AuH20
03-04-2014, 02:48 PM
No energy for you, comrade.
http://www.cityam.com/article/1393824983/russia-s-ukraine-attack-end-pax-americana
Realism is in order. Europe needs Russia. No less than 58 per cent of Ukraine’s gas consumption is imported from Russia; the country would soon collapse if Putin decided to turn off the taps or hike prices too much. Paradoxically, any Western handouts from the West to Ukraine will end up being pocketed by Russia.
Around 36 per cent of German gas, 23 per cent of France’s and 27 per cent of Italy’s is Russian. Just like the Opec countries used to wield energy as a weapon, Putin could inflict immense damage if he sought to withhold supplies. Two-thirds of Russia’s gas exports to the EU go through Ukraine. Of course, waging economic war in this way would also be very costly for Russia. Both sides would be crippled.
As to London, it is hugely dependent on Russian money – FTSE companies, football, energy, property, wealth management and all sorts of other business. Proper sanctions, visa restrictions, confiscations, travel bans and the like would be extremely painful.
http://www.cityam.com/article/1393824983/russia-s-ukraine-attack-end-pax-americana
Realism is in order. Europe needs Russia. No less than 58 per cent of Ukraine’s gas consumption is imported from Russia; the country would soon collapse if Putin decided to turn off the taps or hike prices too much. Paradoxically, any Western handouts from the West to Ukraine will end up being pocketed by Russia.
Around 36 per cent of German gas, 23 per cent of France’s and 27 per cent of Italy’s is Russian. Just like the Opec countries used to wield energy as a weapon, Putin could inflict immense damage if he sought to withhold supplies. Two-thirds of Russia’s gas exports to the EU go through Ukraine. Of course, waging economic war in this way would also be very costly for Russia. Both sides would be crippled.
As to London, it is hugely dependent on Russian money – FTSE companies, football, energy, property, wealth management and all sorts of other business. Proper sanctions, visa restrictions, confiscations, travel bans and the like would be extremely painful.