In my last blog entry (27/03/2026) I reported that,
"Holding a loaded gun in his quivering hand, and aiming it at the heads of his Russian oligarchs,
"Vladimir Putin has asked oligarchs to donate to Russia’s budget in a bid to stabilise the country’s finances as he presses on with his invasion of Ukraine, according to three people familiar with the matter." (Max Seddon (left): Financial Times: 26 March 2026) (my emphasis)
We now learn from Konstantin Samoilov (right) that,
"Putin sat down with the coutry's top oligarchs ... the wealithiest men ... his 'inner circle' ...
The tone in that room wasn't a negotiation. It was pure unadulterated blackmail.
The demand placed on the table from Putin was very simple and brutal.
"Hand over the massive capital to continue funding the war effort or face a 20% 'windfall' tax and, eventually, the dismanteling of your empires."
But instead of the usual 'fearful' complience, Putin got something very different this year.
He hit a wall of resistance. In a stunning display of defiance, all but one of the assembled billionaires, effectively snubbed Putin's demands. The concensus echoing through that room was very clear ... "We Will Not Pay!" .... "We won't pay!" ... Putin heard that for the very first time.
Putin left the meeting very angry" (Inside Russia: 11 April 2024: YouTube) (my emphasis)
"Peskov explained that one individual had independently offered to donate a “very large sum” to the state during a recent meeting with business leaders, describing it as a personal initiative. “This was absolutely his initiative, and not President Putin’s. Although, of course, the head of state (Putin) welcomed such an initiative,” Peskov added, insisting the money was not intended for the war." (Politico : 27 March 2026) (my emphasis)
"This "window" of of opportunity that Trump opened to Russians and Iranians when sanctions were 'temporarily lifted' will not save the Russian economy because the Ukrainian drones keep targeting Russia's export terminals just as the one in East Luga today, and Primorsk yesterday. And this is something that prevents Putin from saving his economy ..." (Anna From Ukraine: 26 March 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)
And as Trump tries to extricate himself from his war with Iran, in the hope that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened to releasing 20% of the world's oil for global delivery, BBC News reports that,
"US and Iranian delegations fail to reach a deal following lengthy peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan - how they unfolded
US Vice-President JD Vance says Tehran's negotiating team did not accept Washington's terms, adding "this is our final and best offer"
While Iran's foreign ministry calls on the US to refrain from "excessive demands" and says talks took place in an atmosphere filled with "mistrust, suspicion and doubt" (BBC News: 12 April 2026) (my emphasis)
This total fiasco of Trump reaching a deal with Iran, potentially using Vance as the 'fall guy' for the 'Islamabad Talks Failure', was something that the international political world expected.
Putin's belief that this ongoing war between Trump and Iran could offset his closed circle of Russian oligarchs refusing to bankroll his failing war in Ukraine as the price of oil coninues to 'spike', is proving to be the fantasy of a defeated man.
Ukraine contiues to succesfully and severely restrict the flow of Russian oil onto the international market, and Putin's oligarchs are finally begin to push against his demented "Novorossiya" fantasies.
Both Putin and Trump now stand 'politically' naked before the world community.
Putin simply cannot denounce or stop supporting Iran as the Russian economy continues to implode.
And as Melania Trump pushes the "Epstein Saga" back onto the forefront of news in the US, Trump cannot denounce his own wife in public.
…
[Péter Magyar] likened their electoral victory to the Hungarian revolution of 1848, and the uprising against Soviet occupation in 1956." (BBC News: 13 April 2026) (my emphasis)
