It appears that the Ukrainians have siphoned off the Russian gas destined to Europe for themselves because they don’t want (or cannot) to pay market prices for their own gas. The Ukies have in fact taken the Europeans hostage. Good.
Serves the bloody Europeans well for their support for the worst forms of Ukrainian nationalism and their anti-Russian policies, including in the war in Georgia this summer.
The Ukraine – some ‘ally’ for NATO, eh?
Gorbachev said some 2 years ago: first the West demands Russia to adopt more free market policies (like, for example, eliminating subsidies for fuel). But then, when Russia begins doing this, by selling gas and oil at market prices for the ex-Soviet republics, the West accuses Russia of using the “energy weapon”. One more good example of Western double standards towards Russia.
By now, Russia can’t do much to force Ukraine to pay their energy debts: if Russia cuts the supply, the Ukrainians just shamelessly tap the gas intended for Western Europe. But as soon as the Nord Stream pipeline is finished, bypassing all former Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries and delivering Russian gas directly to Germany, the Ukrainians won’t be able to enjoy free gas anymore: then they will have to either pay, or freeze in the winter.
If Ukraine were still part of Russia neither the Ukrainians nor the Europeans would be facing these problems.
It’s hard to see why Russia should allow Ukraine subsidised gas if the Orangeists insist on playing footsie with NATO
The Ukrainian government can’t even fart without approval from Washington. All this crisis was planned and orchestrated from the US. They remembered how Europe reacted back in 2006 when the Russians shut the pipe. And after the Georgian humiliation, when apart from UK, Poland, and Baltic republics rest of Europe chose to ignore the recommendations supplied by the US they came up with another idea.
They just don’t learn.
Even Poland stopped crying “bloody murder” when Russia demands that Ukraine has to pay for gas.
And Ushchenko is just plain stupid. He was given a chance to get gas for $250, way below $400 Europe pays. No, he demanded a fair price of $215.
Well, it’s just like Putin said: let him go to a market an buy then.
Ukraine buys gas for $170 now and reexports it in Europe for $400. Even after they were offered $250 they still would’ve had good profit.
But they just don’t learn.
They think that they can keep being openly hostile to Russia on one hand, and expect a special relationship with Gazprom on the other.
I really start feeling for Bush. It’s just a shame he has no one around to help him.