Spursex - 2/6/2015 18:19
zzz - 2/6/2015 18:13
Spursex - 2/6/2015 18:01
Russia and Putin must be pig sick.
This is small fry in comparison to the heat they are getting from Ukraine.
They will just wheel out the go to excuse that western europe/north america is just trying to spread it's sphere of influence.
Though i would definitely love to see them lose the 2018. Maybe get to see some original material from their versions of comical Ali.
It depends on what happens next; but if their hosting of the next World cup is undermined and they become a pariah sporting state it would do more to undermine Putin's approval ratings than a 'patriotic war' being waged on the Ukraine - which was forced upon them by the EU (as that's how it's billed in Russia).
Losing the World Cup and the prestige that goes with it would be a public opinion killer blow - most especially if it could be shown it was brought about by way of pecuniary misbehaviour and skullduggery. The average Russian is more sick that sort of behaviour than killing people in a nationalist war...!
Totally agree about the public image going.
There are a lot of the families of service men who have died which have been up in arms about what has happened.
The russians in this case have gone by the "beatings will continue till moral improves" mantra to get around it. As well as making all service personnel's death a state secret.
Only problem is that their is a cultural precedent in the country of projecting their problems onto the west and then solidifying nationally around it, so unless the finger can be squarely pointed at Putin, it will just be more ammunition for him.
Though to be fare i don't have first hand experience with a lot of russians. Just see the trends happen time and again from isolated nations.
"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."
Though to be fare a number of nations use this to a less or greater extent.