Putin, Russia and the West

MSS · 30th March 2022, 08:30

For those interested, the above four programme documentary from 2012 starts on BBC4 tonight.

I've seen the series previously and it is excellent. It also leaves one wondering how and why relations have deteriorated so much.

The full series of four programmes is still also available on iPlayer.

VVC-Geeza · 30th March 2022, 09:42

In my mind Putin seems to have been around forever,and in some ways I had a slight admiration for him as a strong and capable leader.Untill now that is,never in my wildest imagination did I believe he was capable of the evil and brutality that he has shown over the last month.I'm not the most well informed on world affairs,and perhaps a little naive,but he and his regime have truely shocked me with their actions.

torque2me · 30th March 2022, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

In my mind Putin seems to have been around forever,and in some ways I had a slight admiration for him as a strong and capable leader.Untill now that is,never in my wildest imagination did I believe he was capable of the evil and brutality that he has shown over the last month.I'm not the most well informed on world affairs,and perhaps a little naive,but he and his regime have truely shocked me with their actions.

He's ex-KGB (though one NEVER leave the family) and thus a virtual certainty he would be brutal. As for strong leadership, I would say it was "strong" piles of money.

Kev

VVC-Geeza · 30th March 2022, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by torque2me

He's ex-KGB (though one NEVER leave the family) and thus a virtual certainty he would be brutal. As for strong leadership, I would say it was "strong" piles of money.

Kev

Yes I'm aware he is ex KGB but in his many years of leadership he has behaved in a 'fairly' statesman like way on the world stage up untill now.His ruthlessness and lack of caution at esculating things have shocked me and I suspect many others.

wraymond · 30th March 2022, 16:46

Putin has exceeded his usefulness in his position and this is a last ditch attempt to prolong his tenure. There are other factions at home who are decidedly not his friends but are eagerly awaiting opportunities. He knows this and that's why he is breaking all the 'rules' and raising the fear factor. He's a very clever man. His replacement, if it comes, might be even worse.

torque2me · 30th March 2022, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

Yes I'm aware he is ex KGB but in his many years of leadership he has behaved in a 'fairly' statesman like way on the world stage up untill now.His ruthlessness and lack of caution at esculating things have shocked me and I suspect many others.

Well, is that strong in the sense that you have murdered rivals, ex-employees and destroyed the lives of others in different ways. Or is strong being comfortable with vote rigging and denying any type of non-violent demonstrations against HIS regime?

From his being Mayor in St. Petersburg he actually could be seen in his true colours but his actions were smaller in scale until he had his cronies in place and his cronies had him on the path to total power.

I'm not shocked, or surprised, as he is a doppleganger to Stalin (and a few other notable Russian/Soviet persons). Lenin was a ruthless man as well but history does not underline that trait.

Kev

VVC-Geeza · 30th March 2022, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by torque2me

Well, is that strong in the sense that you have murdered rivals, ex-employees and destroyed the lives of others in different ways. Or is strong being comfortable with vote rigging and denying any type of non-violent demonstrations against HIS regime?

From his being Mayor in St. Petersburg he actually could be seen in his true colours but his actions were smaller in scale until he had his cronies in place and his cronies had him on the path to total power.

I'm not shocked, or surprised, as he is a doppleganger to Stalin (and a few other notable Russian/Soviet persons). Lenin was a ruthless man as well but history does not underline that trait.

Kev

The west of course would never resort to any of those things.Would they?Dr David Kelly may have a diffeent view.One thing I am sure of though is we will never be guilty of genocide,something I thought was beyond Putin too.I was wrong.

Gelen · 16th April 2022, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVC-Geeza

In my mind Putin seems to have been around forever,and in some ways I had a slight admiration for him as a strong and capable leader.Untill now that is,never in my wildest imagination did I believe he was capable of the evil and brutality that he has shown over the last month.I'm not the most well informed on world affairs,and perhaps a little naive,but he and his regime have truely shocked me with their actions.

He prepared for this war for several years. It is hard even to see what is happening in Ukraine, so I can't even imagine what it is like to be there right now. It would be great if all countries stand for Ukraine and stop making business with Russia as they support Russian aggression in this way. Just found a good video on the topic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7p4YJEqAtU&t=2s

mbev51 · 17th April 2022, 08:53

If we can ween ourselves off Russian energy, Putin’s ability to finance his war will be limited.

Borg Warner · 17th April 2022, 10:57

https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/16/...stand-on-cutti

https://www.goodto.com/money/where-d...oil-gas-654919

30th March 2022, 08:30	#1
MSS This is my second home Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7,084 Thanks: 283 Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts	Putin, Russia and the West For those interested, the above four programme documentary from 2012 starts on BBC4 tonight. I've seen the series previously and it is excellent. It also leaves one wondering how and why relations have deteriorated so much. The full series of four programmes is still also available on iPlayer. __________________ Member of the Peasant Underdog Class, Grade 1

30th March 2022, 09:42	#2
VVC-Geeza This is my second home 2005 Connoisseur SE 1.8 Turbo,2004 45 1.8 Connoisseur and my beloved 1998 VVC Coupe. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Derby. Posts: 8,758 Thanks: 2,022 Thanked 1,016 Times in 739 Posts	In my mind Putin seems to have been around forever,and in some ways I had a slight admiration for him as a strong and capable leader.Untill now that is,never in my wildest imagination did I believe he was capable of the evil and brutality that he has shown over the last month.I'm not the most well informed on world affairs,and perhaps a little naive,but he and his regime have truely shocked me with their actions. __________________

30th March 2022, 16:46	#5
wraymond This is my second home 75 Auto 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westcliff on Sea Posts: 5,193 Thanks: 423 Thanked 1,680 Times in 1,014 Posts	Putin has exceeded his usefulness in his position and this is a last ditch attempt to prolong his tenure. There are other factions at home who are decidedly not his friends but are eagerly awaiting opportunities. He knows this and that's why he is breaking all the 'rules' and raising the fear factor. He's a very clever man. His replacement, if it comes, might be even worse. __________________ member no. 235

17th April 2022, 08:53	#9
mbev51 Banned Removed Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Removed Posts: 1,343 Thanks: 171 Thanked 315 Times in 223 Posts	If we can ween ourselves off Russian energy, Putin’s ability to finance his war will be limited.

17th April 2022, 10:57	#10
Borg Warner I really should get out more....... None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2,579 Thanks: 494 Thanked 657 Times in 402 Posts	https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/16/...stand-on-cutti https://www.goodto.com/money/where-d...oil-gas-654919