China’s yuan replaces the US dollar as the primary currency for Russia’s foreign trade. This development comes as no surprise, considering that Russia has been increasingly sanctioned out of the eurodollar market. The yuan’s share in Russia’s exports has risen dramatically over the past two years, from 0.4% to 34.5%, and its share in imports has also increased significantly, from 4.3% to 36.4%. Settlements in Russian roubles and yuan in bilateral trade have reached as high as 95%.
It is worth noting that both the yuan and the ruble are protected currencies whose official exchange rates do not reflect their true value in the free market.… Continue reading
EU leaders have approved a €50 billion deal for Ukraine after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lifted his veto. This is a significant development in supporting Ukraine during a critical moment. However, it raises questions about the negotiations and potential backroom deals that may have taken place. It is important to consider if the threat of stripping EU funding was enough to make Orbán back down.
Orbán has a history of exploiting the voting rule in the past, giving him significant power to sabotage deals. It would be beneficial if the press did not compliment him for these actions, as it only encourages such behavior.… Continue reading
Russian Girl Jailed for Wearing Rainbow-Colored Earrings
I recently came across a distressing news article about a young Russian girl who was jailed for wearing rainbow-colored earrings. Yes, you read that right. Wearing a simple accessory led to her arrest and detention. This incident speaks volumes about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Russia, highlighting the oppressive regime that currently governs the country.
The girl, who remains unidentified, was accused of publicly displaying “the symbol of an extremist organization.” This accusation alone is absurd and shows how arbitrary the authorities’ actions can be. It is deeply disturbing to witness how a harmless act of self-expression can be seen as a threat by those in power.… Continue reading
Russia Hit With Widespread Internet Outage Across Country
As an avid gamer, it’s not every day that I have cause to rejoice over a widespread internet outage. However, when I heard that Russia was hit with a massive disruption to their internet services, I couldn’t help but crack a smile. It seems that the issue was related to a technical problem with the .ru domain’s global Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), which is used to secure data exchanged in internet protocol networks.
Now, I’m not an expert in technology, so I can’t say for certain whether this was a result of a hack or just a failure in maintenance, hardware, or software.… Continue reading
The recent statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for the European Union (EU) to defend Ukraine even if the US reduces its military support, has sparked an important conversation about the EU’s role in international security. Macron’s bold stance reflects the need for the EU to step up its game and take greater responsibility for its own defense.
For far too long, the EU has relied on the US security umbrella, and this approach is no longer sustainable. As the world changes, it’s high time for the EU to realize that it can’t always play second fiddle in its own backyard.… Continue reading
As I read the headline “CIA director: Not passing Ukraine aid would be a mistake ‘of historic proportions'” my initial reaction was a mix of confusion, frustration, and disbelief. It feels like a surreal moment to witness the Republican Party, once known for its strong stance against Russia, now seemingly in its pocket. As someone who grew up during the height of the Cold War, it is disheartening to see the shift in perspective and the lack of consistency in political values.
I vividly remember participating in drills at school, where we would duck and cover, preparing for a potential nuclear attack from the Soviet Union.… Continue reading
Ukraine says corrupt officials stole $40 million meant to buy arms for the war with Russia. The news comes as a shocking revelation, but sadly, not a surprising one. Corruption has long plagued Ukraine, and it seems that even in the midst of a grueling war, some officials cannot resist the allure of lining their own pockets.
The fact that the funds have been tracked down and seized is a small victory. At least the money will be returned to the country’s defense budget, where it is sorely needed. However, $40 million is no small amount, and its loss will undoubtedly have implications for Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.… Continue reading
Joe Biden is arming Greece so that Greece can arm Ukraine, and pro-Russia Republicans can’t stop him. This move is made possible through the “excess defense articles” law, which allows the US to declare surplus military systems and give them away to other countries. Greece will receive old US military equipment for free, and in return, they will provide Ukraine with their old equipment.
I can almost hear the steam whistling out of Republicans’ ears and noses as they react to this news. It’s a clever strategy to circumvent their opposition and ensure aid reaches Ukraine. It’s a shame that negotiations for this took a while to hash out, but at least it’s happening now.… Continue reading
As I read the news about Canada sending more equipment to Ukraine as the full-scale war with Russia nears its two-year mark, I can’t help but feel a mixture of gratitude and concern. It is heartening to see Canada stepping up to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. As a Canadian, I am proud that our country is standing on the side of justice and freedom.
However, I can’t help but notice the underlying sentiment in some of the comments – that Canada has no need for its military equipment because we are protected by our proximity to the United States.… Continue reading
Orbán backs Sweden’s NATO bid in sudden U-turn
Well, well, well, it seems like Orbán has done a complete 180-degree turn in his stance on Sweden’s NATO bid. This guy really knows how to overplay a weak hand. First, he tries to negotiate the terms of accession with Sweden, and they tell him to “fuck off.” And then, miraculously, he does a U-turn and supports their bid. What a dipshit. I can’t believe this absolute abhorrent human being still holds power.
Honestly, this scum doesn’t deserve a cent from the EU. He should be stripped of his voting rights and maybe even booted out of the EU altogether.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker