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Russia Is Slowly Turning The NatGas Tap Off To Europe
While Naftogaz (Ukraine's gas pipeline operator) states that all gas transportation from Russia to Europe is running normally, Bloomberg reports that Russian natgas exports to Europe are declining. Shipments are down over 4% from the prior week and also lower to Ukraine. This 'adjustment' follows increased sanctions by the West as Medvedev's notable statement this morning that Ukraine owes Russia $16bn.
NatGas output is tumbling
The good news:
Gazprom today said natgas transit to Europe via Ukraine, supplies for Ukrainian consumption
But Pay Up...
Ukraine owes Russia $11b after collapse of 2010 deal, Russian Prime Minsiter Dmitry Medvedev says to President Vladimir Putin at Security Council meeting, according to transcript on Kremlin website.
Medvedev adds $3b Ukraine bonds bought in Dec., ~$2b debt to Gazprom for natgas supplies
NOTE: In 2010, Russia agreed to sell natgas at discount in exchange for extending lease to Black Sea naval port of Sevastopol in Crimea to 2042 from 2017
Or Else...
Russian natgas exports to Europe and Turkey, excl. former Soviet Union, declined to 405.3mcm as of March 22, according to Bloomberg calculations based on preliminary data from Energy Ministry’s CDU-TEK unit.
Avg daily exports to region were ~457mcm in March, lower than yr earlier: calculations based on CDU-TEK data
Shipments March 16-22 were 3.04bcm, 4% decrease vs level in week ended March 15
It is too early to see a trend, but for now, the direction is not hopeful for Europe.
Furthermore, Gazprom has cut its Diesel output by the most in 7 months...
and then... (via NY Times),
Russia is now asking close to $500 for 1,000 cubic meters of gas, the standard unit for gas trade in Europe, which is a price about a third higher than what Russia’s gas company, Gazprom, charges clients elsewhere.
Russia says the increase is justified because it seized control of the Crimean Peninsula, where its Black Sea naval fleet is stationed, ending the need to pay rent for the Sevastopol base. The base rent had been paid in the form of a $100 per 1,000 cubic meter discount on natural gas for Ukraine’s national energy company, Naftogaz.
And if that's not clear enough...
Of course, not every country is as exposed as the chart above shows, however, as Reuters shows below, EU's eastern members depend very heavily on Russia...
Below are details of how some of the ex-Communist EU states are economically exposed to Russia:
BULGARIA
Imports from Russia accounted for 18.5 percent of Bulgaria's total imports last year, worth about $6.6 billion. Russia is Bulgaria's biggest source of imports.
Energy is the main import from Russia. Bulgaria gets about 90 percent of its gas from Russian firm Gazprom. Its only oil refinery, controlled by Russia's LUKOIL, works on Russian crude and its only nuclear power plant, which provides over 40 percent of electricity, operates two 1,000 MW Soviet-built reactors that work on Russian nuclear fuel.
Last year some 700,000 Russians were among Bulgaria's 2.6 million tourists. Tourism revenue makes up about 13 percent of annual gross domestic product.
CZECH REPUBLIC
In 2012, the latest year for which figures are available, 66 percent of Czech imports of natural gas came from Russia.
Exports to Russia in 2013 were worth $5.83 billion, and represented 3.67 percent of total exports. Imports from Russia were worth $7.80 billion.
Russia's largest steelmaker Evraz has a plant in the Czech Republic.
A consortium including Russia's Atomstroyexport is competing in a multi-billion dollar tender to expand the Temelin nuclear power plant. Russian firm TVEL supplies CEZ nuclear power units with fuel.
In 2013, Russians accounted for the second largest group of tourists coming to the Czech Republic with 759,000 people, or 10.4 percent of total tourists.
HUNGARY
Russia is Hungary's largest non-EU trading partner. Exports to Russia last year were worth 2.55 billion euros ($3.5 billion), of total exports worth 81.7 billion euros.
Hungary imports about 80 percent of its gas needs from Russia.
The government has signed an agreement with Russia's Rosatom to expand the Paks nuclear power plant that supplies about 40 percent of Hungary's electricity.
Russia is Hungarian drug maker Richter's biggest market. The company has warned first quarter profit will fall due to the rouble's slide.
LITHUANIA
About one fifth of Lithuanian exports go to Russia, though a large part of this is "re-exports," meaning that Lithuanians are importing the goods from a third country and then shipping them on to Russia.
* Lithuania and its industry are almost totally reliant on Russia for energy resources.
POLAND
Russia accounts for 90 percent of Poland's oil imports and more than half of its gas.
Russia is Poland's second largest trade partner, with combined 2013 imports and exports accounting for 8.8 percent of foreign trade, worth $36 billion.ROMANIA
Romania's exports to Russia totalled 1.3 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in the first 11 months of 2013 or 2.8 percent of overall exports. Romanian imports from Russia were 2.1 billion euros in January-November 2013, representing 4.2 percent of total imports.
Romania is much less dependent on imported gas than other countries in the region. Romanian gas fields provide about 80 percent of domestic needs, and President Traian Basescu said that if Russia cuts gas deliveries, the effects will not be substantial.
SLOVAKIA
Exports to Russia in 2013 were worth 2.55 billion euros ($3.5 billion), or 3.96 percent of total exports. Imports from Russia were worth 6.15 billion euros ($8.5 billion)
Fuel for two nuclear power plants is imported from Russia. Russian firm Rosatom has been in talks to take part in constructing new nuclear power units in Slovakia.
Slovakia is nearly 100 percent reliant on Russian gas, and its budget revenues depend on the tariffs it charges for Russian gas crossing its territory.
SLOVENIA
Slovenia is among the EU countries with the largest surplus in trade with Russia. It exports some 1 billion euros of goods and services to Russia per year, about 4.6 pct of total exports.
For Slovenia's largest listed company, pharmaceutical firm Krka, Russia is the biggest single market. Krka has a factory in Russia and last year sold products worth 300 million euros ($413.5 million) to Russia, a quarter of its total sales.
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Crimea must be worth about, what... 11B? So we call it even eh, Comrade?
The Natgas won't bite until next year's winter that much. Diesel will bring Europe to its knees, quickly. Prepare for price pain.
Obama will be happy to pickup the tap. The printer is already running so just give a call to Yellen to print some extra and everything is ALL RIGHT
Oh dear. Seems supply is a good deal more elastic than demand.
never saw that coming
Or maybe it's Spring in Europe too.
Did Bloomy consult a calendar?
Good thing Germany essentially abandoned the nuclear industry after the disaster in Japan. Taking those steps to remove a cost effective and stable source of energy sure looks smart now. /s
When I was in Korea, they had around 80% of all electricity generated by next generation nuclear plants, and I think it's even higher now. Nations become surprisingly free to pursue their own direction when they don't have to grovel to states like Russia every month for unstable energy supplies.
Yet another stroke of foreign policy genius for the Kenyan boy-messiah. I wonder what he will phuck up next.
Merkel claims she is willing to make Russia suffer even if it hurts Germany.... Lets see if Germans will give up their hot bratwurst and cold beer....counting down to the reversal of sanctions.....3....2....1..
I love your avatar ! Totally my thing!
Germany is just "towing the line" that Obama wants to project. And we are not happy about Angie doing this either!
"No soup for you" tonight, Frau Merkel.
Germany will be supplied via NordStream
Tell that to the people living around and downstream and downwind from Fukushima. One nuclear mishap like that and you end up with large parts of your country uninhabitable for thousands of years. No thanks. Rather have cleand food and water than play dumb geopolitical games. Besides Germany is an export economy they are vulnerable because of that also.
"cleand food and water"
Right, the act of burning hydrocarbons doesn't constitute pollution.
Looks like beggars are still able to be choosers, for now.
Unusual warm weather in Russia. Russians normally have more holiday than west.
Decided take some more time off and work harder later...
Nevermind what Europe think.. or can understand anything at top levels
Russia may see record heat this summer. The odds are looking like El Nino year, and Siberia is already in second week of a heat wave. Kara sea ice breaking up already. Worst case for Russia is a repeat of tiga fires or even fires like a few years back in European Russia. Good luck, I see potential for record heat dome forming over Russia this year. 65% is my best guess. No such thing as positive, but trending towards record heat.
Time for Draghi to print diesel.
Get to work Mr Chairman...
Barry is busy picking wood or iron.
At least the cherries are safe around him.
You must be joking. E.U. will find other sources and Russia will suffer from the losses. Russia is more dependent on the E.U than E.U. is upon Russia
You don't seem to have been paying attention.
China is drinking all that any other source can pump. All of it, and they still want more.
There IS no other source.
OK, you might be right. I may not be paying attention. All I know living here in the E.U. is that no one I know is worried about heating their home for next winter. Germany atleast is well prepared -sorry
And they won't be worried for a while. Russia will just keep incrementing the prices and next year or the year after it'll start to hurt, but never too much. Just a constant nagging increase in the cost of fuel.
p.s. I don't know anyone who claims they are living in the E.U. They always state the country.
Must be a Brussels dude. Is that you Von Rumpboy?
Then maybe you don't understand the concept of "the E.U." ?
Just another clown pretending to be "the world".
What PART of EU are you living, you moron ?
Really, where is Germany's alternate source of petrol, diesel, benzine and kerosene? Some have very short memories.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6243573.stm
Coal to Liquids if they start getting desperate enough.
All of the alternative options are years away though.
The European peasantry are so unaware the Eloi are embarrassed to be seen with them.
And that said, the American Booberati are even worse.
I do so love "European peasantry" have you noticed the homeless on every corner in the U.S. lately? I have, when I go to Florida on vacation every 6 months for 4 weeks to visit my Condo.
how do you arrive at that? some facts pease?
Dual citizen and evil scumbag Victoria Nuland aka Nudelman - "F the EU!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsfV-8a_zrs
Mission accomplished!
Diesel.
I wonder if they saw that one coming?!
Europe to Russia: "Please turn our diesel back on so we can fuel our tanks. Thanks."
Kchrisc, you have no clue- sorry
When Russia ceases to be an exporter due to internal needs, then you know the SHtF. cf Mexico's oil output, or Norway, or ????
Dream on.... there is more going on here in the E.U than "diesel"......how primative.
A tacky song comes to mind: "it's gonna be a cold and lonely Christmas without you".
Within every crisis there is an opportunity, ask anyone who knows written Mandarin. But, Europe could start a grand new project to unhook themselves from unreliable and prickly supplier Russia and start getting its gas (and other energy) from many other suppliers and places.
Does Europe have the guts to do this? Is it even possible?
It is already grand new project of Europe (and other) that cause the trouble, not Russia.
Russia never started this crap and always patient..even when gas stolen and never paid for.
get real
heard on the radio the other day (NPR-national propaganda radio) that Germany was working towards a solution of renewable energy to replace what Russia supplies... you know, wind and solar... after all the rosy talk about green energy, even the propagandists had to admit that Germany has been increasing its coal consumption.... gasp!
Excuse Me for having to defend Germany but Germany actually exports 25% more energy than it uses. Ask France who is selling electricity into the french market ( and making french atomic powerplants lose money)
You don't seem to know very much about oil and where it comes from.
Germany has none.
Has a vague understanding of the word "energy".
You might be right, maybe Germany will consider fracking to make it "energy independent" like the U.S. thinks it is .
NPR - filled wiith lots of leftist dual citizens and NeoCons.
Right on the money even PBS, I was watching news hour and was like what is with all the dual citizens on here as guests day in and day out, and what is it with Judy Woodruff that lady is about to keel over, hasnt she made enough money, she can retire, lets get a younger person in there that can ask some provocative questions
PBS is toeing the main govt line as much as the big media. Bunch of sellouts
Any one that has lived or spent some time in Germany will laugh at the use of "solar" and "Germany" in the same sentence or even paragraph.
Really ? You seem to know about energy politics in Germany. Tell me how it is that Germany produces 25% more energy than it uses? Germany then sells this energy to it's neighbors. This pisses them off as it is cheaper than the energy they themselves produce. F.Y.
eurogold Tell me how it is that Germany produces 25% more energy than it uses? Germany then sells this energy to it's neighbors.
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Get in line. Many countries actually produce enough energy for their own needs, yet they export that oil in the international market to get higher prices, thus the domestic prices seems higher then it should be. And it always pisses off the domestic population.
I really am not here to argue. I am just amazed by the expert knowledge of some posters who think the E.U. is in some way dependent upon Russia for energy. This is not the case - sorry
Where do they get their oil, gas, nuclear fuel, rare earths from? If they do not produce all of it themselves, they are to some extent dependent on someone else.
eurogold I really am not here to argue. I am just amazed by the expert knowledge of some posters who think the E.U. is in some way dependent upon Russia for energy.
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Yet, you are here to debate. Which is why you are responded to by facts that you can't seem to refute.
Whoa dude!
Having lived in Germany and experienced the shitty weather, I was just poking fun at the idea of "solar" there. We used to count the days without sun. The record was 47. 47 days without sun!
I was making no statement on German politics or energy "policy."
And, despite the weather, Germany and the Germans are wonderful.
Please excuse Me for appearing perhaps brusque towards you. All I wanted to say is that Germany (the Country I know best in Europe) is well situated and structured Energy-wise. Germany has many energy sources to draw from, and not in any way dependent upon Russia for their energy needs. Hope this clears things up.
1. German electricity is 4 times more expensive than Russian gas.
2. Electricity is produced from a fuel. Gas is a fuel. German electricity is produced from Russian Gas, as well as coal with supplements from wind and solar.
Yes, energy costs here are higher, as are all costs compared to the U.S.. I drive a BMW with a V-8 and pay 8 $ dollares a gallon so believe Me when I say Europe is expensive. Yet, Europe is actually doing better than what is reported in the U.S Media. Europe is prepared for anything Putin throws at us.
Just curious where in the EU you purchase gas in gallons, or did you convert it from litres for us?
The Internet water army is not infallible!
So Germany mines a lot of coal, then convert to electric...?
And buy (nothing produced here) a lot of gas from Russia to convert to electric some and resell some?
How any think this means surplus of energy production?
Fact is Germans produce (make) auto and sell (exchange) to best customer Russians...who car a lot now..
produce is make something
produce like in livestock raising, garden, fruit
produce music, art
coal or gas to elect is conversion process and is net energy loss
produces or converts? just what exactly is beginning source of this vaunted German energy you speak of come from?
I never heard this before and right now too lazey now to research..
yeah, I agree. just think its rather entertaining how they paint the utopian new world order as a green paradise with equality for all (TM); mandated by the state of course.... in other words, you will be green and like it, even if you freeze to death or pay 1000% higher energy costs....
If there was no state, you would either have to pay real market prices for energy, or freeze to death. Not so different, really.
yeh...not much Germans complain of global warming
Germany is not sunniest place in world by long shot..nor windy either
And yet Germany has developed the greatest technological efforts to harness wind and solar power of any developed Country. Due to these efforts Germany has evolved into an example for other Countries, and now exports it's excess energy (25%) . Despite the fact that it is not a sunny or windy Country. How can anyone fault this ?
No problem that Germany is most productive..
But what percentage of German elect is actually from solar?
.
More than 100% of Germany´s demand gets produced by wind and solar on some sunny and windy days.
+1000 so true !
I believe the whole point is, nat gas from qatar, through syria, through turkey, to europe.
thats is why destabilization of syria.
but i dont have a map handy, so i am not +. sounds right though. definitely qatari nat gas to europe is the end game, route questionable.
Loucleve I believe the whole point is, nat gas from qatar, through syria, through turkey, to europe.
thats is why destabilization of syria.
but i dont have a map handy, so i am not +. sounds right though. definitely qatari nat gas to europe is the end game, route questionable.
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You're joking right? Qatar has less natural gas then Russia and is further away from Europe then Russia.
First, no it is not a joke, look it up.
Second, where do you think that natural gas from Russia is coming from, the Moscow sewers? Just because the borders are so close, does not mean the total distance the resources travel is short. Russia is huge.
Look map. Quatar to Europe is how will ever be stable secure route?
Russia is secure, except for Ukraine screwing around...and Nord and South largely avoid that...
Eurokraines can mess with some countries supply, which is likely to backfire against them several ways.
That sounds kind of racist. Are you saying Arabs are incapable of ever having stable governments and secure nations, but Eastern Europe is totally safe and secure?
You're kidding, right?
What's going on in the Don Bend is the Periclean Age compared to the usual goings on in the Arab League states.
Who needs pipelines anymore? Liquified gas transported by ship is where it's going.
It's happening already. I don't know why anyone is worrying about it.
1. Europe is not a country. It is a collection of somewhat independent states.
2. Yes, the "project" is already underway in Germany at least, with research funding for passive houses, heat pumps, solar, wind etc. buit there is 100 years of housing stock which is built to historical standards and would have to be rebuilt or retrofitted. The timescale is decades and the capital costs are large.
My family has a house in Germany that is over 450 years old and is still lived in. Why? because it has been renovated over and over again to the most modern standards. Yes one can preserve / retrofit well built houses. Heat pumps, solar etc. are technologies which are actively implimented. Is that wrong ?
Is possible. Guts? To be seen. The real question is, can they do it fast enough? Spidey-sense says nyet.
Opulence, I haz it. Gaz, I haz it. I jump in it, bitchez (kisses miniature giraffe).
Zymurguy Crimea must be worth about, what... 11B? So we call it even eh, Comrade?
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Compared to a bankrupt Ukraine that owes billions to Russia and China? And now Ukraine is dependent on begging for aid. Obummer is willing to give a mere $1 billion so far.
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Meanwhile, Putin has embarrased the US and Europe (NATO). Putin has gained a stronger foothold to the Black Sea. That's means stronger influence in nations surrounding the Black Sea such as Turkey, Romania, Georgia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and of course the rest of Ukraine.
The countries of Romainia, Moldova and Bulgaria are doorways to Europe. In Chess, pieces are taking one move at a time.
That's the beauty of what the Russians just pulled off. They got the Crimea for FREE! The new Ukraine government now is stuck with the least valuable parts, but still owe's Russia the cash as well. Sure, Ukraine still gets to charge for the passage of that gas, but if they raise it, their new European masters will get pissed.
Let's sumarize:
1. Russia just got the Crimea without really firing a shot. (win)
2. Russia doesn't have to pay rent for their new base on the Black Sea. (win)
3. Russia will make the West pay for the money Ukraine currently owes them or they shut off the gas. (win as Ukraine never would have paid on their own)
4. Russia can raise the price of the nat gas up to real market levels and basically starve what's left of the economy of the Ukraine and who will pay? The West. (win)
5. Bulgaria et al will watch what happens as the western bankers inslave the Ukrainians with debt (to pay for the gas) while at the same time their quality of life goes down as their economy shrivels. (win on the propaganda front)
Now the real question. Is this the flexibility that Obama was talking about before the election? Did Obama just give Russia Eastern Europe on a platter? What other flexibility do you think Obama had in mind?
All seem correct except for the last. Just how great is the quality of live in Ukraine? Was it so great that thousands of people, including old and young, men and women, turned out to throw out the old boss out?
These little countries like Ukraine that are stuck between east and west are really hosed. If they go east they get a Yankabitch style kleptocrat. If they go west they get IMF'ed.
The best option for them would be to just write off the debt and be completely independent, if terribly poor. Of course they will need to find a source of fuel but that is a price one might have to pay to be free. Since Russia was able to arbitrarily cancel the Crimea base deal then Ukraine can cancel the deal that allows Russia to send fuel through Ukraine and charge more for access. Both Russia and Europe would either have to invade or pay. Screw 'em both.
While they are at it, they should charge Putin with theft. He has taken Ukrainian ships and other military equipment. Place charges against him so as to make him not able to travel outside his own sphere of influence without facing arrest and trial. A gold backed currency would be great but who knows if they still have any gold?
What good is a corsair to Ukraine if there's no access to the black sea? Russia is STILL dealing from a position of strength, even if they simply lop off some of the debt Ukraine owes them in exchange for the obsolete ships.
Way to go ! poundsand ! There is intelligent life on ZH !
Watching one of Obama's foreign policy mouthpieces go on Jon Stewart and explain how Putin had lost this because no one would trust him anymore was the most entertaining thing to watch on TV in years.
Awful. Absolutely awful!
Brrr..
Good ! They should turn off the Gas to the E.U.
Russia might be surprised to find out how little Russian Gas the E.U. needs from them.
So would you it looks like.
@ eurogold: Are you just being glib, or are you cornucopian?
Actually I live, earn my living, and pay my bills in the E.U. but I disagree with the current U.S./E.U. posturing, which...... let's be honest will accomplish nothing.
eurogold Actually I live, earn my living, and pay my bills in the E.U. but I disagree with the current U.S./E.U. posturing, which...... let's be honest will accomplish nothing.
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let's be honest will accomplish nothing."
So will misunderstanding the implications of Europe's dependency on Russian energy.
Surprise ! E.U. is not dependent upon Russian Gas + Oil. Nice try !
eurogold Surprise ! E.U. is not dependent upon Russian Gas + Oil. Nice try !
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Yet you have been presented by fact you have yet to refute other then your own local personal experience.
Russia is the largest exporter of energy to Europe.
The largest importers of Russian gas in the European Union are Germany and Italy, accounting together for almost half of the EU gas imports from Russia.
Other larger Russian gas importers (over 5 billion cubic meter per year) in the European Union are France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Slovakia. The largest non-EU importers of Russian natural gas are Ukraine, Turkey and Belarus.
Note the country Ukraine in that last paragraph!
Now allow me to return your snarky attitude. Nice Try!
Thanks for your insight. I never meant to be "snarky". I am well aware of the only bargaining chip of the UKRAINE Being the pipelines running through it. If it gets "hairy" then the E.U. has other options. Thats all I am saying
Those options won't roll out overnight.
Not in March so much; how about next Winter?
Maybe, lets see what happens
There are alternatives for the E.U. to Russian Gas and Oil imports. Let's let Russia sell to China. What's stopping them ? Maybe an infrustructure ? Good luck Russia building one over the next few years
So, you gonna come pay my gas bill, or retrofit some alternative central heating system to my house for me?
Where do you live ? Maybe I will.
Get a woodstove...
central heat sucks
Russia did not start this. The EU and USSA did. Remember the "F the EU!" from NeoCon Victoria Nudelman? Europeans should be furious and complaining to their politicians but Brussels doesn;t give a shit what you think.
Freddie ! You are totally right ! Keep Rock'in Bud ! Europe has to project solidarity with the U.S. (even though this "act " is just that) - appeasement to look good. Everyone in Europe knows the score and is pissed off about it.
"NOTE: In 2010, Russia agreed to sell natgas at discount in exchange for extending lease to Black Sea naval port of Sevastopol in Crimea to 2042 from 2017"
looks like a good reason to have invaded crimea.
:)
Russia recognized the romance of the Ukraine towards the EU / Nato( aswell as the U.S. funded overthrow of the legit Ukraine Government ) so now everyone acts surprised that Russia pre-empted this "Theatre" by taking Crimea ? Please ..........
no...not that...you are accurate...i'm just suggesting that there are more than one reason for putin to rationalize (or even 'calculate') that then was the time to take crimea. he must, however, be a tad tired of gettin as new russian citizens those ex-crook elected president kings who then gifted out their people's treasury, ... and wait until ol' syria mass murdering 'god'-man hisself flees to the safety of mother russia.
:)
I think there is supposedly nat gas and maybe oil in the Black Sea off Crimea as well. Chevron wanted it.
rooke takes marble.
best
comment
ever
ronron rooke takes marble.
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You give Obama to much credit. Right now Putin is using Pawns to corner the King Obama.
Now, if they would only ask to be paid in gold............one can always hope.
I suspect that would be like trying to collect the payment for a water bill from a Detroit resident.
I am with you...as I too stack on !
As long as you make it COD. Or GOD (Gold On Delivery), in this case.
Force Majeure bitchez.
Did you ever get the feeling that WWWIII is well underway in every way except for the shooting?
has been for years
i put the start back about 1990
Who needs shooting when one has other options ? like U.S Treasuries to dump, etc.
Don't worry, Belgium seems capable of purchasing all US Treasuries as fast as they can be sold to them.
Belgium is a joke acting as a "strawman" for someone else doing the buying.
Or Phone calls to publicize
like on the nightly news?
It's probably the weather, or some new magic energy supply coming online that the MSM will inform us about shortly in the event anybody in Europe starts complaining.
that or the IMF will start getting to work very soon.
Well, bcause the fuckerz diverted all the arctic cold air via HAARP to north murica.
1. Fill the pockets
2. Keep the shale ponzi run
3. Fleece the sheeple
4. Show gayropeans their POOWWWR
5. Cut russian income
6. Heat the Putins lympiade success to ski on water ( didnt work)
Now is the rooski turn. Beware next winter. They have this tools also ( they invented it)
The "magic " energy supply is inplace already. Who cares about the weather ? In Europe we laugh at the nieve idea of others about our energy supply. The reality is that the E.U. will be just fine. E.U. is well prepared.
BS the weather has been really mild here in Europe, 4% in nothing.
yep, it was like early summer in many parts of western europe last week.
dup Volga region is very mild...usually navigated rivers bombed in May to get ice moving..looks might be near month earlier this year
Just now the your national reserves should be getting refilled for next year.
Mild? This was year without winter! No snow here. Sun shining all jan - feb- mar.
10 fcking celsius where used to be -5 to 0 from xmas to march ( middle middle gayrope)
This isuz crayzeee. Di deutsche sayz Nicht Normal!
Climatic war in full swing!
I am only afraid of climacteric war, b cause I heard murica is now deeply in love with this new young smart and strong guy russlan and olde post-climatocteric brutannia is veeeery envy!
She even sacked his old fucki-friend boy Izreal.
Damn the times!
Reminiscent of a 70s style OPEC embargo...didn't work out so well for either side.
Agree.
Russia's economy is currently thought to be in a recession and according to some, these sanctions will probably cement that recession to a deeper level. Russia has many social problems as well.
They need to sell gas and oil to prop up the economy. If they raise the prices prohibitively, less income will increase the effects of the recession.
All in all, lose-lose for all involved.
Social problems? You mean like crashing cities? Or 150 trillions of unfounded liabilities?
I guess they are scared!
I have wondered if oil prices are going to move down a lot more. It would certainly put a dent in Russia's pocketbook.
Norway has heaps of oil maybe gas as well?? I'm not sure about the gas.
This has all the hallmarks of a situation that will quickly get out of control. As long as the tentacles of the squid are active there will be trouble!
One wonders though if the imbeciles in charge have the intelligence to control the reactions??
Spain, Egypt, Somalia, Ukraine, Libya, Syria, Greece, Iraq, Italy, are either already burning or, tinderboxes.
DC US invasion of Norway in 3...2...
"It was reported today that the missing WMDs from Iraq are in Norway. Obama as brought Colin Powell out of retirement and is sending him to the UN with the same props as in 2003..."
Norway's oil production is in terminal decline. Peaked at about 3 million bpd about 2001 and is now under 2 million bpd.
So true ! In 5 Years they will nolonger be an energy player. Norway is in decline. Then they will then beg to become part of the E.U.
Ah, but they were smart... they foresaw all this and invested their fiat into other forms of fiat: stocks and Funds.
;-) ;-)
They are putting a lot of stock in the chinese willingness and ability to'buy' ruskie gas.
Why would they want to provide diesel that fuels tanks and APC's or the heat for the neo-Nazi putsch?
Payback's a bitch.
Always.
Look at lil' Ireland! They're adorable!
i think putin is smart enough to know he needs to encourage eu citizens to side with russia over ukraine. i don't think he would intentionally create the scenario that would give eu citizens reason to divert their opposition to the eu into opposition for russia. he would likely do a chavez thing and supply free gas to starving freezing europeeps suffering under austerity for the people and not the banks and .gov euro programs.
The miscalculation on the part of Putin is that he thinks the E.U. is dependent upon his Gas. This is just not true. The E.U. has prepared to remain as independent as possible ( with many options ).
Yeah right!!! I suppose Germany could crank up the ovens that were used in 1940. Hopefully they go with the same fuel source!!
I think you have a problem with yourself. Please inform yourself better about the state of energy policy in Germany before you try to sabotage this thread into something anti-semetic. You are pathetic !
"And so it begins..."