Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[celedhring]

Croatia's president supports Putin against NATO membership for Sweden and Finland. But my understanding is that his role is ceremonial and he doesn't really have a say. The government supports NATO membership.

Apparently he's demanding that Bosnia Herzegovina amends its electoral law to give croats more voice before supporting NATO enlargement. That's some truly weird blackmail, B-H isn't even in NATO.

[The Larch]

Russia cuts the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay in rubles.

[Tamas]

Russia cuts the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria for refusing to pay in rubles.

I am guessing one reason to pick on them in particular is they are transit countries. I think the Russians are betting on them taking the gas they paid for from the transit gas, creating friction within the EU.

[Sheilbh]

EU is apparently preparing for Russia to impose a general embargo - although Reuters have reported that four European gas buyers have started paying in Rubles so they may try to meet those contracts/commitments?

[jimmy olsen]

EU is apparently preparing for Russia to impose a general embargo - although Reuters have reported that four European gas buyers have started paying in Rubles so they may try to meet those contracts/commitments?

Hungary and who else?

[jimmy olsen]

Are they really going to try this? We know they're stupid and high on their own supply, but this stupid?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/26/moldova-holds-security-meeting-as-tensions-rise-over-breakaway-region-transnistria

[celedhring]

EU is apparently preparing for Russia to impose a general embargo - although Reuters have reported that four European gas buyers have started paying in Rubles so they may try to meet those contracts/commitments?

Hungary and who else?

Austria, I think. Maybe Slovenia.

[Zanza]

In Germany, it is private companies buying the gas. Not sure of the government can even stop them from paying in rubles. Is there a legal basis for this from the sanction regime?

[Tamas]

Hungarian FM said they are transferring the money in euros but managed to setup a scheme where the Russian bank they send it to then converts it to rubels and forwards it as payment for the gas.

[Zanza]

By the way, Poland will of course still get Russian gas via Nordstream 1 pipeline. Germany apparently exports about half the Russian gas we import...

[The Larch]

By the way, Poland will of course still get Russian gas via Nordstream 1 pipeline. Germany apparently exports about half the Russian gas we import...

I think Ursula VdL already came out saying that Poland and Bulgaria had nothing to worry about because other EU countries would sell them the gas they'd need for the moment.

[Legbiter]

Some details on the technical dependency on dual use Western electronics for Russian weapons. The sanctions will bite, but they will try to get it via third countries.

Belarus will make a killing. 

[Duque de Bragança]

Some details on the technical dependency on dual use Western electronics for Russian weapons. The sanctions will bite, but they will try to get it via third countries.

Belarus will make a killing. 

Belarus has been making a killing with sanctions since 2014.

[Josquius]

Isn't Belarus included in the current set of sanctions?

The main leaky spot I've heard is India.

[HVC]

Croatia's president supports Putin against NATO membership for Sweden and Finland. But my understanding is that his role is ceremonial and he doesn't really have a say. The government supports NATO membership.

Ahh Croatia, the only place that gives Serbia a run for their money