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Ukraine PM Warns Russia's "Economic Aggression" Is Unacceptable

Tyler Durden's picture




 

"Russia was unable to seize Ukraine by means of military aggression," Ukraine's PM Yatsenyuk blasted, "Now they are implementing plans to seize Ukraine through economic aggression." His comments come after Russia's Gazprom raised prices for gas 81% from $268.50 to $485.50 (on the basis that the previous discount was a subsidy for allowing the use of the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, which Russia now has annexed) to which Yatsenyuk chided "political pressure is unacceptable, and we are not accepting the price of $500." Mr. Yatsenyuk, as WSJ reports, said his government will not pay the new price and will raise the issue in the Stockholm Arbitrage court, which was selected by the two countries years ago to settle the gas disputes - but warned his people that the country should prepare for Russia switching off natural-gas supplies.

 

As The Wall Street Jorunal reports, Ukraine's prime minister warned Saturday that the country should prepare for Russia switching off natural-gas supplies, as the energy monopoly Gazprom said it will raise the price for gas for Ukraine by 81%.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said Moscow's price increase was a form of "economic aggression," adding that Kiev will not recognize the new price and is ready to challenge it in the international arbitrage court.

 

Russia's natural gas monopoly Gazprom's Chief Executive Alexei Miller said Saturday in a televised interview the company has raised the cost of gas to Ukraine to $485.50 from $268.50 for 1,000 cubic meters from April 1.

 

Moscow says the price change is due to Kiev's failure to pay its bills.

Mr. Yatsenyuk responded aggressively:

"Political pressure is unacceptable, and we are not accepting the price of $500," Mr. Yatsenyuk told ministers.

 

"Russia was unable to seize Ukraine by means of military aggression," Mr. Yatsenyuk said. "Now they are implementing plans to seize Ukraine through economic aggression." he added.

 

He said Ukraine " will not touch" any of the gas destined for Europe if Russia limits supply for Ukraine. Mr. Yatsenyuk said Ukraine will continue to try to negotiate the new gas deal with Russia.

Gazprom's additional argument for raising the price (aside from credit-risk-adjusting for the billions already owed) is somewhat remarkable...

Mr. Miller said Ukraine owes Gazprom $2.2 billion for March deliveries, and another $11.4 billion the country saved as part of a discount agreement that Moscow recently scrapped.

 

Mr. Miller the discount was a prepayment for the Russian Navy's use of Ukraine's Black Sea port of Sevastopol through 2017, but as that port had been annexed by Moscow, along with the rest of Crimea, Ukraine should repay $11.4 billion it saved, Mr. Miller said, following similar statements by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

In other words, because we annexed territory for which we had previously given you a discount for, you now need to pay us full price.

Mr. Yatsenyuk said his government will not pay the new price and will raise the issue in the Stockholm Arbitrage court, which was selected by the two countries years ago to settle the gas disputes.

With the US and IMF lining up to give "aid" to Ukraine, we wonder how all those taxpayers will feel when the hard-earned money gets greatly rotated from Ukraine's balance sheet straight to Gazprom's... or how the 'newly liberated' people of non-Crimean Ukraine will feel about their leaders when the country goes dark and cold...

And if Yatsenyuk thinks he can wait it out... starving Gazprom of potential revenue (that they are not even paying anyway) think again... As Reuters reports,

Gazprom Neft has not been affected by Western sanctions over Russia's annexation of Crimea but is ready to move away from dollars in its contracts and to redirect oil flows to Asia if needed, the CEO of Gazprom's oil arm said.

 

..

 

"As for sanctions, they have not affected the company's business in any way," Dyukov said in St. Petersburg, where Gazprom Neft is now based.

 

He suggested that Western companies did not want broader sanctions imposed on Russia, but that Gazprom Neft would reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar if necessary and turn to Asia if doorways to the West were shut.

 

...

 

"No such task has been set (by the government)," he said. "But ... we have discussed with our buyers the possibility of switching contracts to euros and ... 95 percent said they are ready."

 

"This shows that in principle there is nothing impossible - you can switch from dollars to euros and from euros, in principle, to roubles," he told reporters in remarks authorised for publication on Monday.

 

"Of course, I have had meetings, contacts with representatives of Western business circles ... In principle, they are not interested in escalation of tensions," Dyukov said.

So once again, actions by the West that were supposed to show strength will 'boomerang' back and do more to weaken the appearance of any global might that may remain.

 

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Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:50 | 4630849 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

"You and what army?"

Mazeltov, Yats!

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:57 | 4630866 knukles
knukles's picture

Todjaso!

The price of gas to "The" Ukraine is gonna be raised substantially of which this is the first fillip to the deadbeats and the price for Western Europe through "The " Ukraine is gonna go up a few 100's percents.

And if anybody fucks with Vlad anymore, just like the Czech premier just did a few minutes ago (ref Reuters) ruminating about NATO troops in Ukraine, they'll just decide that gold is the only reasonable means of payment....

O'Barry and the EU are cutting their faces off over a gas pipeline from the Gulf to Europe that was Never Going To Be Built!

Idiots on Parade
Our Winter of Obie Discontent

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:04 | 4630891 123dobryden
123dobryden's picture

let them hoard gold for us, they will gladly sell it in times of trouble just for food and guns as thay always did, and trouble..., they will bring upon them themselves as usual

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:31 | 4630963 Gaius Frakkin' ...
Gaius Frakkin' Baltar's picture

Vae victis

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:54 | 4631018 manofthenorth
manofthenorth's picture

Woe indeed. This is EXACTLY how the next big one gets rolling. Unintended consequences are a real bitch. Unfortunately resource conflict is built in to the exponential growth cake , there is no escaping the great reckoning.

The Quitter

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child,
And Death looks you bang in the eye,
And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle
To cock your revolver and . . . die.
But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,"
And self-dissolution is barred.
In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . .
It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard.

"You're sick of the game!" Well, now, that's a shame.
You're young and you're brave and you're bright.
"You've had a raw deal!" I know -- but don't squeal,
Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.
It's the plugging away that will win you the day,
So don't be a piker, old pard!
Just draw on your grit; it's so easy to quit:
It's the keeping-your-chin-up that's hard.

It's easy to cry that you're beaten -- and die;
It's easy to crawfish and crawl;
But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight --
Why, that's the best game of them all!
And though you come out of each gruelling bout,
All broken and beaten and scarred,
Just have one more try -- it's dead easy to die,
It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.

Robert William Service   Nothing to do but keep on stacking Jolly good luck to all you pirates MOTN
Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:13 | 4631068 Soul Glow
Soul Glow's picture

The title to this article should read -

Ukraine's Unelected PM....

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 22:50 | 4631239 0z
0z's picture

Can yoou please stop saying Dollars!?
Fed BankNotes, USD, or something,

But a Dollar is a fucking Silver coin dummies!

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 00:10 | 4631370 TahoeBilly2012
TahoeBilly2012's picture

"economic aggression" you mean the CIA flying in and collecting all the sovereign gold 24 hours after an illegal coup?

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 00:58 | 4631421 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

don't forget the $70 billion in foreign exchange spirited to swiss accounts.

http://www.24hgold.com/english/news-gold-silver-emerging-dynamics-of-pet...

 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 23:57 | 4631355 RafterManFMJ
RafterManFMJ's picture

Here's a lesson 'Stumpy' the old woodsman taught me - "Don't poke the bear."

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 03:31 | 4631519 IronForge
IronForge's picture

Looks like it'll be more difficult for TEAM_UKR to get itself out of its Hole...

http://rt.com/business/moody-ukraine-downgrade-default-545/

"Default Imminent"  - that pretty much cements the requirement to collateralize hard assets for all forms of Foreign Financial Assistance.  Now there are demonstrations for "Self Determination" in the East and South - which will most likely leave this Fire Sale on a Sinking Ship.  

The Foreign Policy Plans to "Criticize, Defame, Isolate, Contain, and Control" TEAM_RUS appear to be backfiring on so many Levels; and justly so.  It makes me wonder exactly WHAT Ms. Nuland and TEAM_USA spent "Our" USD 5B on.

My Condolences to the True Victims of this Tragedy.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 08:59 | 4631807 gallistic
gallistic's picture

So we are is giving them the Hard D.I.C.C.C. treatment?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:03 | 4631038 Millivanilli
Millivanilli's picture

Hearing this whiney fuck is hilarious.   Did anyone tell him the "west" is constantly starving children  through sanctions?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:47 | 4631101 crazzziecanuck
crazzziecanuck's picture

It's worse when you realize that someone has their facts wrong and I don't think it's me.  From what I understand, the discount that Yatsuniuk is speaking of was part of the sweet deal to pull Ukraine away from a disasterous EU agreement.  Not only was the price of gas reduced, but the Russians were going to buy Ukrainian sovereign debt with a 5% coupon.  There was nothing in the December deal that deal with the Black Sea port.  That agreement was done back in 2010?  It was to expire in 2017 but Yanukovich extended the agreement to 2042 or something.  The deal also began to roll back restrictions on Ukrainian imports into Russia.

I could be wrong but that's what I remember reading about a month ago by a Polish columnist over at FT.  I trust them over Reuters or WSJ any day.

http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2014/01/21/guest-post-ukraines-oligarch...

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 00:27 | 4631392 Freddie
Freddie's picture

F U Yats! 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:53 | 4630854 TeamDepends
TeamDepends's picture

What about the Feds' smash and grab of Ukrainian gold under cover of night?  Out of sight out of mind.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:17 | 4630940 booboo
booboo's picture

At the onset of WW2 a U.S. Sub relieved the Philipines of all it's gold before the Japenese arrived , the crew all got a Medal of Honor, I'm sure Marcos got it back after the war, Bwaaaahahahaha.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 08:51 | 4631805 Zwelgje
Zwelgje's picture

Thanks, nice reminder. 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:57 | 4630855 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

The worst thing that Ukraine, the EU, NATO and the Petro-Dollar should prepare for is...

"GAS FOR GOLD!  OIL FOR GOLD!  How much can you afford?  Buy it or Bounce, Bitchez!"

"GAS FOR GOLD!  OIL FOR GOLD!  How much can you afford?  Buy it or Bounce, Bitchez!"

"GAS FOR GOLD!  OIL FOR GOLD!  How much can you afford?  Buy it or Bounce, Bitchez!"

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:06 | 4630895 knukles
knukles's picture

Yeah...
Watch... the next pronouncement from O'Bunny's gonna be that henceforth the only acceptable medium of exchange for Russian oil and gas id gonna be gold.
because there's not enough to go around, it means by inference and Syllogistic Logic that nobody'll buy Russian oil and gas and thus, harm Putin & Cie.

I cannot fathom the beating the West is taking with the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Guys, FFS, just declare Victory and go back to wanking, worry about dog catchers or something noble..

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:21 | 4630949 TruthTalker
TruthTalker's picture

there is enough gold to go around - usa just doesn't have any - suggest you get an education about what is happening  http://www.gold-eagle.com/article/emerging-dynamics-petro-yuan-standard

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 01:01 | 4631424 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

i don't think you or the down arrows got his joke.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:53 | 4630858 Taint Boil
Taint Boil's picture

Isn't that what USA is trying to do to Russia?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:53 | 4630859 rsnoble
rsnoble's picture

I have firewood for sale.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:17 | 4630941 DaddyO
DaddyO's picture

It's of no use with the new regulations being proposed by the EPA.

http://johngaltfla.com/wordpress/2012/07/12/the-epa-is-preparing-new-regulations-for-wood-stoves-and-fireplaces/

DaddyO

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:23 | 4630952 TruthTalker
TruthTalker's picture

when the dollar collapses they want us to freeze - screw them - American Spring May 16th Washington DC - be there

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 23:08 | 4631266 DeadFred
DeadFred's picture

When the US collapses it won't be the EPA knocking at your door, it will be Homeland Security. They won't care if you're burning dead trees.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:58 | 4630860 SmilinJoeFizzion
SmilinJoeFizzion's picture

The Masters starts Thursday. This Russian thingy could really cut into Barry's TV time

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:08 | 4630900 knukles
knukles's picture

Oh Shit.

I didn't think of that.  Him interrupting the Masters with 2 hours of pointless drivel.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:53 | 4631158 mccvilb
mccvilb's picture

No, Barry has aspirations of playing in the long driving, chipping and putting contest.  He's written an executive order declaring a new eligibilty group aged 52 and older. Biden plans on pulling a Haig and will seize the opportunity to declare he's now in charge back at the White House.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:16 | 4630937 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

No Tiger this year. No one cares 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:50 | 4631009 Wahooo
Wahooo's picture

That poor guy has been irrelevant for several years. Lots of people will be watching the best players in golf at The Masters - tigger is no longer in that class.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 22:02 | 4631172 American Dreams
American Dreams's picture

Yes he is, he looks like the presidents son.

There be no shelter here

AD

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:54 | 4630862 JR
JR's picture

Why don’t we just have a one hour video by John McCain on what the issues are and what we should do? Then we won’t have to use every word that a mobster-driven, illegal government in Kiev has to say.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:57 | 4630870 Poor Grogman
Poor Grogman's picture

Putin to Yatsenyuk

SHOW ME THE MONEY !!!!

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:01 | 4630873 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Sounds like they already have everything lined up to switch away from the

petro dollar.They know it will take Europe three years to arrange alternate

supplies(if its even possible) by which time they will be ready to ship oil, and

gas to China.Shows what proper forward planning can do against a paper tiger.

Full yuan convertability  is check mate.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 19:58 | 4630874 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture

Ukraine need to shut the hell up and learn what free market is. You need natural gas... Russia has it... so pay what they ask, or find alternatives.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:58 | 4631025 Savvy
Savvy's picture

Makes you wonder who's running the show with such entertaining incompetence.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:00 | 4630879 123dobryden
123dobryden's picture

its not coincident russia is the largest country in the world, this nation and its leaders think and act with landmass on mind as a result all neighboring countries and territories gets destabilised

 

 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:02 | 4630884 Reaper
Reaper's picture

Is Obama going to pay the price of his coup to Gazprom? Is Obama going to instruct Putin in the proper price of gas?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:08 | 4630901 Berspankme
Berspankme's picture

O'bathhouse is working on  gay marriage right now. He doesn't have time 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:11 | 4630919 knukles
knukles's picture

Which one?
With Sasquatch the Reginator or other people's he's not had the balls to address, yet?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:02 | 4630886 franzpick
franzpick's picture

Vlad warns GoBomb'm: "See This Line?"

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:04 | 4630892 razorthin
razorthin's picture

Says the psycho Hitleresque bitch from Ukraine.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 23:43 | 4631331 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

I'll always remember where I was when she rolled onto the stage post coup on that EU subsidised wheelchair.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:05 | 4630894 Jack Burton
Jack Burton's picture

Jesus, this is heating up fast! How, in a capitalist world, can you complain of gas prices, if you don't like the price go to another provider, that is the heart of free markets. It works well for me, if the gas station's price is too high, I go to another. I always have leverage, I am the customer, am I not?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:13 | 4630926 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Slowly, and then suddenly.

The bankruptcy of the USA,that is.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:33 | 4631088 813kml
813kml's picture

Natgas is a slightly different animal, it's more difficult to drive a country down the road to the next pipeline.  But I get your point.  

Welcome to the West, Ukraine!!!  You're gonna love it here, at least until next winter.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:06 | 4630896 Infinite QE
Infinite QE's picture

This coming from a mouthpiece for the New Bolseviks, the alien entities that have used control of the global currency system to enslave billions, have directly murdered hundreds of millions and are in process of destroying all life on earth via their GMO monster.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:07 | 4630898 williambanzai7
williambanzai7's picture

You see the thing is, they don't have to accept it. They can go and buy it elsewhere. Good luck...

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:09 | 4630909 Berspankme
Berspankme's picture

except elsewhere would actually require payments to be made

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:11 | 4631062 813kml
813kml's picture

There's always a catch in the fine print.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 07:04 | 4631652 RazvanM
RazvanM's picture

This may be the equivalent of Saudi charging 1/4 ounces of gold per barrel. And next, the whole world starving.

 

This game of chicken will get even more serious when the resource companies play the geopolitical card. It's nothing funny to be in Eastern Europe these days. And believe me, nobody likes Russia around here - and this is for serious reasons (many around here had relatives being herded to Siberia and killed, or relatives being raped, or relatives being imprisoned and tortured or killed by Russian sponsored mafia in communist times).

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:08 | 4630902 Handful of Dust
Handful of Dust's picture

Charge what they like. It's a free market.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:10 | 4630911 Uber Vandal
Uber Vandal's picture

This article from 2001 lays it all out as to what the Ukraine can expect their non-future to look like.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2001/apr/29/business.mbas

 

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 03:34 | 4631522 beaglebog
beaglebog's picture

Excellent piece there, from the Guardian.

 

Written in 2001 ... before the Brit Security Services came a-calling at the Guardian' offices, confiscating computers and generally strong-arming the journos.

 

The paper is now sanitised ... it's now complicit in crowing the "Party Line".

 

Fear does that to you.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:15 | 4630932 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture

Activists who took the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, said that runaway ex-president Yanukovych has landed in Donetsk.

How long before Yanukovich asks for Russian protection?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:09 | 4631057 813kml
813kml's picture

I think Yanukovych is on his own.  Putin views him as a weak pussy for letting this mess happen on his watch.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:17 | 4630938 Seize Mars
Seize Mars's picture

Ok is there anyone left on the planet who thinks all these leaders are actually in charge of anything?
I would like to see the real scumbags emerge from the shadows.
Everything nowadays is all lies and theft.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:20 | 4630946 straightershooter
straightershooter's picture

Very eerie argument.....

I admit I don't know anything remotely related to Ukraian or Russia....

Having said that, let me ask the following questions:

 

1. How much did Germany pay for Russia Gas? or Poland Paid? Was that 500? If so, why would Ukraian complain about?

2. Does Ukraian have to buy gas from Russia? If Ukraian is not happy about it, why not just walk away?

3. Does Russia have to sell gas to Ukraian? If Russia is not happy about the price, why not just walk away?

4. Why Ukraian must keep a close contact with Russia? If not happy, why not just shut the door down or close border up and ask Russians to go away?

 

Another stupid question: Why Ukraians would be fooled by other western nations to pick a fight against Russians? does the western pay up in the first place for such a fight?

I just don't understand. Wasn't the CrimeA a gift from Russia sometime ago, now russians got pissed, they want it back? A git that keeps giving ( Crimea, in terms of ...discounted gas for using some land or port in Crimea)...now that the gift was rescinded, so went the gift that keeps giving ( discount)...

 

some sagacious man or woman in Ukraian, please explain it?

 

 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:28 | 4630959 TruthTalker
TruthTalker's picture

the people voted to rejoin Russia - Russia did not invade Ukraine - the US stirred up a phoney revolution to try to protect the petro dollar - and it is back firing in their faces.  They are intent on starting a war and so far cooler heads have prevailed   http://www.gold-eagle.com/article/emerging-dynamics-petro-yuan-standard

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:22 | 4630950 gann1212
gann1212's picture

this whole thing has been played wrong from the beginning. i wouldnt have threatened russia or any of that. i would have met with european leaders and formed some kind of approach. bottom line if the country is not in nato its not really our business. russia is not iraq ha ha. they have nukes they can deliver. that should be remembered in dealing with them. but the downfall of the u.s like all other empires is over expansion while u have huge poverty here and no manufacturing jobs. thats a formula for collapse which will happen at some point exactly when who knows. game set match on the american empire what will replace it who knows.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:23 | 4630951 Caveman93
Caveman93's picture

Don't worry, the EU and IMF will save you HAHAHAHA!

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:27 | 4630957 Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga's picture

So what's  your problem Mr. Yats? Just ask your buddies overseas for the cheeeeeaaaap shale gas. Problem solved.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:31 | 4630964 americanspirit
americanspirit's picture

Ukraine - Russia has gas. You have the world's most beautiful women. Ever hear of trading? You could send Julia to Vlad as an appetizer.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 10:34 | 4632128 Mountainview
Mountainview's picture

Julia lost her charmes and converted to whichcraft instead!!!

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:34 | 4630965 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Maybe they should only cook their taters with the gas and then it won't be so bad for them. Unless they don't know how to cook taters.But that would be worse than having gas. I mean not having taters. Oh now I don't know what I mean. I think I'll BTFD tomorrow.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 22:04 | 4631178 One of We
One of We's picture

You can BTFD alongside the early bird special or BTFATH at champagne brunch.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:35 | 4630967 grunk
grunk's picture

The U.S. will air drop Snuggies.

$6.95 shipping and handling.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:37 | 4630980 Quinvarius
Quinvarius's picture

Some inexperienced little kid from GS said this was all transient.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 20:56 | 4631019 undertowed
undertowed's picture

Once again, Putin's got the EU and Ukraine by the gonads. CHECKMATE. 

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:09 | 4631060 awakeRewe
awakeRewe's picture

Let me get this straight:

They are raising the prices because they have not been paid ...?

If you are not paying who cares what it costs.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:11 | 4631063 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

If raising the cost of energy by 81% is 'economic aggression' then is the Fed guilty here in the US?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:13 | 4631070 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

Putin knows that Ukraine will not pay this - the US and EU will -- as 'aid' to the 'free' Ukraine.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:19 | 4631085 Fred Hayek
Fred Hayek's picture

As silly as those comments are, there's actually some teeth behind them that isn't being discussed. According to what I've read, the Crimean peninsula doesn't have any power generation plants of its own. It gets all its power through the Ukraine (and not from across the straits in Russia). So, if Putin turns off the gas to Ukraine or charges a huge new price, the Ukrainians could respond by turning off power to the newly minted Russians of Sebastopool.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 23:25 | 4631304 CrashisOptimistic
CrashisOptimistic's picture

Not quite. Ukraine power is nat gas sourced, and even with that they overconsume their production.

The difference comes from the Russian grid.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 10:38 | 4632146 Mountainview
Mountainview's picture

Some EU gas transits through Ukraine. At the checkpoint you don't exactly know,whos gas you are dealing with EU's or Ukrainian. I remember Julia knew exactly how to mplay this game (in her favour obviously).

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:40 | 4631133 22winmag
22winmag's picture

This psychobabble has a distinctly Western tone to it. Teleprompter much?

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 21:57 | 4631162 mccvilb
mccvilb's picture

I see Dr. Roberts was quoting Zero Hedge today in his blog.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 00:54 | 4631418 813kml
813kml's picture

I love his articles, he definitely calls a spade a spade.

Sun, 04/06/2014 - 22:07 | 4631184 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

All Federal Reserve debt notes are soon to be backed by genuine Kenyan grade, polished turds. The tribes have already created two trillion metric tons of these unique treasures.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 00:17 | 4631379 caustixoid
caustixoid's picture

Beggars CAN be choosers, apparently.

Hopefully this is just election talk.  He can't be this dumb can he?  Yats, talk to the Kremlin by backchannels, promise to string the EU and IMF along to get some big loans, win the election, then renege on the loans afterwards, get a new Russian gas deal for next winter.

OR get tooled by Nuland and have your country disintegrate.  Ask yourself when the shit hits the fan -- will I be taken out by the Yanks, the Russians or my own neo-nazis?

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 01:11 | 4631428 Joe A
Joe A's picture

If you like your subsidized low gas prices you CANNOT keep your subsidized low gas prices. Welcome to the market economy bitchez. And if you think this is bad just you wait until you need to implement the IMF's 'structural adjustment programmes'. How about that as 'economic warfare'?

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 08:30 | 4631516 foxenburg
foxenburg's picture

 

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Richard Nixon said Saudi Arabia's price increase was a form of "economic aggression," adding that Washington will not recognize the new price and is ready to challenge it in the international arbitrage court.

 

I don't seem to remember that happening in 1973.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 07:36 | 4631683 Sandmann
Sandmann's picture

Ukraine should build windmills like the British do......nothing more exciting than driving past NSA facility Menwith Hill and watching windmills turn.........a diversion from the £40 million underground power station the NSA built......or the windmills turning near Eggsborough power station......very amusing.....

 

On the other hand a levy of 10% tax on US gasoline should raise enough funds to subsidise Ukraine's wasteful use of energy and show Brotherly Solidarity

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 09:07 | 4631844 gallistic
gallistic's picture

The Germans had a big push for "alternative" energy generation awhile back, and went bonkers putting windmills all over the frickin' place.

Siemens wind turbines everywhere...

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 10:38 | 4632147 john.smith
john.smith's picture

Not surprised about the gas price hike. Why would Russia help a hostile government anyway?

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