[beethovenfan]

Pot, kettle

[escapefromboston]

They could try and end the war and then go back buying all the oil they want.

[chuckee]

No one is forcing China but, if you have the leverage, you use it. XI and his cohorts know that. They would do the same. Sucks not to have leverage.

[HYPOCRACY]

Ask Tibet, Taiwan, The Philippines, Vietnam etc who the bully is. These clowns are pathetic.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

This is a quite interesting series of events in geopolitics. Power factions forming in new ways, as power is applies by the powerful, one against another. Not just a matter of public relations and media narratives.

"Despite a range of sanctions and the threat posed by dependence on Russian energy, in the third year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU imports of Russian fossil fuels in particular remain largely unchanged, totalling EUR 21.9 bn, a 6% year-on-year drop in value but merely a 1% year-on-year drop in volumes."

EU imports of Russian fossil fuels in third year of invasion surpass financial aid sent to Ukraine Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, 10 April 2025

EU Continues Billion-Euro Russian Oil Purchases Despite Phase-Out Plan Sweden Herald, 4 May 2025

How Nearly $200 Million in Russian Oil Reached the US Despite Sanctions Newsweek, 3 March 2025

European Union spent more on Russian fossil fuels than Ukraine aid in 2024 FOX News, 3 March 2025

EU ‘still buying Russian oil products’ as Turkey becomes re-export hub Global Trade Reviw, 15 May 2025

That last link is a doozy, because Turkey is a NATO member, as well as the second largest military after the US in NATO. Meanwhile, the loudest barking comes from some of the "Coalition of the Willing" folks, who aren't marching into battle -- yet.

Isn't media interesting, these days?

[Williams]

Listen to Chinese propaganda almost makes me laugh they’re so obvious.

[allendale]

If Trump really wanted to bankrupt Russia, he does not need tariffs. All he has to do is prevent American banks and financial institutions from doing any business with companies and even countries that defy sanctions. Might start a war or a depression but it would work.