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.

Ukraine

I watch quite a few videos about the Ukraine and Russia. Most say that inside Russia things are getting very hard, and now even harder with falling oil prices. 

It would appear (outwardly at least) that Putin wants a new Russian Empire. He sees the destruction of Ukraine as a separate nation as something worth fighting for.  The fall of Russia internally seems to be very slow in happening.

If the USA is pulled out of supporting Ukraine, I think the wrong message will be sent to the world that bullying succeeds.

Bullies?

It appears to me that Ukraine is "between a rock and a hard place". 

It looks like they are being offered a very poor deal over their heads by Russia and the USA. 

If they do not accept the USA is likely to stop intelligence sharing and just walk away.

The world seems to be run by selfish individuals who are more interested in their own enrichment rather than that of their citizens. 

Where are the leaders who put the interests of the common person ahead of rich billionaires?

More from Times Radio

This video was on YouTube earlier.  It includes a piece about the disappearance of Sergei Lavrov who is the Russia Foreign Minister who seems to have "dropped off the radar" in recent weeks. Apparently he is very bright and has been a real supporter of President Putin of Russia.

Is Russia heading for recession?

With oil prices falling and increasing sanctions causing China and India to think twice before buying Russian oil (its major export) there is a danger of the Russian economy being in serious trouble.

YouTube videos

There are huge numbers of videos on YouTube. Many people now watch YouTube on TV which is a recent change. 

Whatever your interest, you are almost certain to find a video. If you do a search I can almost guarantee you will find something. 

Last night we watched a video about transport in the time of Queen Victoria in the UK. This was on the TV.

If you want videos about Russia I have found TimesRadio and Joe Blogs videos informative.

Is Russia in deep trouble?

Apparently OPEC+ has agreed to increase production still further, which is likely to result in a further fall in oil price per barrel. Also Ukraine drone strikes have been targeted at Russian oil processing leading to shortages at pumps. As Russia depends heavily on oil exports, this could really hurt.

Working Russian stations

If you are old enough, you will remember working lots of stations in the old USSR. We were able to share our hobby on equal terms with people who were really the same as us. 

I feel the same now about Russia. I hate that they invaded Ukraine, but I hope that via amateur radio we can all share our common humanity. Incidentally, one of my old neighbours was Russian and nicer person you could never meet.  Since leaving work, I have had regular contact with a Russian who has always been the same.