The deal between Russia and Turkey signed yesterday is truly a game changer for the EU and it is at least as painful as the Russian retaliatory sanctions against the EU agricultural export. Having achieved such a victory, you would imagine that the Russians would be eager to not only explain it, but also make some good PR from it.
Think again.
I just went to the English version of the Russian President’s website in the hope of finding a fully translated version of the Putin-Erdogan press conference. Check out what I really did find:
That’s right. Chess.
Quick look at the Russian Foreign Ministry’s English page:
Apparently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks of November 22nd as “current news”.
Now, I am hardly a big admirer of Stalin, but when I see how these people work I cannot but think about the fact that in Stalin’s times they would have been shot as saboteurs…
I can hear some of you – anti-state libertarians – thinking that the state just cannot get it right. You think it is only the state? Ha! Check out Gazprom’s page today:
Yup. That is this multi-billion dollar mega-giant’s idea of “information”. My local convenience store can do better…
There are a lot of people out there who are under impression that Russia is cornered, losing this Cold War v2 against the Empire, that the Russian economy is about to tank, that the sanctions are having a dramatic effect, etc. In part, this is due to exposure to the Idiot-Tube (which many in Russia call the Zombo-box, the box to make zombies) and the rest of the MSM, but this is only part of the explanation. The main culprit is the Russian state and media – including RT – who just don’t seem to understand even the basics of PR such as:
1) When an important event happens, make darn sure that you provide a simultaneous translation into all major languages, then post the recorded video, and provide a transcript.
2) Make sure that good infographics, photos, footage, presentations are available to the press and the blogosphere.
3) Provide contact information to individuals who would reply to questions, help arrange interviews, provide background information, etc.
But no, not in Russia. Apparently in Russia every success has to be hidden as it it was some truly shameful event.
I think that the Poroshenko regime has (yet again) disgraced itself by placing foreigners in ministerial positions. And yet, when I see how absolutely and terminally incompetent Russians are in public information I wish they stopped trying themselves and hired an American PR firm. Honestly, look at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and tell me that any group of US high school kids could not do way, way better?!
The sad reality is that to try to honestly ‘cover’ Russian political developments from abroad is an extremely frustrating and disappointing exercise. You get exactly *ZERO* help from the very people who should be most interested in your efforts. Thank God for the Russian blogosphere which is full of dedicated and talented people (Colonel Cassad, Anna-news, Kazzura, South Front, Anti-Maidan and many, many others), who do, on their free time, what highly paid professionals are paid to do in the West.
But yeah, Russia will eventually prevail and it will eventually become obvious to everybody that the EU cannot take on Russia and the AngloZionist Empire cannot take on the “Russia+China combo”. Heck, with time people will even come to realize that Russia and China have forged a strategic alliance which make them more powerful than the US/EU/NATO combined. But I sure hope that Putin will find the time to fire all the imbeciles who are in charge of Russian public information and replace them with a new generation of younger Russian who understand what has to be done, and how that should be done. Either that, or hire Americans.
The Saker
Reply to VineyardSaker on 12-3-2014
at 1704 hours:—
Well, for all practical purposes, it looks like Ukrainians for some 20 years did try “implied fluffy tender soft humanitarian all-loving mentality” —like neglect and essential dismantling of own military [no real army to speak of], fully open borders with Russia, gave up the inherited nuclear arsenal, no claims or designs on anyone else’s territory as far as I know,—it did not work out for them.
Just like with the Kurds and Jews and ironically also the Palestinians, the Ukrainians face powerful forces that simply do not want them to exist in control of their own land and destiny
and perhaps do not want them to exist at all.—These forces may not be only the Russians.—And as far as I know,
under the real Stalin, people were sacrificed on very trivial grounds. Not to say that you personally would execute anyone. But if that was meant as a “Stalin joke” it was poorly taken.
Despite their PR experts, and the millions of dollars invested, goal not achieved.
The survey WIN / Gallup International was held in a very wide range of countries from all continents (65 countries in total). One of the questions that were performed were as follows (“Q8 Which country do you think is the greatest threat to peace in the world today.?”):
The result is very expressive. Overwhelmingly, the US appear as the greatest perceived threat to world peace:
http://blogdelviejotopo.blogspot.com.es/2014/12/que-pais-representa-la-mayor-amenaza.html
Saker!, besides Putin’s speech in Valdai, we have also transcribed and translated into Spanish Putin’s interview with German broadcaster NDR: (XD)
Here goes:
http://blogdelviejotopo.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/entrevista-vladimir-putin-y-el-punto-de.html
In case anyone wants to download in pdf Putin’s speech in Valdai and interview with NDR, I leave here the link (In Spanish):
http://blogdelviejotopo.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/recopilacion-de-textos-el-punto-de.html
Zaz: “Je Veux” ( In Italian with subtitles in Spanish ):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VyerPjePNQ
Anonymous said…@ 03 December, 2014 21:49
” neglect and essential dismantling of own military [no real army to speak of], fully open borders with Russia, gave up the inherited nuclear arsenal, no claims or designs on anyone else’s territory as far as I know.”
These are broadly true however your characterisation of them as
“”implied fluffy tender soft humanitarian all-loving mentality”
is contentious, since other interpretations of the reasons might undermine this somewhat rosy vision.
Your notion of Ukraine as a united entity since 1991 is also contentious as movements in Lviv, Rivne, Ternopil,Chernovtsi, and Zakarpatia have/had significant differences to other oblasts including Chernigiv, Vinnitsia and Zhitomir, all having significant differences with Kiev.
Within each oblast there were also significant differences largely based on age and class.
Your contention that ” the Ukrainians face powerful forces that simply do not want them to exist in control of their own land and destiny
and perhaps do not want them to exist at all” are the views in relation to Russia expressed on 1+1 and Channel 5 amongst others, whilst remaining silent on their owners and immigrants from a westerly direction some of whom have now been elevated to the government.
Part of your contention on powerful forces and their intentions is correct but your identification of these forces as including Russia, like 1+1 and Channel 5, are incorrect.
As far as I am aware excepting Crimea which in a democratic election wanted Russia, Russia does not want “Ukraine”.
However in alliance with oligarchs the forces, which are not particularly powerful, from the westerly direction do want “Ukraine”.
For various reasons these same forces have been screwing Ukraine since 1991 and most of the people have suffered.
The outputs of 1+1 and Channel 5 are designed to keep screwing Ukraine through propaganda.
Ukrainians have enough experience of being screwed in all meanings of the word – is it not time to change this?
If you remember the tale of the tortoise and the hare, if you want to win the race start by running in the correct direction – like the tortoise.
I agree the Stalin remark was at the very least in bad taste, and other responses at best naive but probably emotional reflexes.
elsi said…@ 03 December, 2014 22:05
”
Despite their PR experts, and the millions of dollars invested, goal not achieved.”
Don’t worry about the money – I hear they create it themselves.
On experts – I do hope you weren’t being ironic.
@anonymous:Well, for all practical purposes, it looks like Ukrainians for some 20 years did try “implied fluffy tender soft humanitarian all-loving mentality” —like neglect and essential dismantling of own military [no real army to speak of], fully open borders with Russia, gave up the inherited nuclear arsenal, no claims or designs on anyone else’s territory as far as I know,—it did not work out for them.
You think that the Ukies dismantled their own military out of kindness? That the open border with Russia was a sign of kindness also? And giving up nukes too? And no territorial claims also?
My God, you are even dumber than I thought…
First, the Ukie military was never dismantled, it was rotting away in neglect because the utter corruption of all their rulers.
Second, the border with Russia was open because millions of Ukies needed to go to Russia to get work there, because they could not get it at home.
Third, the Ukies gave up their nukes because technically they could not use them. They no more “owned” these nukes as the state of Wyoming owns “its” ICBMS.
Forth, you are misinformed. Ukie nationalists *do* have territorial claims with both Russia and Poland.
You are every bit as ignorant as stupid. So, now pay attention and try to remember this: you have been “fired” from this blog. For terminal stupidity, crass ignorance and brazen hypocrisy.
Good-bye!
:-)
The Saker
Anonymous said, at
03 December, 2014 23:23:
Friend anonymous…. American?
Oh, I see that the survey has hurt you. Well, that’s life, “which sows the wind reaps the whirlwind”, that we say around here.
Create money is limited, as will be seen one day sooner than later. Already voucher bluster.
With experts no, I did not want to be ironic, if so would have put quotes, but, really, if we measure the effectiveness in terms of objectives, expertise is compromised, isn’t it?
I advise you to take it ( all about your government ) with resignation and sip a linden or stand up and do something.
I have no guilt.
elsi said…@ 04 December, 2014 00:27
” Oh, I see that the survey has hurt you”
Careful what you see and careful how you are catalysed – remember the bit about disgust?
MIR usually acted reflexively and DINA and present opponents reflectively.
However the only constant is change.
On expertise, knowledge is both dynamic and social, so there are no experts but practitioners testing hypothesis close and not so close to home.
As to the car perhaps a consequence of living in interesting times?
Russian friend senior strategist, do you think I am wrong responding to American anonymous?
Not believe, though it may seem, not disgust me.
But … you’re talking several things ( events ) from Chile …. you want me to study the subject? …. really suits me … because I was very little at that time.
You intrigue me, a man ( or perhaps a woman! ) of few words, talking me almost in code… I’d be in Moscow ( or wherever you are ) to meet you and discuss these issues better!
Look, we could meet in the excellent new rink in Victory Park. There, among so many people, skating with this harmless little girl…you would pass completely unnoticed …..
About me and my car, do not worry, I could get up more early (if possible) and take the subway or…. go skating ….25km …XD
For now, I’m in shape.
elsi said…@ 04 December, 2014 16:02
“do you think I am wrong responding to American anonymous?”
You may think that was what you were doing –
“
Careful what you see and careful how you are catalysed.”
Arguably Chile was the start of more recent efforts by the opponents.
Try to learn from the errors of others – not your own, although errors are always context specific.
Try to test hypotheses before responding, try to learn that silence as well as patience can be valid actions, and try not to map your own expectations/prejudices onto data.
Try to learn to listen to things you don’t want to hear.
Try to learn that doubt is wisdom and certainty dangerous.
This is a broadcast medium – perhaps others could benefit.
Russian anonymous friend, was you who I’ve played as an American anonymous?
Well, actually I do not really know if you’re Russian.
I do not really find easy to know where you want to go.
You´d better go lighter.
For example, you could start by putting yourself on a nick in order I may know when you are you, you do not miss anything, I think.
You could also be someone from “actual opponents” making good cop with me ….
because …as I understand… I make many mistakes when it comes to my posts on this blog….
Trying to dissuade me from doing so? According to you, I do something right?
Let me inform you that I am quite inaccessible to despondency. From my time as a commentator in the Spanish pamphlet El País I have a maxim: if someone has to tire, that is the censor.
When I post here what I do with the best of intentions toward whom I think is right, Russia. I may be wrong sometimes, I am not infallible, and it is inevitable that someone clever use any material for their benefit. Sometimes I post articles and information about sites I have nothing in common.
Surely now I’m misinterpreting you, if so, forgive me, but, on line and with so enigmatic style, is what you get.
Now do not tell me not to disgust, because I’m not disgusted at all.
Also I must say the silence is not me, except when I’m tired or I have nothing to say, which also happens occasionally.
In my real life, yes, sometimes I regret talking so much.
elsi said…@ 04 December, 2014 22:56
Perhaps the content of the latest speech from Moscow will show you the context.
Manipulation is self-defeating if transcendance is the purpose.
Good cop/bad cop is a technique of fools often used by the opponents.
The content of the broadcasts was always to aid transcendance through sharing hypotheses with those not subject to despondency who can embrace doubt.
As to “nationality” that has never been a consideration since it is a label for obfuscation.
Senior friend strategist ( I do not say you Russian, because I see no loose clothing and the latest on nationality leave me more puzzled, if possible), if not because you have to write the captcha to comment, think you’re a machine because you’re talking me with single sentences …..
Well, anyway, I love you too.
I try to trust that you just want to advise me as a parent…. or a teacher?….. ….
Today I am tired ….
P.S: as I’m getting affection, I dedicate you a song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HKoqNJtMTQ
Hi Saker, Chinese share your sentiments. Our “propoganda” system is WAY worse…
At least Russian media have gotten much loyalty to country and anti-imperialism/US/NATO sentiments abroad… Ours, is just useless