'..tighter sanctions on Russia..' - 'The current Russian regime has lost all credibility.'

<blockquote>'BRUSSELS -- The European Parliament's foreign affairs committee is calling for tighter sanctions on Russia and a mechanism for bringing Eastern Partnership countries such as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine closer to the European Union.'

- European Parliament Pressing For Ways To Bring Georgia, Ukraine, And Moldova Closer, October 10, 2017</blockquote>


'Since its annexation of Crimea, May said Russia had fomented conflict in eastern Ukraine, violated airspace of European countries, and hacked the Danish ministry of defense and the German Parliament.'

<blockquote>'UK Prime Minister Theresa May has mounted a stern attack on Russia, claiming that it interferes in elections and plants fake news stories to sow discord and undermine Western institutions.

..May accused Moscow of attempting to "weaponize information" as part of a "sustained campaign of cyberespionage and disruption." Russia's actions were "threatening the international order," she said.

"We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed. Because you underestimate the resilience of our democracies, the enduring attraction of free and open societies, and the commitment of Western nations to the alliances that bind us," May said in a speech at the annual Lord Mayor's Banquet in London on Monday.

Since its annexation of Crimea, May said Russia had fomented conflict in eastern Ukraine, violated airspace of European countries, and hacked the Danish ministry of defense and the German Parliament.'

- British PM to Russia: 'We know what you are doing', November 14, 2017</blockquote>


'The West can help Ukraine by fully acknowledging the truth about Russia's war and putting democratic values above shortsighted business interests in dealing with Putin's Russia.'

<blockquote>The massively destabilising impact Russia's war has on [Ukraine] cannot be ignored.

The West can help Ukraine by fully acknowledging the truth about Russia's war and putting democratic values above shortsighted business interests in dealing with Putin's Russia.

Generations of Ukrainians suffered too much to win their independence, and forsaking their fight for freedom and sovereignty is unforgivable.

..

Get real about Ukraine

It is time for the West to get real about Ukraine.

The progress of reforms needs to be acknowledged, and praised where deserved, especially as Ukraine pursues some impressive innovations regarding government transparency in public procurement, asset declarations, and access to public information, to name but a few.

If positive changes are not acknowledged, the loud criticism by populists will drown out and devalue all reformist efforts.

Ukraine is expected to pursue reforms ahead of defending its sovereignty.

Under these circumstances, the least the West can do is manage its expectations of those reforms, helping Ukraine ensure it can walk its path towards a thriving democracy free from Russia's oppression.

- West Needs To Get Real On Ukraine, September 28, 2017</blockquote>


'There are larger lessons here too. Keep Igor in mind whenever anyone shrieks about Putin’s fearsome juggernaut. If the management of a national champion in the largest and most important industry in Russia is any indication, the colossus has feet of clay–and a head of brick.'

<blockquote>'Who knew that Igor Sechin was such a shy and retiring type? He has been summoned thrice to testify at the Ulyukaev bribery trial, and thrice he has failed to appear. One time he apparently dodged the summons by hiding in his office, and having his staff refuse to accept it. The other times he has said his busy travel schedule precludes him from attending. He has been summoned yet again to appear on 27 November, but the judge in the case said that Sechin indicates that his schedule wilt allow him to testify before the end of the year.

..

Thus the management of the world’s largest publicly traded oil company (by volume, NOT by value, to be sure). Run by–indeed dominated by–a strategic imbecile who attempts to compensate for his managerial incompetence by strong-arming his domestic rivals into giving up their resources, and engaging in clownish masquerades to frame up those who have attempted to thwart him.

There are larger lessons here too. Keep Igor in mind whenever anyone shrieks about Putin’s fearsome juggernaut. If the management of a national champion in the largest and most important industry in Russia is any indication, the colossus has feet of clay–and a head of brick.'

- Streetwise Professor, Igor Is Not Available. Please Leave Your Name and Number, and He’ll Return Your Call as Soon as Possible, November 23, 2017</blockquote>


<blockquote>'The current Russian regime has lost all credibility.'

- Who still cares about what Russia says? November 22, 2017</blockquote>


Context

<blockquote>Window on Eurasia: Re-Feudalization Threatens Russia’s Future, Delyagin Warns - By Paul Goble, 2009

Moscow to Find It’s Easy to Become an Outcast but Hard to Escape that Title, Preobrazhensky Says, November 15, 2017

'..Putin’s Russia .. feudalism..' - '..The Byzantine choice was fundamental in the evolution of Russian society and state compared to Western Europe..'


'..Russia .. hints at the direction Congress will go in the event of an escalation.'

'..Zero tolerance for Russian intrusions .. Estonia .. policy of publicly naming or prosecuting spies..'

'..Russia’s Armed Forces, After Putin'


'..Russia must return Crimea to Ukraine and de-escalate violence in eastern Ukraine.'</blockquote>