Espreso. Global

Blackmail and conspiracy 

27 July, 2022 Wednesday
21:53

Western media claim that Vladimir Putin will continue to blackmail Europe with the threat of cutting off gas supplies, and that the Russian president no longer considers Gazprom's multibillion-dollar losses. So what does he care about?

Victory in the war over Ukraine. And for this, Putin is ready to freeze Europe. If recently in Tehran he claimed that it was necessary to "only" agree to the certification of Nord Stream-2 in order to supply gas, now the stakes are even higher: sanctions against Russia must be abandoned and military support for Ukraine must be stopped. Wow!

It can be said that the reduction of gas supply volumes is a strong trump card, considering the dependence of many European countries on these supplies. But blackmail is always a failed policy. Until recently, Putin was blackmailing Ukraine. By the way, he also blackmailed with unacceptable demands, in particular to recognize the Russian status of the annexed Crimea, to agree with the "independence" of the occupied Donbas, to disarm, and to "denazify". Attempts to apply the same approach to European countries are now beginning.

Politics - even power politics, even medieval politics, in the categories of which Putin continues to think - is always the art of the possible and understanding how you can win when you have not humiliated the enemy, trampled on his honor. But the Russian president seems to be worried about the exact opposite. It is important for him not just to win, but to humiliate, trample, and publicly demonstrate that no compromises are acceptable. But this is not politics, it is the behavior of a "gopnik" in St. Petersburg's backyard. For more than two decades of being at the top of power, Putin still has not understood what this is - state activity. His political career took off rapidly when he provided a demonstration of the communication of Yuriy Skuratov, the Prosecutor General of Russia, hated by his predecessor Boris Yeltsin, with ladies of "low social responsibility" - right on television screens. No Russian official has ever stooped to such lowliness, but Putin was able to! His popularity among the agitated crowd began to gain momentum again when he "annexed" foreign territory to Russia. No Soviet or Russian politician since the Second World War has committed such a flagrant violation of international law - and Putin was able to! And now we all think what else he can do. Freeze Europe? Use chemical or nuclear weapons? Is this politics?

Of course not. Blackmail is not politics, but a demonstration of political impotence. The desire to humiliate has never and nowhere led to success, and ended only in the downfall of those who bet on deliberate disrespect for the right to make sovereign decisions. It happens in ordinary everyday life, it happens in politics too - the blackmailer loses sooner or later.  Putin can reduce gas volumes. Putin can threaten the Europeans. In such a way, he will only prove how dangerous he is and show why any agreements with him are doomed to failure.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Thursday
28 March
22:30
Exclusive
Russia uses guided aerial bombs, poisonous grenades, phosphorus in eastern Ukraine
22:13
Ukraine repels 11 Russian attacks in Bakhmut direction amidst 48 combat clashes over last day — General Staff
22:00
Number of missing persons exceeds 50,000 during full-scale war in Ukraine - Ukrainian Police
21:44
In Melitopol, Russians use cars with Pelena EW system to block mobile phones, protect against explosive devices
21:30
OPINION
'Special military operation' against Ukraine has become Russia's 'holy war’
21:16
Aid for Ukraine is critically important: Zelenskyy talks to House Speaker Johnson
21:01
Deputy commander of 3rd Assault Brigade tells about Russian priority in Avdiivka sector
20:46
OPINION
Another Russian offensive on Kharkiv...
20:30
Exclusive
Russian threat looms over Poland, government does not care — Polish politician Czech
20:15
Exclusive
Defence Express reveals details on Russia’s use of UMPB D-30SN bomb in Kharkiv strike on March 27
19:57
Russian military aircraft crashes into sea near Sevastopol: pilot ejects
19:40
Exclusive
100,000 troops not enough for Kharkiv offensive: Ukrainian military suggest what Russia needs to capture city 
19:19
President Zelenskyy names when Russia may launch new major offensive on Ukraine
19:00
Special vehicles, drones and weapons: Germany’s new aid package for Ukraine
18:39
Russian Orthodox Church declares war against Ukraine "holy" 
18:20
Russians refuse to let their military, who signed contracts for 6 months, leave front line
17:59
Russia targets village in Kharkiv region, killing and injuring two people
17:40
Evidence of warming: Ukrainian scientists discover new plant species near Vernadsky Research Base
17:20
Exclusive
Ukrainian Armed Forces Reservists Council names potential tasks of Russian subversive groups in Kyiv region
17:00
Exclusive
Through Kurakhove to Vuhledar: Ukrainian military on Russian advancement attempts
16:45
Exclusive
Ukraine's south and east are Putin's "minimum program" — SBU Colonel Kostenko
16:30
OPINION
Lukashenko is Putin's tool to destabilize Europe - Vitaly Portnikov
16:15
Russia has no resources: Ukraine refutes fake about Russia’s preparation to attack Kharkiv
16:00
Fighting for Krynky: what current situation is on east bank of Kherson region?
15:45
Weapons, border, trade: governments of Ukraine and Poland hold talks
15:30
Ukraine is working on strategy to overcome demographic crisis
15:15
UK intelligence tells about Russification measures in occupied Ukraine
15:00
Espreso and Holka: We see manifestations of censorship and attempt to remove material about Shuliak and Kubrakov from site
14:40
Russian troops are preparing to repel attacks of Ukrainian subversive groups in Sevastopol
14:25
Ukrainian in Hollywood Ivanna Sakhno breaks contract with Netflix to avoid playing Russian
14:10
Russians in Crimea deploy military equipment near residential areas
13:50
UK company boosts Ukraine's drone defense – Reuters
13:30
OPINION
China is encroaching on Europe
13:10
At least 14,085 civilians killed by Russian invasion, UN says
12:53
Ethnic hatred grows in Russia after terrorist attack in Moscow region
12:27
Kyiv steps up security measures amid intensified Russian attacks
12:10
Russian aggression kills 537 children in Ukraine
11:55
Review
Russia tests missiles capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads against Ukraine. Serhiy Zgurets column
11:37
Canada has no plans to extend deadline for emergency visa program for Ukrainians
11:16
Updated
Macron's remark on deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine irks U.S. officials, reports Bloomberg. US State Department reacts
More news