Natural Gas Showdown
Russia has now shut off all gas to Europe/the Ukraine. I’m finding this situation very interesting, but also damn scary at the same time. To be clear, I’m a bit more scared of the American response than Russia’s actions. Many Americans seem to be stuck in a Cold War mindset and are constantly looking to make Russia the bad guy. Sometimes they are, surely, but this situation very much seems to be mixed.
The Ukraine is paying a fraction of the rates for their gas as European countries, it is entirely reasonable for Russia to want to raise those prices to a fair market value. If the Ukraine no longer wants to be a Russian puppet state (good for them) then they have to deal with the consequences of going alone. So if they refuse to pay the price Russia is asking, it is well within Russia’s rights to stop selling to them. They did that a week ago.
However, according to Russia, the Ukrainians are stealing gas from the pipes anyhow. So in response Russia cut off the pipeline altogether. If the Ukraine is stealing gas, it seems reasonable to seek to punish them. I guess some are unclear whether or not the Ukraine is actually stealing the gas or not. Obviously many Americans are since they are just blaming Russia for being a bully and imperialist.
If the Ukraine wasn’t stealing the gas, what reason would Russia have for cutting off the pipeline to Europe? That gas is worth a crapload of money and European countries are eager buyers (at full price btw). Why would Russia throw away all that money and piss lots of people off just to bully the Ukraine? Doesn’t make sense, so it seems reasonable to assume the Ukraine actually is stealing the gas.
So far Europe seems to be taking a more even-handed approach. Blaming both sides for their dispute and the fact that it is spilling over to other, uninvolved, nations. All I’ve heard from Americans is blame for Russia. Little mention is made of the Ukraine’s role in this mess.
Why are many Americans so determined to make Russia our enemy again? I hope Obama can bring a more fair & balanced approach. January 20 couldn’t come quicker.