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What do they stand to gain? The entire oligarch angle doesn’t pass the smell test anymore these are billionaires that have billions on the line and nothing to g

What do they stand to gain? The entire oligarch angle doesn’t pass the smell test anymore these are billionaires that have billions on the line and nothing to gain from Russia which is still the main source of their questionable wealth becoming a pariah state.

decafninja 5y ago
I imagine most of the oligarchs are still relatively practical people. This war seems highly ideological, as in from the mind of Putin.
- dogma1138 5y ago
  You don’t get to be a billionaire by being an ideologue.
  - decafninja 5y ago
    True, but it seems some become more idealogical once they reach the status. I would say Elon falls in this category too.
hattmall 5y ago
They get to gain Ukraine, the pipeline and resources. Ukrainian Oligarchs are in favor of the war because the Ukrainian democracy is a threat to their wealth, they want the same setup as in Russia. Ukraine's wealth in large part comes from taxation on transportation of Russian fuel. This is all about securing Russian / Eastern European dominance in the fossil fuel market while North America is effectively sitting on the sidelines until we get a pro fossil fuel Administration back in Washington. They want to show a secure pro fossil fuel position and attract the international industry. The US became the leading world power 100% because of our industrial utilization and becoming the center of refinement for fossil fuels. All of the "green propaganda" has been effective and even though there is not even remotely a variable alternative to meet the world's energy needs the US is voluntarily reducing it's number one power asset and Moscow needs to cement their position now before the US can recover. Look at Germany, the largest EU economy and their hesitancy to go forward with sanctions. They need Russian fuel, as does the entire EU and in a few years these actions will be overlooked in the face of solid and stable supply. All Russia needs is to create enough Ukrainian turmoil to install a subservient regime that doesn't interfere with fossil fuel projects.
- kmlx 5y ago
  > They get to gain Ukraine, the pipeline and resources. Ukraine is a poor country. Like Russia, like Belarus. The pipeline was supposed to be deadlined completely after nord stream 2. Ukraine does have a few resources, but the most it has is grain. That could be a thing, but I doubt it.
  - toyg 5y ago
    > The pipeline was supposed to be deadlined completely after nord stream 2. But NS2 hit the brakes last year. Biden probably wanted something for it, like returning the Donbass. Hence Putin going "fuck it, I'll get the old one then". That timeline and explanation makes more sense than a smart 69yo mafia boss, at the peak of his powers, just throwing it all away over some ideological bullshit.

decafninja 5y ago

I imagine most of the oligarchs are still relatively practical people. This war seems highly ideological, as in from the mind of Putin.

dogma1138 5y ago
You don’t get to be a billionaire by being an ideologue.
- decafninja 5y ago
  True, but it seems some become more idealogical once they reach the status. I would say Elon falls in this category too.

hattmall 5y ago

They get to gain Ukraine, the pipeline and resources. Ukrainian Oligarchs are in favor of the war because the Ukrainian democracy is a threat to their wealth, they want the same setup as in Russia. Ukraine's wealth in large part comes from taxation on transportation of Russian fuel. This is all about securing Russian / Eastern European dominance in the fossil fuel market while North America is effectively sitting on the sidelines until we get a pro fossil fuel Administration back in Washington. They want to show a secure pro fossil fuel position and attract the international industry. The US became the leading world power 100% because of our industrial utilization and becoming the center of refinement for fossil fuels. All of the "green propaganda" has been effective and even though there is not even remotely a variable alternative to meet the world's energy needs the US is voluntarily reducing it's number one power asset and Moscow needs to cement their position now before the US can recover. Look at Germany, the largest EU economy and their hesitancy to go forward with sanctions. They need Russian fuel, as does the entire EU and in a few years these actions will be overlooked in the face of solid and stable supply. All Russia needs is to create enough Ukrainian turmoil to install a subservient regime that doesn't interfere with fossil fuel projects.

kmlx 5y ago
> They get to gain Ukraine, the pipeline and resources. Ukraine is a poor country. Like Russia, like Belarus. The pipeline was supposed to be deadlined completely after nord stream 2. Ukraine does have a few resources, but the most it has is grain. That could be a thing, but I doubt it.
- toyg 5y ago
  > The pipeline was supposed to be deadlined completely after nord stream 2. But NS2 hit the brakes last year. Biden probably wanted something for it, like returning the Donbass. Hence Putin going "fuck it, I'll get the old one then". That timeline and explanation makes more sense than a smart 69yo mafia boss, at the peak of his powers, just throwing it all away over some ideological bullshit.