Ukraine and Russian Situation

[davis121]

Looks like the Ukraine / Russian situation seems to be quite a talking point at the moment. Personally got a friend from and living there who thinks for sure will be joining EU 100% although looks like Russia might have other ideas.

Apparently now main gas line to Europe goes right through Ukraine and Russia currently are building one that goes round he country but is not finished yet and therefore might not be the right time to fcuk with the Ukranians?!?!?

Not really into the whole politics of the situation but some are saying US swerved the Syria situation when the Russians put their foot down but possibly seem to making the right noises with this situation?!?!

Putin takes losses on Ukraine, but Russia still has leverage and the will to use it - The Washington Post

[LivinLOS]

[faultytowers]

Looks like the Ukraine / Russian situation seems to be quite a talking point at the moment. Personally got a friend from and living there who thinks for sure will be joining EU 100% although looks like Russia might have other ideas.

They may get an "Association Agreement" with the E.U but they definitely won't be "joining" the E.U.

A European Union Association Agreement (for short, Association Agreement or AA) is a treaty between the European Union (EU) and a non-EU country that creates a framework for co-operation between them. Areas frequently covered by such agreements include the development of political, trade, social, cultural and security links.

Russia may just cut off all their financial support/trade with Ukraine , will all 27 member countries of the E.U be willing to bail out a country that isn't actually part of the union ?

[davis121]

They may get an "Association Agreement" with the E.U but they definitely won't be "joining" the E.U.

Olli Rehn, Europe’s top economic officer, said the EU is prepared to offer a financial aid package worth billions of euros to Ukraine and extend the longer-term prospect of EU membership to help stabilise the country.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/fec6c...#axzz2uIOl2Ucf

Sounds like it might be possibility long term ?

[Captain]

There is a big difference between the Western part of Ukraine and the Eastern (ethnic Russians in the majority). I guess it ain't finished yet.

[Captain]

Olli Rehn, Europe’s top economic officer, said the EU is prepared to offer a financial aid package worth billions of euros to Ukraine and extend the longer-term prospect of EU membership to help stabilise the country.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fec6c296-9c4b-11e3-b535-00144feab7de.html#axzz2uIOl2Ucf

Exept asshole Olli Rehn is out in a few months. Elections in May.

[faultytowers]

Olli Rehn, Europe’s top economic officer, said the EU is prepared to offer a financial aid package worth billions of euros to Ukraine and extend the longer-term prospect of EU membership to help stabilise the country.

EU ready to offer financial aid to Ukraine - FT.com

Sounds like it might be possibility long term ?

Turkey has been in "negotiations" for E.U membership for almost 10 years , can't see the rest of the E.U rushing to admit Ukraine ............ so a very long term prospect.

I also wonder how some of the poorer E.U countries will feel about financial aid being given to a non E.U country while they are struggling with their own financial problems.

[davis121]

Do you not think that Ukraine might be more strategically important to the West though ?

[Captain]

Agree 200% with Faulty

[Captain]

Do you not think that Ukraine might be more strategically important to the West though ?

Strategic for what? For costing us money like those other East-European countries who only want money but do not abide with our standards?

[davis121]

“The emergence of a democratic independent Ukraine transforms the geo-strategic landscape in Central Europe,” Distinguished Chair in European Security at the RAND Institute F. Stephen Larrabee wrote in an email to Business Insider. “Without Ukraine Russia ceases to be a Eurasian empire. However, if Russia were to regain control over Ukraine with its 46 million people, major resources and access to the Black Sea, Russia would automatically regain the wherewithal to become a powerful imperial state.”

Additionally, a number of key gas pipelines from Russia to Western Europe run through Ukraine. In pure economic terms, a shift to Russia would likely change the dynamics of how Western Europe is powered.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/wh...portant-2014-1

[LivinLOS]

Strategic for what? For costing us money like those other East-European countries who only want money but do not abide with our standards?

Gas pipeline feeding europe.

[kris-one]

Exactly. Russia/Gazprom keeps Europe's lights on.

[LivinLOS]

If You Thought The Cold War Was Over, Just Look At What Is Happening In Ukraine

Our proxy war..

[davis121]

Tensions seriously running high in parliament there for sure. Couldn't believe this.............



Think the only guy we had that could have held his own in that environment was this guy............

[Captain]

Gas to Western Europe goes mainly through pipelines from Norway to Belgium, North Africa to Southern Europe and shipping through Spain, Montoir (France imports from Algeria) and Zeebrugge in Belgium (with imports gas from Qatar, import through the Statoil /Gassco line from Norway and the Backsea line exporting to the UK the port handles more tha 50% of the gasneeds for Western Europe
In the meantimenew LNG terminals are/were built in Rotterdam, london Ports and Milford Haven.
The Russians are building a new pipeline , which doesn't go through the Ukraine ( in the last conflict Ukrainians stole the the cas destined for Eastern Europe and the Yugoslavian republics) to Germany. They are also building a new LNG-port in Northern Siberia for shipping it to Western Europe.
In a crisis, there will be a shortage in Bulgaria, Roumania etc as those countries get the gas through the "Ukrainian" pipeline.
There is not much Gazprom gas going to Western Europe, with the exception maybe of Germany.
The complete Western gasnet is connected.
Been sailing on LNG tankers to Montoir and after been involved with LNG in the port of Zeebrugge. I don't say I know a lot, but I know something.
Biggest problem with gas to Europe now is the big demand from Japan after the Fukushima disaster, they closed a lot of nuclear power stations and switched to natural gas

[davis121]

Gas to Western Europe goes mainly through pipelines from Norway to Belgium, North Africa to Southern Europe and shipping through Spain, Montoir (France imports from Algeria) and Zeebrugge in Belgium (with imports gas from Qatar, import through the Statoil /Gassco line from Norway and the Backsea line exporting to the UK the port handles more tha 50% of the gasneeds for Western Europe
In the meantimenew LNG terminals are/were built in Rotterdam, london Ports and Milford Haven.
The Russians are building a new pipeline , which doesn't go through the Ukraine ( in the last conflict Ukrainians stole the the cas destined for Eastern Europe and the Yugoslavian republics) to Germany. They are also building a new LNG-port in Northern Siberia for shipping it to Western Europe.
In a crisis, there will be a shortage in Bulgaria, Roumania etc as those countries get the gas through the "Ukrainian" pipeline.
There is not much Gazprom gas going to Western Europe, with the exception maybe of Germany.
The complete Western gasnet is connected.
Been sailing on LNG tankers to Montoir and after been involved with LNG in the port of Zeebrugge. I don't say I know a lot, but I know something.
Biggest problem with gas to Europe now is the big demand from Japan after the Fukushima disaster, they closed a lot of nuclear power stations and switched to natural gas

Whatever way you look at it the Ukraine is strategically important to the West.....


"Russia, meanwhile, accounts for 34% of EU natural gas imports, making it the lead supplier of natural gas to the EU."


https://csis.org/publication/russia-eu-gas-relationship-partnership-necessity


"two-thirds of Russian gas exports to Europe go through Ukraine," said Taras Kuzio, a research associate with the Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies.


Vladimir Putin's Ukraine dilemma: How to react? - World - CBC News

[LivinLOS]

Think the only guy we had that could have held his own in that environment was this guy............

I dont have any real idea of the guy politically.. But you want to throw an egg in someones face, be prepared to get clipped back.

[Captain]

Whatever way you look at it the Ukraine is strategically important to the West.....


"Russia, meanwhile, accounts for 34% of EU natural gas imports, making it the lead supplier of natural gas to the EU."


https://csis.org/publication/russia-eu-gas-relationship-partnership-necessity


"two-thirds of Russian gas exports to Europe go through Ukraine," said Taras Kuzio, a research associate with the Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies.


Vladimir Putin's Ukraine dilemma: How to react? - World - CBC News

But in the meantime Nordstream, the pipeline under the Baltic from Russia to Germany is operational
Southstream, from Russia to Europe evading Ukraine, for transporting gas to Serbia and Italy is being built

[davis121]

Looks like Ukraine really do need a miracle now and possibly may end up losing a lump of their own country if Mr Putin gets his way

BBC News - Ukraine orders full military mobilisation over Russia moves