The EU decision regarding SWIFT is shameful. Blocking Russia from the system is one a the few sanctions that will hit the leadership where it hurts. Once again the fossil fuel industry has had its way.
From the BBC liveblog:
12:55
Russia says 200 Ukrainians ‘eliminated’ in airbase siege
More now on reports that Russian forces have taken control of the key Hostomel airfield near Kyiv.Some 200 Russian helicopters were involved in the operation at the airfield, also known as Antonov Airport, the Russian Defence Ministry says.
The ministry claimed that 200 troops from Ukraine’s special units were killed, adding that there were no Russian losses, according to state news agency RIA Novosti.
We have not yet heard from the Ukrainian military - and the Russian account has not been verified.
The Russian Defence Ministry says: “The success of the landing force was ensured by suppressing all air defence systems near the landing site, full isolation of the area of military action from the air and active radio electronic warfare.”
“The kids were scared, they cry and ask ‘Mom, will we all die?’,” said Alla, a woman in her 40s.
A lot of analysts are saying that they are saving SWIFT for another round of sanctions, but by then it may be too late. This is a full-scale invasion and unprovoked. What line has to be crossed for them to bring out the big guns?
They won’t do it. The energy sector has spoken and said it will be too much of an inconvenience for them.
IIRC the argument is that kicking Russia out of SWIFT would push it further into China’s arms and hasten the development of a rival global financial system.
They didn’t mind when it was Iran. People in the EU and the US need to make it clear to their leaders that we are not going to settle for a slap on the wrist this time. There’s already vocal criticism in Germany.
That’s a weak excuse. That would take time to accomplish, and I’d like to see how well a Russian and Chinese backed financial system would work out. China is a big player, but an international banking system needs to be… international.
China isn’t going to do that. Their corrupt officials and businessmen like access to Western goodies as much as the Russian ones do.
Replacing the USD as the global reserve currency is a long-term project that’s more about turning the U.S. central government into a weakened and kleptocratic one-party illiberal democracy. Which, granted, is in progress…
Iran committed a doubly egregious sin after its revolution: expropriating the assets of transnational fossil fuel companies. That’s how far a country has to go to become a pariah in the world of international banking. Starting a war of choice on false pretexts? Business as usual and a shrug from the big transnational oil corps.
Because another world war would be So Much Fun??? Russia has nuclear weapons, remember?
Many people in Europe are by now(*) aware we can’t improve the world by sending in armed troops all over the world to make things better. That even if you do it with the right intentions the reward is often not worth the price, especially not to the thousands of soldiers dying face down in the mud. That not every problem has a solution we must supply.
I know people with sons and daughters in the military and I will not ask my government to please send these kids to a pointless death, thank you.
(*Took us about three centuries…)
I don’t mean armed troops. I mean sanctions that would make North Korea cringe. Give Putin’s regime a taste of the Kim Jong-Un treatment.
At least some don’t think of the money. Deutsche Telekom, a major landline/mobile provider:
“Words fail us for what is currently happening in Ukraine. 
Until further notice, we will provide calls and SMS from landline & mobile to Ukraine free of charge. This applies to private and business customers and to congstar. Roaming in Ukraine will also be free of charge.”
https://twitter.com/deutschetelekom/status/1497140996701712384
the security council was established with five “permanent” members who get a veto over the proceedings consisting of the victors of world war 2–china (from 1949-1971 this meant taiwan), france, russia (from 1945-1991 this meant the soviet union), the united kingdom, and the united states. there are a further ten rotating members of the security council who each serve for two year terms. the “presidency” of the security council rotates on a monthly basis so russia’s term as president is about to expire and it will rotate to the next member on march 1.
Any ideas about trustworthy, verified ogranizations that can be donated to?
Any ideas about trustworthy, verified ogranizations that can be donated to?
Some people suggested to me when I asked the same question that the Ukrainian Red Cross is a good option.
