4 ms·

Yes because they have nothing to gain from sanctioning Russia. But they also have virtually no trade with it so whether they sanctioned it or not means nothing.

Yes because they have nothing to gain from sanctioning Russia. But they also have virtually no trade with it so whether they sanctioned it or not means nothing. Russia trades mostly with Europe and China, not BRICS. And the sanctions have already clearly dug in.

pphysch 4y ago
In theory, they have a lot to gain: brownie points with Washington. Unfortunately, almost no one respects Washington anymore. That ship has sailed. The end result is that the Russian economy is afloat while the transatlantic power structure is collapsing.
- daemoens 4y ago
  Brownie points mean less than nothing. Nations do not upon brownie points, just their self interests. If Brazil sanctioned Russia it would mean nothing and Washington would see it as such.
  - pphysch 4y ago
    > Brownie points mean less than nothing. Nations do not upon brownie points, just their self interests. Except when you behave like this, you end up like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi -- lynched while their country is destroyed. "Brownie points" with the unipolar superpower is absolutely meaningful as long as they maintain that position. Which they don't anymore, circa 2020 or so.
    - daemoens 4y ago
      Saddam and Gaddafi went directly against Washington, they weren't neutral.
      - pphysch 4y ago
        Exactly. You need to be either neutral or favorable towards the superpower. If you are not, and you seek national interests at the expense of Washington's interests (e.g. nationalizing resources, competing with the USD), you will get wrecked.
        daemoens 4y ago
        So we agree? Most nations have stayed neutral or sided against Russia. The only nations that side with Russia are Syria, Eritrea, North Korea, and Belarus. None of them have either the economy or military to do even the small amount except for Belarus. And Lukashenko knows sending his troops to Ukraine makes him vulnerable to his citizens and Russia at the same time. His military is the only thing stopping the people or Putin from kicking him out.

pphysch 4y ago

In theory, they have a lot to gain: brownie points with Washington. Unfortunately, almost no one respects Washington anymore. That ship has sailed. The end result is that the Russian economy is afloat while the transatlantic power structure is collapsing.

daemoens 4y ago
Brownie points mean less than nothing. Nations do not upon brownie points, just their self interests. If Brazil sanctioned Russia it would mean nothing and Washington would see it as such.
- pphysch 4y ago
  > Brownie points mean less than nothing. Nations do not upon brownie points, just their self interests. Except when you behave like this, you end up like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi -- lynched while their country is destroyed. "Brownie points" with the unipolar superpower is absolutely meaningful as long as they maintain that position. Which they don't anymore, circa 2020 or so.
  - daemoens 4y ago
    Saddam and Gaddafi went directly against Washington, they weren't neutral.
    - pphysch 4y ago
      Exactly. You need to be either neutral or favorable towards the superpower. If you are not, and you seek national interests at the expense of Washington's interests (e.g. nationalizing resources, competing with the USD), you will get wrecked.
      - daemoens 4y ago
        So we agree? Most nations have stayed neutral or sided against Russia. The only nations that side with Russia are Syria, Eritrea, North Korea, and Belarus. None of them have either the economy or military to do even the small amount except for Belarus. And Lukashenko knows sending his troops to Ukraine makes him vulnerable to his citizens and Russia at the same time. His military is the only thing stopping the people or Putin from kicking him out.