Reply #71: Why Russia opposes intervention in Libya [View All]

[pinboy3niner]

Not new--we already know that Russia has been the number one arms supplier to Libya and stands to lose billions. (I remember that when a key Russian arms executive was asked how they'd recoup the losses from Libya, he replied to the effect that maybe they'd have to look at Latin America for customers.)

Anyway, this is worth revisiting:


1.52pm:

Earlier we heard that Vladimir Putin had compared the UN resolution authorising military action in Libya to "mediaeval calls for crusades". Here's a longer quote from the Russian prime minister, courtesy of Reuters.

"The resolution is defective and flawed," Putin said. He added: "It allows everything. It resembles mediaeval calls for crusades.

Russia abstained from voting on the resolution, along with Brazil, China, Germany and India. Sky news's defence correspondent tweeted earlier:

@niallpaterson Defence intelligence contact: russia has $4 billion arms contracts with libya, another $2billion pending. Explains their position?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/21/libya-gaddafi-air-strikes-live