UncleJesse Loc: Hazzard Co, GA

An analyst observes how Putin's popularity hasn't decreased even though the sanctions have hurt the Russian economy. The expectation is that further economic sanctions still will not make Putin budge as long as his popularity remains strong.

The strategy may simply distance East-West relations, worsen the Russian economy, spin-off eastern parts of Ukraine and create the foundation of more Western animosity there. However, it appears to be a condition creating a NATO renaissance and a potential benefit for ex-soviet states to advance into better EU partnerships.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russian-economy-slows-amid-ukraine-crisis-23341950

"Russian markets have been rattled by the tensions with neighboring Ukraine, where Russia annexed the Black Sea region of Crimea last month. The main stock index tanked 10 percent in March, wiping out billions in market capitalization. In the first three months of 2014, the ruble lost 9 percent against the dollar, making imports more expensive, while spooked investors pulled about $70 billion out of the country — more than in all of 2013.

Among investors' chief concerns are that the U.S. and European Union might escalate their sanctions against Russia to affect trade, particularly in the valuable energy market. Europe is Russia's largest trading partner. It buys more than three-quarters of Russia's crude oil and natural gas exports, which fund about half the government budget.

So far, the U.S. and the EU sanctions have been limited to individual Russian politicians and businessmen close to the Kremlin. But the possibility of tougher sanctions has been enough to hinder investment, which dropped 4.8 percent in the first quarter, according to Ulyukayev."

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Unlike the U.S. current president and his administration, Putin loves his country and protects his people. Of course he's popular.

Should the U.S. be blessed with such leadership in the future, the citizens who love this country would (finally) have a reason to rejoice.

cant beleve Loc: Planet Kolob

Merkel is now sending Russian gas back to them. germany's refusing their gas. So it might get very interesting indeed