BBC: "Shell has defended its decision to purchase Russian crude oil despite the invasion and bombardment of Ukraine." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60638255 Shell's statement: I don't think (hope) it'll get unloaded in the UK as other Russian oil has been turned away. No more going in a Shell garage for me. Ever.
Your knee jerk reaction is a tad hasty. They have clearly stated where they stand and how they aim to source supplies from non Russian, and their sympathiser’s sources. Alternative supply lines are not something that can be implemented at a moment’s notice. To “turn out the lights” would not benefit anyone and I’m sure Ukraine would understand that if we were to do so we would also be turning off our ability to continue to provide support in their time of need.
Yes i say let the fuel run out and everyone get back on their bikes. Lots of blanket ready for when the heating and cooking stops. I think Shell did the only thing they could till they source other outlets. Joe.
Shell have bought 725,000 barrels of Russian oil at a knock down price that the traders couldn't offload. The trader had been searching for a buyer all week and sold to Shell at a record discount against the oil price benchmark. The EU imports 440.3 million tonnes of oil each year. That's about 3,300 million barrels. 725,000 barrels is about 10% of a single day's usage. According to the Financial Times, Shell stand to make $20M from the deal. https://www.ft.com/content/9aecf062-7882-4418-ae50-a92eb7523adf
I see Elton John and Deep Purple have said they will not perform in Russia again. Now I know it's getting serious, Vlad will be shitting himself now.
I'm no apologist for the oil companies, and I'm not trying to defend Shell, just pointing out that it says in the press release that they\re putting the profits in to a dedicated fund to help the Ukraine situation. If this is true then the whole thing may be the most pragmatic option right now. Shell won't want a boycott of their pumps and protests at their refineries while other oil companies 'do the right thing'.
I see some attention is turning (in the UK, at least) to the suspiciously slow response to the oligarch pandemic in London by the Conservative goverment and typically weaselly responses from the clown that is our Prime Minister when the subject is raised. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/p...-tougher-than-the-measures-themselves-313097/ The big four accountants and certain law firms are also finding themselves increasingly in the spotlight having enabled London to be the money-laundering capital of the world for years. https://www.private-eye.co.uk/issue-1568/news
I agree. And if we are going to start sanctioning oligarchs, we have plenty of our own who deserve it as well.
Have you seen the “led by donkeys” video saying how London is used to launder the money? Quite interesting…
Yes, it's a good watch. Up to their usual high standard. I actually meant to find and post it earlier but got distracted. Here it is.
If this turns out to be true, it seems to be an indication of how the Kremlin is pissed off at the slow progress of the advance... I am more than happy to be corrected by more knowledgable folk, but such a large and strong invader, it would seem remarkably foolish to get two of your high ranking officers so near the actual fighting? Or am I showing my ignorance to modern warfare/invasion techniques? https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/second-russian-general-killed-war-ukraine-says-2022-03-08/
You've got to be wary of over zealous claims I suppose but I hope the Ukrainians are getting lots of help with satellite and other forms of intelligence. Drone strikes can target important command centres.
Regarding India’s stance in the UN… this blog seems to cover the reasons, at least showing the depth of the Russian/Indian special relationship. https://blogs.prio.org/2022/03/india-on-russia-ukraine-history-pragmatism-and-the-dilemmas-therein/
