The host examines Putin's claim that Western sanctions on Russia are "mad and thoughtless" and will hurt the EU more than Russia, citing estimates the EU could lose over $400 billion. He links rising inflation, fuel, and food prices in the UK and EU to the sanctions fallout and questions whether the economic burden on citizens outweighs the pressure on Russia.
Now, is Putin right about Russia sanctions? Bear with me on this because I'd just like to challenge our thinking for a moment, and I'd love your thoughts in the comments. So, um, Putin has spoken out saying that the sanctions imposed on Russia are, quote, mad and thoughtless. What he said at a forum in St. Petersburg is that, and I quote, the economic blitzkrieg against Russia had no chance of succeeding from the very beginning. Now, to me, that sounds like a bit of PR, maybe not propaganda, but PR. But he has said that the restrictions, the sanctions on Russia were more harmful to those who imposed them than to Russia. Apparently the Western nations have been seeking to strike a balance between punishing Russia and protecting their own economies. But Putin has stated and quoted that the EU could lose more than $400 billion from the sanctions. Now here's my question to you: does Putin have a point in that inflation in UK is soaring The cost of fuel, gas, energy, food is soaring. A lot of massive companies who had big brands, corporations in Russia pulled out, probably to lose hundreds of millions of pounds and dollars. All the big brands and companies forced to pull out of Russia. Now, of course, that's hurt Russia. You could certainly argue that sanctions are better than sending in the tanks and the planes and the guns. I believe financial punishments are better than a Third World War. However, we rely on Russia for a lot of energy. And could it be that the cost to the EU for all the sanctions could keep driving inflation up, keep driving cost of living up? And have we really thought about the downsides? Now, Mushtaq has said here, Rob, your analysis is very impartial and reality-based. So thank you. So Look, I'm asking you what you think. I'm going to keep this really short. I'll be finished in a minute. I want your thoughts. But you know, of course the media portrays Putin as the bad guy. We don't really know what's going on. Certainly I do not believe in war, and I much prefer financial sanctions than third world wars and planes and tanks. Um, but you know, not only are there all these sanctions But there are hundreds of billions of NATO money gone into funding the war by supporting Ukraine, by sending them weapons. So when you add all this up, it could be multiple hundreds of billions spent and restricted in trade because of the sanctions imposed upon Russia. Now, if it does intervene and end the war early and effectively, is that the right cost to bear? But you do know who'll pay for you for all of this, don't you? You'll pay, and I'll pay, because taxation, cost of living it could continue to soar for years to come. Now, a lot of people say to my feed that— on my feed— that Putin isn't the bad, mad guy that he is portrayed to be. I don't know. I don't like war, and it looks like he invaded and started the war. You never really know what's going on. Um, so Final question to you: does Putin have a point that the sanctions imposed by the EU and NATO will cost EU as much, if not more, than Russia? Um, or was this the right decision to try and get control of the war between Ukraine and Russia? I think it's very important to challenge our own thought process. I'd love your thoughts in the comments. Ricker said the sanctions will not end the war. So if you think the sanctions won't end the war, then what's the point in doing them? What will end the war? Do we really want to go in with tanks and guns and planes and this becomes the Third World War? I really don't believe that. Phil has said he's part of the global agenda like everyone else. So what do you mean by that, Phil? Um, I'd love to hear your comments. Sarah has said Putin is an angel compared to Z and Biden. What do you mean by that, Sarah? Would love your thoughts on that. So I'd love all your thoughts. Just wanted to challenge our own thought process because here is one thing I'm seeing which isn't an opinion, it's a fact. Taxes are going up, cost of living going up, fuel going up, food going up, taxes going up, inflation going up. And there's no doubt that the hundreds of billions that's gone into supporting Ukraine and the sanctions in Russia is a part to play in that. And so it's something we should definitely discuss and explore. So let me know what you think in the comments. Just, uh, I will continue to engage in the comments. And also please do hit the share button because I think we've got to challenge our own thought process. We've got to try and look at things from a neutral and balanced point of view and even disrupt our own arguments. I am more of a fan of sanctions of a country than I am in war intervention. But, you know, we're seeing some of the consequences now, and if that could last a decade, we might look back and think there were other ways to deal with this situation. Let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for tuning in. Hit the share button, and remember this: if you don't risk anything, you risk everything.
