it. President Trump wishing?

Russian tax

It would seem Russia is trying to bring Ukraine to its knees. At the same time the very high cost of the war is bringing a severe strain to the Russian economy starved of western chips and semiconductors. There is a new tax coming in that tries to help Russia make its own and be less dependent on the West. This will take time.

Is Russia going dark?

 A very interesting metric of economic activity in Russia is to look at the nighttime lighting in Russia.

Russia and the West

In Ukraine , Russia seems to be trying to grind down civilians, who seem to be tiring of the war. At the same time Ukraine is trying to bring the war closer to ordinary people within Russia. 

At the same time Russia seems to be probing NATO to see how it would respond. 

I am pretty sure most ordinary people in Russia and Ukraine really just want a peaceful life. I do hope they can find a way of ending the needless carnage and destruction. It is all so silly.

Peace in Ukraine? - I think not

President Trump has just sent his special envoys to Russia and Ukraine. 

I do not think the prospects for peace have been advanced at all. 

In Putin's eyes they were like putty.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6248nvqy8po .

Russia devalues Ruble

 Russia is devaluing its currency.

Russia and Ukraine

 This "special military  operation" is now over 4 years old and should have been a few days. How it will all end is anyone's  guess.

Is Russia having issues with oil exports?

Ukraine has changed its war strategy to hit oil refineries deep in Russia. 

It has been trying to sell some of its oil abroad using shadow tankers. 

These countries are now being hit by secondary sanctions. Much of this Russian oil is being held on tankers on the high seas with nowhere to go.

Russia in trouble?

In the last few months Ukraine has changed its method of fighting the war with Russia.  

Increasingly Ukraine is hitting oil refineries in Russia leading to a fuel shortage.  Russia continues to hit Ukraine, but the strikes in Russia are leading to real problems.

War comes to Russia

The war between Russia and Ukraine has been going since 2022. Recently Ukraine has been attacking targets deep in Russia, so ordinary Russians are beginning to feel the pain.

Inside Russia

With the "special military operation"  in Ukraine, the Russian economy is on a war footing. There are a number of indicators suggesting the Russian economy is suffering, despite what official statistics might say.

Ukraine war

It would appear that Russia is not having it as easy as they once thought it would be. 

Militarily Russia should be far superior, but increasingly Ukraine is bringing the war to Russians in Russia. 

The interview with Professor Scott Lucas in Eire is revealing.

Is Russia in trouble?

The Russians have published figures which downgrade the growth in the Russian economy. Structural weakness?

Is Russia hurting?

 The indicators appear to be indicating this?

Russian Rouble

 It looks like the Russian Rouble could fall heavily this year as Russian oil sales fall . 

With the war against Iran by the USA and Israel, we could be in for a rough ride in the world in the months ahead. Maybe this will help Russia?

Russian losses in the war with Ukraine

 This war has been going on now for 4 long years and is now entering the 5th with no clear end in sight. It would seem President Putin is trying recreate the USSR and does not see Ukraine as a legitimate state. He has shown no willingness to stop the fighting.

Russia-Ukraine conflict

This has now been going on for 4 years.

No nation is perfect, but I really wish this would end fairly and end soon.  

My worry is the USA will just walk away.  Clearly Europe is concerned about President Putin's aims beyond Ukraine, for example in the Baltic and Finland.  At one time an attack on one NATO nation was the same as an attack on all NATO members and was a strong deterrent. Would the USA join? 

The Ukrainian people have put up a stalwart defence.