nder a 2010 accord between Mr. Yanukovych and Moscow, Ukraine received a 30 percent discount on gas in return for extending Russia’s lease on its base in Crimea for the Black Sea fleet. But after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Moscow abrogated the accord, canceling the reduction and bringing the price Ukraine now pays Gazprom to $485 per unit. Gazprom added that it intended to apply this price retroactively to 2010 when the deal was struck.That's a good one.
So the Ukraine has to pay for the privilege of having its territory seized.
I guess that's typical: to the winner go the spoils.
Or alternatively: the Golden Rule. He who has the Gold (gas) makes the rules.
Ukraine is a heavy producer of fertilizer on the world market. There is much speculation that they steal from the Russians via the pipelines traveling across their lands. I wonder if this is Russia’s way of trying to recoup losses.
Meanwhile, if the US just announced we would export LNG and related products, world prices would collapse, putting the Russian economy into an immediate recession.
But such an action would require leadership, courage and brains.....something totally lacking in the Obama Administration.
The Ukraine is a corrupt deadbeat nation, and has been since it’s referendum to secede from the Soviet Union.