U.S. and UKRAINE Developments

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Biden approves $350 million in military aid for Ukraine

 

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden instructed the U.S. State Department to release up to an additional $350 million worth of weapons from U.S. stocks to Ukraine on Friday as it struggles to repulse a Russian invasion.

 

In a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that $350 million allocated through the Foreign Assistance Act be designated for Ukraine's defense. Ukraine has been asking for Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles to shoot down aircraft.

 

 

 

(more)

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-approves-350-million-military-aid-ukraine-2022-02-26/

 

WASHINGTON ― U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized the State Department to send another $350 million in weapons, including Javelin anti-tank weapons, to help Ukrainian forces fight back the ongoing Russian invasion.

 

With Ukraine struggling to repel Russia’s tanks, bombers, helicopters and missiles, the new tranche would supply Ukrainian forces with anti-armor and anti-aircraft systems, ammunition for firearms and body armor, according to the State Department.

 

"This marks the third time Biden has used his presidential drawdown authority to send emergency security assistance from U.S. stockpiles to Ukraine, and it brings the total commitment of U.S. security assistance to $1 billion for this year.

 

(more)

 

https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2022/02/26/biden-to-send-350m-in-military-aid-to-ukraine/

 

 

[richard_smith237]

So thats $350 million in weapons, including Javelin anti-tank weapons going straight to the Russians then... 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Fake news reports circulating that one-time American actor Steven Seagal, now Russian citizen and Putin buddy, is fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine. Controversial podcaster comic Joe Rogan shares the fake news, and gets more than 240,000 likes. Huh???  I wonder from whom?

 

Fact Check: Claims Steven Seagal Joined Russian Forces Invading Ukraine

 

"Some commentators are also referencing reports that the 69-year-old actor was last known to be living in Moscow, reportedly to escape U.S. tax authorities.

 

The Facts

There is no evidence that claims about Steven Seagal's participation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine are grounded in fact.

 

While it is true that the actor is a known Kremlin sympathizer and a friend of both Russian President Putin and Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenka (with whom he famously shared a carrot in 2016, as seen in a viral video), the reports of his supposed involvement in the military operations are false."

 

https://www.newsweek.com/steven-seagal-joined-russian-forces-invading-ukraine-fact-check-1683155

 

"The actor has been banned from traveling to Ukraine since 2017 due to his ties with the Kremlin.

 

Despite speculation that Seagal, who is a special envoy in the U.S. for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been based in Moscow in recent years, the actor's current whereabouts could not be independently confirmed by Newsweek."

 

 

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Steven Seagal, now Russian citizen and Putin buddy, is fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine

Not a problem, USA got John McClane.

[Rimmer]

A troll post has been removed

[mtls2005]

12 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Fact Check: Claims Steven Seagal Joined Russian Forces Invading Ukraine

Maybe he's on loan from the Jefferson Parish Police Force?

 

Last I saw he was in Venezuela?

 

In all seriousness he absolutely must be cast in the the next Bond film as the villain.

 

 

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

U.S. to ban Russian flights from American airspace, officials say

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/01/us-to-ban-russian-flights-from-american-airspace-officials-say.html

[John Drake]

On 3/1/2022 at 12:38 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Despite speculation that Seagal, who is a special envoy in the U.S. for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been based in Moscow in recent years, the actor's current whereabouts could not be independently confirmed by Newsweek."

Wonder where Edward Snowden is. The last I checked, his twitter account had been silent for several days following the invasion.

[John Drake]

If there is one good thing to result from this conflict it is that there has been a worldwide shake-out. And now we know where nations' true loyalties and interest lie. And it's not only Asean countries that proved themselves to be Putin sympathizers. It's also countries like India, which many people had been positioning as America's great ally in the Indo-Pacific. That idea should be dead after this. And there should be ramifications for the countries taking Putin's side. Limit their entry visas, remove their citizens from being in line for naturalization, limit their companies (such as Chicken of the Sea [a Thai company]) from new expansion into the US market. And be very, very careful with their exports--can't be too careful, must inspect every single item, even if it takes months to get through customs.

[mtls2005]

Boeing Says It Will Suspend Technical Support for Russian Airlines

 

https://www.barrons.com/articles/boeing-suspends-technical-support-russian-airlines-51646212565

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Found this notice when I logged into my U.S. brokerage account today (click to enlarge):

 

 

Edited March 3, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[mtls2005]

Airline software giant ends distribution service with Russia’s Aeroflot, crippling carrier’s ability to sell seats

 

Sabre Corp. on Thursday said it terminated its distribution agreement with Russia’s Aeroflot, a move that Europe’s Amadeus followed suit.
The Texas-based airline software giant provides ticket distribution and reservation services for carriers around the world.
Sabre’s decision is the latest that has isolated Russia’s airlines since the country invaded Ukraine last week.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/03/airline-software-giant-sabre-ends-service-with-russias-aeroflot-crippling-carriers-ability-to-sell-seats.html

[John Drake]

Things being reset to 1949. The Communist giants closely aligned and threatening their neighbors, while being cut off from the rest of the world then. And now a replay. Quemoy and Matsu for a return engagement.

[mtls2005]

Elon Musk loves to poke, even the Bear...he's ben asked to disable all vehicles in Russia, preferably when they're not moving.

 

Elon Musk Makes Tesla Superchargers Free for People Fleeing Ukraine

 

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/elon-musk-makes-tesla-superchargers-free-for-people-fleeing-ukraine/#:~:text=Search-,Elon Musk Makes Tesla Superchargers Free for People Fleeing Ukraine,some cities near the border.&text=Mary is an associate editor for CNET Core Tech based in Charlotte.

 

 

Ukraine gets Starlink internet terminals - and friendly warning about safety

 

https://www.reuters.com/technology/ukraine-gets-starlink-internet-terminals-friendly-warning-about-safety-2022-02-28/

 

 

[John Drake]

Putin behavior due to roid rage and susceptibility to Covid because of steroid addiction.    https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2022-03-03/putin-junkie-madman/65578

[mtls2005]

Microsoft suspends new sales in Russia

 

https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2022/03/04/microsoft-suspends-russia-sales-ukraine-conflict/

 

 

And Starlink update from Muusk's twitter

 

Elon Musk
@elonmusk
28m
SpaceX reprioritized to cyber defense & overcoming signal jamming. 

Will cause slight delays in Starship & Starlink V2.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I don't understand this... maybe someone can explain it without getting into political rants not permitted in this forum...

 

The U.S. only imports a relatively small amount of petroleum products from foreign sources these days with domestic production the vast majority, and only a portion of the small portion imports are from Russia. But gas prices in the U.S. now are going crazy....

 

"Pump prices in the U.S. are surging at the fastest pace since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with AAA reporting the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rising $0.11 to $3.83 on Friday, the highest since September 21, 2012.

...

Gas prices have soared $0.18/gal since Wednesday and $0.29/gal since Russia's invasion of Ukraine eight days ago, meaning the U.S. most likely will soon average $4.00 and reach the record of $4.11 set in 2008;

...

The average pump price in California, always more exposed to surging oil prices than the rest of the country, is the highest in the continental U.S., jumping $0.13/gal to $5.07, making it the first state ever to average more than $5.00/gal."

 

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3809855-us-average-gasoline-price-soars-to-383gal-highest-in-nearly-a-decade?

 

https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/browser/?tbl=T03.03A#/?f=M&start=200001

 

U.S. EIA says only 7.6% net petroleum imports...and only a portion of those from Russia...

 

Percent of U.S. petroleum use as net imports

 

So, given the vast majority of the U.S. supply is domestic, why the huge price spikes in the domestic marketplace for consumers?

 

Edited March 5, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Further re oil-related issues:

 

"Shares of oil and gas companies (NYSEARCA:XLE) soared 9.3% this week, marking the sector's biggest weekly gain since October 2018, as crude oil prices rocketed past $115/bbl for the highest weekly dollar increase on record, sparked by fears of a major supply crunch from Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

 

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3809877-energy-stocks-sizzle-as-crude-closes-historic-weekly-run-at-13-year-high

 

AND

Weekly oil supply/demand roundup - crude up ~$24 from last Friday's close
 

• This week's DOE inventory update showed a larger than expected 6.3mb draw in oil and oil products.
   
• Self sanctioning was estimated to reduce Russian exports by ~2.5mb/d this week (OTCPK:RNFTF).
   
• BP (NYSE:BP), Equinor (NYSE:EQNR), Exxon (XOM) and Shell (NYSE:SHEL) announced plans to exit physical and financial Russian assets.
   

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3809814-weekly-oil-supplydemand-roundup-crude-up-24-from-last-fridays-close?

 

Meanwhile, in Europe, the EU is planning to introduce a windfall profits tax on European energy producers.

 

Edited March 5, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

News media pull back operations from Russia amid new law restricting reporting

"CNN (NYSE:T) is halting broadcasting in Russia amid a new legal crackdown in the country over reporting on the war against Ukraine.

 

It's one of several news organizations deciding in quick succession Friday to pull back or halt news gathering inside Russia, including Bloomberg and the BBC among others.

 

Russia's new law punishes anyone spreading "false information" about the Ukraine invasion with up to 15 years in prison. 

 

(more)

 

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3809853-news-media-pull-back-operations-from-russia-amid-new-law-restricting-reporting

 

 

Of course, it's not a WAR!  Just call it instead a Russian "foreign misadventure!"  ????

 

 

[mtls2005]

Russian sanctions prompt tech to stop sales, curb services

At the urging of Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and economic sanctions, companies including Apple, Google and Microsoft have limited business operations in Russia.

 

"In response to the war in Ukraine, we are pausing Google monetization of Russian state-funded media across our platforms," Google said in a statement to CNN Business on Sunday. "We're actively monitoring new developments and will take further steps if necessary."

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/28/tech/google-russia-media-cut-off-ad-revenue-intl-hnk/index.html

[mtls2005]

Brittney Griner detained in Russia: American basketball star found with hashish oil at airport, per reports

 

Seven-time WNBA All-Star center Brittney Griner, 31, has been detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service after it claims to have found hashish oil in her luggage, according to the New York Times and Russian news agency TASS. She currently plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a women's basketball team that competes in the Russian Premier League.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/brittney-griner-detained-in-russia-american-basketball-star-found-with-hashish-oil-at-airport-per-reports/

 

 

 

[John Drake]

The one percent buying doomsday bunkers.    

 

Quote

Gary Lynch, the general manager of Texas-based Rising S Company, told The Sun that demand for its survival shelters has soared more than "1000%" since Thursday - the day Russian troops entered Ukraine.

 

https://www.the-sun.com/news/4797076/

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

How do you say "de-platformed" in Russian?

 

Russian State Media Shuts Down RT America as Services Cut Propaganda Outlet

 

In the days following the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, nearly all entertainment companies in the United States and around the world have cutoff operations in, and with, Russia.

...

It has also been reported that RT America — the American arm of Russia’s state-sponsored network RT — has ceased operations, effective immediately.

 

According to CNN, in a memo to employees, Misha Solodovnikov, the general manager of T&R Productions — the network’s content supplier — said that it was shutting down production at all of its U.S. locations due to the network being dropped from practically all of its distribution platforms. The vast majority of the company’s employees were let go on Thursday.

 

(more)

 

https://thestreamable.com/news/russian-state-media-shuts-down-rt-america-as-services-cut-propaganda-outlet

 

[onthedarkside]

A post citing a disallowed "questionable source" website has been removed.

 

[bendejo]

On 3/2/2022 at 1:45 AM, John Drake said:

If there is one good thing to result from this conflict it is that there has been a worldwide shake-out. And now we know where nations' true loyalties and interest lie. And it's not only Asean countries that proved themselves to be Putin sympathizers. It's also countries like India, which many people had been positioning as America's great ally in the Indo-Pacific. That idea should be dead after this. [ . . . ]

Think about it, how many countries in the world claim that a piece of a neighboring nation is rightfully theirs?  India and Pakistan would be among the more obvious ones: if not for the terrain either country would be using a similar tactic in Kashmir.  China has a whole laundry list, I've been anticipating naval battles in the South China Sea for a long time.  Be assured there are a number of world leaders looking upon the Ukraine invasion with envy.

 

 

Edited March 8, 2022 by bendejo

[Berkshire]

Interesting development in the dark world of tax havens.  Normally very secretive and protective of their clients, many appear to be rolling over on Russian oligarchs.  Hope this trend continues....

 

[Russia's invasion of Ukraine has produced an unexpected side effect: The complicated offshore financial system is rapidly proving it can dismantle itself.]

[The war has galvanized an extraordinary coalition among tax havens that usually compete fiercely with one another to attract Russian wealth.]

[With Russian offshore wealth estimated conservatively as equivalent to 85 percent of the country's GDP, there is a great deal at stake, but it is not just the money. Anti-corruption campaigners like Alexei Navalny who have fought for years against Russian kleptocracy insist that sanctioning and seizing oligarchs' offshore wealth is essential to halting the abuses of Putin's regime.]

[It would be a consummate irony if Putin himself accomplished with his invasion of Ukraine what a string of devastating offshore leaks could not: the self-destruction of the offshore financial system.]

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/secret-world-offshore-banking-proving-132715972.html

 

Edited March 9, 2022 by Berkshire

[mtls2005]

Russian Internet Takes a Hit as Cogent Disconnects Backbone Network

 

Cogent Communications told its Russian customers on Friday it's disconnected its high-capacity internet service because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic punishment much of the rest of the world has begun.

 

https://www.cnet.com/news/russian-internet-takes-a-hit-as-cogent-disconnects-backbone-network/

[lexor]

On 2/27/2022 at 5:42 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Biden approves $350 million in military aid for Ukraine

What is happening in Ukraine is an ongoing violent territorial dispute between two of the most kleptocratic and corrupted countries on earth, thousands of miles away from America having nothing to do with our internal security or stability. There are no American security interests at risk. It’s none of our business and another Biden taxpayer burden.

But....

Edited March 17, 2022 by lexor

[Credo]

On 3/5/2022 at 1:50 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I don't understand this... maybe someone can explain it without getting into political rants not permitted in this forum...

 

The U.S. only imports a relatively small amount of petroleum products from foreign sources these days with domestic production the vast majority, and only a portion of the small portion imports are from Russia. But gas prices in the U.S. now are going crazy....

 

"Pump prices in the U.S. are surging at the fastest pace since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with AAA reporting the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rising $0.11 to $3.83 on Friday, the highest since September 21, 2012.

...

Gas prices have soared $0.18/gal since Wednesday and $0.29/gal since Russia's invasion of Ukraine eight days ago, meaning the U.S. most likely will soon average $4.00 and reach the record of $4.11 set in 2008;

...

The average pump price in California, always more exposed to surging oil prices than the rest of the country, is the highest in the continental U.S., jumping $0.13/gal to $5.07, making it the first state ever to average more than $5.00/gal."

 

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3809855-us-average-gasoline-price-soars-to-383gal-highest-in-nearly-a-decade?

 

https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/browser/?tbl=T03.03A#/?f=M&start=200001

 

U.S. EIA says only 7.6% net petroleum imports...and only a portion of those from Russia...

 

Percent of U.S. petroleum use as net imports

 

So, given the vast majority of the U.S. supply is domestic, why the huge price spikes in the domestic marketplace for consumers?

 

As I am sure you know, oil is an internationally priced product, so it's the international market that ultimately controls the price of oil.  When it comes to refined products, then the price starts falling on the individual companies to determine price.  I suspect some oil companies are making a lot of money, since the price has somewhat stabilized and is lower that it's highs, but gas/diesel prices are stubbornly high.   

 

Not all refineries can refine all types of oil, or more specifically, they can't easily switch around, as a result, some refineries are stuck with a particular grade of oil.  There is also varying amounts of sulphur in different grades of oil.   

 

The US also imports and re-exports oil.  Crude is sometimes brought in from countries, refined and re-exported.   

[mtls2005]

House Votes to End Russia’s Favored Trade Status With U.S.

 

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to end regular trade relations with Russia in a move that would allow the U.S. to sharply raise tariffs on Russian goods entering the country.

 

The bill, passed 424-8, would end what’s known as “permanent normal trade relations” for Russia, putting it in a category with pariah states North Korea and Cuba. The legislation, supported by President Joe Biden, would allow the U.S. to hit Russia with significantly higher tariffs than those it applies to other World Trade Organization members. The WTO has a core principle of treating all members equally.

 

Eight Republicans voted against the bill: Representatives Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin; Thomas Massie of Kentucky; Matt Gaetz of Florida; Lauren Boebert of Colorado; Andy Biggs of Arizona; Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia; Chip Roy of Texas; Dan Bishop of North Carolina.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-17/house-votes-to-end-russia-s-favored-trade-status-senate-next