Thread: Vladimir Putin to leave G20 early after pressure from West over Ukraine, MH17

Russian president Vladimir Putin plans to leave the G20 summit early, a member of his delegation said, after Western leaders blasted Moscow for the crisis in Ukraine and threatened more sanctions.



The Russian official told Reuters that Putin planned to skip a working session on Sunday at the two-day summit in Brisbane and bring forward his departure because he needed to attend meetings in Moscow.

The source has denied President Putin is bowing out after facing scrutiny from Western leaders over Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Putin's spokesman has told Russian radio the leader will leave the summit when all work is completed.

Russia has denied it was involved in a recent escalation of military activity in Ukraine, where fighting has claimed more than 4,000 lives, but faced strong rebukes from Western leaders, including US president Barack Obama and Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper.

"I guess I'll shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: you need to get out of Ukraine," Mr Harper told Mr Putin at the summit, according to his spokesman Jason MacDonald.

Mr Putin's response to the comment was not positive, Mr MacDonald said in an email, without elaborating.

Mr Obama said Russian aggression against Ukraine was a threat to the world, while the European Council demanded Moscow withdraw troops and weapons from the neighbouring nation and put pressure on rebels there to accept a ceasefire.

Mr Obama said the United States was at the forefront of "opposing Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which is a threat to the world, as we saw in the appalling shoot-down of MH17".

Vladimir Putin to leave G20 early after pressure from West over Ukraine, MH17 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Like they actually do anything at a 2 day summit.....

How many billions of dollars did it cost and for what? Obama got to show off his big cars, Putin got to show off his warships and Abort got to show how stupid he was by hosting it.

Possibly why he's Supposed to be leaving early.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Like they actually do anything at a 2 day summit.....

Originally Posted by Looper

The source has denied President Putin is bowing out after facing scrutiny from Western leaders over Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

He's leaving because he's a pussy who can't stand criticism, like dictators everywhere. Look around.

Being recently divorced, perhaps he has a date?

Originally Posted by ltnt

Being recently divorced, perhaps he has a date?

More likely he has to plan the harassment of some additional countries who pose no threat to the national security of Russia.

See pledge by USA 1989 to Gorbachev.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/op...anted=all&_r=0

Even the big boys can flounce occasionally.

Mr Putin's response to the comment was not positive, Mr MacDonald said in an email, without elaborating.

He laughed?

From the previously mentioned article.

By acknowledging that there might be some substance to Russian grievances, the Obama administration would strengthen our relations with Moscow. Given that NATO enlargement has already taken place (and efforts for further expansion are stalled), little would be lost with such an acknowledgment but much could be gained. Certainly, Western attempts to manage everything from Iran’s nuclear program to European energy supplies during the coming winter would be a great deal easier with Russia’s cooperation. A commemoration of the events of 20 years ago that included both celebration and candor would increase the likelihood of such cooperation.

First, I can see no advantage in Obama handing such an admission, essentially a negoting chip to weaken NATO in Europe, to Putin. Russia made their deal. They signed the documents. Their hand wasn't forced as, for example, Germany's was at the end of WWI. It might not be nice, but it's fair, and there has been no advantage to being nice to that sneering little hood, Putin.
I also doubt that it is enough to get Russia's cooperation on anything. Puty may not have to be elected, but he does have to play to the home team, and a good jingoistic war tends to draw people together. (On the other hand, I wonder lately if it hasn't backfired on him).

Originally Posted by Ozcol

How many billions of dollars did it cost and for what? Obama got to show off his big cars, Putin got to show off his warships and Abort got to show how stupid he was by hosting it.

Not sure the cost, but certainly obscene for what is nothing more than a big circle jerk.
It's ridiculous that to host this meeting they had to shut down a vibrant city, evict residents and close businesses.

Surely they could have held the meeting at a remote resort for a fraction of the cost and none of the intrusive disruption to the public they are supposed to serve.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Originally Posted by Ozcol

How many billions of dollars did it cost and for what? Obama got to show off his big cars, Putin got to show off his warships and Abort got to show how stupid he was by hosting it.

Not sure the cost, but certainly obscene for what is nothing more than a big circle jerk.
It's ridiculous that to host this meeting they had to shut down a vibrant city, evict residents and close businesses.

Surely they could have held the meeting at a remote resort for a fraction of the cost and none of the intrusive disruption to the public they are supposed to serve.

You're not under the impression that any of these criminals gives a rat's fuck, do you???

Putin's G20 exit sparks ridicule on Twitter

Russian President Vladimir Putin's abrupt departure Sunday from a testy G20 summit in Australia under the pretext of having to get some sleep sparked ridicule on social media, with wits also predicting that a koala may win a government post in Russia.

The Kremlin strongman, a judo black belt who prides himself on his stamina and his action-man image, left before the final communique from the weekend talks was issued, telling reporters it would take at least 18 hours to return home from Brisbane and that he needed to get some sleep before reporting to work on Monday.

"We need nine hours to fly from here to Vladivostok and another nine hours from Vladivostok to Moscow," he told Russian reporters in Brisbane.

"Then we need to get home and return to work on Monday. There’s a need to sleep at least four to five hours," he said. "I said goodbye to some colleagues."

Speaking just before leaving, he thanked Tony Abbott for hosting the event, despite the Australian prime minister threatening to confront him over the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in July.

Putin said his decision to leave early had nothing to do with tensions with the West over the Ukraine conflict.

But sceptics were not convinced, suggesting Putin was offended by the icy reception from Western leaders in Brisbane.

"After all Putin fled from Australia," quipped MID Roissi, a satirical Twitter account that parodies the Russian foreign ministry feed.

"President Putin did not like it in Australia: unlike 146 per cent of Russians, the rest of the world does not love him."

Koala cuddle

Another popular Twitter account, referring to the Russian president’s photo-op which saw him cuddle a koala, said: "There is a false impression that at the G20 summit Vladimir Putin conducted a meeting only with a koala.

"This is not true. There were also two kangaroos."

Others were more gracious, saying Putin’s koala may now be awarded a top government post and become part of the "first coalition government" under Putin.

"If the koala that hugged Putin becomes an envoy or governor then we will finally be able to adore authorities," tweeted opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has been held under house arrest since February.

Australian tabloid The Courier-Mail, which demanded that Putin apologise for the shooting down of Flight MH17, described the Russian leader as a "political pariah" and the "black sheep of the G20 family".

The newspaper said Putin was isolated at the summit, adding that protesters kicked beach balls bearing a photo of his head, waved Ukrainian flags soaked in "blood" and sang Ukrainian folks songs.

Putin faces Western wrath for his support of a pro-Moscow separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine in a crisis that has sent East-West tensions soaring to post-Cold War highs.

The West and Kiev say Russian troops are on the ground in Ukraine but the Kremlin has denied the claims.

Putin's G20 exit sparks ridicule on Twitter - The Nation

I did like putin's style when he shook the hand of a police motor bike escort rider when he arrived at the airport for his flight home.

Originally Posted by MrG

Originally Posted by Looper

The source has denied President Putin is bowing out after facing scrutiny from Western leaders over Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

He's leaving because he's a pussy who can't stand criticism, like dictators everywhere. Look around.

Exactly, because he's probably thinking who the hell does the US and its allies think they are.

Total hypocrisy!

Originally Posted by reddog

I did like putin's style when he shook the hand of a police motor bike escort rider when he arrived at the airport for his flight home.

It's the ex-secret policeman in him. I bet there are days when the former KGB Colonel wishes he could go back to beating up dissidents with nary a protest.

^You think he's stopped? Silly boy...