Putin's war economy 'has grown weaker' as West considers 'zero trade option' | Timothy Ash

"Russia's been, converted to a war economy. Right. and that, you know, difficult choices have been made, have been growth has been lower overall...Russia has grown a lot weaker."
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[@craiggibbs1892]

Well bloody do it then!! Just do it. It’s been two years for gods sake, wake up. We in west are complete embarrassment, just give Ukraine what they are begging for, I mean they have to beg , that is absolutely out of order.

[@danielaplaiasu-oy8rk]

❤

[@deanne9266]

Trump’s pro Putin Party will not pass the Bill for $ for weapons to the Ukraine. Putin gives Trump orders and Trump instructs his Russian Party to not pass the Bill. I do not know why an Executive Order cannot be done? Not an American but curious!

[@EthanLomas]

For ruZZian wives who suspect their husband is looking for пидор they can check their man's sphincter. If one fingers slips in easily, he has been compromised and is cheating on you with his friends!

[@evank8459]

Voting is a good start

[@incoggnito1667]

We would have done so already if not for the fact the Putin's "connections" extend VERY deeply into western political leadership. In order to save Ukraine's house we need to deal with our own first.

[@Dark_Bandon]

It should've been ZERO TRADE since day one of his FAILED three day Ukrainian adventure.

[@richardmurray8515]

ZERO TRADE is a great goal: it is not something you can achieve by decree on day one. Europe was lucky that the first winter during the war was mild. They have been actively reducing their dependence on Russian oil and gas. As a Canadian< I never had to worry.

[@Dark_Bandon]

@@richardmurray8515 Don't be silly. Winter 2022 and 2023 was cold and harsh but Europe got it's hydrocarbons from other sources. Thankfully North Sea oil and gas production has hit a 30 year high. A new oil field discovered of the Scottish coast contains enough hydrocarbons to fuel the EU for the next 50 years. We Europeans don't want or need Russian oil and gas. Thanks Vlad. You've made NATO stronger then ever and made us richer and more fuel independent.

[@boink800]

@@richardmurray8515Which country was freezing indoors this winter? It was Russia. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

[@ThisHandleWasTheOnly1Available]

Russia is barely trading with the West any longer anyhow. What's it buying from Germany or the US? All Russian trade is now taking place with the Asian countries and the global South.

[@boink800]

@@ThisHandleWasTheOnly1AvailableIf Russia can sell oil, it can only sell its oil for a bad price. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

[@Section5_CdnIntelService]

Why aren't Russia's frozen assets being used to buy armaments for Ukraine?

[@tommygun5038]

We can't seem to get a straight answer about that. I think they hope to use it as leverage later on.

[@Infopirates]

There are the Western assets froZen in Russia for approximately similar $300 bln ($700 bln in pre-conflict prices) 🤓

[@Worldturnedupsidedown]

The Russian central banks assests are theirs. If we take them , that's theft, the world will lose trust in the financial system as nothing will be safe.This is the reason for BRICS to create a new system outside of the dollar

[@dzurfluh2156]

@@InfopiratesI am pretty sure that has been written off already.

[@ronaldlindeman6136]

They still want to use it as a bargaining chip. Those in debates with putin can say, things can get worse. They also want to use that stuff to rebuild Ukraine. It is easier to get Western countries to buy military equipment for Ukraine than rebuilding Ukraine. If the war (special military operation) ends, it might be harder to get countries to help rebuild Ukraine.

[@APW554]

Mike Johnson needs to go ,he is worthless.

[@micaiahm1]

He speaks for the majority of Americans, according to AP polling.

[@mikenahnychuk4413]

Johnson is a frightened little coward.

[@ElRabito]

@@micaiahm1HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH sure Vatnik

[@patwilson2546]

@@micaiahm1 Majority of who? Expand your polling to people not in your living room.

[@micaiahm1]

@@patwilson2546 The polls are a Google search away, but it’s your right to pretend they don’t exist.

[@DavidGetling]

This should have been done from the start!

[@BelfastBandit]

Because in Russia one man is a decision maker and pulls the strings, while NATO and EU is an board who shift the responsibility one on another.. Or someone doesn't agree etc..Putin knew EU will be able to unite.. When it will be too late..

[@PatriciaGoodsonpianist]

It’s frustrating to hear someone making so much sense, and yet his ideas have not been put into practice fully.

[@libertarianbydefault]

Because his ideas are ludicrous through and through.

[@TalibanAtrocities]

​​@@libertarianbydefaultYet SEVERAL of his suggestions have already or are currently being discussed throughout western government's... We should just tell them to contact you...right 🤣🤦‍♂️

[@libertarianbydefault]

@@TalibanAtrocities Oh, Western governments are thoroughly ludicrous as is, there is no clash here. Only ludicrous, corrupt governments would impoverish their populations, jeopardize their economies and promote an unwinnable war in which they are not the ones doing the dying bit, all in the name of sticking it to Russia.

[@leviathon2]

@@libertarianbydefaultHe speaks very highly of you.

[@kraadnargis3294]

​@@libertarianbydefaultYou seem to be talking about pustinland's president.

[@pgomelsky]

It hurts to hear this. Shame on the politicians and decision makers!😢

[@Anthropic312]

I voted for Nikki Haley. I will never ever vote for Trump especially since he will hand Ukraine to Russia.

[@Boghopper1979]

As much as you might hate it, it would be best if you can also vote for Biden. RFK has no chance, so a vote for him or a spoilt vote ultimately increases the chances of a Trump return and Ukraine being thrown to the wolves. Luckily for us here in the UK, all the majority parties fully back Ukraine with only the Nigel Farage (Trumps buddy; Farage is another Putin fanboy) Reform UK party wanting to not help Ukraine

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

Iam voting reform and hope with every fibre inside me that we back the brave Ukrainian people all the way to the conclusion of this terrible invasion.

[@user-td9if8tu4y]

LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT PUTIN. Nothing personal, just facts. I was pretty tired of this war and decided to sort it out... In 2013, before a coup d'etat took place in Ukraine, Putin asked the then President of Ukraine, Yanukovych, not to use force against protesters.. In 2014, when the Ukrainian army was encircled in the Donbas, Putin called on the separatists to release the AFU soldiers from the "cauldron" and exchange prisoners. In 2014, realizing that the conflict could escalate into a fratricidal war, Putin proposed a plan to resolve the crisis in Ukraine "Minsk 1". The peace initiatives assumed the cessation of offensives by all armed formations in the Donbas, the withdrawal of all troops to a safe distance from populated areas, international control over the observance of the ceasefire, the refusal of Ukraine to use military aviation against civilians, the exchange of prisoners under the "all for all" scheme, as well as the opening of humanitarian corridors. In 2015, Putin actively supported the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who proposed a special procedure for the entry into force of the law on the special status of Donbass, provided for by the Minsk agreements. In 2015, in order to resolve the crisis in Ukraine as soon as possible, Putin proposed to sign the Minsk 2 supplementary agreement, where the obligations of the parties to the conflict were spelled out in more detail. In 2015, during the Normandy Four talks in Minsk, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to "take" Donbass for himself. Putin replied: "Are you crazy? I don't need your Donbass. If you don't need it, then declare it independent." In 2017, Putin proposed to deploy a UN mission on the contact line in the Donbas to ensure the safety of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission staff. Later, Putin did not rule out that such a mission could be located throughout the conflict, but with the consent of the proclaimed republics of Donbass. (!!!) On December 15, 2021, Putin warns NATO against unleashing a war and offers to discuss with the United States the draft treaty on security guarantees and an agreement on measures to ensure the security of Russia and NATO countries. But his initiative is ignored. At the beginning of 2022, Ukraine is concentrating 170 thousand troops on the border of Donbass, and in mid-February begins artillery preparation for the offensive. Putin understands that it will not be possible to avoid war, decides to counterattack. At the same time, Putin forbids the military to shoot at civilian objects and, if possible, at industrial infrastructure, which greatly hinders the progress of the military. It is obvious that Putin had no plans to seize Ukraine. If he wanted to, he could have done it in 2014, when there was a favorable environment. This is confirmed by all military analysts and in particular Angela Merkel: «The Minsk agreements of 2014 were an attempt to give Ukraine time. They used this time to become stronger. As we could observe during the fighting in the Debaltseve area in 2015, Russia could have easily won then. And I very much doubt that NATO countries could have done as much then as they are doing now to help Ukraine». All the world's media deliberately mislead us by inventing sophisticated stories about bad Russians and heroic deeds of Ukrainians…But not a single fact about Russia's alleged atrocities against civilians has been proven. By the way, the tragedy in the city of Bucha is a dramatization of the special services of Ukraine before the visit of high-ranking officials from the EU. Many people do not understand why the Russians do not bomb Ukraine, as the Americans do in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria or Israel in Gaza? That's exactly the difference between the Russians and the Western barbarians, who throughout their history created colonies, plundered and destroyed peoples...I think Putin is waiting for the citizens of Ukraine to choose a new president themselves... That's why Putin is called a political genius!

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

I think Nikki should stand independent / new party as Trump is not representing Republican values. She should form a pact with Biden e.g. Nikki as VP. Trump has to be stopped.

[@deanne9266]

He has already handed over US by destroying democracy. Divide and conquer has been used in history to start wars. Destroy democracy with internet Russian troll farms and bots. Trump has already stated he will have US withdraw from NATO. Whatever Putin wants or hates Trump does. Trump owes Putin !

[@les8518]

This man needs to be listened too. It also never ceases to amaze that the world has not learn't anything from World War 2. And this man is telling it.

[@rodpanhard]

I learned in WW2 that the Russians expended millions of lives fighting the Nazis, 8 in every 10 Germans that died in WW2 died at the hands of the Russians, now we are siding with the Nazis.

[@SickBastard69]

What have you not learned from ww2?

[@Awaken2067833758]

Don't mess with the Russians. That is the ww2 lesson

[@rodpanhard]

@@Awaken2067833758 Eight in every ten Germans killed in WW2 were down to the Russians.

[@talesofcanterbury42]

Great interview. Highly informative. Thank you Times Radio

[@boudivv]

We (the west) should learn never to trade outside our legal system.

[@Cagstok]

That would be seeing those countries outside of our legal system were all as doomed as today's Russian dictatorship. That's not right at all. We need to bring countries that don't behave like Russia with us.

[@christocmp]

Exactly we've spent decades feeding the beast and now we are paying for it

[@libertarianbydefault]

Good luck with that!

[@Boghopper1979]

Trade is typically good at helping to maintain peace; works better without murderous dictators with lots of oil, minerals and nukes to be fair

[@adrianthoroughgood1191]

​@@Boghopper1979the threat of losing trade was supposed to stop Putin invading his neighbours. Unfortunately it didn't work. A threat can only be effective if people believe you will do it. We need to cut all trade with Russia to prove we are serious. Hopefully China will learn from this lesson.

[@JamesC785]

The number of Western engineering companies still active in russia is outrageous - especially those in the oil industry. Without Western support the RF would have collapsed by now.

[@TheFrewah]

What companies would that be and where’s your source?

[@toby9999]

I thought they'd all walked out and I'm pretty sure putin took control of (stole) the refinaries, etc.

[@user-te6xy7sf6o]

Trump ,get this massage lots of us Republicans will not vote for you if you won't help Ukraine win you will lose the election. Russia must not be allowed to win !!!

[@libertarianbydefault]

I am sure Russia will come and ask for our permission. "May we win please?"

[@emiliat.5881]

It’s not only supporting Ukraine, trump is not fit to be president. He is a con man profiting from the people, not caring for anyone besides himself. All the things he has broken, women’s health to name one. His wanting to be a dictator, his racism, not unifying the people but constant fear mongering. Not someone you want as your president in control of the nuclear codes.

[@russellspeed1693]

He likes massages. I like massages. Most people like massages.

[@spymaine89]

THIS IS WEST PROPOGANDEM BS

[@tadcastertory1087]

You do know Trumps administration began the financial throttling of Russia? His people imposed the first financial sanctions.

[@greenhills7404]

Absolutely agree 👍

[@annagilda1]

Why are we only "considering" a zero trade policy 2 years in?!?!

[@quinnjackson9252]

Probably because it has largely been enacted already. That would be somewhat symbolic at this point, as most companies have long since pulled out of Russia.

[@dayleedwards3521]

Mainly because nothing has worked, neither will this.

[@sojjordan7886]

it literally changes nothing; India has intiated oil trading with Russia from the urals. This is a cheaper option and has doubled Russias income. The russias dont need europe or short bus america. We simply arnt that important. Thank you and good luck with your feelings.

[@oldowleye3161]

Obviously, that we have to cut all economic and politic ties with russia - this decision must be put in place as a top priority

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Sounds good... but how will it be implemented, given the West's lacklustre and ill coordinated response.

[@erosgritti5171]

As it was for 50 years during the Cold War.

[@annagilda1]

It won't be implemented. The West doesn't truly care about anything moral anymore. Only about making money.

[@hyp77]

Full trade embargo is the only right thing to do.

[@thatguyoverthere8355]

How do you stop india and china from buyung gas ans oil? Embargo is funny😂

[@kraadnargis3294]

​@@thatguyoverthere8355So "funny" that India has already started reducing its purchases of russian oil a few weeks ago.

[@kraadnargis3294]

​@@thatguyoverthere8355So "funny" that India is already reducing its oil purchases from russia.

[@andreiapostu]

​@@kraadnargis3294because they found cheaper sources to buy from. They are buying from multiple countries, so the cheaper the better. But that doesn't mean that they will stop buying at all. Compare that with 2021 to see the increase of russian oil purchases.

[@farsalami8605]

@@thatguyoverthere8355 Russian gas goes to europe... from third parties . this is public.... but things you watch will not metion this. They think that not selling beer and yoghurt will win you wars loooool

[@collintrytsman3353]

WESTERN COMPANIES PUT MONEY BEFORE MORALITY........THATS THE PROBLEM WITH RUSSIA TRADE STILL ONGOING

[@Dark_Bandon]

Trade with Russia is at HISTORIC LOW.

[@Fastbikkel]

Part of that comes from the buyers, consumers in many cases.

[@boota1979]

@@Dark_Bandon The main players it has been business as usual, of course you will need to get off MSM to know that.

[@Dark_Bandon]

@@boota1979 Bro. You need to get a new hat because the TINFOIL isn't working for you.

[@rouz0]

Man, Russia just found other business partners and this will be life for them from now on. This guy telling nothing. For now European economy is more in trouble than Russia

[@CoffeeCup1346]

Thank you, for this perspective. What a relief to hear someone reflect my thoughts so precisely.

[@perrie77]

Timothy Ash should come more often on Times radio.

[@govinda102000]

Making it clear to Russia that the west should end all business with Russia sends the message to the Russian people and to the russian businesses who have economic interests with free countries.

[@jamesgreen1116]

😂 if you actually believe the nonsense you wrote then your deluded.

[@user-rv8wb1nl1b]

@@jamesgreen1116 scared ?

[@jamesgreen1116]

@@user-rv8wb1nl1b scared of what? Do you realise that Ukraine still gets billions from Russia to this very day for transporting has to countries like Hungary? You do realise europe are still giving russia billions for LNG? you do realise the usa are still giving russia billions for things like nuclear uranium and fertilisers etc? 🤣

[@kristiansandsmark2048]

​@@jamesgreen1116 I would ask you to provide a explanation but you probably don't have any. Since you don't know what you are talking about, and you are just regurgitating some nonsense from RT.

[@jamesgreen1116]

@@kristiansandsmark2048 its actually reality that I know the person who is saying the above is deluded 🤣 go and ask yourself why Ukraine still gets several billion a year to this day from Russia for transporting gas to countries like Hungary, why is the usa still buying billions worth of Russian uranium etc? 🤣

[@simondebrun]

Always so good to listen to someone intelligent talk about the situation.

[@bokami3445]

Very well said Mr Ash, finally someone points out that millions of Ukrainian's will migrate west if Russia is allowed to win this senseless conflict. Europe is already strained with the influx of people from other war torn regions. What's going to happen then?

[@libertarianbydefault]

Nothing special. You get taxed extra, your standard of living keeps going down as it has been over the last couple of decades. You protest and then elect the same people into government so they keep leading us all along the same path.

[@jaysimoes3705]

You think a full on war, which is what we also would get do us in Europe any favour. Those Ucrainian millions as a burden would pale in comparison. Our western arrogance towards Russia could be our undoing. We need to stop Putin, he is an awful megolomaniac, but we need to do this not by being aggressive and give him fewer and fewer options. We should give him options and negotiate.

[@bokami3445]

There is no negotiating with a megalomaniac. Have you heard the saying: Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile

[@basedelon]

Oh so NOW we have a problem with immigrants! Uh huh.

[@erynkrieger1279]

"I dont want to lose any money so i think Ukraine should sacrifice themselves for me." - the west

[@RobertOlofsson73]

Ofc we should take their money. They must pay in every way for what they done!

[@RobertOlofsson73]

Good analyse how we in the west thinks 😃. For the west it's not a lot of money. Russias GDP is about the same as Italys. And in Nato we are now 32 contries. Plus contries like Australia, South Korea, Japan who are chipping in.

[@davidfoster2006]

Putin is an old dinosaur who has never moved on from the past.

[@ApunkDaydreamLamunanOi]

A dinotsar

[@cindypomerleau950]

​@@ApunkDaydreamLamunanOi 👍🏻😂

[@Chris1A1]

Putin Learns Nothing - Remembers Everything. - the most important point ( cynically) is that if Putin completes the conquest of Ukraine, a resurgent Russia will cost everyone in EU UK US a lot of money as all of their defense spending will have to be greatly increased in order to meet the threat of tanks on the Poland border. Cheaper to deal with Putin now.

[@terjeoseberg990]

@@ApunkDaydreamLamunanOi, LOL

[@nsevv]

Poopysaurus.

[@Puleczech]

What a great guest! Says it as it is. Please have him more often!

[@philcollins884]

NICE! Your not yelling today or interrupting your guests. It's much easier to listen to the show. Good job man. SLAVA UKRAINE 🇺🇦

[@lqr824]

7:15 The guest is correct that western taxpayers are funding the defense of Ukraine, but I see no reason for an ultimate peace deal not to include full reparations for this. Ukraine and the west should have a basic negotiating position of: 1) full withdrawal, 2) full reparations to UA for damage, 3) 250km DMZ on the Russian side for 20 years (or 5 years after Putin's passing), and 4) full reparations for western aid. The reparations can be paid by Russia via their frozen accounts in the west, for a start, and with a surtax on all Russian imports and exports for 20 years or so.

[@libertarianbydefault]

I think this is all very sensible with one small caveat: the West needs to win this war to impose its peace treaty conditions. Which is not going to happen.

[@adrianthoroughgood1191]

Reparations for damage yes. Getting Russia to pay for weapons used against them is a bridge too far. Look at what happened in Germany after the extreme reparations of WW1.

[@libertarianbydefault]

@@adrianthoroughgood1191 I can understand that being a desired outcome. You need to understand that for that outcome Russia needs to be defeated. Do you think Russia can be defeated? What makes you think so? Any indication up to now that hints that "that may happen"? I shall remind you that Russia has what Obama called "escalatory dominance" in the region, meaning that whatever the West throws at it, Russia will match it and then throw something back on top. This is exactly what has been happening so far and there is no indication nor reason why it would stop. Also, for Russia this is an existential affair, for the West - it is not, despite all the bla-bla-bla by mediocrity in the leadership. The West wants to win - for sure, it wants to weaken/defeat Russia - that much is clear. But if that does not happen, the West will not lay down its lives and existence on the line. This means that the West will run out of will/public support to continue with this stupidity much sooner than Russia will "give up" and sign the treaty that outlines the conditions you have mentioned.

[@user-ze5wd7od2m]

We know from european history: The high reparations for Germany after lost WW1 were one factor to the rise of the nsdap and so cause for WW2. So beware.

[@MrReadboy]

Hilarious, Russia no longer needs our trade, there's a whole other world of seven billion people outside the 'chosen billion' in the west. And the thing is the west is shrinking economically and demographically. The future belongs to BRICS+ which is expanding in both those areas. Only WWIII can prevent this from happening.

[@Robert-xy4xi]

Watching Times Radio is like looking into a parallel universe 😂

[@rickrimington2760]

Europe really has to step up now , and quad ripple their funding of Ukraine , the US is moving towards an isolationist policy . and can not be relied upon . Here in Australia Many believe the same about the US with our ANZAC treaty. And think about it , if you were a US citizen would you want your suns life threaten over another european war .

[@Anthropic312]

I agree, Europe must quad ripple their funding and stand up their own military industrial complex.

[@RobertOlofsson73]

Very good point. I fully agree 👍

[@camo6344]

Another Aussie Australia needs at least the same amount of nuclear weapons as China I’m not a fan of nuclear weapons but America may not be there to help us although we have been there to help them economically for America we don’t count we have the similar economy to russia which is tiny

[@franceyneireland1633]

@@camo6344 As a Canadian, with Canada as member of NATO, I have doubts that the US will be there for Canada if Russia or China should attack Canada, especially if Trump is elected. I'm not a nuclear fan, but it is a good deterrent to potential invaders. Putin and China both want the Arctic trade routes and resources with ice melting. In 2021 Putin formally enlarged its claim to the seabed in the Arctic Ocean all the way to Canada's and Greenland's (Denmark's) exclusive zones. A situation where they're claiming Canadian and Danish continental shelf as the Russian continental shelf. In 2018 Beijing agreed it would cooperate with Russia on a new Arctic silk route, signing 20 bilateral documents and agreeing to invest in the region. As part of this Beijing will build several Chinese docks across Russia's north in ports.

[@andreiapostu]

And where are you going to take those money from? Germany for example is not doing to good since last year. It is allready in recession. The prices for pretty much everything went up like crazy here in Europe. It seems you don't have a clue what you are talking about. Ukraine had a peace agreement on the table in 2022 and they rejected it after Boris Johnson told them to do it. So it is they're problem now.

[@thomassecurename3152]

I’ve never been disappointed with Frontline channel. Guests get to speak. Host s lets them speak. That’s is a winning combination. Thanks to everyone at Frontline that makes these productions. Poulsbo, Washington

[@user-yc4xf8cv5y]

The political system in UK is rotten 😂😂😂

[@carolwilliams8511]

Not quite as rotten as in the US but that's not much comfort is it.

[@TrixiLovesYou]

"Zero trade option" is never going to happen. Politicians and businesses love money far too much.

[@ronaldlindeman6136]

But some and different politicians and businesses make money with a 'zero trade option," ZTO and some and different politicians and businesses make money if there is not a ZTO.

[@gregmchale5011]

possibly but as consumers we can decide to buy ,use or support any product, service provided by Russians worldwide. we can also boycott all western companies who ignore the crimes of Russia. stop buying their products as well.

[@smvsspould]

Eh, Russia's not that large of a market to cut out, the proportion of our energy from Russian gas continues to fall and they don't really have any leverage beyond energy.

[@livingtribunal4110]

@@smvsspould So why haven´t you cut Russia out of the market then? 😅

[@gordonmac3616]

I am not planning to trade in my Range Rover for a Lada Niva😊

[@peterclarke3020]

Yes, it’s absolutely bonkers not to be using what once was Russian reserves to help Ukraine. There is absolutely no way that Russia should ever get those reserves back again. It’s a penalty cost to Russia for starting and pressing that war.

[@rodpanhard]

I know a country that has invaded multiple countries over the last few decades slaughtering millions of civillians only that's not a war crime that's shock and awe, why was this logic never applied to them?

[@2Dylandog]

I do think it should be illegal to confiscate Russian assets in this way before the war is over. However, when it has been won, it should be possible to put all this money into Ukrainian hands as part of the reparations Russia should be made to pay for waging this war in the first place. I am concerned that if too much was taken out of the Russian economy too rapidly it would lead to the kind of consequences Germany suffered as a result of the harsh conditions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.

[@Awaken2067833758]

What about Iraq stealing your money for that other war you started? Fair?

[@andreiapostu]

How did USA payed after the war in Iraq with 1 million civilians dead?

[@Awaken2067833758]

“You shall not steal”, it is in the ten commandments

[@RobertOlofsson73]

Very sensible. Good guest.👍

[@philipjones9112]

Was watching the Enforcer earlier and he showed a short film clip of a major russian "city" called SARATOV (1.2m) ! This standard is what russia wants to inflict on all Europe given the chance ! They seem either unwilling or incapable of raising their own living standards so they seek to degrade or destroy the prosperity of others down to their low level....!

[@bikergirluk8059]

They intentionally seek to keep their people poor so they can more easily wield power over them and make them do what they want - such as fighting Ukraine for a token amount of money

[@Kodakcompactdisc]

I agree a lot of their bitterness and hatred seems to stem from jealousy.

[@icu17siberia]

yes, and the threat that the lifestyle difference is seen by Russian people is why they fear the feee will of their neighbors to join the EU or NATO

[@stanleytolle416]

All the money goes to Moscow. The rest of the country is treated like a colony.

[@carolwilliams8511]

Yes and this is what the trump wants for America??

[@tabithan2978]

Russia is a relatively poor, small, Population wise, country, 140M. If NATO, large, 1B, rich alliance can’t crush them, well, what are we good for?

[@whalefish83]

You've been saying that for years. Why don't you join up and find out how backwards they really are, coward!

[@rodpanhard]

NATO countries are not rich, they are all completely insolvent, why do you think they are so desperate for Russias assets, Russia is a country not completely insolvent with very low levels of internal and external debt.

[@shaz7132]

@@rodpanhard Agree, Nato cannot even protect the shipping lanes anymore, , .. also Russia has Nuke's... a lot of Nukes.

[@rodpanhard]

@@shaz7132 And Russias nukes are new and actually work, the bulk of the US nuclear arsenal is old Minuteman 3 nukes from the 70s.

[@shaz7132]

@@rodpanhard Thats interesting, the speaker is also leaving out that Russias has got around sanctions by ordering it's high end products through the surrounding "Stan" countries, who support Russia.... and then there is the BRICS trade agreements which Russia is a big player. Russia is not alone.

[@aletavanvuuren5748]

And in the meanwhile innocent civilians are being slaughtered while our powers that be wring their hands in despair while not doing anything to help! Absolute disgrace!

[@carolwilliams8511]

Agree. It is maddening. 👿

[@basedelon]

Why don''t you go help them?

[@pithikoulis]

Love the Dr Evil outfit

[@AeSyrNation]

At first, I didn't even notice the little clone in the corner

[@dylanallison]

Only hunting through the comments for this 😂

[@sawbandits]

Stop all trade with russia apart from things we need.. that makes sense.. isn't the point of trade exchanging money for things you need? 🤔

[@Gayzenon]

❤Ukrainian ❤

[@user-td9if8tu4y]

LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT PUTIN. Nothing personal, just facts. I was pretty tired of this war and decided to sort it out... In 2013, before a coup d'etat took place in Ukraine, Putin asked the then President of Ukraine, Yanukovych, not to use force against protesters.. In 2014, when the Ukrainian army was encircled in the Donbas, Putin called on the separatists to release the AFU soldiers from the "cauldron" and exchange prisoners. In 2014, realizing that the conflict could escalate into a fratricidal war, Putin proposed a plan to resolve the crisis in Ukraine "Minsk 1". The peace initiatives assumed the cessation of offensives by all armed formations in the Donbas, the withdrawal of all troops to a safe distance from populated areas, international control over the observance of the ceasefire, the refusal of Ukraine to use military aviation against civilians, the exchange of prisoners under the "all for all" scheme, as well as the opening of humanitarian corridors. In 2015, Putin actively supported the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who proposed a special procedure for the entry into force of the law on the special status of Donbass, provided for by the Minsk agreements. In 2015, in order to resolve the crisis in Ukraine as soon as possible, Putin proposed to sign the Minsk 2 supplementary agreement, where the obligations of the parties to the conflict were spelled out in more detail. In 2015, during the Normandy Four talks in Minsk, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to "take" Donbass for himself. Putin replied: "Are you crazy? I don't need your Donbass. If you don't need it, then declare it independent." In 2017, Putin proposed to deploy a UN mission on the contact line in the Donbas to ensure the safety of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission staff. Later, Putin did not rule out that such a mission could be located throughout the conflict, but with the consent of the proclaimed republics of Donbass. (!!!) On December 15, 2021, Putin warns NATO against unleashing a war and offers to discuss with the United States the draft treaty on security guarantees and an agreement on measures to ensure the security of Russia and NATO countries. But his initiative is ignored. At the beginning of 2022, Ukraine is concentrating 170 thousand troops on the border of Donbass, and in mid-February begins artillery preparation for the offensive. Putin understands that it will not be possible to avoid war, decides to counterattack. At the same time, Putin forbids the military to shoot at civilian objects and, if possible, at industrial infrastructure, which greatly hinders the progress of the military. It is obvious that Putin had no plans to seize Ukraine. If he wanted to, he could have done it in 2014, when there was a favorable environment. This is confirmed by all military analysts and in particular Angela Merkel: «The Minsk agreements of 2014 were an attempt to give Ukraine time. They used this time to become stronger. As we could observe during the fighting in the Debaltseve area in 2015, Russia could have easily won then. And I very much doubt that NATO countries could have done as much then as they are doing now to help Ukraine». All the world's media deliberately mislead us by inventing sophisticated stories about bad Russians and heroic deeds of Ukrainians…But not a single fact about Russia's alleged atrocities against civilians has been proven. By the way, the tragedy in the city of Bucha is a dramatization of the special services of Ukraine before the visit of high-ranking officials from the EU. Many people do not understand why the Russians do not bomb Ukraine, as the Americans do in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria or Israel in Gaza? That's exactly the difference between the Russians and the Western barbarians, who throughout their history created colonies, plundered and destroyed peoples...I think Putin is waiting for the citizens of Ukraine to choose a new president themselves... That's why Putin is called a political genius!

[@danfonze5135]

Unfortunately self interest by those who are benefitting gets on the way.

[@edwardhammond5582]

Excellent coverage of the matter - thanks for articulating so clearly.

[@SpindlyScoudrel]

Wise words.

[@ctrl300]

Great interview!

[@boota1979]

@ctrl300 Your easily fooled.

[@TalibanAtrocities]

​@@boota1979so was YOUR English teacher

[@jonathananderson3990]

I agree with you one hundred percent

[@ianhamilton7317]

Well bloody said.

[@paulwright9749]

Why 3-5 years away to stop? How about right now! And how about we start spending his 300 billion that we have in the bank! If we are not spending that we must, at some point, be expecting to give it back?

[@libertarianbydefault]

Damn, you are right. While we're at it, I think they should devise a general plan for people to be able to spend other people' money if they feel righteous enough about it.

[@kraadnargis3294]

​@@libertarianbydefault​@libertarianbydefault Righteous seems to be your feeling, nonetheless, given that russia has stolen all foreign investors' money by nationalizing their assets, it would be fair play to do the same with their money.

[@kraadnargis3294]

​@@libertarianbydefault​@libertarianbydefaul, Given that russia has stolen all foreign investors' money by nationalizing their assets, it would be fair play to do the same with their money.

[@michaelmichaels-tw7wd]

Timothy ❤ Excellent interview ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Slava Ukraini 🦄❤💙💛❤🦄

[@ruibebiano9015]

Awesome interview 👏🔝

[@grumpyfinn]

On fckn point

[@zerajera]

Timothy Ash should be our Prime minister!

[@pellewoin4949]

Timothy Ash for president!!

[@ballelort87]

More of this!

[@johnhume4346]

Always tune into times radio when i need cheering up, funniest channel on youtube. Guests are comedians 😂😂😂

[@OO7sMom]

Absolutely ! Fresh dose of DELUSION FOR UNEDUCATED !!

[@lesnicholas2433]

Timothy Ash just talked more sense in the last few minutes than I have heard in months,do we want to end this war or not he has just told us how to end it.

[@carolwilliams8511]

Agree.

[@memirandawong]

This is some of the straightest talk I've heard from anyone regarding Russia's economy and sanctions.

[@farsalami8605]

yes not selling yoghurt and beer will break them.... And yes gass does not come to euope.... why do we have gas here? weird right? yes we pay more and buy Russian gass from other sellers Keep listening to these people lol

[@iankirkwood2110]

Very sensible man...why dontourSTUPID GOVERNMENT LEADERS LISTEN TO SOME COMMONSENSE....

[@rouz0]

Because they know he is telling BS

[@user-or3ld5so9c]

Because there getting paid off by Moscow duh...I mean if you can't see that it is why the same story of doing nothing or appeasement or down right traitors

[@kraadnargis3294]

​@@rouz0Keep on pustin is approving and with him all his serfs.

[@carolwilliams8511]

Because they are political cowards watching their own careers above all else 👿

[@mortenmoland117]

Crisp and very clear input! How do we influence EU/western European politicians to move. What are the issues they face in actioning much needed actions ?

[@stevepickup6596]

Well said Timothy 👍

[@J1mbo197]

Russia is the biggest grain producer in the world (18%) and Ukraine the 4th (7%)- so does anyone think it would be a good idea fir Putin to control 25% of the worlds wheat supplies ? Even if the Ukraine genocide that will inevitably follow a Russian victory does not convince you , then surely any lingering doubt about the need for Ukraine to prevail is removed when considering Putin controlling world wheat supplies ( other agri commodities are also at risk of Russian dominance). Why is no one highlighting this consequence as a call to support Ukraine ?

[@user-ze5wd7od2m]

This becomes even more important for the future since the advancing climate crises makes food production more and more difficult and costly.

[@hughwilson-gm9bw]

Ukraine genocide? No. Let's remember that russia is virtually self sufficient, and when it requires it imports and exports to plenty of poorer countries who don't benefit from the west, plus of course China and India. Growth in the Russian economy is greater than many western countries, cheap energy, vast amounts of mineral wealth. So basically Russia will survive no matter what. Russia has never been interested in taking on nato.

[@mrglide7078]

@@hughwilson-gm9bw Okey doke

[@farsalami8605]

@@user-ze5wd7od2m aha yes ww3 and climate crisis... and covid 2024...... nice loool

[@basedelon]

Who should control the world's wheat supplies? Ukraine? The US? Father Christmas? Who?

[@simonallen4660]

You had me at the computer says no

[@lorenzcassidy3960]

That "Little Britain" quote didn't go unnoticed.🤣

[@RobertOlofsson73]

😂

[@johnglover3682]

Thank you for allowing this expert to speak upon the Russian economy and the West's response and/or lack of it.

[@ekim000]

Europe has been freeloading on the US as far as their security is concerned. Time to step up and look after themselves.

[@user-sv6hx7pp5o]

Very smart man!!

[@Bob-nd2mr]

The numbers quoted on Putins starting Lump Sum = 640 bn USD Half is frozen and the rest is burning up @ 3-5 bn USD per month Leaves 150 bn MAX...Norway Sovereign Wealth Fund (alone) = $ 1,626 bn 150 Vs 1,626 and thats just Norway. slava Ukraini

[@exotime]

This economist should be president of the world.

[@luminyam6145]

That was a great interview, thank you.

[@Blodhelm]

I've been saying it for years, FULL EMBARGO!

[@John-vc1vc]

If only we had people like this in governments running country's, as apposed to the me, me, me, people we seem to have now!!

[@SNOWDONTRYFAN]

noted that reports of Nato drawing up plans to secure a five-year military aid package of up to $100bn, in an attempt to shield Ukraine from “winds of political change” that could usher in a second Trump presidency. The so-called Mission for Ukraine proposal, which will be discussed by Nato foreign ministers on Wednesday, is being put forward by the secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg.

[@carolwilliams8511]

Let's hope it flies..

[@jawedz]

His framework is wrong. An industrialised country with rich natural resources CAN go on printing money to mobilise internal resources. Western (Europe excluding Russia and Belarus + Americas, and their allies and friends like Japan) sanctions are significant and costly, but the macro economy of a country IS NOT sorely ABOUT TRADING WITH THE WEST.

[@amandadonaghey7540]

Very interesting interview. Thank you 🇺🇦🇮🇪🇺🇦

[@tanyaperrin8844]

This whole horrific mess could have been over by now if the west had done , from the beginning, what it's eventually going to have to do in the end!

[@basedelon]

And what is that?

[@OO7sMom]

​@@basedelonCAPITULATE, GIVE UP, SURRENDER, NEGOTIATE, BEG !!!

[@Forest_Knight]

Every. Single. Word. I agree with every single word. Well done, Tim Ash.

[@carolwilliams8511]

Same.

[@user-vh9qd3xt1p]

About the only thing crazy about Americans is that we have listened to guys like you.

[@MsTrotwood]

“The computer says NO“ attitude 😂😂😂

[@peterkempf5422]

Why is that I as an average Canadian can understand, appreciate and agree with your guest? The longer we put these decisions off, the more we will suffer in the future.

[@Chris1A1]

You understand it because it is is true, important and timely, the type of report and information that we never get on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, right now the CBC's main concern it the baby eel harvest in NB and NS. They don't seem to want an informed and enlightened Canadian Public, fill the proles up with irrelevancies is the order of the day in the make work project that constitutes Canada's free press.

[@albertvanlingen7590]

Problem is western business can do business with Russia through China and rest of Asia no problem....

[@boink800]

Problem is ... that trade becomes much more expensive for Russia. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

[@franceyneireland1633]

Secondary sanctions for the countries that are enabling sanctioned items to pass thru their country in order to send the sanctioned items to Russia.

[@peterwhite7428]

This I man is absolutely correct and very very smart

[@niriop]

I’m disappointed that it’s taken *this long* to get to the zero trade option being on the table anywhere, even just on Times Radio.

[@carolwilliams8511]

Same.

[@niriop]

@@carolwilliams8511 Forget February 2022-we should’ve been talking about this back in February 2014.

[@wesleykendall8114]

Some context for the figures cited: Allied combined GDP 40trillion USD, to Russia's 1.8. Of the 40, 25 is American.

[@livingtribunal4110]

And your point being?

[@wesleykendall8114]

My point being, as if it weren't glaringly obvious, is that as an American, I take umbrage when a Brit blusters about the power of we, sniffing his nose in arrogant derision when the UK GDP is on par with Russia. The power of our economy isn't meant for Brits to wield as a collective cudgel. In short, know your place, mate. @@livingtribunal4110

[@wesleykendall8114]

My point being, as if it weren't glaringly obvious, is that as an American I take umbrage when a Brit invokes the collective "we" as a rhetorical device, sniffing his nose in arrogant derision in the process, when the UK economy is on par with that of Russia. The American economy isn't meant to serve as a cudgel to be used our allies. In short, know your place, mate. From an American perspective, Brits have a history of overestimating themselves.@@livingtribunal4110

[@wesleykendall8114]

My point being, as if it weren't glaringly obvious, is that as an American I take umbrage when a Brit invokes the collective "we" as a rhetorical device, sniffing his nose in derision in the process, knowing that the UK GDP is on par with Russia. Our economy isn't meant to be used as a collective cudgel. In short, know your place mate. Similar to the guy at dinner taking credit for paying for the whole meal when only he chips in on the waitstaff tip. Unless you're paying for the steak and potatoes, pipe down a bit. @@livingtribunal4110

[@nidhoggcrowley]

and yet Russia is producing more artillery rounds than the entirety of the west. GDP doesnt mean anything unless its tooled for war. Your food service job isnt going to help Ukraine win.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

As Putin has nationalized much western activity in Russia, you won't need much convincing to keep western business out of Russia,

[@wilbotdronefishing8805]

Finally someone talking sense... Stop appeasing Putin.. The public from the West have to put presuure on there government representatives to do the morally correct decision and stop trading with Russia.

[@pneudmatic]

Great interview. I love many of the regular guests that you have to talk about Ukraine, but Ash has a unique perspective and is an interesting speaker.

[@p-james]

There's a lot of Russians and Putin lover's in the comments 😂

[@user-tq9vk4vt5p]

You mean PUTLER BOTS ?

[@queenofstamford3141]

90% Kremlin bots, 10% useful idiots 😊

[@JC-rr1wu]

Krembots mostly. Writing propaganda and disinformation under every youtube video that mentions russia is their bread and butter

[@stephenhill545]

Bots and misfits.

[@alexanderlazarev3570]

You are surrounded by Russians.

[@sonyamasterson8224]

Thank you so inspiring comments

[@crimeajewel]

Top views from a top man 😊😊

[@RaoulDuke333]

We stole all of gadaffis gold in our banks

[@boink800]

How did you do that? Did you wear a mask?

[@simonjess8471]

Libya wasn't holding any investment from big Western corporations.

[@LR-jk2jk]

1000% agree. Zero trade starting today. Let's stop "considering" and "discussing", let's start acting. Russia is at war with us, and it does not take two to tango when it comes to war. We are at war with Russia whether we want to admit it or not. Let's start acting our part, people. Decisive defeat of the enemy is how wars are won, not "sanctions".

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Disturbingly, there are certain people in the west, mainly on the political right, who are hoping for a Russian victory in the war with Ukraine.

[@RexIlluminatus]

The dreaded gpd argument again. How much of that gdp is geared towards military capacity? A million men sitting in cozy offices behind a computer can make a lot of gdp, but that does not mean we have the military capacity.

[@mikeroo8736]

Absolutely.....zero trade option......should be implemented

[@petermilne1203]

Excellent guest and a very positive message! I hope politicians in the west (well, Europe, we need to give up on the US) are listening careful to him.

[@libertarianbydefault]

What is the positive message? "Let's steal and keep funding an unwinnable war in which the Ukrainians are doing the dying", this message?

[@peterflohr7827]

So the US gets a free pass now?

[@petermilne1203]

Well, I won’t be rushing to come to their defence any more. 😊

[@libertarianbydefault]

@@peterflohr7827 Americans are pragmatic. :D They see Ukraine as one of the various ongoing projects. A project that is not going well, that is causing a lot of expenses and internal frictions. In essence, they have other things to worry about. This has never been an affair conducted out of some principle or real necessity. The EU, on the other hand, keeps being dragged by the momentum of its own stupidity. I wish we were as pragmatic as the US and said: "Okay, we tried, it did not work, time to wrap this up".

[@matkany]

I fully agree with this man.

[@asfafasdad384]

This is principal and correct stand point i agree.

[@istvanglock7445]

Just stop with these introductory snippets. It pains me that I know I'm going to have to listen to them all over again. Time is precious, and I don't want Time Radio forcing me to waste it. Are you listening Times Radio? No? Well listen up and smarten up.

[@ItsMe_Hello_People]

Wise words! 🇺🇦

[@christopherj.osheav5807]

DATELINE KYIV OBLAST Well played. An outstanding interview, James. Dr. Timothy Ash is one of the most erudite advocates for rational public policy vis-a-vis the Russian Federation. Thank you! V/r - IB An American in Ukraine (2019 - Present) GLORY TO THOSE WHO POSSESS THE COURAGE TO #STANDWITHUKRAINE!